Apple's Synergy in the Computer
and MP3 Player Industry
Apple Computer in 2006
Introduction
Apple's Strategy
Apple is known for its innovative and high-quality products. Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, has brought a lot to the company. According to the case, "His leadership style, which epitomized the spirit and standards upon which Apple was founded, blended with the business discipline that was lacking in the younger Jobs" (Thompson). The overall theme of Apple is a combination of high quality and innovation. Apple's activities in the PC and MP3 industry match up because both of these themes are present in its products. The iPod is extremely innovative so much that it is the standard for MP3 players. Apple's PCs are known for their high quality and innovative software and design. Both industries are important to Apple's success. The iPod is the leader in the MP3 player industry with estimates of having nearly 84 percent of hard-drive player market share and 46 percent of the market share in flash based players.
Apple's business plan is to regain market share in the education market. Apple computers were predominantly used in schools until the Windows platform was created in the 90s. Ever since then Apple has been competing with Wintel companies like Dell. Also, Steve Jobs knew that a few major things needed to happen: new product development, aggressive pricing, and more extensive and clever advertising He also "recognized that in order to grow significantly, Apple would need to convert existing Wintel users into Apple users" (Rosenbloom). Conversion is one of Apple's main business plans and to combat this, Apple has opened nearly 170 retail stores nationwide since 2001 (Apple). Apple's strategies are working because ther ...