Organizational structure, leadership, and strategic positioning analysis

History Organization

Organizational Structure

The company that we will be examining is Apple. They are one the largest computer and electronics manufacturers in the world. At the same time, they also provide support to their various products through additional services they provide (such as: the I Tunes store). It is currently divided into several different divisions to include: Personal Computers, Network Solutions / Peripherals, Media, Digital Content and Third Party Digital Applications. ("Apple," 2011) Based on how Apple is structured, one way to improve economic performance is to re-establish its alliance with Google. What made the partnership fall apart is that Steve Jobs (the founder / CEO) believed that Google stole key I Phone features and placed them in the Android. This created contention between the two sides, as it appeared as if Apple was trying to prevent Google from releasing a competitor to the I Phone. If the company can re-establish this partnership, they could collaborate on: applications and universal features. Once this occurs, it means that both organizations will benefit from: the sale and popularity of the two devices. ("Google Violated Alliance," 2011)

Leadership in the Organizational Setting

The basic leadership strategy is: surrounding Steve Jobs and his influence on the various products they are creating. This has set the example for the staff and the atmosphere of the organization itself. However, the over reliance on Jobs' leadership and vision is problematic, because he has not been feeling well over the last several years. Therefore, the company must have a strategy that will take into account possible losses of ideas and talent, in the event that Jobs is no longer able to continue with his current role at Apple. (Wilcox, 2011)

Brief Financial Overview

Financially speaking, Apple has been seeing a significant increase their quarterly earnings. Evidence of this can be seen with the rise in earnings per share from: March to December 2010. As, it would increase from: $2.45 (in March) to $5.40 (in December). ("Apple," 2011) One possible recommendation to improve the company's economic performance is: to seek out other products that can help to support consistent long-term growth. This is based on the fact that sharp increases in earnings, could mean that the company is too dependent on the sales of a particular product.

Key Products and/or Services Provided and Market Share Information

The main products that Apple sells includes: the I Phone, I Pod, I Pad, the Mac and they market various applications / songs / videos for these devices. The total market share that Apple controls for computers sales is between: 10% and 17% worldwide. As far as the sales of mobile phones are concerned, it comes in third place, controlling 25% of the total market share. This is behind the Google Android and the Research in Motion Black Berry. One possible recommendation to improve the economic performance of the company is to figure strategies to increase demand for various products. This could mean dramatically lowering the costs or adding some kind of incentives, to keep up with changing consumer tastes. ("Mac Market Share," 2011) (Gonsalves, 2011)

Consumer and Employee Perception of the Organization and its' Product and Services

When it comes to consumer perceptions, Apple has a favorable image among customers. Evidence of this can be seen by the fact that 84% of consumers said they would continue to purchase Apple products if Steve Jobs were to step down.( Ho, 2011) However, as an employer the company does have some issues to include: middle management is engaging in very bureaucratic tendencies and they are slow to respond to employee issues. One possible strategy that can improve the work environment (i.e. social performance) is: to seek out those executives who share the same kind of passion and vision about the company as Jobs. This will help to: improve creativity and it would address some of the obvious frustrations that some developers are feeling. ("Apple is a Good Employer but Not as Amazing," 2007)

Comprehensive SWOT