If you live each day as if it were your last, someday you’ll most certainly be right! - Steve Jobs

i- mourn

Steve Jobs

1955-2011

Apple Inc.

-Apple Inc. was started by three college drop out students by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne in 1976.

-Headquarter in Cupertino, California.

-Apple is the largest publicly traded company in the world by market capitalization and the largest technology company in the world by revenue and profit.

Apple has

-46,600 full time employees

-2,800 temporary full time employees

-It has world wide annual sales of $65.23 billion

The motto of Apple Inc. is “Think Differently”

Due to Health problems (Pancreatic cancer), Steve Jobs resigned his job 0n August 24th 2011.

He resigned as CEO of Apple, but remained at the company as chairman of the company's board.

Hours after the announcement, Apple Inc. (AAPL) shares dropped 5% in after-hour trading.

In that  Walt Disney Co. (DIS) shares dropped 1.5%.

The new CEO of Apple Inc. is Tim Cook

What is PEST Analysis?

-POLITICAL-ECONOMIC-SOCIAL -TECNOLOGICAL

Political Influences

It is reported that in 2007 52% of sales of Apple were from outside America.

Bad international relations, wars and terrorism might influence Apple in a huge manner; moreover these are all factors Apple has no ability to control

Apple Inc. produces many of its parts and products outside the U.S., like Ireland, Czech Republic, Korea, China, and Cork. Political Conflicts between the U.S. and any of these states may have awful outcomes for Apple Inc.

Economic InfluencesThe global economic depression might have immense impact on Apple Inc.

The inflation rate is high, while consumer’s incomes didn’t have significant changes, moreover the unemployment rate has increased, leading consumers to spend less, especially on ‘luxury products’, as Apple products might be viewed.

Even though the U.S. dollar has lost value, Apple Inc. is not as endangered economically.

The corporation has purchased itself foreign currency, to minimize the economic effects of inflation on Apple Inc. 

It needs to be said that the U.S. dollar’s depreciation has in fact increased Apple’s revenue in the international market.

Social InfluencesApple is the globally seen as the King of technology, not because of most usage, but quality and design.

Another big social influence is the music industry, which over the last decade has become virtual and set its market to the cyberspace.

Apple having developed the biggest virtual media store, iTunes, is well ahead any other competition of this direction. Web piracy might be a threat, but most governments punish those behaviors.

All in all, Apple’s image also portrays the modern individual’s lifestyle, combining functionality with design, leading to brand identification and loyalty. Therefore social influences have positive effect son Apple Inc.

Technological InfluencesThe technology market for computers and mobile phones has become huge, adding more competition in the market. Also technology innovations and changes are almost as fast as light, therefore the products lifecycle is very short.

Investing largely in Research and Product Development, Apple is on top of the market, regarding innovative products.

This includes making the work for the competition to follow, but it’s still better because innovation is a big part of the brand and has shown to pay out.

Strengths

Apple has virus free systems

First company which adapt calligraphic font style

Apple’s so much appealing design, is also easy to use.

iTunes is a marvelous revenue source, since it also sells its own tool, the iPod; and inaccessible on Windows as well

Have technology of interacting with computer using humansenses

Introduce USB and fire wire ports for digital connection

Weaknesses Apple has high manufacturing and inventory cost

Management is not stable

Has low market share in software industry

Majority of retail stores located in U.S.A.

No compatibility options in their soft wares

Very little market share compared to main competitor Microsoft

Opportunities Should open retail stores in different countries

They can start making their own microprocessor chips

The production of computer anti-viruses, which are increasing on PC’s Large and increasing population resulting in more potential customers of tomorrow

Increasing bonds and partnerships with other companies

Most demanded and sold Apple products are laptops, therefore producing more types to meet as many needs as possible

ThreatsHigh cost can be a limitation in future

High market share of Microsoft Windows

Competition increases in music downloading sites

The long lasting economic recession, which might influence Apple’s sales in the near future

Media piracy: iPod users illegally downloading music for free instead buying at iTunes

Some Amazing Facts of Apple

Apple was established on April Fools Day.

Steve Jobs is a Buddhist.

Apple’s current logo was designed by Rob Janoff.

Apple was the first company to introduce the mouse and the track pad.

Apple.com is in the top 50 websites visited worldwide and in the top 30 visited in the United States.

Steve Jobs’ annual income from Disney shares is $48 million

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore is on Apple’s board of directors.

Macs last an average of six years. PCs last an average of four years.

Steve Jobs once tried to get NASA to let him ride the space shuttle.

Thank You

References:Wikipedia