Apple's Marketing Channels and Supply Chain Management Posts 1 & 2

Post 1:

Apple Computer Inc. was the leader in the personal computer market until IBM and PC gained popularity. This caused Apple's market share to decline. In 1996, to increase their market shares, Apple started selling on-line and in 2001, through company owned retail stores. Some stores include AT&T, Best Buy, and now Wal-mart. This will give Apple the chance to reach the millions of Wal-mart shoppers who are not familiar with Apple products.

Post 2:

The AMR research reported that Apple was ranked number two in its Annual Supply Chain Top 25 report for supply chain management. Apple was recognized for its superior supply chain capabilities and performance. "Apple is committed to ensuring the highest standards of social responsibility wherever their products are being made." 

Apple's Developing and Managing Products-- Posts 1 & 2

Post 1:
According to Magazines, when it comes to product management, Apple is clearly the “Most Admired,” the “Most Innovative," and the “Master at Design.” Jonathan Ive, Apple's senior vice president of industrial design just won the 2007 National Design Award for product design. Apple is big on introducing their new products. When new products are released for consumers to buy, they definitely make huge sales just like the iPhone and iPod. Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, believes in using his unique strategy because he knows what people want. Apple's new product gives people what they want most, a lightning fast notebook and a striking new consumer Macintosh. Apple leads when it expresses its vision through its products, exciting you and making you proud to own a Mac.



Post 2:
Apple is widely regarded as one of the most effective companies at launching products today.
Apple is able to generate interest and excitement over even minor product launches because of its reputation for creating innovative, elegant and functional hardware and software. Everything from industrial design, packaging, accessories and even the product’s web site, is polished to enhance usability, and Apple’s overall image as a maker of “insanely great” consumer products.

Apple's Sales Promotion and Personal Selling Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
When it comes to Sales Promotion, Apple knows best. Apple uses promotional methods using special short-term techniques to persuade members of a target market to respond or undertake their products. Examples of certain methods Apple uses for sales promotions are money back guarantees, lower purchase price and rebates etc. The Apples stores are very distinct and captivating from many other electronic stores because they display all of their products for consumers to experience hands- on. Consumer's are allowed to surf the web on any of their computers, listen to the latest ipods, and experience the iPhone and its features. This lets consumers get comfortable with the products and familiarize themselves with it. This is a major consumer sales promotion that Apple has developed.

Post 2:
During special consumer promotions, Apple has its certain auditions in which they target directly. For example during the month of July to September 1st, Apples promotes their Mac book laptops for college students. When students show their school I.D, they pay for a Mac book book and get any free Ipod they desire and a free printer. I can personally say that this is a good promotion method because I was one of its targeted audience who purchased this great deal.
Another great promotion sales is the teamwork between Apple and Ticketmaster. They have teamed upon once again to give fan a great deal they cannot resit. When you purchase a concet ticket through Ticketmaster, you can simultaneously purchase the corresponding artist's album for $1 off the iTunes Store price. This is an excellent promotional deal that benefits the music fans.

Apple's Advertising and Public Relations Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple believes "Its All About The Brand." During the late 1980's and early 1990's, it was Pepsi's marketing executive, John Sculley who turned Apple into the biggest single computer company with $11 billion in annual sales. Sculley marketed Apple like never before boosting the advertising budget from $15 million to $100 million. Pepsi is the number one soda brand that most people prefer. Just like Pepsi, this ad demonstrates that Apple is the number one computer company that everyone prefers over all other brands. This ad portrays both of these two major companies combines as one. Its like getting the best of both worlds.





Post 2:
This diagram portrays Apple's public relations effort. The Mac shown, demonstrates a picture of Star Trek. Star Trek is a very popular show which has thousands of fans. With this ad, Apple tries to attract not only Mac fans for its beautiful screen image but to Star Trek fans also showing them the exceptional quality in which they can see their favorite show. I believe that this an great public relation efforts. This ad attracts many people for many different personal reasons and that's what advertising is all about.

Apple's Pricing Concept-- Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
When it comes to pricing, Apple tries not to be competitive but they thinks more ahead of the product and its affect that pricing might have in the future. Apple doesn't try to compete with PCs directly on price for several reasons. Some of these reasons include that cut throat pricing leads to diminished profits and loss of shareholder value, it diminishes the hard won reputation of the Apple brand. Also, it's too early for Apple to jump on price decreases before it fully understands the impact of its future quarter sales.

Post 2:
Apple will never price their product downward, even in a down market. The reasons for this is to maintain a premium brand with premium price points, to maintain their margins, and to take in the maximum amount of revenue and profit from their target demographic. Apple will be able to maximize revenue and profit with their consistently high price points during this season. In the long term, this may be the right strategy. Apple believes that once their prices go downward, and it will be difficult to raise the price.

Apple in Retailing Post 1& 2

Post 1:
This weekend I visited a retail Apple store. The store is open 24 hours seven days a week located in 59th and 65ave.The store does an amazing job in retailing. They have many employees to help you with anything you need. When it comes to learning more about a specific new product, Apple is great in answering any questions. They even have their products displayed so customers could get hands on experience. With my experience in the store, I could definitely say that Apple is #1 in customer service.

Post2:
Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs, began a concerted campaign to help sales by improving the retail presentation of Macs. This campaign was the the introduction of the first retail Apple Stores on May 19, 2001. Apple experienced explosive growth largely due to its retailing environments and marketing rather than its products or competitive prices. Even if a customer was not going to buy a product that day, a sales person would help demonstrate the Mac or just leave the customer alone while he or she surfed the Internet or just played games. By 2007, Apple become one of the most productive retailers in the world.

Apple's Product Concept Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
When it comes to their products, Apple is very precise. Their product has to be unique like no other in very way possible. Apple new technologies consist of being ultra thin and touch screen. Apple is about to release their latest product, the Tablet. Its rumored to be released by the Christmas season. The tablet is a large version of the iPhone and Ipod touch put together. The cost comes to about $699-799. The most exciting part of the tablet is its high definition video.

Post 2:
To apple, missing deadlines by even weeks can make the difference between market leadership and being relegated to being a follower. When making a product, Apple's percise detais are almost impossible to get. Apple's CEO Steve Jobs, focuses on making its products unique. A big Apple product usually begins with a big idea for an unmet customer need. Then designers figure out what the product should look like and what features it should have.

Segmenting and Targeting Markets Post 1& 2

Post 1:
The core target market for Apple products are young adults and teenagers for both male and female, primarily in USA, Canada, Europe and Asia. Macs also sell to creative types like photographers, videographers, writers, musicians, artists, etc.Apple's market segmentation is characterized in age, gender and desire for image and creating product desirability mainly to everyone. Apple's products are targeted from middle to high class consumers.

Post 2:
Apple's largest target marketers are Ipod consumers. Apple has exceeded its self-imposed goal of a one percent world cellphone market share by the end of 2008. The study shows that the iPhone represents 1.1 percent of the entire world cellphone market. Apple’s iPhone currently ranks third in global smart phone sales behind only Nokia and RIM. Apple’s iPhone seen the largest gain year-over-year. Apple held firmly in third place in 2008 with over 4 million iPhones sold in that period which accounts for 10.7 percent of global smartphone sales. In comparison, Apple sold a little over 1.9 million iPhones in 2007 which at the time gave Apple a 5.2 percent marketshare.

Apple in the Market Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple has always been into attracting consumers in any way possible. From building an incredible amount of buzz, to having people buy their products, Apple can be considered a small business world. They have has come up with a new application called Mas OS X Download. Mac OS X Downloads lets users test drive and download the new applications that integrate the latest Mac technology. Featured apps are categorized for easy browsing making it easier for users to find what they are looking for.

Post2:
Apple has its own rules on how to market to the people. First, get a charismatic CEO to represent the company and its products like Steve Jobs. Secondly, create a unique customer experience. Apple’s unique customer experience is one of the biggest achievements of their marketing department. Thirdly, its important to be pretty. Apple is very unique when packing their products making it look very pretty from the box to its package inside. Also, people love big photos. Apple believes “a picture is worth a thousand words." A big and beautiful picture brings out more excitement. Also, keep your message simple. Apple believes in that "simple messages are easier to understand, easier to remember, and easier to share." And finally, always stay one step ahead. Apple has made products that have made people wanting more and a good example of that is ipod.

Consumer Decision Making Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple’s goal is to provide customers with the best possible user experience. The best example of this is the current iPhone. Everyday, Apple is trying to figure out a way to how they could make its features and applications more easier and reliable for consumers. The App Store has been a great sucess for Apple. Just over a year since opening, the App Store offers over 65,000 iPhone applications, and customers have downloaded over 1.5 billion applications.

Post 2:
Apple believes that there are four different views related to consumer decision making process and behaviour. First is economic view. This refers to the fact that consumers are primarily facing imperfect competition and they are always expected to make rational decision on the basis of assumptions, they are aware of all product alternatives, they can rank benefits and limitation of each alternative and are able to identify one best alternative. The second is Passive View. Its suggests that consumers are irrational and impulsive as they are submissive to self-centered interests of marketers and got influenced by marketing tools. Third, Emotional View which is related to perceive consumer’s decision making based on their emotional association or feeling about some products and services. Fourth is Cognitive View. This is where consumers are actively searching for the products and services that can fulfil their need.

Global Vision Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple has their next million dollar idea: The Enterprise Mobility iCloud. This application will allow hundreds of millions of mobile workers with enterprise data and information through their mobile device. CIO's of major companies will definitely benefit from this new technonlogy.This advanced technology will influence "business models, revenue flows, and the future direction of enterprise IT." This application is made to work as easy as using your destop. It is also being made so that it can be used not only for iPhone users but other mobile devices such as Nokias', LGs' and Samsungs' etc.


Post 2:
Apple has come up with a "Developer Program." Once iPod sales began rising in 2003, the company worked with makers of portable speakers, music-player cases, and other add-on gadgets. Since BMW first added an optional iPod connector in the glove compartment of many of its 2004 models, carmakers including Chrysler, Ford, and Honda have also followed its same steps. In 2008, General Motors Corporation's Cadillac CTS came out with a center console that features the iPod's "rotate and click" interface. Apple is trying to improve their portable speaker development to incorporate them in other model vechile. This will make vechile owners with these types of vechiles consume ipods and enlarge Apple's profit.

Social Responsibility, Ethics, and the Marketing Environment Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple Inc. is devoted to ensuring its highest standards of social responsibility. They are committed to ensuring that their suppliers meet the standards outlined in their "Supplier Code of Conduct." This Code recognizes standards such as International Labour Organization Standards (ILO), Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), Social Accountability International (SAI), and the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI). Apple is committed to ensure that all employees are treated with respect and dignity and that all manufacturing products are "environmentally responsible." All workers are obligated to work in full compliance with all laws, rules, and regulations in the country in which they operate.


Post 2:
The highest standards of ethical conduct are expected from Apple suppliers. Such ethical conduct include but are not limited to Corruption, Extortion, Embezzlement, Disclosure of Information, Fair Business, Advertising, and Competition, Whitleblowing Protection and Anonymous Complaints.

At Apple, having a safe environment for all workers and consumers is very important. Some ways to provide a safe environment are to have Hazardous Substance Mgmt. and Restrictions, Wastewater and Solid Waste Emissions, Air Emissions, Environmental Permits and Reportings, and Pollution Prevention and Resource Reduction.

Strategic Planning Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Many people never thought that Apple Computer Inc. was in a desperate financial need at one point. Gilbert F. Amelio, Apple's chairman and chief executive, gave a public strategy speech. He addressed an audience of 4,000 Apple software developers, customers and analysts assembled at the San Jose Convention Center in California stating that Apple will comeback from its financial need. He also mentioned that it would take several small steps in the journey for Apple to come back up. Rebuilding the company would mean refocusing on clearer, and less diverse group of products. Such products included the Macintosh computer line, an information appliance business for products priced at less than $1,000, its printers and monitors, and a new organization devoted to alternative platforms. While trying to keep its promise, Apple's stock fell 18.8 cents, closing at $27.063 in NASDAQ trading. The company announced that it would begin a $20 million program to support the outside developers who create software for Apple's products. Gilbert F. Amelio announced that "it would either go on to fulfill its destiny of "changing the world" or "decline into irrelevancy."


Post 2:
Apple has also set a set of goals they plan to reach for the 2010-215 period. Apple's strategic plan intends to guide research and development investments. To get where they want to get, Apple has listed the issues they need to resolve."

1. Developing apple and pear product quality in order to meet and exceed consumer preferences, maximize returns and avoid damaging inconsistencies that will erode the industry’s market share

2. Working more actively with industry supply chains to increase their efficiency and competitiveness

3. Preparing for imports and seeking to grow export markets.

4. Taking a proactive approach to environmental and social issues.

5. Building on the momentum for productivity improvement to achieve international competitiveness

6. Reinforcing consumer preference for apples and repositioning pear products through innovative marketing approaches."

Developing a national plan provides a mechanism to develop a unity of purpose across the industry in responding to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Where Company stands today Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple has about 35,000 employees worldwide and had worldwide annual sales of $32.48 billion in its financial year which ended September 29, 2008. Fortune magazine named Apple the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world in 2009. In January 2006, Apple's market capitalization surpassed Dell. One of Apple's co-founder, Steve Jobs, announced that Apple would begin producing Intel-based Mac computers in 2006. By August 7, 2006 Apple had transitioned the entire Mac product line to Intel chips, over one year sooner than announced.


Post 2:
On April 29, 2009, The Wall Street Journal reported that Apple was building its own team of engineers to design microchips. During this period, Apple was very sucessful in its stock price. Between early 2003 and 2006, the price of Apple's stock increased more than tenfold, from around $6 per share to over $80. Right after the announcement of introducing the Iphone and Apple TV, the next day, Apple shares hit $97.80. This was an all-time high at that point. In May, Apple's share price passed the $100 mark. Apple recorded its best non-holiday quarter during the recession with a revenue of $8.16 billion and a profit of $1.21 billion.

Companies History Post 1 & 2

Post 1:
Apple Inc. was first named Apple Computer Inc. for its first thity years. It was established in Cupertino, California on April 1, 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Reynold Wayne. It became a cooperation on January 3, 1977. On January 9, 2007, the word "Computer" was dropped to keep growing the company's expansion into the consumer electronics market. Its first computer was the hand-built, Apple I. It went on sale July 1976 for $666.66.


Post 2:
On April 16, 1977, the Apple II was introduced. This model was different because it came with color graphics and an open architecture. This model also introduced the 5 1/4 floppy disk and interface, the disk II. By the end of the 1970s, Apple had a staff of computer designers. After the Apple II, then the Apple III was introduced in May 1980. The company competed with IBM and Microsoft in the business and corporate computing market. When Apple went public, it generated more capital than any IPO. since and instantly created more millionaires than any company in history.