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Apple's Beethoven

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Apple's Beethoven
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION

This report will thoroughly go through the case of Apple, a company that is at the forefront of entertainment technology. Our team of expert analysts and consultants has carefully evaluated the situation of the company, determining what practices and innovations have led to its current position, developing a plan will continue to help the company further it’s position, and provide logical rationale and follow up to our plan. Before getting into the details of the company’s managerial and innovational practices, the report will provide a brief overview of the company. Apple is in a critical position with the loss of its former CEO, Steve Jobs, but with implementation of certain practices and policies, it can continue as a company that is representative of innovation.

OVERVIEW OF THE COMPANY

Apple is one of the world’s leading computer companies, selling laptop, desktop and tablet computers, as well as cell phones and they revolutionized the music industry with the release of its mp3 player, the iPod. Apple also develops computer software, such as iTunes, which has an online store to buy music, movies, books, and software. Buyers love its products, as they are deemed much simpler to use than competitors. Apple at one point held a very small share of the computer market, but with the introduction of the iPod, business began to boom. Today the company boasts impeccably sound financial and accounting practices. The main premise of the company is to provide superior, innovative technological products.

OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUE

Apple has focused on innovation as the driving force behind its vast success. Innovation led the company to the forefront of the technology industry. A problem the company faces is to remain driven and produce industry-changing products, as it did with the iPod. At times, innovation has hurt more than helped the company, namely compatibility issues in the 1980s and 90s. While trying to stay ahead of the



Cited: Chen, B. (2008, October 21). Jobs: Apple is Thrid Largest. Retrieved December 2, 2011, from Eppicenter: http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2008/10/with-iphone-app/ Mahmood, O. (2007). Appl Inc. 2007. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from TecKnowledge: http://www.tecknowlogic.com/2011/01/apple-inc-2007-present-reaching-unlimited-heights-day-1-article-6/ Ostrow, A. (2009, January 14). Breaking: Steve Jobs Taking a Leave Of Absence. Retrieved November 29, 2011, from Mashable: http://mashable.com/2009/01/14/steve-jobs-leave-of-absence/ Reisinger, Don. (2011, October 7). Big mo: In one week, apple icloud hits 20m users; 25m use ios 5. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/8301-13506_3-20121323-17/big-mo-in-one-week-apple-icloud-hits-20m-users-25m use-ios-5/ Schnendler, B. (2005, February 21). How big can apple get. Fortune, 66-73. Slivka, E. (2011, September 8). Apple Institutes New Charitable Matching Program for Employees. Retrieved December 3, 2011, from MacRumors: http://www.macrumors.com/2011/09/08/apple-institutes-new-charitable-matching-program-for-employees/ Sorkin, A. (2011, August 29). The Mystery of Steve Job 's Public Giving. Retrieved Decebmer 4, 2011, from DealBook: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/08/29/the-mystery-of-steve-jobss-public-giving/ Zaleski, K. (2009, January 14). Leave of Absence. Retrieved December 1, 2011, from HuffPost: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/14/steve-jobs-leave-of-absen_n_157963.html

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