Good Essay On SWOT Analysis For Apple

Abstract

Apple has provided electronics and computers for consumers since 1976. Apple has provided these products with record number sales, causing Apple to be a proven company with remarkable success.
Apple Inc. is an established company providing electronic products, computers, media players as well as phones since 1976. Apple Inc. began with three individuals building computers, and later began creating media players and later phones. The popularity of Apple has grown by leaps and bounds, and to date, Apple is one of the most well-known corporations in the electronic arena.
Apple’s popularity has proven to be one of the strengths of the company. The company is known world-wide, and can be easily spotted. While the popularity of the company is a proven benefit for Apple, Apple still has to consider any new threats to their products. For example, with the iPhone, Apple has to continue to build a quality product with a greater ease of use. One of the popular factors with the iPhone is the ease of use, and how well customers are able to utilize the product. Apple continues to spend a substantial amount of research and development, which allows for the company to continue to build upon the quality of their products, and to remain relevant with other company’s and customers. Porter’s first of five principles is met here, as Apple looks at the potential threats of new entrants to the field. (Pearlson 2012) While Apple looks at the potential threat for new entrants, it proves to be a strength for Apple, as it looks for ways to stay competitive and relevant. In addition to these strengths, another strength of Apple is its marketability. Apple spends millions of dollars each year on marketing their products. In doing so, the awareness of Apple continues to increase. (Friesner 2014)
Some of the weaknesses that Apple has to contend with is product issues. At times, Apple has built products that have not been of the utmost quality. Apple has had to contend with these issues, and has built upon these issues to make their products better. For example, with the inception of the iPod, the iPod has continued to be revised, and made to be more user friendly. Also, Apple has worked on ways to make more quality products. More recently a weakness for Apple lies in its music streaming application, iTunes. Other entrants into the field of music streaming has begun to rise in popularity causing for Apple to look at more methods to increase customer use and sales. (Friesner 2014) This has been seen as a weakness due to the inability to continue to garner sales. Other media streaming devices allow for different payment methods, and customers look for a cheaper method to download the music of their choice.
Opportunities paves the way for Apple to build and garner better growth. Apple continues to look for ways to build upon the bargaining power of buyers. For example, from the inception of the iPod and iPhone, the costs of these devices have dropped. This is due to the increase of popularity as well as the increase in demand. As more and more customers have grown accustomed to these products, the cost of these products have lowered. The lower cost also has to do with the suppliers, as well. This has proven to be an opportunity for further growth for Apple. Apple has in essence gained the bargaining power of buyers. The same can be said in regards to gaining bargaining power of suppliers. Apple has been able to build sustainable and marketable products at a lower cost due to the ability to garner a bargaining power of the suppliers. Furthermore, Apple has had the opportunity to build on its success by introducing instant video streaming, such as FaceTime. This technology has allowed for individuals to see and talk to one another over a cell phone line. Previously this was only allowed through other technology applications such as Skype.
Lastly, when looking at the threats that Apple consistently faces, Apple continues to look at other industry competitors, and how this affects their sales and growth. Apple has always had success with nearly every product they have created. This is due to their extensive research and development team. Some of the threats that Apple has to contend with is other industry competitors, such as other phone competitors, computer builders, or media players. Apple is a very extensive and complicated company, and has built its name on outlasting its competitors. With having this much success, Apple has been bound to attract competitors, as other competitors want to make the market more stiff, and have the opportunity to build their own successes. (Friesner 2014)
Apple has been an established company for over forty years. With the current methods of research, development and marketability, Apple will continue to be a force to contend with for years to come.

References

Friesner, T. (2014, May 8). Apple SWOT - Marketing Teacher. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://www.marketingteacher.com/apple-swot/
Lloyd, A. (2013, February 3). Global Strategic MGMT Company News: Apple and the Five Forces Model. Retrieved February 18, 2015, from http://lloyd7160.blogspot.com/2013/02/apple-and-five-forces-model.html
Pearlson, K., & Saunders, C. (2012). Managing and using information systems: A strategic approach. (Fifth ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, inc. ISBN: 9781118281734 Description