Apple INC, History, Development and Growth of Under Armor Apparel Company’s
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History, Development and Growth of Under Armor Apparel Company’s
Even after the loss of the founder and CEO in 2011, History, Development and Growth of Under Armor Apparel Company’s Cook, the chief operating officer then ensured that everything necessary was undertaken to see the company succeed which saw him rise to replace the founding CEO of the company. The company started in 1976 as producer of personal computers, software and peripherals. With increased competition, the company leadership will have to work creatively and expeditiously to sustain the company success (Gamble, Strickland & Thompson, 2014).
Internal strengths and weaknesses
Apple has recorded exceptional growth and leadership record since its establishment. Its technology development is appealing globally and has been the core of its profits. The variety of products it offers to consumers and the expanded market is impressing sustaining the company. The company has the capacity for growth because of its continued innovativeness to knock out the competitors and offer best products. Even though Apple strives to produce best quality products in the market, they are of high cost and faces risk of substitution and lower prices by competitors. Its stock gains have not kept the pace and Microsoft is still more valuable than it is.
Analysis of the external environment
The company is a leading digital asset management and Smartphone provider globally running both hardwares and softwares. The company increasingly outsource in countries that it feels there maybe uncertainties to maintain its image on the consumers. The company has invested in research and development that contributes to its innovativeness and high product quality making it top in terms of innovations.
SWOT analysis
The company strength lies on the customer trust on their product quality, which has increased loyalty and increased purchases. Its continued innovation and new technologies make it outstanding globally building on its brand image. It has continued to expand globally, which together with its varied products in the world of communication technology contributes to its strong financial performance and increased profit.
The weakness majorly is the higher price of its products as compared to those of competitors. The patent infringements with other companies using similar technologies as theirs has decreased its market share. It has not also been able to maintain steady share performance.
The opportunities are that there is expanding demand for its products with the innovation of new technologies. Lowering price by producing products that meet the needs of different markets and adjusting on weaknesses can see the company capitalize on its already good image.
Major threats faced by the company include stiff competition from the rivals who pursue similar technologies. Their products can easily get substitutes due to patent breaches and the increased marketing of products by the rivals can reduce the market share.
Corporate-Level Strategy
The company incorporated its leadership in corporate governance initiated by the founder of the company. The company has maintained leadership that has seen it propel in terms of innovation and research and development that has seen its increased performance in the market. Apple strives to create internal efficiency, improve on its products to maintain brand image.
Business-level strategy
The company commits to bring the best customer experience in terms of innovations and technology through its hardware, software and technological services. It strives to maintain customer image about its products and increase sales, mostly to the products such as iPods that has experienced declined growth. The company has the ability to design and develop its own and unique products to the market and invest on research for its advantage.
Analysis and Correlation of Apple’s Strategic Plan to that of its Structure and Control Systems
Apple has incorporated its leadership into corporate governance, which works best for its sustainability and performance amid challenges and different instabilities
Recommendations
The company needs to develop products that meet needs of different markets and at prices that can be afforded by a majority. It should also have proper established patent rights that will not give competitors a leeway for using their technologies. These recommendations will see the company enjoy the benefits of its investment in research, without exploitation by others.
Actions for Successful Changes
The company needs to focus on the needs of different markets and the ability of the consumers and incorporate such findings in its product developments. It has to defend its patent internationally to avoid exploitation, and maintain advertisement to promote sales.