Apple's Operational and Strategic Plan
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Apple’s Strategic and Operational Plan Based on SWOT Analysis
Kimberly McCain
MGT/521
October 6, 2014
Daniel Martin
Apple, Inc. is a company that “designs, manufacturers, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications” Jurevicius (2014). Apple, Inc is a global organization experiencing exponential growth from 2001 to current. Performance of a company is directly related to the organization’s internal and external environment. Recognizing internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats (SWOT) provides a competitive advantage/
Based on the Apple Inc.’s SWOT analysis, Apple’s threat is their price structure at a comparatively higher price point where the Smart Phones are expensive compared to other competitors. A competitive strategy or opportunity of lowering product cost while preserving quality standard increases sales and adds competitive advantage. Competing on the foundation of lowering costs is pursuing a cost leadership strategy, Coulter & Robbins (2014), Chapter 9, p. 233.
Achieving the competitive strategy, Apple’s operational plans include:
• Perform an environmental scan to identify competition’s Smart Phone prices
• Evaluate methods to decrease manufacturing and distribution costs
• Identify timeline to launch a new price structure
• Identify resources
• Identify budget constraints
• Identify leadership to manage the effort
• Measure new pricing for success
Mobilizing employees and managers to put the strategy and operational plans into action requires commitment, discipline, and holding staff accountable for specific functions. Leadership is critical to ensure the entire process continues to meet deadlines.
Apple’s internal stakeholders are employees, shareholders, and owners; external stakeholders are...
Kimberly McCain
MGT/521
October 6, 2014
Daniel Martin
Apple, Inc. is a company that “designs, manufacturers, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, and portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications” Jurevicius (2014). Apple, Inc is a global organization experiencing exponential growth from 2001 to current. Performance of a company is directly related to the organization’s internal and external environment. Recognizing internal strengths and weaknesses and external opportunities and threats (SWOT) provides a competitive advantage/
Based on the Apple Inc.’s SWOT analysis, Apple’s threat is their price structure at a comparatively higher price point where the Smart Phones are expensive compared to other competitors. A competitive strategy or opportunity of lowering product cost while preserving quality standard increases sales and adds competitive advantage. Competing on the foundation of lowering costs is pursuing a cost leadership strategy, Coulter & Robbins (2014), Chapter 9, p. 233.
Achieving the competitive strategy, Apple’s operational plans include:
• Perform an environmental scan to identify competition’s Smart Phone prices
• Evaluate methods to decrease manufacturing and distribution costs
• Identify timeline to launch a new price structure
• Identify resources
• Identify budget constraints
• Identify leadership to manage the effort
• Measure new pricing for success
Mobilizing employees and managers to put the strategy and operational plans into action requires commitment, discipline, and holding staff accountable for specific functions. Leadership is critical to ensure the entire process continues to meet deadlines.
Apple’s internal stakeholders are employees, shareholders, and owners; external stakeholders are...