As the most well-known name in technology, Apple Inc. is a forward-thinking electronics firm that helps both customers and suppliers alike by using tried-and-true methods. The company’s success and profitability may be attributed to its ability to identify its target market, apply the marketing mix, and provide value to its customers. With its capacity to recognize the necessity for dynamic techniques, Apple has maintained its standard for many years. Even as technology and the environment change, a company’s standards may be maintained while still striving to suit the needs of its customers. Apple is able to meet client needs by introducing new products. Product offerings from Apple consistently outperform those of its rivals. As a result of a company’s efforts to expand and better serve its consumers, items are at the top of the list. Using protocols, Apple is able to meet the needs of its consumers on a regular basis. In part, this is due to Apple Inc.’s ability to meet its customers’ diverse wants.
Apple Companies Overview
After the death of Steve Jobs in 2011, Tim Cook took over as CEO of Apple, which is known for its innovative computers. Steven Wozniak and Steve Jobs built their first computer, the Apple I, in 1967 (Choi et al., 2014). Cupertino, California, is home to Apple Inc.’s headquarters, situated in the infamous Valley of the Dodos, which is recognized for its high-tech businesses and skilled resource output. In order to better serve its clients throughout the globe, Apple established a regional department. Apple’s goods are specifically designed to meet the wants and requirements of the people who use them. Market research, product development, and fostering client loyalty and trust are just a few of the ways the company is meeting the needs of its consumers. In addition to laptops, tablets, operating systems, personal computers, online shops, and other peripherals, Apple’s products are designed to meet your communication needs.
Marketing Opportunities Overview
The fact that Wozniak and Jobs saw a promising market for their products encouraged them to follow their dreams and ensured that they would succeed in the marketplace. They wanted to create more strong and effective goods for their customers. Maintaining research and development is critical to Apple’s ability to stay relevant in the technological marketplace. There are two aspects of a business’s external environment that give opportunities for the company, such as the company’s culture and social environment. When it comes to smartphones, everyone is looking for a better one that is free of faults and more durable.
As a consequence of competing for innovation, Apple phones have a relatively short lifespan. Unlike Microsoft, Apple’s brand name quality is strong enough to satisfy its consumers and increase market share in the long run. Competition in the market is fierce for Apple as a brand. However, the technological industry demands Samsung to retain its competitive edge and get a bigger or better market share. Samsung aimed to overcome Apple in various fields. Competitors will have a tough time emulating the benefits of the organization. As an example, Apple can extend its market potential and strengths thanks to its staff, which is well-trained and capable of implementing a fantastic idea or concept.
SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS
- External Environment
Apple is a household name in the IT sector, recognized for its high-quality products (both hardware and software). The iPhone family includes all of the company’s well-known computer lines. Because Apple controls both hardware and software, it enjoys a competitive edge. There are few rivals in the market since Samsung’s specs are better than Apple’s. Despite the fact that the company’s goods are continually changing, many customers are happy with where Apple now stands in the market. The social context has a significant influence on Apple’s success since it is seen as a symbol of high status or coolness. In many cases, apps created for the general public are available on Apple devices. Committed Apple users have developed a strong bond with the brand. Customer satisfaction is high because each new version of Apple’s products is produced in response to customer input. Apple’s product life cycle has been extended due to existing product modifications. Samsung has a wide range of features that appeal to purchasers; however, Apple does not have as many. Apple users may swap music, video, and movies, among other things, while Samsung users can enjoy conveniences.
Apple has a significant competitive edge in the market since they use their material exclusively. iMessage, iTunes, and Facetime are just a few Apple’s programs that users may find interesting. These are features that only iPhone users have access to. Many Apple users have migrated to Android because it is more user-friendly and facilitates communication. Because of the evident appealing features and apps, many families choose to utilize iPhone. Friends and relatives generally use the same brand in social situations since they are aware of one other’s changing preferences and tastes.
- Internal Environment
Apple’s revenue increased by 30% in 2015, from $57.6 billion to $74.6 billion, according to financial statistics (Khan & Alam, 2015). As a consequence of Apple’s strong recent growth, a significant number of customers are attracted to the brand, and the company’s profitability is increasing year after year as a result of the satisfied customers. According to research, 74.5 million iPhones have been sold throughout the world, making it the most popular smartphone globally (Choi, Kim, & Yoon S. 2014).
SWOT ANALYSIS
- Strengths
Apple has various advantages: its highly-skilled, Apple Case Study Analysis Summary educated workforce. There is skilled personnel at Apple’s headquarters who are constantly available to support the teams, and the company is analyzing imaginative and new ideas. The fact that the firm was created by Steve Jobs is one of the reasons for Apple’s success. The sites of the enterprises are appealing and successful in drawing consumers (Park, 2021). Apple has committed customers because it gives them the products they want. Apple has tempted people to purchase its items because of its individuality; the company has maintained its brand awareness and image in the market; Apple consumers are ready to acquire any new product because they trust Apple. Apple benefits from a good market and financial circumstances and a substantial quantity of capital for growth. By making wise direct investments, Apple has developed strong relationships with its suppliers. Apple’s growth rate and cash flows are extraordinary.
- Weaknesses
There is a lack of consistency in the product range, which might be considered a flaw. Apple has a narrow product line; the majority of the company’s reliance is on iPhones and iPads, which might be a concern in the future. Apple, on the other hand, keeps putting out the same things on the market, and people will eventually tire of them.
- Opportunities
Apple has a number of options; because the company is so reliant on iPhones and iPads, mobile phones may have a promising future in the market. Apple’s product line provides an all-in-one package that may please customers, and customers will not switch to other companies since they will receive everything they want in their preferred phone. There are potential for development in the education industry since educators may use their tablets to access hardcopy books, compose assignments, and collaborate with their professors and classmates. Because governments are focusing on promoting literacy, Apple iPads may be given or utilized by students from any country. There may be benefits for the consumer or business sector, as most businesses employ technology (Choi et al., 2014). However, Apple tablets may be used in any sort of business for data collection and analysis. Apple has smart wearable gadgets, such as the smartphone watch and Fitbit, among other options. Health and fitness are becoming more popular as people become more worried about their well-being; therefore, Apple might profit from wearable devices. Apple has opportunities in growing markets and sectors, and by expanding internationally and providing advantages to new firms, Apple may get a substantial market share.
- Threats
Apple has dangers; the most serious threat may be the company’s pricing strategy, since other Android firms provide similar functionality or software at lower rates than Apple. The premium market model is working in the market right now, but it may not function in the future if the country’s economy continues to deteriorate. The social context differs across the world; for example, in the United States, friends and family persuade one another, yet the new iPhone may be unpopular in other nations, posing a danger to the corporation (Bush & Cameron, 2011). Those in poor nations are not driven to acquire things because they are content with basic features but not sophisticated ones, whereas people in developed countries desire to keep up with the times. Furthermore, Apple must concentrate on pricing methods and modify prices to reflect the benefits. Changes in the technological, political, and legal environments might occur all around the world. Many businesses aim to expand in the market, but a lack of technology might make this impossible. Apple, for example, may be threatened by the environmental changes of any country and may not achieve the intended outcomes.
Human Resource Management Analysis
Recruitment: Apple’s talent acquisition channels should strive to move beyond the traditional means of using print advertising and agencies, focusing instead on the integration of newer and broader approaches such as job boards and virtual social networks. Using recommendations and focusing on the most inventive skill-set based folks in top-tier universities is another great way to get into prospective quality human resources. Referrals are a wonderful way to recruit new workers while also helping the organization to connect its onboard talent with its talent needs. More than a quarter of a company’s new hires are brought on through word-of-mouth recommendations.
An industry that lives on rapid innovation and timely new product development, Apple relies on a variety of unique ideas to meet the demands of its worldwide customers. In order to retain its competitive edge, the corporation has also developed a “secrecy” strategy to protect the execution of its essential projects and operations. This strategy will assist Apple in “mine” the networks of the most suited applicants with the most suiting work histories and networks since the referrals method helps develop channels, and Apple struggles to keep autonomous control over its key operations (Khan & Alam, 2015). Apple can benefit from the usage of commercial recruitment agencies when it comes to acquiring leadership jobs and positions that demand a variety of specialized specializations. However, the expenses of using this route are substantial. Nonetheless, this strategy is encouraged because Apple benefits from “name recognition,” which makes the talent recruiting process more efficient.
Recruiter Characteristics and Behaviors that Lead to a Successful Recruiting Campaign
Recruiters, particularly in senior roles, can play a critical role in controlling and influencing the employment decisions made by candidates. The requirement for qualified recruiters who are both informative and trustworthy is essential in Apple’s recruiting push. An overt focus on “selection” in the recruiting process is likely to deter highly innovative people from applying to Apple. Therefore, Apple must employ recruiters who can captivate and hold the interest of potential employees. In addition, when it comes to the technical criteria of occupations that need a high level of expertise and inventiveness, Apple must choose between human resource professionals and job experts.
I advocate using both sorts of recruiters as a team for senior and supervisory roles in order to assess expertise, dedication, and devotion to the offered job. Apple may use its expertise as a recruiter for executive positions. Candidates believe that recruiters who are experts in specific occupations have more credibility than HR specialists, according to studies. The technological skill of the recruiter is a crucial element impacting Apple’s recruiting output in the sector it serves.
References
Bush, M. H., & Cameron, A. H. (2011). Digital course materials: A case study of the Apple iPad in the academic environment. Pepperdine University.
Choi, J., Kim, B. J., & Yoon, S. (2014, June). UX and Strategic Management: A Case Study of Smartphone (Apple vs. Samsung) and Search Engine (Google vs. Naver) Industry. In International Conference on HCI in Business (pp. 703-710). Springer, Cham.
Khan, U. A., Alam, M. N., & Alam, S. (2015). A critical analysis of the internal and external environment of Apple Inc. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management, 3(6), 955-961.
Park, C. (2021). Different determinants affecting first-mover advantage and late-mover advantage in a smartphone market: a comparative analysis of Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 1-16.
