SWOT Analysis of Organization - Essay Example

SWOT Analysis of APPLE Table of Contents Introduction 3 APPLE, Inc 4 SWOT Analysis of Apple 5 Strengths 5 Weaknesses 5 Opportunities 6 Threats 6 Conclusion 6Bibliography 7IntroductionSWOT analysis can be described as a strategic planning tool. It provides a basic and straightforward model for providing direction and serves as a guiding source for creating and developing marketing plans. The SWOT analysis is done by taking information from various environmental analyses and separating them into internal issues i.e. strengths and weaknesses and also external issue in lieu of opportunities and threats.

Strengths can be considered as the attributes that the organization has and which can help the organization to achieve its objectives. Weaknesses can be stated as the attributes of the organization which prevents the organization from achieving its objectives. Opportunities are those external environmental conditions favorable towards the organization. This can help the organizational to achieve its objectives. Whereas, threats are also external factors which may act as a preventing measure against achieving organizational growth.

SWOT analysis is a technique that helps in identifying key factors. It also helps the organization in developing plans to tackle such scenario in future.APPLE, IncApple, Inc. is one of the oldest companies in field of designing and manufacturing computers. In the present day, they also manufacture and design mobile phones, portable music players, and also related accessories. Apple, along with their manufacturing part also provides Macintosh operating system software, internet software, multimedia software, business application software and also wireless connectivity services.

The motto of Apple is ‘Think Different’. It was founded in the year 1976. It’s headquarter is situated in Cupertino, California. Apple’s operation focuses mainly on software products, computer products and communication products. Its retail business generation is carried forward through 215 retail business stores and also their dedicated website.SWOT Analysis of Apple StrengthsApple always backs innovation and its strengths have been the creation of integrated products and along with the development of user friendly software.

The high quality of the product makes a big positive difference for Apple. Unique design, stylish looks like iPod Nano, light weight materials are all diverse feature of Apple. Ease of use is also a bright feature of Apple. Aggressive campaigning and commercials are also part of Apple’s strengths. Apple has a competitive advantage by embedding a closed community. Apple has other strengths as well like strong and healthy balance sheets, integration of their entire solution, innovation like iPod, iPhone, iPad and iTune, retail strategy of placing stores in high traffic areas is expanding their growth and customer base.

WeaknessesCannibalization of phone in which iPod and now iPad has grown and taken up its market, faulty screen of Apple iPod Nano and other complaints against its product are all weaknesses. Apple’s decision to end the relationship with IBM as their chip supplier and switching to Intel also was thought to confuse the customers of Apple.OpportunitiesEmerging global markets like that of Europe and Japan, recent growth of iPad and also developing markets of iPad, research and development and market expansion are all deemed as opportunities for Apple.

Organic growth is also seemed as the opportunities for apple in the present tight credit market.ThreatsApple has the following threats like strong competitions in pricing field and very competitive industry with fast changing technological advancements.The competitors have large resources in disposal which can also be considered as a threat. Also, the ongoing economic slowdown possesses threat to apples prosperity.ConclusionApple, Inc as a company has a tremendous scope for progress and growth if they are able to channelize their strengths and opportunities.

They also have to keep a track of the impending threats and their own weaknesses to eradicate the competition to be the market leader. BibliographyApple, Inc, (No Date). Hot News. Latest News. Retrieved Online on May 14, 2010 from http://www.apple.com/hotnews/Danca, A. C., (No Date). SWOT Analysis. University of St. Francis. Retrieved Online on May 14, 2010 from http://www.stfrancis.edu/content/ba/ghkickul/stuwebs/btopics/works/swot.htm Johnson, G. & Et. Al., (2008). iTunes Case Study. Pacific Lutheran University.

Retrieved Online on May 14, 2010 from www.plu.edu/~johnsogd/doc/itunes-case.docTrinity University, (No Date). Company Overview. Apple, Inc: Buy Report: Growth. Retrieved Online on May 14, 2010 from www.trinity.edu/smf/Apple%20Buy%20Report%20Revisited.doc