Life-Cycle Case Study: Apple

What factors helped Apple out of period of overall decline and transformed it into compamy it is today?

Apple started out as any company. When Steve Jobs and his friend came up with the new computer, it was declined by the major companies. However, couple of years later, Steve Jobs became the riches person in the world thanks to his company; the Apple.

Apple uses many strategies to keep its customers. Probably the main reason they are as sucessful as they are is because of the strong customer loyalty they develop. In stores, they have special technicians that help you. As I personally noticed, I always get asked what my name is and then the workers always make sure to use my name when speaking to me and say "what a great evening we had" after they are done patiently explaining about the product. Nice treatment, knowledge and free help makes Apple very attractive to the consumers. The whole idea of the "Apple cult" is to keep people coming back for more. Therefore new generations and new models are made. Months before the new product is released, Apple advertises it and makes people excited, making them be among the first ones who get it. As new products are being released, the older ones get a little cheaper, so even if a person can't afford the new one but still be "cool" as everyone else (because "cool" and "sophisticated" became the definitions of the Apple brand) they can get one of the older models. This psychological strategy makes people believe that if they are owners of Apple products, they are part of something bigger and better which perfectly satisfies their yearning for belonging. Apple constantly develops new models. Originally they started out as a Mackintosh company making computers, but nowdays they make technology that varies all they way from Macs through iPods and iPads to earphones and computer cases. Apple also has contract and "coproducts" with other companies, such as Nike. A particular example is an iPod case for arm when the concumer runs, so he doesn't have to hold the iPod while excercising. This kind of symbiosis helps both companies because it promotes both brands and appeals to more kinds of people.
The technologically aware people knew longer before that keyboards don't have future, yet Apple was the first one to develop the touch screen. This fancy technology appeals to the consumers and by this beat the competition for a while. Among the biggest Apple competition is Android.
The overall feel of the Apple products is a very sophisticated, style that promotes beauty in simplicity of usage.