Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs, Essay Example

Introduction

Apple Corporation is one of the most successful and innovative companies of recent times. Founded by Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs it commenced business by outperforming its rivals in computer products.  Jobs was less influenced by market demand but more by the innovative and creative side of the business and in the early years it started to lose ground to the competition. Jobs was terminated but he later returned to the company and became the CEO. Jobs got rid of the outmoded traditions in Apple and turned it back into a market leader in very short order. (Rampersad, T. 2005).

Apple Corporation

Jobs was clever enough to outsmart the competition by looking ahead and seeing what the consumers wanted from their products. He incorporated innovation and creativity into the Apple products and made them more exciting and attractive to his customer base. This converted more people to the Apple range of products. Jobs rebranded Apple as being “cool” and that possession of their products set them apart from others that had boring unsophisticated items.  This was particularly true of the ipod and iphone products. Apple inspired a fierce customer loyalty base as customers recognised the value and quality of the way Apple produced its products.  The quality, reliability and support factors resulting in a product that you always felt safe with and trusted.  By comparison Microsoft went through a series of quality issues with both its Office and Windows products.  In addition, Microsoft seemed more prone to virus attacks on the internet than Apple. In summary, Apple recognized the important external factors of customer satisfaction, marketing and innovation.

Conclusions

Apple is faced with two major significant issues that may influence major change on the organization. In the first instance the market remained concerned over Apple’s strong reliance on Jobs at the helm of the organization. It was felt that if he were ever removed it would have the potential of wiping out $20 billion off the market capital of Apple(Foreman, C, 2010) It has been this unique ability of Jobs in being able to innovate, whilst carefully studying what the market wants, and then placing Apple at the front of the pack with the most innovative products in the market place. He is a remarkable visionary that has earnt him the respect of millions of people and a devoted loyal customer base. Secondly, Apple needs to continue to differentiate itself from market competition but maintain strong financial control of the large corporation. Historically this was relegated but Jobs has now built up a strong financial management team at Apple. (Apple Corporation , 2011)

Works Cited

Apple Corporation . (2011). Jobs at Apple Corporation. Retrieved 5 22, 2011, from Apple Corporation : http://www.apple.com/jobs/us/corporate.html 22 May 2011

C, F. (2010). Steve Jobs named CEO of the decade. Retrieved 5 22, 2011, from Arstechnica: http://arstechnica.com/apple/news/2009/11/never-one-to-rest-on-his-laurels-jobs-named-ceo-of-the-decade-.avi 22-5-2011

Rampersad, T. (2010). Traditional Knowledge & Traditional culture expressions. Retrieved 5 22, 2011, from WIPO: http://www.wipo.int/roller/comments/ipisforum/weblog/therme_eight_how_can_cultural#comments