Mgt/521 Swot Analysis

worry outline Part 1 apple Inc. XXXXXX MGT/521 XXXXXX Business Analysis Part 1 apple Inc. If an investor of necessity to decide whether to put money into a confederation, a c arful analysis of that business is be the first whole step in reservation a decision. It is important to understand several factors that point to a confederations stability the companys place in the marketplace, its future prospects, and its financial health, just to name a few. This business analysis get out look at orchard apple tree Inc. to assess whether it would be a company worth investing in.First a cram analysis will be conducted and will identify what aspects of the analysis are most important in making the decision to invest. Secondly, the companys internal and external stakeholders will be identified and examined, in order to see if the stakeholders inescapably are being met and how. By analyzing these two important overviews of orchard apple tree Inc. it will reveal whether the company is a sound home for investment. SWOT Analysis When deciding to invest in a company or not, a shrewd businessperson will begin with planning.Planning is a continuous process that is important because ever-changing markets require constant adjustments of goals and the processes to agree them. Key in planning is including a careful analysis of a companys strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This type of analysis is known as a SWOT analysis (Nickels, McHugh & McHugh, 2010). A SWOT analysis of orchard apple tree Inc. reveals some important facts about its popularity and opportunities in the market. Strengths Apple Inc. s most important tool in the market is its ability to leverage its strong filth see to it.Apples product designs are well recognized throughout all markets. This allows new products to rapidly throw out a lot of the market upon release. Released to the US in April of 2010, the iPad enjoyed unit sales of 7. 5 million, with a net of $5 billion in sales of iP ads and connect products (Datamonitor Apple Inc. , 2011). This showcases how quickly the tech market reacts to new releases by the company. This strong brand image has been developed by iconic advertisements that have long institute Apple apart in the personal computer market.This began with the companys 1984 Superbowl ad, which positioned IBM as the Orwellian Big Br early(a) of the computer industry and mack users as those breaking free from that oppression (Kenney, 2007). This individual vs. corporation image has continued into their more novel advertisements. Benoit and Delbert (2010) analyzed a series of ads that began airing in whitethorn 2006. The Get a Mac campaign used actors Justin Long and John Hodgman to portray a Mac and a PC, showcasing Apple computers strengths over the market-dominating PC (Benoit & Delbert, 2010).By depicting their computers as easy-to-use, fun-loving and friendly, Apple further solidified its brand image in the market by being different from it s competitors, allowing its new products to quickly capture the market. Weaknesses Weaknesses of Apple Inc. are important in the decision to invest in the company because they point to internal issues that affect to be shored up. One major weakness is Apples involvement in several patent infringement lawsuits. Nokia and Motorola Mobility have both filed suits with Apple claiming patent infringement (Datamonitor Apple Inc. 2011). Cisco has also been heterogeneous in an ongoing suit about the trademark name of the iPhone and which company actually owns the name (Chumney & Cowart, 2010). The lawsuits create a weakness for Apple in a few ways. First there is the negative image associated with being sued. This will only detract from the companys long-held image of being an individual conflict against the oppressive PC regime if the company is seen engaging in its own questionable legal practices. Second, lawsuits of this nature require time and money that could be crack spent elsewhe re.An unfavorable verdict in any of these suits would affect the companys financial health and operations (Datamonitor Apple Inc. , 2010). Opportunities As it is shown that Apples popular image is its biggest strength, Apple has the opportunity to make this image multi-faceted by focusing on its commitment to safe milieual practices. Schultz and Helleloid (2010) relate a 2007 consequent in which Greenpeace released a report criticizing Apple for is surroundal practices and ranking it behind some of its major competitors analogous Hewlett-Packard and Dell Computers.Rather than respond positively to Greenpeaces altercate to improve its practices, Apple merely released a statement that they were already environmentally aware and were meeting their own company standards. This played out poorly for Apple in the media, resulting in a direct challenge to Apple by Greenpeace at the Macworld expo in San Francisco in January 2007 (Schultz & Helleloid, 2010). Apple has the opportunity to sh owcase its environmental practices to enforce its brand image as a conscientious individual.Although the company publishes its environmental practices on its website, it could expand the exposure of this information in one of its quail at marketing campaigns (Apple And The Environment, 2011). Threats Although Apples brand image has put it at the forefront of smartphone and tablet design, it is facing the threat of losing its market share to Google Android-based products. With Google acquisition of Android Inc. in 2005, the market for smartphones has seen increasing competition for the iPhone from manufactures like HTC and Samsung (Datamonitor Apple Inc. 010). This Apple vs. Android competition is also playing out in the tablet market. Castelluccio (2011) writes that in spring 2010, the iPad owned 90% of the market but the Canaccord group estimates Apples share of the tablet market will be 56% this year quickly crowded out by its competitors (p. 58). This growing threat to the table t and smartphone markets that Apple had previously cornered will be a key battle as Apple works to contain this threat.Because Apple has made its name through its strong band image, and because that image has led them to groundbreaker new products in the smartphone and tablet markets, Apples branding is one of the most relevant factors in deciding to invest in the company. Apples steady popularity as the fun, easy-to-use choice for electronics equipment indicates its long-term strength as an investment. The other important factor is Apples opportunity to shore up this image by promoting its environmental practices.Because of the Greenpeace debacle in 2007, Apple has the chance to strengthen its important branding by introducing new marketing that will paint it as the responsible choice for environmentally concerned consumers. This too would add to the companys longevity as an investment. Stakeholder Analysis In order to determine if stakeholder needs are being met, the stakeholders must first be identified. Internal stakeholders include employees, marketers, internal retail stores, and executives. External stakeholders of Apple are customers, investors, media, third party retailers, local anesthetic and national communities, and the environment.Apple is meeting the needs of their internal stakeholders, but has some shortcomings in meeting the needs of external stakeholders. Apples major internal stakeholders needs are being met Apple has high employee satisfaction rates, and their retail branches are well known for successful promotion of the companys ever-important brand. Employees of Apple are satisfied with the companys management style with nearly 97 percent of employees approving of the general management of founder and CEO Steve Jobs just originally he announced his resignation.In fact, during his tenure Jobs was known for being adept at attracting employees who share his vision and fierce sense of loyalty to Apple and is mission (Steve Jobs, lamb By A pple Employees? , para. 9, 2011). By attracting those who shared Jobs ideals, Jobs was able to create a cohesive employee base who could work together in reaching company goals. The other major internal stakeholders, Apples internal retail stores, are also doing well. Apples primary marketing strategy has been to focus on their retail stores and the inclusive union of Mac users represented there.The strategy of well-placed, beautifully designed retail stores draws in both Mac pros and newbies. Not only does Apple get one-seventh of its revenue from its retail branch, but the first-time buyers that are drawn in account for nearly half of Mac sales in the stores (Snell, 2004). Apple has decided to focus its energies and meet the needs of its retail branches and it has resulted in increased sales and presence in the electronics market. The strength of the retail stores and the loyalty of the companys employees show that Apple pays close attention to internal stakeholder needs.External stakeholders, though, are not all faring so well. Apples major external stakeholders are customers, investors, the friendship and the environment. Of them, only investors and the community have needs as well-met as the companys internal stakeholders. Apple has been a solid bet for its investors, even during the recent upset of Jobs stepping down as CEO. Ranked as BusinessWeeks number one best performing company in 2006, Apple has long been a growing company and a safe bet for its investors (The Ranking, 2006). However, with the recent news of Jobs departure, there has een some question of the companys stability (Morris, 2011). The company did a good job of quelling any speculation by immediately naming a successor, new CEO Time gear up, and assuring its investors with the news that Cook has been running things for some time now, as Jobs battles personal health concerns (Robertson & Metz, 2011). This quick action assures that investors confidence in the company is well founded, an d confidence is an important need for investors. As with any large company the community has a stake in Apple in the needs for charitable assistance from those who contribute to society.Apple has met the communitys needs by contributing matching donations to employees charitable giving, up to $10,000 per employees for qualified organizations (Apple to Match $10K in Charitable Contributions Per Employee, 2011), Giving matching contributions like this allows Apples employees to support the community through their chosen organizations, diversifying Apples support, and adding to customer satisfaction via Apples goodwill. Apples customers and the environment are two facets of Apples stakeholder needs that both need shoring up.Friedman (2011) relates the history of customer issues with Apples design choices, but the company has rarely responded to that input. Poor customer relations have tarnished Apples stellar brand at times, Lee, Burrows, and Woyke (2007) demonstrate that the companys fast appendage contributes to this issue as Apple expanded from computers into personal music players, laptops, phones and other hardware, it did not match that with growth in its technical services divisions. Because Apples major strength lies in its brand and image, it is important that the company have customer relations that support that image.Apple could mend meet the needs of its customers by having better trained technical support and sales staff, to meet the growing demand for service. As mentioned earlier, one of Apples biggest opportunities is in meeting the needs of the environment and being environmentally aware. A recent report released by five environmental groups claims that one of Apples main suppliers is polluting the environment. The Chinese manufacturer of iPhone and iPad touchscreens is charge of poisoning some workers, too. (Apple to discuss suppliers alleged pollution with NGO, 2011).This type of press shows that Apple still needs to make improvements in its environmental efforts, or it will spill over to affect the companys goodwill in other areas, like community and customer relations. Apple could counteract this by bad auditing each one of its suppliers for environmental standards and use its powerful marketing tools to showcase its new green initiatives. Conclusion Having examined Apple, it is clear the company has a strong brand image and place in the market. Is biggest opportunity lies in enhancing this image through improved environmental initiatives.Though there are some issues with the growing Android market and trademark lawsuits, Apple remains a strong prospect for its investors even during times of transition. Apples growth and clear self-image play large split in making it a safe decision for its current and future investors. References Apple and the Environment. (2011). Retrieved from http//www. apple. com/environment/ Apple to discuss suppliers alleged pollution with NGO. (2011, September 1). Business Daily Update. Ret rieved from http//go. galegroup. com. ezproxy. apollolibrary. com/ps/i. do? ampid=GALE%7CA265861417&v=2. 1&u=uphoenix&it=r&p=GPS&sw=w Benoit, W. L. , & Delbert, J. (2010). Get A Mac Mac versus PC TV Spots. In , Relevant Rhetoric A New daybook of rhetorical Studies (pp. 1-12). Relevant Rhetoric A New Journal of Rhetorical Studies. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Castelluccio, M. (2011). The Tablet Horizon An Update. Strategic Finance, 93(2), 57-58. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Datamonitor Apple Inc. (2011). Apple Computer, Inc. SWOT Analysis, 1-10. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Friedman, L. (2011). The Customer Is Sometimes Right.Macworld, 28(4), 100. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Kenney, M. (2007). The apple way 12 management lessons from the worlds most innovative company. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 12(1), 113-113-115. Retrieved from http//search. proquest. com/docview/203919095? accountid=35812 Lee, L. , Burrows, P. , Woyke, E. (2007). A Bruise or Two On Apples Reputatio n. BusinessWeek, (4055), 081-083. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Nickels, W. G. , McHugh, J. M. , & McHugh, S. M. (2010). Understanding business (9th ed. ). New York, NY McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Schultz, P. L. ,