Managing A Technology Based Business

Steve Jobs then returned to Apple as a special consultant after being gone from the company for almost twelve years (Apple Computer, Inc. History). Taking a closer look at the chief executive officers over Apple’s history will give us an even closer look at Apple as a company throughout its history.

Apple, Inc. (formerly known as Apple Computer, Inc.) was incorporated in the State of California in 1977. Apple currently designs, manufactures, and markets a variety of computer and personal electronic products, including Macintosh computers, and the iPod digital music player. AppleÕs key markets are consumers, creative professionals, educational institutions, and business users.

In 2003, a rare tumor called the neuroendocrine tumor was found in Steve Jobs’s pancreas. Jobs kept avoiding his doctor and surgeries. But 9 months after the tumor was found, he finally agreed to have surgery. The surgery was successful and gave Jobs another six to seven years to live. Blumenthal said about his situation, “The prospect of death kept him focused on what was most important to him, prompting him to shift direction when he stopped making the most of each day” (246). Jobs took several medical leaves from Apple and finally, he resigns from Apple on August 24, 2011. This left many people worried if Jobs was going to be okay; he was not. A little under two months later, he passed away and the whole world was distraught by his

Introduction The intention of presenting this report is to give a full strategic appraisal and evaluation of Apple Inc. In 1976, the company was founded in a garage in Santa Clara, California. The American multinational corporation mainly involves in designing and marketing consumer electronics, computer software and as well as personal computers. Differentiation is the current strategy position of Apple Inc. There are five main firms in the PC industry and among them; the world’s leading brand is Dell. Apple’s major target is to sustain their present strategic position and to take over the market position as a leader. The key stakeholders include Steve Jobs, employees, lenders and the government.

He then worked for Compaq as vice president of corporate materials, procuring and managing product inventory. After six months at Compaq, Cook left his position and took a job at Apple. In August 2011, Cook was named Apple 's new CEO, taking over the position for former CEO and Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who died in October 2011 after a years-long battle with cancer.” (bio.com)

Apple Inc. was incorporated on April 1, 1976 with its founder Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac. Apple Inc. is an American multibillion company and it is also the world’s top company that is well known for its high quality electronics and software products. The company is best known for their product line of computers such as MacBook Pro, Mac Book Air and many more. Other products from Apple include iPhone, iPad, iPod and other hardware and software products. Apple Inc. was incorporated on April 1, 1976 with its founder Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniac. (Terrell, 2008) Today, Apple Inc. is one of the most successful companies worldwide due to the company’s good reputation.

An analysis was done on Corporate-Level Strategies adopted by Apple Computer Inc. (“Apple Computer”) that has brought tremendous success to the firm since it started.

Apple Corporation was initially operating into the personal computer arena but later diversified into other segments. The change was brought by changes in management and differences in views that were coupled with missed opportunities resulting in loss of competitive advantages. The company currently operates in the music and personal computer industry as part of its initiative to continue providing innovative products for its customers. Despite venturing into different industries to enhance competitive advantages, the corporation is still confronted by intense opposition across all its business segments or industries. The aggressive competition is mainly because the markets for personal computers, mobile communication devices, consumer electronics, and digital music services are increasingly competitive. The competitiveness of these markets is also attributed to the rapid technological advancements that constantly increase the capabilities of these devices. In light of the increased competition, the Apple Corporation needs to develop and establish measures for sustaining competitive advantage with evolving external environment and executive succession.

Another major change that was a huge part of Apples change was its ability to market and innovate their products now that Jobs was gone. Steve Jobs and Tim Cook seem to be on opposite ends when it comes to the product innovation and marketing strategy. Thus the change in the approach now, For example, Jobs enjoyed creating illustrations that look like real life objects in his apps, and now apple

Apple was established by Steve jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne on the 1st April 1976 to enhance and market personal computers. It was titled Apple INC on the 9th June 2007, to emulate its aim at producing consumer electronics. They are in the Electronic industry and its most profitable goods are the Mac Computers, the iPod player, the iPhone, and the iPad tablet. Apple constantly debuts ingenious goods which ranks it one of the most customers, suppliers and investors and has a record of beating all rivals.

Apple started in 1976 by Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs as a computer company. Jobs and Wozniak had been friends in high school. In the year 1975, they were members of The Homebrew Computer Club, a now-legendary group where electronics supporters met to discuss the Altair 8800 and other technical topics (Nik Rawlinson 2015). Wozniak joined forces with Jobs to make personal computers in Job’s garage. That effort started out as a shoestring operation and quickly became successful. In 1977, the pair presented a relatively modern-looking computer in a plastic case and incorporated as Apple Computer that same year (Rouse 2009). In the last decade, Apple has expanded into a very complex company that specializes in much more than just computers. In 2001, Apple broke the obstacle with the iPod, eventually becoming the mainly market leader in music players as well.

Apple, Inc. started as a computer company launched back in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. The goal behind Apple Inc. was to create a computer that could be used by diverse global communities. Apple has always been very savvy in their approach on releasing the advanced technology that their company provides. Along with their innovative company computer products, Apple Inc. has expanded into other avenues. In addition, to the computers Apple Inc. has found themselves in the market of designing and manufacturing mobile and

It is beyond all doubt that Apple Inc is one of the most successful and well-known companied all over the world nowadays. What’s more, the company is considered to be the leader of the industry The Apple products are of high quality and in high demand on all the markets. Apple services and stores are the gold standards for all the followers and niche players of the industry. Moreover, the majority of Apple customers are extremely loyal to the brands. Once they started using its high-technical products they keep doing it. At the same time the market share of the company is increasing constantly. Probably all the competitors are questioning what is the key to Apple Company’s success. It is important to note that the whole strategy determines the success of the business and the strategic analysis of the company can help to identify the main criteria. Thus, the object of the research paper is to develop a strategic analysis of Apple Inc, including its internal and external environment.

Apple Inc. has strived to achieve and maximize its product line and revenue and be the world’s leader within the society of technology. “During the last 20 years, Apple Incorporated has done exactly this with consistent brilliance shown within the products Apple Incorporated invents and provides to not only America but the world. The idea of this case study is to explore and research Apple Inc.’s adopted business plan, the plan that led to the creation of a new found market, i.e. microcomputers and later iPods and iPhones (Strategic Management Insight, 2013. SWOT analysis of Apple).”

The beginning of Apple started when Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs were friends and college drop-outs; Wozniak worked for Hewlett-Packard and Jobs worked for Atari. They decided to build and market their own computer in April of 1976; this was the beginning of a company known as Apple, along with their first product, the Apple 1. The company grew from that point, year by year, in leaps and bounds, such that in 1980 Apple employed several thousand employees ("Apple-history," 2013). Apple went through several ups and downs between 1981 and 1997, not to mention several CEO’s along the way. With the loss of Steve Jobs, it seemed that the company struggled until his return in 1997. With his return, Apple started to climb out of the hole it had fallen into (Mesa, 1998). From 1997 to 2007, With Steve Jobs at the helm, Apple became a leader in the technological world of computers ("Apple-history," 2013).