Success And The Downfall Of Brands

Overall in the past few years Apple has become more and more successful through preparing for the growth of E-Business for today’s society. The company has taken in and analysed competitors behaviour in order to remain market leaders and stay at the forefront of high end products such as IPhone and there IMacs range. Apple have tried to create a unique feel for their products when compared with Microsoft they have been trying to play catch up with Apple in all the same categories they both operate in. Apple use very different marketing techniques compared to Microsoft which has made Apple the number one brand in the world.

One key element of Apple’s strategy in computers, personal media players, tablet computers, and smart phones is product innovation, diversification and development. Over the years Apple has been very successful in integrating software and hardware in new developing products. Despite the struggling economy in recent years, Apple has been able to grow their market share and stay ahead of the game.

Apple was established as an IT company dealing in exclusively in computers. However, competition in the technology sector forced the firm to focus on other consumer products. The diversification strategy has seen Apple’s sales grow tremendously in the last decade, earning the firm the No. 1 brand position at Forbes. The Apple brand is recognized on an international scale and enjoys a strong recognition thanks to its aggressiveness when it comes to creativity and innovation (Tar, 2013). It has a large number of loyal customers who would purchase the new products regardless of the market price, which guarantees profits from the new division.

Another aspect of their success is their approach to product designing. In Apple, product design always precedes engineering. They envisage their product, engineer one way to the goal, and start from scratch if anything does not seem right. They have always tried to make products which are easy to use and does everything better than a similar product in the market. This approach has worked pretty well so

I learned that Apple is a juggernaut when it comes to their technological products and marketing goals. Apple focuses on the needs of customer’s light years ahead of their competition and even before most consumers have realized they want Apple’s products. Through their innovative marketing involving social media, word of mouth, Apple Stores they have convinced consumers about the high value of their product even lending to the formation of a “Mac cult” for its diehard fans. The way ahead for Apple is not to lose sight of its brand loyalty and continue to service the customers and entice them with the brand’s prestige. Even with the death of Steve Jobs, I believe Apple forge ahead to differentiate itself from the markets they are in.

“Apple uses promotional and advertising tools to capture the attention, interest, and desire of the consumer. Apple captures our attention and interest through innovating and sleek imagery of their products on Apple's official website as well as keynotes and other publication” (Villefranche, 2011). For example Apple just released the I phone 5 which was highly anticipated and the publicity that Apple had prior to the release was tremendous and also brought in many new customers. It has been said that the first weekend the I phone 5 was available they sold 5 million phones. Apple made a plan and set up objectives and goals that they desired. Through integrated marketing they have met those goals and it allows for them to set higher goals and reach them as well. Apple also knows their competitors very well and this allows them to be in this market and compete very well.

Twitter is a service for people to communicate and stay connected through the exchange of quick, frequent messages. It's an online social networking and micro blogging service that enables users to send and read short 140 character text messages, called "tweets". Twitter is a social website where people are allowed to make posts about different things. Twitter has 645,750,000 registered users as of January 1, 2014. Twitter is now stepping up to global television. Micro blogging is the posting of very short entries or updates on a blog or social networking site, typically via a cellular phone. Twitter allows its users to keep their friends and family informed of their current status. Twitter first began in 2008 as a small project; but now

Apple prides itself on offering innovative technology to a society that has become dependent on it. In markets inundated with companies offering similar products and services, Apple has had to rise above and distinguish itself from the masses. While their products have a cultivated a devoted-customer following (our family is one of them), their organization and the values it espouses are what will help them to remain a relevant and successful company in the tech world.

Finally, IKEA also has good customer service in their stores by providing a place for the kids while their parents do the shopping. The store layout is very personal, such that the customer can seat and feel the comfort while choosing what suits the customer’s priorities. The brochures given out to customers guide them in making decisions. Their easy credit also adds value to customers by making the products more affordable/reasonable. IKEA has put customer ownership on a higher level by involving them not just in the buying process but also in the assembly of furniture in their homes.

Social media plays a huge role in our daily lives. In just over a few years, social media has exceedingly taken over. Twitter is one of the many well-known social media sites today. Many use it as a form to get news and information, while others use it as a way to express themselves. Twitter has greatly impacted our society, both positively and negatively.

Apple has created a unique and powerful reputation and product line that continues to be innovative and fresh to the consumer for the last 30 plus years. Apple has continued to be an industry leader for hardware and in the recent years faces the extremely fast-paced market of media and software products including the global marketplace.

According to the news website Business Insider, Twitter is one of the fastest ways to get breaking news ranging from local incidents to national and international events. The use of Twitter is also a great way to communicate with renowned people like Hollywood celebrities, athletes, business and political leaders. People mostly use Facebook, Instagram, and other social networking sites to connect and interact with family and friends through the use of pictures, videos, and status updates. On the other hand, people tend to use Twitter to share brief and concise ideas and topics. Twitter is a free and easy to use service that you can use in a variety of ways. This social networking service helps you express your own ideas, inform people about developing news, or ask for a personal advice. I would like to guide you through the steps of how to start using Twitter. In order to navigate Twitter, you must select an electronic device with reliable internet access to create a Twitter account and learn how to browse Twitter’s interface. From here on, you can compose and share a “tweet”, which is a brief message of no more than 140 words.

The stores have restaurant, childcare facilities and plenty of parking. Customers can drop off their kids at the playroom and have delicious meal when they are tired. All of these not only provide customer with a comfortable shopping environment but also let them make an ‘IKEA trip’ and enjoy the fun of buying. Besides, IKEA’s distinctive show rooms help creating differentiation. Products are strategically placed in different small spaces like rooms which allow customers imaging this furniture in their own home. This makes everything looks more attractive.

Ikea's mission is to offer a wide range of home furnishing items of good design and function, excellent quality and durability, at prices so low that as many people as possible can afford to buy them (www.ikea.com)

IKEA’s strategy before the mishaps in America could be characterized as going against the norm charting their own path to success using low priced manufactures to secure lower selling prices aimed to target those who were of older age and of middle class standing. Their new strategy was to target those of a younger demographic, young married couples, college students, and 20-30 something singles. By reemphasizing design, promoting through hip quirky advertisements, and encouraging consumers to do away with their old furniture, IKEA revenues doubled in a four-year period. IKEA today has adapted somewhat of a local customization strategy where their store layouts will resemble that of many local household layouts as proven by their success in China where they failed to expand beforehand. They also keep their prices extremely low in some areas as China by sourcing a large percentage of products in the area of operation.