...Apple's biggest successes and failures? Describe why. I believe Apple's biggest success was the beginning or Apple's initial offer Apple I in 1976, this was mostly a prototype since there where only around 200 Apple I computers produced; they were all hand-built by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. While Steve Jobs handled the distribution and marketing of the Apple I, he was responsible for devising clever advertising tag-line: "Byte into an Apple." That was the beginning of Apple's innovating strategy, first out the door with the interactive graphical microcomputer, that Steve Jobs used to build upon, trough successes and failures. To Steve Wozniak it was about the product, reducing cost, simplicity, etc., but to Steve Jobs it was about to embark on building Apple computer corporation, a culture, a vision, at each reiteration he would discover a new principle of innovation, but I believe he would not truly understand that, until some twenty four plus years later, it will be interesting to see whether Tim Cook the new COO of Apple, keeps Apple on course, on the vision. Now, let's look at some of Apple's important success, like Mac OS X, server version was introduced in 1999, while the desktop version was introduced in 2001. Then there was iTunes, this was the BIG one, truly a innovative idea that would put Apple over the top (regardless that Apple is proprietary in nature), as one of the innovating companies, along with the iPod, also introduced in 2001, the iPod offered consumers...
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...1. What were some of Apple’s biggest successes and failures? Describe why. iTunes was announced in January 2001 as an all-in-one digital music program. iTunes immediately made an impact on a dying music industry as it brought a different approach to how consumers purchase music. The music consumer industry had been going through a change in how music was being used in terms of devices. Consumers were utilizing digital technology devices to download songs instead of using CD's. iTunes was a way for consumers to personalize their music experience within a downloadable software application. iTunes allows users to download MP3, use Internet Radio, write CD's and purchase songs from their favorite artists at a low cost of $.99. iTunes announcement also sparked the cloud revolution. Apple's iOS App Store was launched in July 2008 as a tool for consumers to use to download applications for their smart phones or smart devices. Apple announced a milestone in July 2011 in that it had reached it 15 billionth download of more than 500,000 applications. The App Store has become the cornerstone of the iPhones success. The App Stores success is driving the markets in that it’s creating new markets for software developers. Their biggest success of Apple is bringing back the late Steve Jobs. Without Jobs, Apple would be a thing of the past. Jobs came back to Apple in July 1997 as the interim CEO after Apple had posted a $1 billion loss in revenues and stock was trading at...
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...1 System analyst requires degrees in computer science and information technology (IT). Basic understanding of computer, math and critical thinking is also required for entry-level jobs. Good communication skills are also required so they can communicate better with co-workers and understand the software they need to perform their daily task. System analyst should have a very clear understanding of business process. Because big part of system analyst job is to choose a right software and program so the business can keep running smoothly. Lack of business knowledge can cause a system analyst to select a software that irrelevant or in other words useless to the business. So in conclusion, It is really important for a system analyst to know the business processes. 2 Many companies have switched to agile project management, because it’s more flexible. It allows team member to work together and adjust tasks as they proceed towards the project. It gives the team members advantage to make necessary change in time so they can successfully deliver the project on right time and budget. Traditional management is more suited for organization where all the detail planning is upfront for the project and adjustment are not likely to be made in future. For example, in construction firms, all the detail planning for the new building is done from the start and everything is done accordingly thereafter. However in some industries where technology is the big part of the organization...
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...5/28/2014 Apple Ife Matrix Analysis - Research Papers - Alexpadron MOZHISH1 UPGRADE Get Access to over 1,709,571 More Essays. Upgrade Your Account Now. RESEARCH DOCUMENTS BOOK NOTES AP NOTES Home » Miscellaneous Apple Ife Matrix Analysis By alexpadron | March 2008 Add to Library (0) Download Print Report this Essay Page 1 of 1 Apple IFE Matrix Analysis It was pretty surprising to me to find that all the different groups came up with fairly similar ratings in their IFE matrix for Apple Inc. My group, management, had the second highest rating at a 2.78 and I felt that we were fairly critical of the different strengths and weaknesses for the company. The groups that pertained to a more financial aspect like finance and accounting seemed to have lower scores, which were not as far above the average for utilization of resources internally. This seems interesting because many companies use resources outside their company to assist them in correcting financial problems. Also, there were a few strengths and weaknesses that every group mentioned in their matrix and they were: Steve Jobs leaving and then returning(W), large increase in inventory(W), products are globalized(S). It was interesting to see that Steve Jobs leaving and then returning was on everyone groups list because with out him these last few years Apple Inc. would probably not be where it is at today. The only downside to this is that there seems to be this great dependency on one person in...
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...Strategic Management Analysis of the strategy of the Strategic Management – Analysis of the Strategy of the Apple, Inc. 15 June 2012 List of contents List of contents …..…..…………………….………………………………….….………… 2 List of figures …………….…….……………………………….…………........................ 3 1. Executive Summary ……………………………………..….…………….….…………. 4 2. Historical development ………………….……..………………..…..……..………...… 4 3. Environmental analysis …………………………………………………..…………...... 8 3.1 Company description ………………………………………………..…………….. 8 3.2 The SWOT Analysis of Apple …….………………………………..…………….. 10 3.3 The most influential competitors ……………………...…………..……………... 12 3.4 PEST Analysis …...…………………………………………………….…..……… 14 4. Business Analysis of Apple ……………………………………………………..……. 16 4.1 Portfolio overview …..……………………………………..………………………. 16 4.1 Corporate Identity ……………………………………….………………………… 18 4.2 Corporate Social Responsibility …………...………………………………….… 18 5. Conclusion ………………………..…..…………..……………………………………. 19 List of references ………………………..…..………..…..…………………………..….. 20 Appendix ………………….…………………………………………………………… 21-25 -2- Strategic Management – Analysis of the Strategy of the Apple, Inc. 15 June 2012 List of figures Figure 1: Apple’s 183M smartphone sell until Q1/2012 ...……………………………… 7 Figure 2: Apple net sales by product 2011 ……………………………………………… 9 Figure 3: Apple sales by product 2010 ………………………..………………….……… 9 Figure 4: Apple’s sales by product line ………………………………………...………. 10 Figure 5: Key Executives...
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...Case Analysis, Apple Inc. 1 Case Analysis, Apple Inc. 1 of 4 Case Analysis, Apple Inc. 2 This case analysis is written to analyze the topic of Strategic Management and answering the question of why it is critical to the success of an organization in meeting its goals and mission. This analysis will address the major issues surrounding the organization or individuals involved with the organization, will identify alternate courses of action to address the issues identified with a decision/recommendation for action. Once called Apple Computer and historically know for its Macintosh personal computers (PC) line, Apple Computer dropped the latter part of its name in 2007 and became Apple, Inc. Even though non-PC product lines drove the majority of Apple’s financial performance there still seemed to be no real change in the company’s strategic profile. There were several thousand people that were laid off and by lying off employees to try and fix their financial issues, could have been a portion of the problem (Yoffie & Slind, 2008). Jobs are what contribute to a company’s effectiveness. If the jobs had been retained and management had attempted to find new ways of conducting business to survive by being innovative, Apple, Inc. may have witnessed success earlier (Mello, 2011, pp 112-115). Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and John Sculley came on board and made great strides towards increase in effective marketing, partnering with other companies and joint ventures...
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...APPLE INC. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS REPORT Apple, Inc. Financial Analysis Report Ricardo Figueroa DeVry University BUSN412 Case Study Instructor David Mozinski May 27, 2013 Case Study Report Outline and Grading Guide (150 points) COMPANY NAME/WEBSITE/INDUSTRY Apple, Inc., http://www.apple.com/about/, Electronic Equipment BACKGROUND/HISTORY The company began as “Apple Computer” by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak. They were college dropouts. The company almost went bankrupt in 1996 even though they had a strong brand, rapid growth, and high profit late in the 1980s. Jobs then went to work and transformed “Apple Computers” into “Apple Inc.” with innovative and technologically sophisticated non-PC products in the 2000’s. By 2010, the company also viewed itself as a “mobile device company.” Apple became the fourth-largest PC vendor in the US market. Through multi-million dollar campaigns, such as successful “Think Different” ads and catch slogans, Apple promoted itself as a hip alternative to other computer brands. It also highlighted its computers as the world’s “greenest lineup of notebooks.” The goal of Apple is to differentiate its products amid intense competition in the personal computer and mobile device industry. SWOT ANALYSIS Strengths | 1. Pioneer of innovative and high-tech quality products like iPod, iPhone, iPad, and Mac 2. Globally recognized brand name 3. Large segment of loyal customers of “Apple culture” 4. Strong Research and Development...
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...APPLE COMPUTER AND STEVE P. JOBS (2006): PIXAR ANIMATION AND WALT DISNEY COMPANY Prepared by: AYURO, Roselyn CULPA, Cielo Mae CANO, Russel Paul EDER, Greniel Ann PEREZ, Jessamae DATE: February 20, 2012 TO: Apple Computer and Steve P. Jobs (2006): Pixar Animation and Walt Disney Company FROM: Accounting Students Consulting Team, UMAK Chapter RE: Analysis of Apple Company’s future and its competitive advantage BRIEF SUMMARY: This report aims to evaluate Apple Computer • past and present performance in order to most importantly stipulates the future position of this largely successful company. Being that the company’s objective centers on increasing profits, increasing market share, and maintaining brand image., this report tries to identify strategies that make their company more competitive. The analysis uses SWOT, IFAS, EFAS and other similar evaluative tools to reach an understandable and valid generalization. SITUATION DEFINITON: • CURRENT PERFORMANCE Today Apple’s operations are as diversified as they were never before. With its currently 13,599 employees worldwide it generated revenue of $63 million in the last quarter. It holds cash reserves of over %4.5 billion and has a ROIC of 3.05%. Apple’s operations are spread around the PC industry, computer peripherals and the software and service industry. In the overall PC industry Apple’s market share has diminished to a skinny 2.1%. Apple itself doesn’t look itself at the overall PC market...
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...------------------------------------------------- Apple Inc. Business Analysis Category: Business Autor: Mike 26 July 2010 Words: 3002 | Pages: 13 Business Analysis of Apple Inc. On April 1, 1976 Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne joined together to form Apple Computer Incorporated. The concept behind their company was the creation of an inexpensive, simple to use personal computer kit. Working out of Jobs' garage in Cupertino, California the trio designed and manufactured their first product in three months. They named this product the Apple I and it went on sale in July 1976 for $666.66. Six months after the release of the Apple I, Ronald Wayne opted to sell his share of the company back to Jobs and Wozniak for a meager $800. Soon thereafter multimillionaire Mike Markkula joined Apple and on January 3, 1977 the company was incorporated. Apple continued to gain momentum and was one of the fastest growing companies by the end of 1978. With the introduction of the Apple II plus, the company enjoyed a 400 percent increase in sales in 1979. In December of 1980 the company went public and within minutes the 4.6 million shares sold out at a price of $22 per share. An additional 2.6 million shares was also sold out by May 1981. However, the firm suffered its first major fallback with the release of the Apple III in September of 1980. The newest version had not undergone necessary testing due to time constraints and pressure from upper management. This proved to be extremely costly mistake and by 1984 the Apple III...
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...Apple Analysis Executive Summary In week 8 of AMBA 640, we will be analyzing the Apple case located in chapter one of Management Information Systems: Business Driven MIS Inc from an information systems management perspective. Our analysis will look at some of the common tools used to analyze competitive intelligence such as Porter’s Five Forces Model, the three generic strategies for choosing a business focus and the value chain analysis. We will also discuss why and how data, information, business intelligence and knowledge are important to Apple. This analysis will also include how Apple identified areas where it achieved a competitive advantage using management information systems and why competitive advantages are temporary. Introduction Apple was launched April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak and is considered to be one of the most innovative technologies companies in the world. The company is responsible for products and services such as the Macintosh desktop and laptop computers, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Apple TV, and iCloud. Apple also develops its own software to run on its computers, its philosophy “has always been to create products that consumers find easy to use and marry innovative technology to work productivity and personal entertainment” (Mallin & Finkle, p.49, 2011). This accomplished company faces constant challenges from a competitive market to a technology lifecycle that is continuously being shortened and thus must...
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...King Graduate School, Monroe College Master in Business Administration MG 800: Strategic Management Title: Apple Inc. in 2012 Case Study 10/03/2015 Table of contents 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………03 2. The Mission, Vision, and Values of Apple, Inc……………………………………03 3. External Analysis……………………………………………………………………03 4. Internal Analysis……………………………………………………………………03 5. Strategy Analysis……………………………………………………………………08 6. Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….12 7. Recommendations………………………………………………………………….12 References………………………………………………………………………….14 Introduction According to Mahsmr (2012), Apple Inc. started in 1976 as an American manufacturer of personal computers, computer software and peripherals. Originally, it was Apple Computer Inc. for 30 years, and its principal office is based in Cupertino, California. It is the very first thriving personal computer firm that has started the popularized usage of the graphical interface. During its starting years, Steve Jobs and Wozniak were responsible for the introduction of the company first innovation that was put on sale. The first personal computer product was sold then, after which, the two founders continued to produce more and more innovative personal computers. However, not all years were lucky years for Apple Inc, there were also times that the company experienced some financial struggles that led to several changes in the management. In 1997, Steve Jobs took over the...
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...Case 2: Apple Inc., 2008 Date: 23-09-2009 1 Table of Contents Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction............................................................................................................................................. 3 Theory and Analysis................................................................................................................................. 4 Research question 1: The structure of the PC industry....................................................................... 4 Research Question 2: The difficulty of Apple in the PC industry over time ........................................ 7 Research Question 3: Sustainability of competitive advantage for Apple in the PC business .......... 10 Strategic advice ..................................................................................................................................... 12 Conclusion and Reflection ..................................................................................................................... 12 References ............................................................................................................................................. 13 2 Introduction In 1976 Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple Computer Inc. together with a group of 20 other people and started out in Steve Jobs garage...
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...2015-03-16 Case Assignment & Guiding Questions for Case Analysis Prof. Park Strategic Management Course Requirements & Grading Attendance/Class Contribution Mid-term(in class) Real Case Analysis (Final Group Project) * replace the final exam * Adjusted by peer evaluation Case Report and Presentation (Group Project) * Adjusted by peer evaluation 20% 30% 35% 15% Total 100% 1 2015-03-16 Case Report and Presentation (Group Project) • We will discuss around 10 business cases in this class. • Teams will be assigned to analyze the case and present the results in class. • For your analysis, there will be guideline questions to discuss. • Presentation time: around 15-20 minutes • # of presenters: one or two students • Each team need to bring 2‐3 questions and lead class discussion. (After your analysis, you may have some questions that you want to share with classmates) List of Cases and Presentation Schedule Case Related Topics Presentation Day 4th Week(Mar 23) 5th Week(Mar 30) Smartphone War b/w 1 Samsung and Apple 2/3 Apple 2010 4 Costco 5-Forces model Internal analysis Differentiation Strategy Cost Leadership 6th Week(Apr 6) 8th Week(Apr 20 or 21) 9th Week(Apr 27) 10th Week(May 4) 11th Week(May 11) 12th Week(May 18) 13th Week(May 26) 13th Week(May 26) 5 The Walt Disney Company Corporate-level Strategy 6 Samsung Sony JVC 7 Daimler Chrysler 8 Two‐Sided Markets 9 10 Strategic Alliance M&A Platform Open Innovation Open Innovation P&G's...
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...“Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Assignment 2; “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Anthony Green Professor Milan Havel BUS499 July 24, 2011 “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” * Describe the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer. * Describe the dimensions along which company success can be measured. * Describe the critical external and internal environmental factors that have strategic implications for Apple's future. * Describe how Apple's strategy stands up against industry rivalry. * Describe the recommendations you would make to enhance the effectiveness of the company's strategy or to change its strategic approach for better results. “Case 14: Apple Computer, Inc.: Maintaining the Music Business while introducing iPhone and Apple TV” Describe the key strategic challenges facing Apple Computer Apple's is currently a very innovative company. It has gone through many ups and downs over the past 30 + years. From a successful company that brought in millions thanks to 2 guys a garage and a dream, to Steven Jobs, one of the founders, walking away from the company and in the process causing competitors to acquire ideas due to legal mistakes. Apple computer has faced many challenges throughout its 24 year history. Steven Jobs left...
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...Apple Analysis Executive Summary In week 8 of AMBA 640, we will be analyzing the Apple case located in chapter one of Management Information Systems: Business Driven MIS Inc from an information systems management perspective. Our analysis will look at some of the common tools used to analyze competitive intelligence such as Porter’s Five Forces Model, the three generic strategies for choosing a business focus and the value chain analysis. We will also discuss why and how data, information, business intelligence and knowledge are important to Apple. This analysis will also include how Apple identified areas where it achieved a competitive advantage using management information systems and why competitive advantages are temporary. Introduction Apple was launched April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Ronald Wayne and Steve Wozniak and is considered to be one of the most innovative technologies companies in the world. The company is responsible for products and services such as the Macintosh desktop and laptop computers, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, iTouch, iPad, Apple TV, and iCloud. Apple also develops its own software to run on its computers, its philosophy “has always been to create products that consumers find easy to use and marry innovative technology to work productivity and personal entertainment” (Mallin & Finkle, p.49, 2011). This accomplished company faces constant challenges from a competitive market to a technology lifecycle that is continuously being shortened and thus must...
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