Apple's iPod: An Innovative and Creative Organization and Product
Apple – iPod
An Innovative and Creative
Organisation
Module: Business Innovation and Creativity
Contents
Introduction 3
Internal analysis 5
Core competencies 5 Culture 6
External analysis 8 Opportunities 8 Threats 9
Innovative Marketing Strategy 10
Conclusion 11
Bibliography 12
Apple – iPod
An innovative and creative organisation
Introduction
This report looks at the conditions that foster innovation and creativity within the Apple organisation and one of its most successful innovative products, the iPod.
Innovation is the “Process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need.”1
In the following pages I have analysed the role played by technological innovation in the organisation and the market development of the iPod. The structure of the report is divided into two sections, first explaining the effect that innovation has on the internal environment of the Apple organisation and details about this company’s core competencies. The second part of the report looks at the external factors, the opportunities and threats that face Apple and also how technology affects the organisation.
Apple is an international organisation that manufactures electronic goods such as the famous iPod, iPhone and the recent iPad. They are also the creators of Mac which is an internet platform and iTunes Media Store. According to Business Magazine, Apple was the world’s most innovative company from 2005 to 2007 and still continues to be a much respected name in the industry with the recent launch of the iPad in 2010. The iPod was first introduced in 2001 and had instant success across the world. It quickly became a must have gadget not only because of its design and
An Innovative and Creative
Organisation
Module: Business Innovation and Creativity
Contents
Introduction 3
Internal analysis 5
Core competencies 5 Culture 6
External analysis 8 Opportunities 8 Threats 9
Innovative Marketing Strategy 10
Conclusion 11
Bibliography 12
Apple – iPod
An innovative and creative organisation
Introduction
This report looks at the conditions that foster innovation and creativity within the Apple organisation and one of its most successful innovative products, the iPod.
Innovation is the “Process by which an idea or invention is translated into a good or service for which people will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need.”1
In the following pages I have analysed the role played by technological innovation in the organisation and the market development of the iPod. The structure of the report is divided into two sections, first explaining the effect that innovation has on the internal environment of the Apple organisation and details about this company’s core competencies. The second part of the report looks at the external factors, the opportunities and threats that face Apple and also how technology affects the organisation.
Apple is an international organisation that manufactures electronic goods such as the famous iPod, iPhone and the recent iPad. They are also the creators of Mac which is an internet platform and iTunes Media Store. According to Business Magazine, Apple was the world’s most innovative company from 2005 to 2007 and still continues to be a much respected name in the industry with the recent launch of the iPad in 2010. The iPod was first introduced in 2001 and had instant success across the world. It quickly became a must have gadget not only because of its design and
Bibliography: Business Dictionary (2010) Innovation [Internet] Available from http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/innovation.html [Accessed 23rd March 2010] Hamel and Prahalad, 1994, Competing for the future, USA, Harvard Business School All Business, 1st October 2010, Core competencies key to developing profitable products [Internet] Available from http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/product-management/12024296-1.html [Accessed 25th March 2010] Business Week, 12th October 2004, The Seed of Apple 's Innovation, [Internet] Available from http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/oct2004/nf20041012_4018_db083.htm [Accessed 25th March 2010] Creativity and Innovation, 10th February 2008, iPod- Apple 's Best Innovation, [Internet] Available from http://creativityandinnovation.blogspot.com/2006/10/iPod-apples-best-innovation.html [Accessed 30th March 2010] Vertygo Team 2010, iPodMarketing Strategy, [Internet] Available from http://www.vertygoteam.com/iPod_marketing_strategy.php [Accessed 10th April 2010] Cnet UK, 14 May 2009, New Apple Mac ads: Stitch that, Microsoft!, [Internet] Available from http://crave.cnet.co.uk/laptops/0,39029450,49302265,00.htm [Accessed 20th April 2010]