Global Strategic Management

SWOT Analysis: Hewlett Packard

The purpose of this research paper is to explain the main objectives behind Hewlett Packard. It will discuss their strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities as a business.

Background: Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard was founded in 1939 by Mr. Bill Hewlett and Mr. Dave Packard. Both of these gentlemen attended Stanford University. Hewlett was president and Packard was Vice- President of the company. After 70 years of business, they had merged with Compaq computers and the company ended up becoming one if not the largest computer hardware company in the US and the world.

The company itself has been around for over 70 years. They were founded in 1939 and then they incorporated in 1947. In 1950, HP did something out of the ordinary; they offered stock options to their employees, very rare for that time. HP at the time invented a high speed frequency counter and revolutionizes business. They sell that to banks and businesses as a useful tool. In 1957, HP is traded publicly on the stock market and then they become a multinational corporation in 1959. And as the saying goes, the rest is history.

HP has made a mark in the market with their innovative marketing styles, their inventions and how they have chosen to expand their products. Today, it is almost certain that most every home or office has a HP device that they are using. Mainly because people trust HP and their products. They are in the business of computers; therefore they sell laptops, computers and other IT products to large businesses. The company is very confident in their products, therefore they offer returns and a special recycling program where you can turn in your old computers and they can dispose of it safely.

SWOT Analysis- Strengths

HP merged with Compaq computers and is now the world’s largest computer hardware production companies in the world. They are currently doing business in nearly 170 countries; both developed and undeveloped...