Analysis and Resource Based View free essay sample

Apple Inc. is one of the world’s largest technology companies dealing in computers and consumer electronic products. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack Apple is now a multinational corporate empire who recently boasted a $15.7 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2010. This study’s objective is to carry out a strategic analysis of Apple Company using different analysis tools. The study aims to cover factors that exist in its internal and external environment and also evaluate how the company utilizes its resources to maintain competitive advantage in the market. Three different descriptive strategic tools will be used in this study includes SWOT Analysis, PESTLE Analysis and Resource Based View (RBV). The findings from these analyses are used in making conclusions on the study question. From this study it’s clear that Apples extensive brand equity, strong leadership of CEO Steve Jobs, Innovative research development, fashionable trendy image of its products and the strong branding customer loyalty forms a great part of its strengths. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis and Resource Based View or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However this study highlights the rushing of products into the market followed by quick product recalls and the many legal cases the company has been involved in as the major threats. Apple’s ‘iphone’ is the company’s attempt to utilize the available opportunity resulting from the increasing demand for ‘smart phones’. Apple Inc is threatened by poor quality output from its suppliers and the tight market for personal computers. The study recommends product testing be speeded up and the company to find alternatives ways to settle these legal cases to ensure Apple Inc maintains its competitive advantage in the technology market. Analysis and Resource Based View free essay sample Apple Inc. is one of the world’s largest technology companies dealing in computers and consumer electronic products. Founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniack Apple is now a multinational corporate empire who recently boasted a $15.7 billion in revenue in the third quarter of 2010. This study’s objective is to carry out a strategic analysis of Apple Company using different analysis tools. The study aims to cover factors that exist in its internal and external environment and also evaluate how the company utilizes its resources to maintain competitive advantage in the market. Three different descriptive strategic tools will be used in this study includes SWOT Analysis, PESTLE Analysis and Resource Based View (RBV). The findings from these analyses are used in making conclusions on the study question. From this study it’s clear that Apples extensive brand equity, strong leadership of CEO Steve Jobs, Innovative research development, fashionable trendy image of its products and the strong branding customer loyalty forms a great part of its strengths. We will write a custom essay sample on Analysis and Resource Based View or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page However this study highlights the rushing of products into the market followed by quick product recalls and the many legal cases the company has been involved in as the major threats. Apple’s ‘iphone’ is the company’s attempt to utilize the available opportunity resulting from the increasing demand for ‘smart phones’. Apple Inc is threatened by poor quality output from its suppliers and the tight market for personal computers. The study recommends product testing be speeded up and the company to find alternatives ways to settle these legal cases to ensure Apple Inc maintains its competitive advantage in the technology market.

Humor In Advertising A Thing of the Past Essays - Volkswagen Group

Ever since I was a young boy I have been a fan of the Volkswagen. I?m talking about the VW?s from the 1960?s and the early 1970?s. Those are the VW?s that come to my mind when Volkswagen is mentioned. Stirring up childhood memories, like my uncle driving up to the top of a steep hill in South Eugene, Oregon, at night when it is pitch black outside. Uncle Rick is in the driver?s seat of his 1965 Black VW Bug, the color blending in with darkness of a hot summer night. The windows are rolled down. The Bug is poised at the top of the hill ready to go. I am about 6 years old and I grab a hold of the handle that sticks out from the metal dashboard above the glove box. Sitting on the edge of my seat, Rick turns and looks at me ?ready he asks, I give him a nod and yell ?ready!? in anticipation of what is coming next. Rick turns the head lights off, revs up the little engine that?s chirping from the back of the car and plants the gas pedal to the floor! Down the hill we go with ever increasin g speed, faster and faster, I scream in sheer joy, ?yeah!? The wind blowing in from the hot summer night, we come upon a street crossing with a thud, driving threw it, we are airborne, for a little bit any way, until we meet up with the road below us, laughing so hard that tears are running down our faces, mine at least. Good times remembered in that Volkswagen. The great thing about Volkswagen magazine advertisements in the 60?s and 70?s is that they used humor and sarcasm to sell their cars and they did not rely on scantily clad young women to get the attention of the audience they were trying to reach. If you have ever watched the Showtime cable tv series ?Weeds? and I?m sure there are a few of you, during the opening credits and theme song, you are taken to an upper middle class suburban city. All the houses look the same. There?s the same car pulling out of the driveway in front of every house at the same time every morning, the husbands commuting to the jobs in the city. All the housewives are all dressed in the same outfits as the go about the daily suburban routine etc?. etc?. I think you get the picture. In a Volkswagen ad that appears to be from the mid 1960?s, we are looking at a scene from Suburbia, U.S.A., a neighborhood that could have been anywhere in the United States at the time. We find houses on both sides of the street that are almost identical, one after another. The sidewalks, driveways, trees, shrubs, even the telephone poles seem to be spaced evenly on down the street. It looks like many average suburban neighborhoods across the country at that time. Enter the VW Bus or station wagon as it was called back then. Parked in front of every house is an identical VW Bus. Each bus is the same year, with the same two tone paint job, the same number of windows, even the same retractable roof. Every VW Bus is facing the same way going down the street and facing the opposite way coming up the street. As if to say this is a normal scene in mainstream America. Below this picture is the following, ?If the world looked like this, and you wanted to buy a car that sticks out a little, you probably wouldn?t buy a Volkswagen Station Wagon. But in case you haven?t noticed, the world doesn?t look like this. So if you?ve wanted to buy a car that sticks out a little, you know just what to do.? I believe that what this ad is trying to say to us is that buying a VW Bus (Station Wagon) is that not only will your car ?stick out? in a crowd, but you as a person will to. You won?t just be normal anymore. You, along with a select few will dare to be different. ?Old Volkswagen Station Wagons never die.? That is the line that

DBQ-Articles of Confederation essays

DBQ-Articles of Confederation essays After the American Revolution ended, life in America was different. States reduced the property holding requirement for voting and got rid of primogeniture. The aristocratic leadership was weakened. The Quakers founded the first antislavery society in 1775. Individual states could trade freely with foreign nations. The states also wrote their own constitutions. Even though they were written for separate states, they had a few things in common. They all called for the annual election of legislators and most included a bill of rights. In 1776 Congress called for a committee to draft a written constitution for America; the result was the Articles of Confederation. Adopted in 1777, it was not enforced until 1781 when Maryland finally ratified it. These articles set in motion a system of government which, even though it had some good points, seemed to take its toll on the newly named United States of America. The states were united in a firm league of friendship (Article 3) but retained their sovereignty and independence. This meant that each state could do what it wanted without concern to what the other states thought. The Articles of Confederation put Congress as the dominant power without any executive or judicial branches; judicial duties were left up to each individual state. In the years between 1784 and 1789, the market value of exports from the United States ultimately rose; its only drop was in 1786 (Document B). This came at the same time as Shays Rebellion. Farmers who were losing their homes to taxes and mortgages demanded cheap paper money and lighter taxes. After the rebellion fell, aristocratic colonists said that the revolution had created a mobocracy. The domination of Congress would have been a good idea if they had more control over commerce. In 1784, Spain closed the Mississippi River to American commerce. Secretary of foreign affairs, John Jay, spoke to Congress about ...

Doing Business in Russia Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Doing Business in Russia - Assignment Example Not since the days of Peter the Great has Russia seen such limitless potential for businesses seeking to gain opportunities; however, this is not to say that entering Russian markets is an easy, or that success is a foregone conclusion. Being able to properly discuss doing business in Russia first requires an understanding of the Russian business environment, which is one that is highly unique given the massive political, social, and economic changes the nation has undergone as a result of the shift away from Communism. Especially in the cities of the nation, there has emerged a significant population of consumers who are eager to experience products from other parts of the world. This is made especially relevant due to the fact that the nation has likewise undergone an economic resurgence and a cultural renaissance. All of these factors have made Russia more attractive to potential investors who appear to be impressed by what is taking place within Russia itself. This is not to say, however, that carte blanche business involvement in Russia is a possibility for every company wishing to do so. Rather, there are important concepts for companies to understand before getting involved in Russia (Bergman, et al, nd).: Collectivism- Dating back to the days when Russian peasants gathered together for the purposes of farming and producing goods together, collectivism still exists in Russia to a large extent, creating a sort of group mindset for consumers, posing a particular challenge for businesses entering the Russian business sector. Egalitarianism- What is meant by egalitarianism in this context is yet another concept dating back to the communist days of Russia, when the removal of inequality was endorsed in favor of an equal distribution of all that society had to offer, which usually leads to traditional Russian business negotiations being considered as a group effort, with all sharing in the benefits of the particular business operations. Dusha- This is a somewhat mysterious force within Russian society, referring to the collective spirit and belief sets of the Russian people. However, for anyone doing business in Russia, a fundamental understanding of this concept is extremely critical. It must also be understood that, as a note of caution, there were previous attempts to open up Russian borders to outside business interests, which was essentially thwarted by the inability of the government under Mikhail Gorbachev to remedy issues of business productivity, product availability, personnel and marketing (Owen, 1995) although admittedly, these problems most likely occurred because this Russian business effort was an internal, homegrown effort which did not make a lot of sense given the inherent lack of business acumen of the level that a recently opened economy like that of Russia would demand. A Rising Opportunity: Russia's Oil Market When thinking of the most readily available and productive oil fields in the world, images of the riches and potential of the Middle East typically come to mind; however, what many fail to realize is the past of Russia's oil industry, as well as its fascinatingly lucrative potential for the future. Following suit of other Russian businesses over the years, the Russian oil industry has risen to impressive heights

Globalization for fashion brand Charlotte Olympia Essay

Globalization for fashion brand Charlotte Olympia - Essay Example Evidently, the growing need for different fashion trend is a pull factor that has instituted internationalisation of the business. As such, inception into the china market is a prudent approach for the firm. For example, Nike is a renowned product in the world due to its awareness campaign, online marketing approaches, global presence and brand strategy. However, the firm has to incept reluctance action since it has to conduct a series of market researches to ascertain the viability of the market. Incidentally, Charlotte Olympia has an established store in the United Kingdom, and it is among the advanced shops in the fashion industry. Thus, this paper will focus on the possible avenues that should be used in introduction of Olympia brand in the global perspective especially in China. For Olympia brand to grow in the china and Europe market, the administration has to involve various perspectives to achieve a substantial share. Notably, many businesses have both short term and long-term priorities to thrive in trade and this are some of the core factors that define success. For example, the firm may consider introducing of new product lines since the customers are aware of their presence. For example, Charlotte Olympia brand primarily focused on women’s footwear and accessories. However, the firm has other labels for young girls and slipper for men, which enhances the identity of the products that use the name. Thus, the first approach is aggregation, where the company uses the distinctive processes used in the original country to attract a larger demand in a new nation (Gregory 2010:8). Incidentally, the consumer behaviours are similar in different states, and this allows different establishments to use the identical methods in different marketplaces. For example, the management of Levi’s creates an emotional connection to enhance the relevance of brand in different markets and guarantee loyalty. Incidentally, Charlotte Olympia in United Kingdom has six

How do organizations communicate their core values (i.e., what they Assignment

How do organizations communicate their core values (i.e., what they stand for) to potential applicants - Qualitative data analysis - Assignment Example Numerous organizations decide to make their center qualities straightforward on the grounds that they perceive the imperativeness of core values (Whiteley and Whiteley, 2007). Core values are different for each organization, however, the purpose of core values are same regardless of the company and organization. Similarly the way through which a company or organization communicates their core values with their potential applicants is different from each other. The purpose of this study is to explore what are the different techniques through which different organizations are communicating their core values with potential applicants. Because these are the people who are building a complete infrastructure of an organization and it is important for them to have an understanding to the core values of that organization. The methodology that is used in this research paper is the secondary data collection that is derived from the brochures of different companies. Some brochures were acquired directly from the representatives of the company while others were accessed via Internet. For the interpretation of the data, we used data coding methodology. This is an approach in which researchers are assigning meaningful codes to different type of data to make it readable. A code in qualitative analysis is frequently a statement or short expression that typically allocates a summative, striking, readable, and/or reminiscent quality for data. For appropriate coding, proper assistance has been taken from books and journals. If an organization says that they are like career catalysts this means that they are offering certain values to their potential applicants to help them in building their career. For example, Accenture, a leading consulting, technology and outsourcing firm is communicating its core values to potential applicants by offering them a number of career developing elements such as collaboration and

Entrepreneur Reflection Paper

Entrepreneur Reflection Paper Section 1.0 Introduction This portfolio releases findings of an analysis carried out on my personal abilities, skills, capability and experience to set up a business and also an analysis of the various tests that I undertook and the lessons learnt from the review. Furthermore an identification of strengths and weaknesses identified in (1.1) and (1.2) will be release along with how I address these and what actions I took and what information I needed together. Finally a reflection on the skills, experience and information, gained from carrying out this assignment will be explained. Section 1.1 Analysis of personal abilities, skills, capability and experience to set up a business Entrepreneurship is the drive of the economies in the world today. Most innovations are made and implemented by entrepreneurs. The role of entrepreneurs today is not just for self fulfilment but for contributing to the economies and helping to solve many of the problems in society. I consider myself an entrepreneur. I have entrepreneurial thoughts and am moved by successful entrepreneurs. The role of Bill Gates to information revolution is one of the contributions of entrepreneurial that inspire me. I try to figure out how the world would be without the contribution made by him and am perplexed (Birley S and Muzyka D, 1997). In the past, I have had entrepreneurial thoughts. I have thought of innovations that would make changes to the world. I thought of innovations that would make life easier for people while adding opportunities for jobs and livelihood of people. There are various reasons that make me to consider myself as an entrepreneur. The best indicator is that most of my role models are entrepreneurs. On top of the role model is Bill Gates. I consider him as a role model for his innovativeness and courage. Although a student, Bill Gates was innovative enough to see how software development could solve peoples problems (Bridge S, ONeill K, Martin F, 2009). He did not stop at the academia level but pursued his discovery and implemented the knowledge. Bill Gates courage is manifested by how he is able to pursue the discovery even though they are limited by resources and skills. Richard Branson of Virgin Empire is another role model. Richardsons self beliefs inspire me. He is able to see problems and does not run away from the problem but bravely confronts the problem and comes up with solutions. As an entrepreneur, I am innovative. I am able to come up with solutions by using innovative ways. From my lower grades in school, other students relied on me to give solutions when they were met with challenges. I have been able to use my innovativeness and interest in information technology in various ways. I have prepared and implemented software applications that can solve various problems. At my home, I prepared a software application that helps me remember to prepare for everyday. Together with my colleagues, we were able to present software applications that helps manages students welfare at our former High school. My self believe adds to my qualities of entrepreneurships. I believed in my capacity to bring changes to the society and take it as a duty to bring the positive changes. Although some other people are not comfortable with my assertiveness, I take it as a gift that should be exploited for the good of the people. My inner drive helps me to overcome negative reactions and pessimistic opinions of other people. The business idea that I have in mind is online marketing and sales. This idea came in my mind as a result of development in information technology that has changed the culture and ways of life of people (Burns P, 2008). The conventional ways of doing business would not be successful in this information era. The information era calls for restructuring of the business to conform to new technologies. The other motivation to online marketing and sales is philosophy of lean (Entrepreneur, 2009). Most of the products that are sold to the end are sold at a very high price as compared to the production cost of the product. The additional costs to the products result from the many middlemen. Online sales and marketing enables the products to be sold directly to the end ensuring that the end used gets the value of the money used. Online sales and marketing requires and entails the use of information technology in sales and marketing. As an entrepreneur, I wish to apply the skills to assist business and corporate market their products though the internet. In addition to market, I wish to assist businesses implement direct online sales to their customers. My broad experience in information technology, application programming and marketing will be useful. My ability to foresee details of complex things will enable me to overcome the challenges of setting up the sales and marketing. Sales and marketing is an old role in business. Although other roles are equally important, I find sales and marketing to be the most important. Sales and marketing is the activity that presents the product to the used and ensures that the products are bought. Without sales and marketing, the role of production and other roles may be inessential. Inspired by this, I feel that the use of information technology in this role would be very fruitful. Online sales and marketing in not new. Many companies run their own website through which potential customers can peruse the products before they can arrange to make purchases. A good example of model online direct sales is EBags. This company sells different kind of bags to their customers through the internet. However, the online sales and marketing are made by individual companies. My vision is to establish a virtual online supermarket though which people can access products from different companies and buy the products directly through th e internet. The education system has opened my mind in various areas. The skills that I have acquired would be very helpful to the business. The analytical, communication, and problem solving skills in academia are essential to the business. These skills coupled with my innovativeness and self drive will enable me to achieve the vision of online sales and marketing. To evaluate the business and my entrepreneurial skills, I undertook various tests. Section 1.2 Analysis of the various tests undertaken and the lessons learnt from the review To evaluate my entrepreneurial capability, I took several independent entrepreneurial tests. The test helped me to unfold my personality and other things related to entrepreneurship. On personality, I took different independent entrepreneurial tests. Personality is very important to the success of entrepreneur. Most of the entrepreneurs are observed to have related personality that contributes to their success. Most successful entrepreneurs are observed to have personal inner drive that sustain their innovations and quest for success. Most of them strongly believe in themselves and have confidence in their personal capacity to bring change. Their innovativeness and problem solving is very vital to their success. Being in business means that a person will be prone to competition. Most entrepreneurs have personalities that ensure them to be competitive without fear of failure. In addition, almost all entrepreneurs are highly motivated and have high energy. Their energy enables them to overcome the difficult task of entrepreneurships and motivate other individuals to the goal of the business. Despite of these, most entrepreneurs are open for advice and criticism. In stead of taking criticism negatively, entrepreneurs learn from the criticism and implement the necessary changes to their businesses. Personality tests were; Type T personality test, DaVinci type personality test and Bill Wagners Personality test. The tests presented questions that aimed at analyzing the personality. Completion of the entrepreneurial personality test gave a report that included a score on different personality categories (Personality 100, 2009). The result from the test suggested whether a person was fit for being an entrepreneur. From all the entrepreneurial personality tests I scored a score sufficient for entrepreneur. The other personality test made was the HBDI personality test. This test measures the tendency of a person to have left-brain or right-brain thinking. This tendency tells whether a person is more likely to have conceptual and experimental tendency in thinking (Jolly A, 2004). This tendency is different in different professions and helps an individual to discover the right profession. For an entrepreneur, the test analyses the major issues that are necessary to the entrepreneur. The test has different quadrants. The first quadrant takes into consideration of the capacity to solve problems. An entrepreneur has to be able to think logically and analyse facts before making a decision. The second quadrant evaluates the ability of the person to implement the decision made. The third quadrant evaluates the ability of the entrepreneurs to communicate. Communication is very essential for businesses. The ability of the entrepreneur to communicate ensures the entrepreneur to coordinate other st ake holders in the business (Wickham P, 2006). The fourth quadrant of the test evaluates the capability of the entrepreneurs to take risks. Risk taking is very important to entrepreneurs and determines how they would handle challenges and respond to setbacks. The other test made was the marketing test. Marketing is very essential to a business. This test analyses how an entrepreneur is aware of the potential market and marketing strategies. Also, I took a market research test. This tests how an individual understands market research. The questions presented help the individual to evaluate market research needed for the business. The other test taken was a leadership test. The leadership test helps to evaluate the leadership qualities of the person taking the test. Entrepreneurs are leaders in their respective businesses. To be a successful entrepreneur, a person has to be a good leader. Section 1.3 Strengths and Weaknesses Evaluation of personal abilities and the use of the entrepreneurial tests enabled me to discover my strengths and weakness as an entrepreneur. The evaluation was made in relation to the online sales and marketing business that I have in mind. Online sales marketing is information based business. It takes the form of business outsourcing. The business entails taking other businesses trouble of sales and marketing and doing it for them. My creativity and innovativeness is my strength (Williams S, 2002). The innovativeness will enable me to be able to come up with solutions to individual businesss sales and marketing challenges. My strong base in information technology is vital to the business (Chapman N and Chapman J, 2006). This experience will enable me to be at ease in coming up with online solution sales and marketing. The education base is also strength. Online sales and marketing businesses will entail ability to deal with complexities. The analytical skill obtained from the education system will enable me to come up with logical solutions to the problems. From the personality test, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses. From the test, I am outgoing and assertive. This quality is essential for entrepreneurs. The quality will enable me to deal with other people. The assertiveness is strength with what I would be able to sell the business idea to potential clients. This will enable the business to gain customers and have fast growth. The assertiveness will also help me to negotiate for the business with potential business partners. Problem solving is a key element to entrepreneur success (Rae, 2007). From the HBDI test, it was shown that I have good problem solving capabilities. Online sales and marketing, as an outsourcing business will entail solving other peoples problems. The capability will enable me to be able to handle clients problems with ease. The weaknesses identified from the test include communication challenges and leadership. The assertiveness was identified to impede interpersonal communication by intimidating the other party. On leadership, my leadership quality was identified and self- centred. To overcome the challengers posed by my personality in leadership and communication, I will invest in the area to ensure improvement. Personal reflection will enable me to be sensitive of other people in communication and react appropriately to their personal psychological needs. This will enable me to overcome the intoxicative charisma. On leadership, I would register for leadership course. The course will help me in managing and leading people. Section 1.4 Reflection on the skills, experience and information, gained from carrying out the assignment The reflection of the business was very important to me as an entrepreneur. The assessment enables me to go through the details of the business. From this, I was able to unfold the hidden challenges that would be posed by the business. This assessment enabled me to go step by step through the different steps that would be followed when establishing the business. It gave me the opportunity to relate the theoretical base of the business with the practical implementation of the problem. Through the business idea can be reviewed to fit the practical environment. The entrepreneurial tests were very important to discovery of self in relation to entrepreneurship. From the test, I was able to identify my strengths and weakness and an entrepreneur. From the strengths and weakness identified, I would be able to make the right measure to overcome the challenges. Entrepreneurship is very important to the economies of the world (Rae, 2007). The freedoms and innovativeness of the entrepreneurs leads to solutions of major world challenges. From the assessment, entrepreneurship is the right way for me. It will enable me to implement the online sales and marketing business idea.