Apple Inc.
Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that deals with online services, computer software, consumer electronics, and online services. With its headquarters at Cupertino, California, Apple Inc. has become one of the leading technology companies in the world. A learning organization is one that focuses on creating, acquiring, transferring and modifying knowledge to reflect new insights and knowledge. The reason why I chose this organization is because it has shown tremendous zeal and transformation within its internal and external business environments. Having served for 44 years in the tech industry, Apple Inc. has earned the top position against brands such as Samsung, Huawei, and Nokia among others. Attaining this position is as a result of continuous development in its products which have served the market extensively. In addition to this, Apple Inc’s management and leadership has proved to be reliable as time change by meeting the needs of employees and customers.
Dedication to being a learning organization
Running such an organization requires constant updating of the product and service portfolio because customer needs change as time changes. According to the Interaction Design Foundation (2020), product design at Apple is at the forefront. In order to ensure its products have evolved over the years, the product design is supported by coming up with a budget that will suit the existing consumer needs. New trends emerge daily thus companies must align their objectives with current trends. For instance, Apple Inc. has reported constant growth and development of their products against major competitors such as Samsung. This indicates that Apple Inc. is a learning organization that embraces new consumer tastes, competitor rivalry and innovative ideas internally and externally.
Apple Inc. is dedicated to be a learning organization because of its focus on research and development. According to Dolata (2017), Apple Inc. has done this by buying Siri voice control software for its consumers to use on their phones. Research and development comes up with ideas to channel consumer needs with product design. When production begins for a new product, the design process is kept open for discussion. With this, the product design process can accommodate more ideas of how a product may be improved. Thirdly, Apple Inc. has shown interest in being a learning organization by expanding into new markets and coming up with specifications that serve those markets. For instance, Ali Khan (2015) asserts that Apple Inc. signed a contract with China Mobile to increase its presence within the Chinese electronics market.
What makes Apple Inc. so successful?
Apple Inc. is successful because of its devotion to innovation and creativity. According to Ali Khan (2015), this innovation culture has increased investment in research in development e.g. $3.4 billion in 2012 to $4.5 billion in 2013. In both its product and service portfolio, Apple has improved its quality for instance in security. Apple products are one of the safest gadgets to use in that private information cannot be accessed without the user’s authority. Apple’s innovation culture has also increased its market share in the international tech market (Ali Khan, 2015). This is made possible by meeting the ever-changing customer needs i.e. such as coming up with Apple Music. On this platform, customers and users of Apple products can access all types of music across the world. By doing this, Apple Inc. has conquered various regions such as America whereby iPhone is the most used smart phone.
Another reason why Apple Inc. is successful is expanding its products and services. Apple has both hardware and software products and online services. On the one hand, Apple’s hardware products include; the smart phone, Mac computer, iPod, Apple Smart watch, and HomePod smart speakers among others. On the other hand, its software include; iOS, MacOS, iPadOS, and tvOS operating systems Dolata (2017). In addition to this, Apple introduced online services such as App Store, Mac App Store, Apple Music, and iCloud among others. All these products satisfy different consumer needs therefore making the company a success in modern day. On another note, Apple Inc. values its brand by constantly updating its codes of conduct annually (Ali Khan, 2015). In addition to this, the company deems its products as easy to use hence capturing many customers’ attention across the world.
Apple’s reflection of Baldrige principles
One way Apple Inc. has reflected Baldrige principles is by fostering a culture of organizational learning. One Baldrige principle is organizational and personal learning which is portrayed by Apple Inc. through its receptive culture; Apple has constantly led the tech industry against other quality brands such as Samsung (Dolata, 2017). Secondly, since Steve Jobs leadership at Apple Inc. the organization has continued to rely on visionary leaders who think long-term other than short-term. Currently under the leadership of Tim Cook, Apple has continued its innovative and customer-oriented culture in designing their products. This supports the Baldrige principle of managing for innovation. Customer reviews and feedback is an integral part of Apple Inc.’s success because it relies on these reviews to build new and more integrated software’s, gadgets, and online services.
Apple Inc. also upholds Baldrige principles of valuing staff and partners. Apple understands that the reason why they do what they do is because of its employees. They are the foundation on which products and services are made. According to the Interaction Design Foundation (2020), the design team is given ample time and resources to ensure it comes up with high-quality product and service designs. In addition to this, Apple appreciates its employees by compensating them through monthly salaries and benefits. On another note, Apple Inc. has proved to acknowledge the Baldrige principle of social responsibility by creating employment. According to Ali Khan (2015), Apple created employment in India after the company’s products were purchased by residents. This adds to focus on results and creating value principle because the company acknowledges the areas that its products have been recognized. Being in the tech industry, Apple’s management dwells on facts especially in innovation and entering new markets across the world.
In conclusion, I would like to work in this organization because it proves to be an opportunity for me to grow professionally. Apple Inc. has proved to be the best in the tech world indicating that I can benefit a lot by working with the best minds in technology. Secondly, I would learn a lot from how the company operates hence become an inspiration to my peers and those looking up to me. Thirdly, the tech industry is exciting especially in the creation of software and electronics such as smart phones and computers. With this in mind, I can become proactive technologically hence navigating through challenges both in the workplace environment and socially.
References
Ali Khan, U., Alam, N. M., & Alam, S. (2015). A critical analysis of internal and external environment of Apple Inc. International Journal of Economics, Commerce and Management. Vol. III, Issue 6
Dolata, U. (2017). Apple, Amazon, Google, Facebook, Microsoft: Market concentration-competition-innovation strategies (No. 2017-01). SOI Discussion Paper.
Interaction Design Foundation (2020). Apple’s Product Development Process – Inside the World’s Greatest Design Organization. retrieved from: https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/article/apple-s-product-development-process-inside-the-world-s-greatest-design-organization