SWOT Analysis Of Apple Inc.

An appraisal of a company’s resources strengths and weaknesses can be coupled with a listening of external opportunities and threats to provide an assessment, commonly known as SWOT analysis, provides the basis for crafting a strategy that capitalizes on the company’s strengths, aims squarely at capturing the companies best opportunities, and defends against the threat to its well-being (Bethel University, pg.81). In the case study of Apple Inc. the company has experienced great strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Apple Inc. was founded by Steven Wozniak and Steven Jobs in 1976 to introduce the first mass-produce personal computer Apple I; by 1984 the company introduced the Macintosh Computer that lacked software capabilities

The company is known for its personal computers, laptops, iPads, iPods, iPhones, iTunes, and Apple TV devices. The popularity of the Apple technology has enhanced the brand name to build a larger user base for social factors as well as a more diverse product line. The customer loyalty of Apple technology will most likely keeps it customer base as long as the company can keep up with fresh ideas and new lines of technology that other brand rivalries have not thought of (Bethel, University, 2011).

Nevertheless, one can convey as an Apple customer for more or less of its products the experience of customer service level is impeccable. Unlike most technology based carriers, instead of waiting in line to be assisted in an Apple store; a customer has to complete a form online to inform the Apple representative(s) what type of issue(s) a particular device may have. Thereafter, the customer is given an exact time to be seen, the customer will be seen on time and not a minute thereafter, and the issue will most likely be resolved before leaving the premises.

Weaknesses

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For example, August 22, 2007, “price protection” kick- in date complained that there was a larger than-normal price drop for such a relatively short period and accused Apple of unfair pricing. In response to the controversy, on September 6, 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs wrote in an open letter to iPhone customers that everyone who purchased an iPhone at the higher price “and who is not receiving a rebate or other consideration,” would receive a $100 credit toward the purchase of any product sold in Apple’s retail or online stores (Bethel University, 2011, pg. 268). The revisions in the management team have its challenges over the years. 1995-1996 under the leadership of Gil Amelio, there were managerial changes made to split the company in seven distinct divisions. Although, Apple announced a staggering first-quarter of $740 million in 1996, the company brought down its losses to $33 million by quarter two, an achievement that financial experts had not imagined Apple could accomplish. By 1997 Steve Jobs who resigned in 1985 came back to the company as “interim CEO,” and made several changes within that year that reported a profit in all four quarters. By year 2000, Jobs was the permanent CEO and improved the iPod and iTunes in 2005. Timothy Cook took over the role of acting CEO in the fall of 2008 after Steve Jobs declining health