...UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT | Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple | Case Analysis | | Submitted By Aakriti Acharya Animesh KC Sirjana Shrestha Surendra Pandey | Synopsis Apple is the world’s most successful and leading brand. Due to unique vision, philosophy and dedication of Steve jobs and employees, Apple has been able to maintain its competitive position till date. The employees of Apple provide new values to customer through unique design and innovation. Apple has the ability to understand and deliver the customer’s needs in simple and sophisticated way. The major reason behind the success of apple is its strategy where it develops product that are completely differently than competitors i.e. it believes in being innovator rather than imitator. Case Issues The issues in this case can be listed as: * What are the key factors that have contributed to the innovation and creativity at Apple? * Is there any systematic approach to innovation at Apple? * Will Apple be able to keep up with customer’s expectation and continue to be a leading brand without its founder Steve Jobs? * Which is more important? Innovation or Brand image? Case Facts The facts mentioned in the case are listed below: * Apple went through a lot of turbulent phases and had many ups and down in the past but still, it struggled and never gave up. Due to its commitment towards product design and development it has been able to sustain...
Words: 1624 - Pages: 7
...Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple | Apple Case Summary | | This documents describes in brief the history of Apple and discuss its strategy to success. In addition this documents also draws similarity between Steve Jobs and the current CEO of Apple Tim Cooks. | | Pradyot Mohanty (Twin Peaks) | 1/17/2012 | | History Apple was founded by Jobs and Steve Wozniak in 1976 a time when computer was perceived as nothing but a complex computation system which was used only in big corporate firms and operated by qualified professionals. No one had ever imagined that kids at the age of 10 would be playing games, studying science and reading comic books using a small handheld device which does wonders with a simple touch. When one thinks of Apple, the first thing that comes to mind is Steve Jobs and when one is thinking about Steve, Ipod is the first thing that strikes the mind. I believe a company's growth and success is a direct consequence of its leader's vision and direction. And the same is with Apple . Apple's key strength has been innovation by simplicity, the way Steve envisioned it. "Apple's success is not just the result of clever strategic moves or an innate sense of market timing. It came from a deep commitment to understanding how people used computing devices and a desire to develop insanely great products" [Design Thinking and Innovation at Apple, Stefan Thomke]. Apple's history is the proof of its innovative reputation. When Jobs was leading the...
Words: 1169 - Pages: 5
...Managing change and innovation Assignment no 2 Design, Thinking and Innovation at Apple Submitted By- Group 3 Q1. Why has Apple been so successful? What do you attribute it to? Ans1. Apple is a very successful producer of computer software and hardware that leads in its competitive industry. Its success can be contributed to deep commitment of understanding how people used computing devices and a desire to develop insanely great products. They managed to create products what people wanted. The many reasons for Apple’s success are: * Innovation – radical innovation came with consistency. Anyone who used apple II and picked up iphone three decades later would find a familiar object .they were different , but the same. * Though they kept innovating, the look of their product and their use was steady. * Company’s obsession with secrecy – product concepts and early prototypes are never shown in public. * Bold business experimentation – to move into retail. It built retail stores when competitors were moving to direct sales and distribution models. * Kept things simple – simplicity in design and use – it helped people love their equipment and experience of using it animated. * They gave painstaking attention to details; even small detail like the...
Words: 742 - Pages: 3
...of the organisation An explanation of how these different functions work together within the organisation to optimise performance An identification of the culture of the organisation and at least 2 ways this affects operations. NAME: COHORT: COMPANY: Apple Inc. WORD COUNT 750 In order to understand the organizational business or operation environment and cope with specific organizational culture, it seems important to get the comprehensive information regarding the products and services, customer base, organizational goals or objectives of the company and its internal or external influencing factors. Considering the same, brief insight about Apple Inc. can be of great help for new managers to understand and cope with new organizations culture. Apple Inc. is known in the global market place for its innovative new dimensions of digital technology, which acts as the core competitive advantages of its business. Company has well known brand repute in the local and global market places, which entails it to expand its business of producing personal computers, computer software, servers, consumer electronics and digital media for distribution etc beyond the domestic boundaries. Apple has developed innovation and new digital technology...
Words: 905 - Pages: 4
...Product leadership Samsung and Apple Samsung has been searching for an answer for the hugely popular iPhone since the smartphone-boom exploded in 2007 with the launch of the first iPhone. The answer came in the form of the OS Android. Samsung decided to walk hand-in-hand with google and released the first galaxy s phone in 2010, to compete against the industry giant, Apple. Since then, the industry has matured. And Samsung, from having a small smartphone market share in 2010, has accomplished an amazing feat in such a short span of 3 years as they have grown to even outsell apple in 2013. The reason for their success is Samsung’s innovation. Samsung has always been recently shifting heavy attention on product innovation. It has shown its innovation in its flagship models the galaxy series where the S1 to the S4 and the addition of the Note series to address the niche Phablet market. Also, Samsung has been looking out of the box. The current flagship model, the galaxy S4, has features that puts it in a league of its own. In the survey we conducted, when asked about whether which company produces better smart phones, Samsung pulled ahead with a majority of 58% while apple is close behind at 31% and the rest of the brands make up the remaining. This results state that the industry giants would be Samsung and apple. However Samsung has taken over apple in terms of sets sold in 2012, and has remained on the throne so far. Innovation and Product leadership Smartphones are ever-changing...
Words: 2175 - Pages: 9
...Harvard Business Case Study: Apple Inc. Dennis Stovall Kaplan University GB 520 Strategic Human Resources Management March 25, 2014 Abstract This business analysis focuses on the commercial enterprising activities of a world leading consumer electronics company, i.e. Apple Inc. and how, through its technologically advanced creativity and electronics expertise, it succeeded in introduced the world to a radically new era of multimedia innovation. Apple Inc. opened up an entirely new method in which microchip technology was to be developed and used for industrial, institutional and commercial use. It is due in large part through the amazing talent of Steve Jobs that this esoteric technology managed to achieve stellar proportions with regards to the open market. The purpose of this case study is to shed some light on Apple Inc.’s adopted business plan, the one that led to the advent of a revolutionary new market, i.e. microcomputers and later iPods and iPhones. It serves to address why this business plan, if in fact there was a creditable one to begin with, did not achieve’-in terms of business management’- an unprecedented if not historic record of business design and implementation; at least one that could be looked upon as a shining example of how to introduce an amazing new product technology and sell it to the worlds consumers so as to obtain record profits while helping to stabilize the market and influence world wide business conduct...
Words: 1640 - Pages: 7
... page Section (1) Organizational structure…………................................................................. 3 Organizational culture……………………………………………………………………………. 5 Individual behavior at work……………………………………………………………………. 6 Section (2) Management approaches………………………………………………………………………... 6 Section (3) Motivational theories………………………………………………………………………………. 8 Leadership styles……………………………………………………………………………………… 10 Section (4) Nature of groups and group behavior……………………………………………………. 11 Technology and teams……………………………………………………………………………. 12 Executive summary In this Report we will be looking at KUK diagnostics LTD’s as an organization and comparing it to Apple Inc., to get a better understanding of organizational behavior. This will include overviews and analysis of structure, culture, leadership and management, motivation and groups and teams. Section (1) Organizational structure and culture Organizational structure KUK diagnostics operates in a flat structure, as this is ideal for small businesses, where the span of control is wide due to short chain of command from manager(s) to employees and fewer or no layers of management, which makes decision making quicker and easier for the manager, a flat structure also allows employees to engage in the decision making process, which in turn will result in productivity from employees in the organization, as they share more responsibilities and...
Words: 3772 - Pages: 16
...Apple (Computer) Inc. Whither the MAC? | Case Study Analysis | Strategic Analysis in terms of Capabilities Analysis & Five Force Model | Submitted by : Muhammad Saad Dasti Section B | 1. Prepare a Five Forces Analysis of the personal computer industry. (Think of your traditional Windows based PC.) How attractive is this industry? In order to properly identify and evaluate competitive position of personal computer , competitive analaysis model has been created to fully depict the position of display systems according to current scenario * The personal computer industry is somewhat vulnerable against the bargaining power of buyers. In recent years customers have more and more alternative options to the personal computer. Smartphone’s, tablet computers, and other handheld devices like IPods have most of the same capabilities as a personal computer. And because of the availability, sleekness, and trendiness of these alternatives, they have become increasingly popular making personal computers more and more obsolete. In order for the personal computer to compete with these newer alternative options, it must differentiate itself in order to regain market share. * Suppliers in the personal computer industry can be categorized into three groups, including hardware suppliers, software suppliers and service suppliers. The core of their...
Words: 4272 - Pages: 18
...Deviance: Apple Org Chart ! One of the major functions of an organization hierarchy is to increase standardization and control for top managers. Using the chain command, managers can direct the activities of subordinates toward a common purpose. If the right person with a creative vision is in charge of a hierarchy, the results can be phenomenal. Until Steve Jobs’ regrettable passing in October 2011, Apple had used a strongly top-down creative process in which most major decisions and innovations flowed directly through Jobs and then were delegated to sub-teams as specific assignments to complete. Then there is creative evidence, in which individuals create extremely successful products despite being told by senior management to stop working on them. The electrostatic displays used in more half of Hewlett-Packard’s instruments, the tape slitter that was one of the most important process innovations in 3M’s history, and Nichia’s development of multi-billion-dollar LED bright lighting technology were all officially rejected by the management hierarchy. In all these cases, an approach like Apple’s would have shut down some of the most successful products these companies ever produced. Doing “business as usual” can become such an imperative in a hierarchical organization that new ideas are seen as Threats rather than Opportunities for development. It’s not immediately apparent why top-down decision making works so well for one highly creative company like Apple, while...
Words: 339 - Pages: 2
...Deviance: Apple Org Chart ! One of the major functions of an organization hierarchy is to increase standardization and control for top managers. Using the chain command, managers can direct the activities of subordinates toward a common purpose. If the right person with a creative vision is in charge of a hierarchy, the results can be phenomenal. Until Steve Jobs’ regrettable passing in October 2011, Apple had used a strongly top-down creative process in which most major decisions and innovations flowed directly through Jobs and then were delegated to sub-teams as specific assignments to complete. Then there is creative evidence, in which individuals create extremely successful products despite being told by senior management to stop working on them. The electrostatic displays used in more half of Hewlett-Packard’s instruments, the tape slitter that was one of the most important process innovations in 3M’s history, and Nichia’s development of multi-billion-dollar LED bright lighting technology were all officially rejected by the management hierarchy. In all these cases, an approach like Apple’s would have shut down some of the most successful products these companies ever produced. Doing “business as usual” can become such an imperative in a hierarchical organization that new ideas are seen as Threats rather than Opportunities for development. It’s not immediately apparent why top-down decision making works so well for one highly creative company like Apple, while...
Words: 339 - Pages: 2
...CORPORATE RESPONSILITY 2 Apple’s Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Apple Overview Apple Inc was founded by Steve Jobs and was originally named Apple computer because there sole purpose was to provide personal computers. They later changed there name to Apple Inc to show their innovation and a wide arrange of electronics and cutting edge technology. Apple Inc is know for such products as the IPod, IPod, Mac book and a host of other products to help revolutionize the world. Apple Inc is based out of Cupertino, Ca and is considered a world leader in technological advancement. One of Apple's core values is to promote diversity within the work place. They believe diversity creates innovation which in turn creates new technologies and ways to have a better impact on the environment and a better customer experience (Apple, 2015). Although Apple is at the fore front for having cutting edge technology, they have still fallen under much criticism when dealing with suppliers and their ethical and social responsibilities. Apple’s Ethical and Social Responsibilities Ethical Responsibilities, in the context of business operation can be defined as how the business handles itself when it comes to moral decisions and standard. Social Responsibility is when a business considers the well being of consumers and society in addition to profits. Entrepreneurs like to take a three step approach to ensure a business has social responsibility. The leaders first engage in corporate...
Words: 1587 - Pages: 7
...MGMT 522 Apple 1984 Super Bowl Commercial 1. Apples 1984 commercial was one of the best of its time. Addressing social issue of conformity and government control that were big in the 1980’s with the USSR expanding. The principles of 1984 were close to people’s minds. It had an unheard of budget of $900,000. It was a time before Microsoft dominance were IBM was the big competitor in the computing game. Apple in that era pushed innovation through there graphic design interface. Where IBM pushed boring boxes for computers. The 1984 was highly successful with over 3.5 million dollars of Macintoshes were sold after the ad ran; Although Apple 1984 is a great commercial and used and innovative approach that was not seen before in marketing it is not the greatest. It was only aired twice. Other commercials like Where Is the Beef? Or Plop Plop Fizz Fizz or Coke Big Joe Green have much more play time and a better overall return on investment, having spinoffs. Apples commercial has not aged well because they don’t sell Macintosh anymore and their symbol has completely changed. Where where’s the Beef? Is still relevant. Having a much lower cost of production and played over and over again. Apple movie was like a master piece that did well at the box office not amazing. It is like Shawshank redemption a critically acclaimed movie. Maybe the best of all time but not the most profitable for the movie studios. Great cinematically and innovative using new marketing techniques but did...
Words: 1115 - Pages: 5
...Preferred Organization: Apple Inc. - Organization Culture and Change Introduction/Organization: In this draft, we would like to discuss about Apple Inc.’s organization culture and major organization change happened in the organization and analysis of a successful organization change. Every organization has a culture of its own. And every organization undergoes organization change depending on the situation, change process is implemented by the organization for the benefits of employees, or change process may be implemented to satisfy customers or for the organization growth. The Apple Inc. story starts in 1976 with the birth of a company called Apple Computer around the creation of a system called the ‘Apple 1’ by Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs. Apple Inc. went through a variety of dramatic changes to the company’s structure along with its performance and losses remained a continuing consistency. This project, we will discuss about organization change in Apple Inc., i.e. Restructuring of Apple Inc., implementing new technologies and shifting strategy. We believe this organization is a perfect example of undergoing major organizational change and it was a company where it started from nothing to become one of the top companies in computer and technological world. In near future we can only see rapid reaction of Apple Inc.’s growing tremendously. Approach: In this section we will discuss organizational culture and performance of Apple Inc. From the sleek design...
Words: 1180 - Pages: 5
...Apple SWOT Analysis Purpose of SWOT analysis The main purpose of the SWOT analysis is to identify the most significant factors that affect a company and its market both internally and externally (Hooley, G. 2004). This analysis provides Apple with quick, executive keys by looking at strength and weaknesses alongside opportunities and threats. It’s designed to help the company’s strategy formulation. The company will be able look at which strengths should be developed and best deployed, which weakness will be the most vulnerable to market change and competitor action and which relevant future strategy for building new strengths will be most profitable in the market. Strengths Apple is a company, which manufactures a variety of products including computers, operational software, mobile phones, portable digital music and related accessories. The brand is well known for high quality products, which help differentiate them from competitors. The company owns one of the top brand names in technology worldwide with 54% of their profits coming from foreign markets (Apple Annual Report, 2006). As highlighted by Everett M. Rogers, customers are always interested in trying the latest and up to date pieces of technology. By understanding customers and knowing how to fulfil their wants, Apple’s products are created with a unique design with hi-tech capabilities, attracting the attention of their target audience. As a result, market share is continually increasing. The company...
Words: 3357 - Pages: 14
...Running Head: MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS IN APPLE Management Functions in Apple Introduction Apple Inc. is a well-known American multinational corporation. Together with its subsidiaries, the company plans, constructs, and commercializes personal computers, mobile communication devices and portable digital music and video players. As well, the company also sells several associated software, services, peripherals and networking solutions. Some of, it’s well known hardware products are the Macintosh computers, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad. In present, the company operate with 300 retail stores in ten countries and an online store through which it sells its hardware and software products (Apple Inc., 2010). The thesis statement of this research report is that, what kind of management approaches are used by Apple Inc. to manage the different functions such as planning, organizing and controlling, so that company can make strategic planning and effective decision making process. Management Approaches of Apple The approaches of managing people in the firm uses by Tim Cook are quite different from the approaches used by Steve Job. Steve Job was a great entrepreneur, who had follow hub-and-wheel management approach to organize a multinational corporation; on the other hand, Tim Cook is more cooperative than Steve Job and follows the management theory of Taylor’s scientific approach and theory of the human relations approach (Finkelstein, 2013). Although...
Words: 1408 - Pages: 6
