Apple was founded in 1976 by Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne to design, manufacture and sell personal computers. After many years of turbulence and losing market share to competitors like IBM and Microsoft, Steve Jobs resigned from Apple in 1985. He returned as CEO in 1997 and implemented widespread changes that turned the company around, leading to quarterly profits. Since then, Apple has continuously released innovative products that have established it as one of the most valuable companies in the world.

1. APPLE LNC
P.E.S.T ANALYSIS

3.  APPLE WAS FOUNDED BY STEVE JOBS, STEVE WOZNIAK AND RONALD
WAYNE ON APRIL 1, 1976 WITH THE INTENT TO DESIGN, MANUFACTURE AND
SELL PERSONAL COMPUTERS.
 DUE TO MANY YEARS OF TURBULANCE, UNDERPERFORMANCE AND
EXTERNAL PRESSURE FROM RIVALS SUCH AS IBM AND MICROSOFT; STEVE
JOBS LOST THE BOARDS SUPPORT & RESIGNED FROM APPLE IN 1985
 STEVE JOBS WAS RE-INSTATED AS THE CEO OF APPLE IN 1997, AND WITH A
NEW FOUND ENERGYAND DIRECTION IMMEDIATELY BEGIN TO IMPLIMENT
WIDESPREAD CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE COMPANY.
 THE CHANGES STEVE JOBS MADE WERE GROUNDBREAKING, AND UNLIKE
RECENT YEARS THE COMPANY STARTED TO REPORT QUARTERLY PROFITS.
 SINCE THEN, APPLE HAS CONTINUOUSLY COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE
PRODUCTS THAT HAVE TAKEN IT FROM THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE
INFORMATION & TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY, TO ONE OF THE MOST VALUBLE
COMPANY’S IN THE WORLD TO DATE.

4. HTTP://WWW.SLIDESHARE.NET/MARIAMAB
DULLA/STRATEGIC-MANAGEMENT-11768259
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5. ALLOWS AN OBJECTIVE VIEW TO BE CAST OVER ENTRY INTO NEW MARKETS &
ENVIRONMENTS FREE FROM PRE-CONCIEVED ASSUMPTIONS.
GIVES DESCISION MAKERS THE INFORMATION TO AVOID STARTING PROJECTS
THAT ARE LIKELY TO FAIL, FOR REASONS BEYOND THERE CONTROL.
IT HELPS IDENTIFY THE NEED FOR POSSIBLE CHANGES IN BUSINESS
DIRECTION.
IT HELPS TO SPOT OPPORTUNITIES AND GIVES ADVANCED WARNING OF
SIGNIFICANT THREATS.

6.  Apple shifted their profits to lower tax countries paying a lower tax rate
in 2012.
 The political situation of a country affects its economic setting which
affects the business performance.
 Governments rules and regulations could have an effect on a business.
For example the introduction of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance regulations
environment urged a change to make public companies more liable.
 Political stability - an aggressive takeover could overthrow a government
which could lead to riots and disrupts business operations.

7.  Slow economy and high unemployment rate affects consumer spending.
Consumers seeks cheaper offerings for similar feature products from
Apple’s competitors such as Samsung.
 Apple’s financial performance is affected by fluctuations in the exchange
rates between currencies in different countries for their exports.
 Petrol price increase leads to freight costs increase.
 Apple’s manufacturing site is based in China due to lower labour costs.

8.  Socially acceptable to gain multimedia such as music and video content via
illegal download.
 Cultural trends changing at an accelerated rate, due to abundant amount of
shared information. Companies need to react to customer demands in real
time.
 Apple products currently being used as a medium to filter propaganda to the
wider global community by terrorist groups and there affiliates on social
media.
 Social acceptance increasing with regards to using multiple sources of
technology to pay for purchases.
 Having the latest and most sought after technology is seen in most societies
as a status symbol.

9.  Technology has a short product life span, consumers demand new
innovative product upgrades in short periods of time.
 Wealth of consumer choice.
 Competitor research and development is always striving for competitive
advantage through individuality & unique product offerings.
 Corporate espionage during new product development, testing and
release dates.