Apple Inc. By Gilbert Magana

1. Apple Inc. By Gilbert Magana

2. HISTORY & DEVELOPMENT • Founders are Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who created the Apple I Computer on April 1, 1976, and incorporated the company on January 3, 1977, in Cupertino, California • Apple Inc. is a multinational corporation that creates consumer electronics, personal computers, computer software, commercial servers, and is a digital distributor of media content. • Apple's core product lines are the iPhone smart phone, iPad tablet computer, iPod portable media players, and Macintosh computer line. • Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals and consumers around the world through innovative.

3. Growth of the Company • In 2001, the successful iPod music player was introduced to the market. In 2007, the first generation of iPhone came out into the market. Shortly after, in 2010, the iPad was introduced. • As of 2012, Apple is the largest publicly traded corporation in the world, with an estimated value of $626 billion as of September 2012. Apple's worldwide annual revenue in 2010 totaled $65 billion, growing to $127.8 billion in 2011 and $156 billion in 2012.

4. PROBLEM APPLE IS FACING • Chinese customers are unhappy with Apple’s customer service • Chinese media began open criticism of Apple and its response- or lack there of - to warranty complaints. • The People's Daily, an official newspaper of the Communist Party of China even ran a front-page piece calling Apple "arrogant" in dealing with Chinese consumers.

5. Strengths • Apple Inc. has high standards in the market • Main focus is on research and development • Excellent advertising, and their image logo is a strong brand • Experienced customer service • Strong financial performance

6. Weaknesses • – Death of Co-founder Steve Jobs, one of the finest CEOs in the workforce • Recall on iBook and Powerbook computer batteries in 2005. • Intertrust Technologies Corp. and Samsung had sued Apple for patent infringement • High priced products are quite a concern

7. Opportunities • Developing into other nations like Asian countries • Constant growth of PC and mobile devices • Growing market of “Green” and energy efficient products. • Expansion of new retail stores around the U.S

8. Threats • Main threat is intense competition in the market • Big ideas are easy to copy • Microsoft copied the graphical user interface, and even Linux has a version • The touchscreen interface is being used in other phones (e.g. Android) • Apple’s expensive products as compared to other competitors such as Dell, Nokia, Microsoft, Google, and Samsung which are cheaper

9. Communication Challenge • Challenge in communicating with consumers outside the U.S. in order to prevent them from purchasing products from other competitors • Not only does Apple have to deal with the communication challenge with their costumers but with their staff as well • Apple needs to ensure their staff is well trained and understand their policies and expectations in order to meet the expectations of the costumers • This can be done by making sure the information is dispersed correctly from the CEO to the retail stores or resellers. Furthermore, Apple needs to communicate with its customers and let them know everyone is important to them equally.

10. Solutions • An increase of training for all employees • Preventing communication overload to staff • Allowing time for feedback to be received • Do not use Stereotypes to prevent emotion • Acknowledge cultural differences • Provide staff with culture sensitive training

11. Conclusion • Apple Inc. is a well-known fortune 500 company with excellent products. Unfortunately, large companies could experience some down falls. However, with great leadership and well-trained employees these down falls can be overcome. Overall, communication problems exist in almost every workplace, therefore the best situation would be to figure out some solutions that are suitable to the company.