Apple

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Case Analysis 1

1. What were some of Apple's biggest successes and failures? Describe why.

Biggest successes:

* The iPod click wheel ultimately led to the tapping/swiping touchscreen interface beloved by the iPhone faithful. The click wheel paved the way for users to become accustomed to convenience and depth at their fingertips.

* For decades, Microsoft has shamelessly tried to imitate Apple; first the Windows GUI, then the Zune, and now Windows Phone 7. But Apple has wisely not tried to become Microsoft, with one disastrous exception -- from 1995 to 1997 when it licensed the Mac OS to clone makers and tried to sell enterprise servers. Being the anti-Microsoft -- focusing on consumer-friendly products, innovation instead of imitation, and quality instead of quantity -- enabled Apple to not only survive but thrive. In fact, last April Apple surpassed Microsoft in profitability

* Microsoft is arguably better without Gates (and probably will improve even more once Ballmer hits the highway). Without Jobs, though, Apple would be a footnote in the history of personal computing. Cast your mind back to the dark days of July 1997, before Jobs returned as "interim CEO." Apple had just lost $1 billion on revenues of $7 billion. Its stock was trading at $4 a share. It was ripe for acquisition or even liquidation.

Biggest failures:

It is common pattern in the high-tech world that a start-up becomes wildly successful based on great technology, and then ease a little bit. However, this almost killed Apple. May of Apple’s least successful product such as the Macintosh Portable, the Pippin, the Newton Message Pad, and the invasion of the Mac clones. This occurred during the dark post/pre-Job’s period. It’s a miracle the company survived.

2. How much of Apple’s success can be linked directly back to its culture? Why?

As per the Wall street journal’s report, here are some interesting points that make apple’s culture so unique.

1. Focus...