Critically Evaluate the Reasons for the Rise in Position of Apple Essay

Critically Evaluate the Reasons for the Rise in Position of Apple Brandin the Best Global Brands in 2011 - Essay Example Though others consider it to be time consuming and sometimes frustrating, strategic planning has been found to lead to quality decision making if applied effectively (Westphal & Frederickson, 2001, p.1113). This essay tries to find the possible determinants of the positional rise to 8th position of the apple brand in the global brands. Moreover, the rise in position has been linked closely to effective strategic planning hence, some of the tools used in strategic planning have been analyzed and justification for the choice of each tool given. Introduction According to Tapinos, Dyson & Meadows (2005, p.370) recently the topic of strategic planning has drawn a lot of discussions focusing on its effective implementation and the possible outcomes. The subject has attracted both empirical and theoretical exploration as entrepreneurs try to seek more information regarding it. Effective planning has been associated to improved performance, successful implementation and good decision making. Organizations are facing difficult times due to new technologies, market and economic changes globalization and deregulation. Consequently, all these activities call for the application of proper business techniques and the adoption of appropriate planning tools. Although some people may argue that strategic planning has its own ineffectiveness, the advantages that come along with it are overwhelming (Falshaw, Glaister & Tatoglu, 2006, p.9). Strategic planning allows an organization to understand itself by analyzing its vision and objectives in detail. If it is appropriately implemented, it will enable an organization to realize its full potential. Some of the tools employed in planning strategically are discussed below. Tools for Strategic Planning The SWOT analysis tool is the most commonly employed tool to help an organization determine its possible position within the industry of its operation. SWOT refers to the analysis of an organization’s strengths, its weaknesses, a vailable opportunities and finally threats that are facing it (Lyles, Baird, Orris & Kuratko, 2000, p.38). First is to determine the internal position of an organization by assessing its strengths and possible weaknesses. Strengths refer to the most effective skills that are employed by an organization in the attainment of its vision. Some of such skills include employees of high expertise and advanced technology. On the other hand weaknesses are those things that hinder a firm from attaining its full potential such as functional areas’ conflicts and production costs which are very high (Meers & Robertson, 2007, p.303). Brews & Purohit (2007, p.68) asserts that having analyzed its internal position, an organization needs to understand its external position by analyzing the available opportunities and its external threats. Opportunities refer to the currently available or possible future circumstances that are likely to provide a favorable environment for the firm’s gro wth. They include conditions such as completion decrease, market population increase and favorable legislation. On the other hand, threats refer to the currently available or future environmental conditions which are likely to provide unfavorable environment for a firm’s growth such as, unfavorable legislation and new product-development by competitors. An effective SWOT analysis provides an organization with a clear picture of its