Now that you’ve identified the organization’s SWOT, you need to determine the project and its objectives and metrics. This project should be based on an unmet opportunity for the organization, or to minimize a potential threat. What does the organization need to do to advance its goals and/or expand its competitive advantage? How will you measure their progress?
Complete the following:
Explain why this opportunity/threat was selected, and how it is anticipated to benefit the organization.
Create at least 3 measurable project objectives based on your analyses. Determine timelines and responsibilities for each objective (e.g. with a RACI chart)
Explain why these objectives are appropriate for the project.
Develop at least 2 metrics to evaluate achievement of each of the project objectives. Provide a 1-page explanation for why these are appropriate metrics for each of the objectives.
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BUS/475v10
WK 2 Apply: SWOT Analysis
BUS/475v10
Page 2 of 2
Wk 2 – Apply: SWOT Analysis
Name:
Selected Organization:
Complete
a SWOT analysis from a global perspective, if applicable.
|
Strengths
|
Weaknesses
|
|
Customer Focus
Loyal customer base
Innovative products
Marketing advertising
Brand identity
Distribution chain
|
Matching customer expectations
Lack of competition
Incompatibility
Premium pricing
Lack of promotions
|
|
Opportunities
|
Threats
|
|
Steady customer growth
Expand distribution networks
Smart wearable technology
Lack of green technology
Qualified professionals
|
Laptop competition
Lawsuits
Counterfeit products
Rising labor cost in other countries
|
Analysis
Summarize
your findings from the SWOT analysis for the CEO of the organization you chose. Address the following in your 2- to 3-page summary:
· How would you match the organization’s strengths to its opportunities?
· How would you convert the organization’s weaknesses into strengths?
· What recommendations do you have to mitigate the impact of the threats?
· What action(s) does the organization need to take to advance their organization goals and/or expand their competitive advantage?
· Why does the organization need to take this/these action(s)?
Citations
Access
the Reference & Citation Generator for citation assistance.
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Apple Inc.’s success is connected to the capability to use business strengths to defeat weaknesses and threats, and to utilize opportunities in the industry environment. Based on the strengths and opportunities, a SWOT analysis of the company shows insight of the strategic actions of the business, especially increasing its growth. The SWOT analysis structure is a strategic management decision-making tool that determines the highest pressing issues facing the company, based on the outside actors and the internal business. In this case, the SWOT analysis of Apple Inc. scans the business for relevant strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT variables), with mention of various productions and markets. Some of the service industries involved with the company include hardware and software, consumer electronics, cloud computing services, and online digital content distribution service industries. This inclusion of various productions and markets is a strategy used by Apple in their efforts to continuously expand their business and remain as a top competitor amongst the growing industry. The factors that influence the decisions of the CEO, Tim Cook, and managers in developing the business is the presentation of the SWOT analysis of Apple Inc. With its operations in various markets around the world, the company deals with different sets of SWOT factors based on regional situations. Also, the Porter’s Five Forces analysis of Apple Inc. confirms that the company faces the strong force of competition linked to the combativeness of competing technology firms, such as IBM, Amazon.com, Google , Samsung, Sony, Lenovo, Dell, and PayPal. This competitive landscape requires innovative strategies and tactics to achieve continuous business growth and development, and to fulfill Apple’s corporate mission statement and corporate vision statement.
This aspect of the SWOT analysis framework points out the strengths that enable the company to overcome weaknesses, take control of opportunities, and resist threats in their business environment. These strengths are internal factors specific to the conditions within the business organization. In this case, the following are the most significant strengths of Apple Inc.:
1. Strong brand image
2. High profit margins
3. Effective rapid innovation processes
Apple Inc. has the opportunity to expand its’ distribution network. Such opportunity directly relates to the weakness of the company’s limited distribution network. This SWOT analysis emphasizes the need for the company to change its’ distribution strategy. An expanded distribution network can help Apple reach more customers in the global market. In relation, the company has the opportunity to increase their sale volumes through aggressive marketing, especially for mobile products. This opportunity is linked to the rising demand for mobile access, as illustrated in the PESTEL/PESTEL analysis of Apple.com. So, this means, the company has the opportunity to explore new product lines. The current product lines of Apple are highly successful. However, with further innovation, the company can develop and introduce new products similar to what they have achieved with the Apple Watch. Developing new product lines can support business growth in the international market. Thus, this aspect of the SWOT analysis of Apple indicates that the business has major opportunities for further growth despite aggressive competition.
In this aspect of the SWOT analysis, the focus is on the threats that the company experiences from various sources, such as competitors. Threats are external factors that limit or reduce the financial performance of businesses. In Apple’s case, the following threats are the most significant:
1. Aggressive competition
2. Imitation
3. Rising labor cost in various countries
Tough competition in the industry is partly because of the aggressiveness of firms. Apple competes with firms like Samsung, which also uses rapid restructuring. In this scene of this SWOT analysis, aggressive competition has a limiting effect on Apple Inc. Because of the invading competing firms, it is necessary to have strong elements for maintaining competitive advantages. In addition, the company faces the threat of emulation. This threat is significant because of the large number of local and intercontinental firms that imitate the design and features of Apple’s products. Additionally, rising labor costs involving contracts with other businesses, such as those in China, reduce gross production or push selling prices even higher. Based on the external strategic factors in this SWOT analysis, Apple Inc.’s performance could suffer because of aggressive competition and imitation of product design.
All factors discussed in this SWOT analysis indicate that Apple Inc. possess major strengths to effectively address organizational weaknesses. The company can also use these strengths to utilize opportunities, such as the enlargement of its distribution network. Furthermore, the company can use its strong image and rapid innovation processes to successfully develop and launch new product lines. Apple can also face the threats of aggressive competition and imitation, which are major challenges affecting companies in the global market for consumer electronics, computer hardware and software.
Based on the strategic affairs highlighted in this SWOT analysis of Apple Inc., a recommendation is to continue the aggressive and rapid change including developing the company’s products. Such change reduces the adverse effects of reproduction on proceeds. Also, it is recommended that the company further intensifies the automation of its production processes, and support the automation of its contract manufacturers, as a way of addressing the rising labor costs involving Apple product mass productions. Another recommendation is to establish partnerships with more traders to improve the overall market reach of the company’s distribution network.
·
Apple Inc.’s Website
.
· Bernroider, E. (2002). Factors in SWOT Analysis Applied to Micro, Small-to-Medium, and Large Software Enterprises: An Austrian Study. European Management Journal, 20(5), 562-573.
· Helms, M. M., & Nixon, J. (2010). Exploring SWOT analysis – where are we now? A review of academic research from the last decade. Journal of Strategy and Management, 3(3), 215-251.
· Heracleous, L. (2013). Quantum strategy at Apple Inc. Organizational Dynamics, 42(2), 92-99.
BUS/475 v10
Wk 1:
Advanced Organizer
BUS/475 v10
Page 2 of 3
Wk 1 Apply: Degree of Alignment
Advanced Organizer
Review the companies listed in the case studies portion of the textbook. Choose 1 of the companies to use for all weekly assessments. Complete the chart below with information provided in the textbook and other resources. Provide your analysis below the chart.
Selected Organization:
Describe the organization in the follow chart:
|
Element
|
Description
|
|
Mission
|
To Bringing the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software and services.
|
|
Vision
|
We believe that we are on the face of the earth to make great products and that’s not changing.
|
|
Values
|
Accessibility, Education, Environment, Inclusion & Diversity, Learn More, Privacy and Supplier Responsibility
|
|
Structure
|
Apple Inc. has a hierarchical organizational structure, with notable divisional characteristics and a weak functional matrix. The hierarchy is a traditional structural feature in business organizations. The divisional characteristics refer to the product-based grouping within Apple, such as for iOS and macOS.
|
|
Culture
|
Apple’s Organizational Culture Type and Characteristics. Apple Inc. has an organizational culture for creative innovation. The company’s cultural features focus on maintain a high level of innovation that involves creativity and a mindset that challenges conventions and standards.
|
Analysis
Based on your advanced organizer and further research, analyze the degree of alignment between what the organization is currently doing (actions) and their mission, vision, values, structure, and culture.
I think that Apple’s Vision and mission statement is the foundation for this company’s success as one of the most used and valuable companies in the world. This company was established in 1976 and has moved forward to become a company that is full of innovation. This one trait alone is one of Apple’s major business strengths. The success of Apple is due to them taking their business strength and overcoming weaknesses.
Citations
Access
the Reference & Citation Generator for citation assistance.
Meyer, P. (). Panmore Institude. Retrieved from
Apple’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics (An Analysis)
Meyer, P. (2020). Panmore Institude. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/apple-inc-organizational-culture-features-implications
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
BUS/475 v10
Wk 1:
Advanced Organizer
BUS/475 v10
Page 2 of 3
Wk 1 Apply: Degree of Alignment
Advanced Organizer
Review the companies listed in the case studies portion of the textbook. Choose 1 of the companies to use for all weekly assessments. Complete the chart below with information provided in the textbook and other resources. Provide your analysis below the chart.
Selected Organization:
Describe the organization in the follow chart:
|
Element
|
Description
|
|
Mission
|
To Bringing the best user experience to its customers through its innovative hardware, software and services.
|
|
Vision
|
We believe that we are on the face of the earth to make great products and that’s not changing.
|
|
Values
|
Accessibility, Education, Environment, Inclusion & Diversity, Learn More, Privacy and Supplier Responsibility
|
|
Structure
|
Apple Inc. has a hierarchical organizational structure, with notable divisional characteristics and a weak functional matrix. The hierarchy is a traditional structural feature in business organizations. The divisional characteristics refer to the product-based grouping within Apple, such as for iOS and macOS.
|
|
Culture
|
Apple’s Organizational Culture Type and Characteristics. Apple Inc. has an organizational culture for creative innovation. The company’s cultural features focus on maintain a high level of innovation that involves creativity and a mindset that challenges conventions and standards.
|
Analysis
Based on your advanced organizer and further research, analyze the degree of alignment between what the organization is currently doing (actions) and their mission, vision, values, structure, and culture.
I think that Apple’s Vision and mission statement is the foundation for this company’s success as one of the most used and valuable companies in the world. This company was established in 1976 and has moved forward to become a company that is full of innovation. This one trait alone is one of Apple’s major business strengths. The success of Apple is due to them taking their business strength and overcoming weaknesses.
Citations
Access
the Reference & Citation Generator for citation assistance.
Meyer, P. (). Panmore Institude. Retrieved from
Apple’s Organizational Structure & Its Characteristics (An Analysis)
Meyer, P. (2020). Panmore Institude. Retrieved from http://panmore.com/apple-inc-organizational-culture-features-implications
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
Copyright 2019 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
