The story of Apple Inc. started in 1976 and is a quite successful one. The chief character Steve Jobs just recently resigned as Managing Director of this multinational company.
These most recent news caused the apple stocks to drop which shows how much impact the cofounder Steve Jobs has on the company and its destiny.
Apple Inc. is an American multinational company, which provides personal computers, software and especially consumer electronics. Nowadays this company hired 49 400 employees worldwide.1 Additionally towards the end of the year 2010 the worldwide annual sales equal $65.23 billion1.
Apple Inc. has been so successful in these last decades thanks to its fresh, imaginative way to contemplate and do its business. This winning mixture of extraordinary products, great style and design, grand strategy, innovative marketing, inviting communications is basis of this papers analysis.
Apple owes its overwhelming victory in the last years to the IPhone and to the smart IPod and ITunes product combination. In the 5 years between 2003 and 2008 the Apple share value increased 25 times, from $7.5 to $180 per share.
In July 2008 prices, before the US Financial Crisis, Apple stock market capitalization was $160 billion. In January 2010 Apple shares topped the $210 mark. Just recently Apple was found to be the most valuable company of the world with share prizes of $373.
This simple number shows the immense success apple achieved during the past years. 2
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1 http://phx.corporateir.net/External.File?item=UGFyZW50SUQ9Njc1MzN8Q2hpbGRJRD0tMXxUeXBlPTM=&t=1
2 http://flatworldbusiness.wordpress.com/flat-education/intensify/case-apple-inc/
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Apple's History & Products
- Steve Jobs Role
- SWOT Analysis
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the corporate strategy of Apple Inc., focusing on its remarkable success and the significant role of Steve Jobs. The analysis explores the factors contributing to Apple's dominance in the consumer electronics market, examining its history, product development, marketing strategies, and the impact of leadership changes.
- Apple's historical trajectory and product evolution.
- The pivotal role of Steve Jobs in shaping Apple's success.
- An assessment of Apple's competitive strengths and weaknesses through SWOT analysis.
- Analysis of Apple's market position and competitive landscape.
- Discussion of Apple's future prospects following Steve Jobs' resignation.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting Apple Inc.'s remarkable success story, emphasizing the profound impact of Steve Jobs on the company's trajectory. It briefly touches upon Apple's core business—personal computers, software, and consumer electronics—and its impressive financial performance, culminating in its status as a global leader. The introduction lays the groundwork for a deeper exploration of the factors contributing to Apple's unprecedented growth and market dominance.
Apple's History & Products: This chapter traces Apple's history from its founding in 1976 by Steve Wozniak, Ronald Wayne, and Steve Jobs to its evolution into a technological giant. It details the company's early successes with the Apple I and Apple II personal computers, its struggles and innovations with the Macintosh line, and its eventual triumphs with products like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad. The chapter showcases the cyclical nature of Apple's product development, highlighting both successful and unsuccessful ventures, and illustrating how the company adapted to changing market demands and technological advancements. The narrative emphasizes the constant drive for innovation and the interplay between technological breakthroughs and market reception.
Steve Jobs Role: This chapter delves into the undeniable influence of Steve Jobs on Apple's success. It highlights his visionary leadership, unparalleled communication skills, and strategic acumen. The chapter explores Jobs' contributions to product development, marketing, and corporate strategy, emphasizing his ability to cultivate a unique brand identity and customer loyalty. The impending leadership change following Jobs' resignation is also addressed, discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Apple in navigating a future without its iconic founder. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of maintaining Apple's innovative culture and strategic vision in the post-Jobs era.
SWOT Analysis: This chapter presents a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis of Apple Inc. Strengths such as unique product design, strong customer loyalty, and a user-friendly interface are contrasted with weaknesses including a perceived lack of product diversification and reliance on yearly upgrades. Opportunities include leveraging evolving digital lifestyles and technological advancements, while threats encompass intense competition and potential market instability. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of Apple’s internal capabilities and external challenges, offering insights into the factors that contribute to its success and the risks it faces in the future. The analysis highlights the importance of maintaining its competitive edge in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Apple Inc., Steve Jobs, corporate strategy, consumer electronics, innovation, product development, marketing, SWOT analysis, competitive advantage, leadership, brand loyalty, technological innovation, market dominance.
Apple Inc. Corporate Strategy Analysis: FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a paper analyzing Apple Inc.'s corporate strategy. It includes the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The analysis focuses on Apple's remarkable success and the significant role of Steve Jobs.
What topics are covered in the analysis?
The analysis covers Apple's historical trajectory and product evolution, the pivotal role of Steve Jobs, a SWOT analysis of Apple's strengths and weaknesses, Apple's market position and competitive landscape, and a discussion of Apple's future prospects.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include Apple's innovation, product development, marketing strategies, leadership, brand loyalty, and its ability to maintain a competitive advantage in the consumer electronics market. The impact of Steve Jobs' leadership and the challenges of post-Jobs leadership are also central themes.
What is included in the "Chapter Summaries" section?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of each chapter: the introduction, Apple's history and products, Steve Jobs' role, and a SWOT analysis. Each summary highlights the main points and arguments presented in the corresponding chapter of the full analysis.
What does the SWOT analysis cover?
The SWOT analysis examines Apple's internal strengths (e.g., unique product design, strong customer loyalty) and weaknesses (e.g., lack of product diversification, reliance on yearly upgrades), as well as external opportunities (e.g., leveraging technological advancements) and threats (e.g., intense competition).
What is the role of Steve Jobs in the analysis?
The analysis highlights Steve Jobs' undeniable influence on Apple's success, exploring his contributions to product development, marketing, and corporate strategy. It also addresses the challenges and opportunities facing Apple following his resignation.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include Apple Inc., Steve Jobs, corporate strategy, consumer electronics, innovation, product development, marketing, SWOT analysis, competitive advantage, leadership, brand loyalty, technological innovation, and market dominance.
What is the overall scope of the analysis?
The analysis aims to provide a structured and professional understanding of Apple's corporate strategy, examining its historical development, key figures, competitive landscape, and future prospects. The information is presented for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes related to corporate strategy and technological innovation.
For whom is this document intended?
This document is intended for academic use, providing a structured overview of an analysis of Apple Inc.'s corporate strategy. It is designed to support researchers and students interested in studying Apple's success, corporate strategy, and leadership.
Where can I find the full analysis?
The provided text is a preview and summary of the full analysis. The location of the full analysis is not specified within this document.
- Quote paper
- Judith Zylla-Woellner (Author), 2011, Corporate Strategy for Apple Inc Company, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/207973