Apple, Inc. Strategic Analysis
I. Introduction to the Organization – History of the Company & Current Status —
A. When was the organization founded, why and by whom? Discuss unusual history associated with the organization.
B. Is it privately or publicly held?
C. Who are its top executives in terms of experience, academic credentials, diversity, etc.?
D. Discuss the organization’s Business Model?
E. What is the impact of globalization on this organization?
F. Other information?
II. Identification of the Industry and the Competitors – Provide NAICS code. Identify and discuss direct competitors. Compare competitors.
III. Analysis of the Macro-Environment (Includes identification & analysis of global factors & application of analysis to business situation)
A. What political/legal forces affect the industry?
B. What economic forces affect the industry?
C. What social forces affect the industry?
D. What technological forces affect the industry?
E. What are the threats and opportunities facing the organization?
IV. Analysis of the Industry (Include global considerations)
A. Strategic Group(s) in which the company exists and competitors in it/them.
B. Intensity of rivalry among existing competitors. (C). Threat of new competitors entering the industry; (D) Threat of substitute products or services; (E) Bargaining power of buyers and (F) Bargaining power of suppliers……( Use Porters 5 Forces analysis for B, C, D, E, and F).
G. Potential Profitability of the Industry – What organizations have succeeded and failed in the industry and why?
H. What are the Critical Success Factors for the industry?
V. What is the organization’s measurement and control system? (Include Global Considerations.)
A. Current financial position – Is the organization financially sound?
B. Compare with competitors and industry standards. (Use various financial analysis tools.)
C. What are the organization’s Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s)?
VI. Analysis of the Organization (Mission, Vision, Core Values, Operating Guidelines, Core Competencies, Goals)
A. What is the mission of the organization? Has the mission changed over time?
B. What is the vision of the organization? Has the vision changed over time?
C. What are the organization’s core values and operating guidelines? Analyze current problems that conflict with the organization’s core values and operating guidelines.
D. What are the organization’s core competencies? How are they unique?
E. What are the organization’s broad and specific goals?
VII. Analysis of the Organization – Organization-Level and Business Unit Strategies (Identify Organizational Strategies (including Global Strategies) and Evaluate Their Application to the Organization.)
A. What are the current organization-level strategies? Business unit strategies?
B. To what extent is the organizational structure compatible with the organization’s strategies?
C. How are the strategies aligned with the goals?
D. Compare this organization’s strategies with those of competitors.
E. Use SWOT analysis and Gap analysis to suggest strategies.
F. Evaluate Strategy Application (advantages & disadvantages of each strategy).
G. Key performance indicators (KPI’s)
VIII. Analysis of the Organization – Functional Strategies. Articulate ways to coordinate use of financial & human resources and other functional areas to meet organizational goals & objectives.
A. Marketing – Finance – Operations – Purchasing – Human Resources – Information Systems
B. How well are the functional strategies aligned?
IX. Conclusion and Future of Organization – Comment about the organization’s profile for future competitiveness and success.
What does the organization have to do right to succeed (organization’s Critical Success Factors)? What are the expected results in terms of short-and long-term profitability and survival?
