Analysis Business Part I
Dana R Guthrie
Management/MGT 521
Chris Boling
September 13, 2011
Apple
With the current state of the economy still struggling to regain momentum in the mist of
record high unemployment rates, foreclosures, the ever rising cost of higher education, the
skyrocketing oil and gas prices, the climate change and of course those situations that we have
absolutely no control over, the natural disasters that have also impacted many of the economys
turmoil. There is a very strong need for increased knowledge and more innovative measures of
putting the state of the economy in a more favorable light. There are organizations that seek to
find inventive ways of solving the issues that can be solve by man. Many corporations are
looking for more efficient ways of preserving the environment, inventing planet friendly
technology and creating a society of educated consumers. Apple computer Inc. is committed to
being the leader in the computer industry. This essay will discuss the contributions that Apple has
contributed of the past decade, such as how and why it continues to be the leading corporation
among all of its want to be competitors.
Apple Computer Incorporated Overview
Apple Computer Inc. was co-founded by CEO Steve Jobs and friend Steve Wozniak in
1996. Their original products were computers. Apple continues to manufacture computers and
related software currently. It also develops and markets, portable digital music players, related
accessories and services, including online music distribution and sales, audio books, videos and
has even marketed movies. It operates in the United States and global (datamonitor.com, 2000).
Although there was no transparent missions statement, Apple brings the best personal computing
products and support to students, educators, designers, scientist, engineers, businesspersons and
consumers in over 140 countries around the world. Apple is one of the largest companies in the
world and the most valuable technology company in the world having surpassed Microsoft (New
York Times, 2010).
Internal Stakeholders
The Denver foundation defines Internal Stakeholders as people who are already
committed to serving an organization as board members, staff, volunteers and /or donors.
Apples internal stakeholders are first of all the CEO Steve Jobs, the Directors: Fred Anderson,
Bill Campbell, Millard Drexler, Albert Gore, Arthur Levinson, and Jerry York. COO, Timothy
Cook, Sr. Vice President, IPod Division, Sr. Vice President, Industrial design, Jonathan Ive, Sr.
Vice President, Retail, Ronald Johnson, Sr. Vice President and CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, Sr. Vice
President, World Wide Product Marketing, Philip Schiller, Sr. Vice President, Software
Engineering, Bertrand Serlet and Sr. Vice President, Applications, Sina Tamaddon (data monitor,
2009). Although they all wear many different titles, their missions and goals are to proceed with
the goals of the company and maintain its competitive edge as the worlds largest technology
companies.
External Stakeholders
The Denver Foundation defines External Stakeholders as the people who are impacted by
work as clients or constituents, community partners and others. In other words external
stakeholders are the consumers, outside organizations, such as non- profit organizations,
suppliers, stockholders, or investors, dealers and society as a whole. The products that the
company manufactures affect our lives as our purchasing power affects the success of the
company and its products. External stakeholders have a great impact on the companys survival.
Without the dealers, the and outside distributors the products have no way of reaching the public.
If the public does not engage in the products that are being advertised than there is no success.
The company greatly depends on the public and other outside sources.
Overview of SWOT Analysis
According to (Nickels and McHugh, 2010) SWOT analysis the organizations strengths
and weaknesses and the opportunities and threats it faces, usually in that order. The strengths and
weaknesses are associated with internal workings within organizations structure, while
opportunities and threats address the external environment with factors that are out of their
control.
Strengths
This of portion the SWOT analysis is associated with the internal workings of the
organization. Apple computers largest strength is in name brand image. The companys strong
operating performance has strengthened its market position and has also increased investor
confidence. Its strengths according to (data monitor, 2009) are its global presence, strong media
content and its synergistic portfolio. Apple is a worldwide conglomerate. Their portfolio is
unlimited. They design and market many different products from computers, music audio books
phones and short films just to name a few.
Weaknesses
Apple has experienced low returns on assets in recent years in the period of 2001-2005.
There was also a dependency for key components when IBM was their sole supplier for many of
their key products when IBM experienced problems with their supplier it affected and created
delays for Apple. Its dependency caused it to be at a disadvantage (data monitor, 2009).
Opportunities
With the great demand for wireless products Apple is in a league of its own. Apples
wireless networking technology that allows users to create a computer network and connect to
the internet without cables, additional phone lines, or networking hardware (data monitor, 2009)
is dominating the competitors. The new products are increasing Apples overall revenue.
Threats
Apple does have strong competition in a market that is always coming up with new
innovations. The market for design, manufacture and sale of personal computers and accessories
are always competitive. There will always be technological advances. Many of its competitors
include, Dell, Hewlett-Packard Company, Microsoft and a list of many. Threats to this company
also include lawsuits. In the past Apple was subjected to legal proceedings with because it
infringed its territory to include music into its growing business after agreeing to stay in its
original area which was the technological business.
The Overall State of Apple
Apple has a very loyal customer base which has expanded beyond when they first started
in 1997. With the invention of iPad, iPod, iPhone, it is still a very successful company. It has a
well-deserved reputation for high quality products that work smoothly. Their new products are
well received and have a built-in purchasing base. These opportunities can allow them to move
into other areas in the future. Their design and utility are compact in size. Their product sets high
standards for any competitor. The marketing is very clever and takes advantage of what its
consumers want and that is strength in itself. The CEO is truly on a mission. Their product and
development teams are truly listening to their public and the forecast is bright.
Conclusion
Apple is a company that will continue to thrive even in this fickle economy because it is
first and foremost run by a CEO that is capable of using the resources of a gifted team of
innovators that not only create those products that consumers want but have branched out into
different areas . They have teams that listen to what consumers deem as useful and practical for
all purposes and they get it done. Their name brand is evident in their reliable products. They
have had their bad years and yet they came back over and over again. Steve Jobs is truly
someone that gives hope that you can always find your way back. You can make something out
of nothing and never give up. Apple will continue to prosper as long as they stay true to their
mission of creating a high quality product and protecting the environment with fewer toxins and
more energy efficient products. The economy will continue to pick up and many new engineers
and business people may have the opportunity to work for such a successful company as Apple.
References
Data monitor. (Nov. 2006). SWOT analysis. Retrieved from
ttp://datamnitorappleincomputer.com
Helft, M., & Vance, A. (May 26, 2010). Apple passes Microsoft. New York Times, 1(1), 1.SU
Apple Inc. and SU history
Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., & McHugh, S. M. (2010). Understanding Business (9th ed).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.
The Mac observer. (2009). EPA gives Apple Silver rating on environment. Retrieved from
http://store.apple.com/us