Apple Inc Case Study

Executive Summary

Training and development is very important in any organization regardless of the size given the current competitive nature of the marketplace. It can be diverse on a range of issue from changes in technology, learning new activities, to refreshers courses for routine tasks. Organizations are investing a fortune to train their employees to build their capacity towards realization of the set goals and objectives. Training refers to the acquisitions of relevant knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAa) and preparing employees to assume more responsibilities or improve their overall performance. This project guides in implementation of the training and development processes at Apple Inc.

Selection of an Organization: Apple Inc.

Apple Inc. has a very rich history and a market leader in the electronics industry specializing in computers, tablets, phones, among other products. The favorable corporate culture allows it to flourish each year. In 2015, the company had a net income of $2 billion. Its main competitor is Korea’s Samsung and currently it has over 20,000 employees both permanent and contract staff.

The company was founded by Steve Job and it was incorporated in 1977 in California, U.S. Apple Inc. deals with personal computers (PCs) and related peripherals, software, plus networking solutions. Similarly, it sells portable digital music players, third-party video and audio products. The product lines include the Macintosh® portable computers, operating system, iPod, iTunes, servers, among other products. It also sells consumer-, business-, professional-, and education-based application software. It markets and sells its products through online shops, third-party sellers, direct sales force, value-added sellers, and retail stores. It has a diverse consumer segment from individuals, institutions, governments, among other consumers. Its financial year usually ends exactly on the last Saturday of the month of September. It operates globally in almost 50 countries and owns over 200 retail stores in United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, China, India, and United States. It strives to provide innovative, high-end, and user-friendly technological solutions. It also seeks to exemplify its ideology dubbed ‘Think Different’ so as to realize its corporate mission and corporate goals.

Corporate and User Culture

Apple Inc. is a highly successful technology company and has undergone numerous changes with regards to its culture since the 1970s. From inception, the company preferred informal corporate culture mostly with a flat organizational hierarchy as opposed to the tall version. Its corporate culture is extensively referred as an epitome of excellence and a basis for its differentiation strategy. The company values creativity, quality of work, raw talent, and innovation all along its value chain. It fosters individuality and employs the top talents only from across the globe. It promotes diversity amongst its different stakeholders and seeks to align them solely towards achievement of the corporate goals and objectives.  By ensuring it delivers positive customer- or user experience the company is able to secure customer loyalty to its brand and product lines as well as customer satisfaction. The company will continue flooding the global market with creatively designed, user friendly and more innovative products besides, implementing a non-stop marketing scheme.