Apple’s Cutting Edge

Apple Inc. is arguably the most successful IT company in the whole world today.

Apple started with Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Wayne on April 1, 1976. Initially, these guys sold personal computer kits called Apple I, which was built by Wozniak himself.

Apple was incorporated on January 3, 1977. During the incorporation, Wayne sold his shares to Jobs and Wozniak for $800. For 30 years, the company was known as Apple Computers, Inc., its incorporated name. On January 9, 2007, the company was renamed Apple Inc., (removing the word “Computer”) to include the company’s renewed focus to consumer electronics.

This small beginning grew in leaps and bounds. Apple is the world’s largest publicly traded company in terms of capitalization. With 357 retail stores as of July 2011, Apple is the largest technology company in the world, based on revenues and profits. To date Apple has employed a total to 60,400 permanent full-time and 2,900 temporary full-time workers.

The Fortune magazine cited Apple Inc. as US’s most admired company in 2008, and the world’s most admired for four years from 2008 to 2011.

Apple sells diverse IT products including Macintosh computers and accessories (i.e., Mac mini, iMac, Mac Pro, MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air), iPad, iPod (i.e., iPod Shuffle, iPod Nano, iPod Classic and iPod Touch), iPhone and Apple TV. Apple also sells software products like operating systems Mac OS X and Mac OS X Lion.

But what is it that gave Apple all these fortunes? It’s the corporate culture; thanks to the influence of its founders. Apple has moved out of the traditional corporate notion where the organizational hierarchy is flat rather than tall and where people wear casual attires rather than formal attires. In fact, Jobs was seen walking around the office barefoot even after Fortune magazine cited Apple.

Apple also believes that workers should be placed in positions where they are guaranteed to shine. Jobs made specialists out of all of Apple’s employees, making each worker the best in his class.

Tim Cook, who is Apple’s CEO from 1998 to present, is a guru in supply chain management. During his tenure, Apple had a very effective and efficient supply chain, ranked as one of the best in the world. Cook believes that maintaining high profit margin at a lesser cost is the key to a profitable business.

Having elaborate systems and approaches may be good for business, but that is not always true with Apple Inc. Simplicity has made them a topnotch company in the US and the world.

Canon: A Picture of Innovation

In 1936, Hansa Canon, the first 35mm focal-plane camera, was introduced in Japan by Canon.  With this first product, Canon started a lasting commitment to create high-quality cameras. Technological strengths have helped the company stay true to this goal, which is why Canon is considered as one of Business Insider's Top 15 most innovative companies of all time.

Throughout history, innovation has been the driving force behind every Canon camera. They are leading inventors in the field of professional imaging solutions. To prove this point, Canon boasts of being in the top five companies worldwide that has been issued with the most U.S. patents. They did not achieve this feat once; Canon has been on that list for 18 years running. The company believes that innovation is key to competitiveness.

The quality of their products has obviously gained them loyal consumers.   Some of the most famous photographers in the world, like wildlife and nature photographer Arthur Morris, prefer to use Canon over other camera brands. Canon’s stunning image capture has led both pros and amateurs to favor the brand.

Canon has also ventured into manufacturing other hi-tech products such as the laser beam print engine, plain-paper copying devices, broadcast lenses, and even binoculars. The list goes on and on.  Their streak of innovation is also reflected in these products, setting a standard of creativity and perfection for other companies.

Awards have been given to Canon to recognize their unparalleled strength in providing imaging and electronic solutions. These awards include PCMag’s 20102 Extreme Performance Award for the imageCLASS LBP6300Cdn laser printer and the TIPA’s Best Superzoom Camera for Canon PowerShot SX230 HS. These awards are a couple out of many. 

True enough, taking photographs has never been the same since Canon introduced its first camera. With their innovation, we can look forward to even better snapshots in the near future.

Dell: Leading the Pack in Greening Operations

For more than 26 years, computer technology company Dell has been the frontrunner in delivering technology solutions to individuals, businesses, communities and whole countries. Dell has empowered customers for them to become more productive at any setting – whether at home, school, offices or even on the go. The computer technology leader attributes its success to its mantra of putting the customer at the center in drawing up and developing technology solutions.

Not just an industry leader, Dell is committed to involve itself with communities, groups and governments in facing the challenges of the environment. But for a tech giant, is going green really possible?

Through innovation, Dell shows us how this can be done. The company has veered away from the common practice of packaging using plastics by taking advantage of bamboo for packing its many devices. Bamboo is a more viable and sustainable solution compared to big trees, because of its capability to easily and quickly grow and re-grow after harvesting. 

By end of 2011, two-thirds of Dell’s portable devices were shipped in bamboo. Through combination of innovation and environmental-awareness, Dell has achieved what others have not: providing consumers with eco-friendly products.

Consumer Goods Giant Banks on Innovation

One of oldest and largest multinational companies today, Unilever has taken a global approach in sharing innovation.  The company is proud of their reputation as a world leader in research and development for a wide distribution of products.

Unilever has shared to us products that can prevent aging, offer refreshment, complement hygiene, take care of our homes, and many more. It’s amazing how one of the most innovative businesses in the world managed to develop some of the best products in multiple industries.  The consumer goods giant has found the perfect elements to commit to their goal of giving people what they want and what they need.

Last year, Unilever announced its plans to step up on innovation.  Their new line of products aims to drive growth despite the floundering market condition. Unilever believes that creativity will win out economic problems. With their history of providing only the best, the company will surely deliver.

Groupon: Changing the Landscape of the Coupon Trade

Consumers are lured by the prospect of spending less, and Groupon tapped on this idea by being the business that it is. By negotiating with businesses of different localities for sizable discounts, they offer consumers daily deals or “what’s up for grabs today” in the form of coupons sent through their mails that they can print or show once in the store. If the target sign-up is achieved, everyone is offered the deal. The so-called Groupon magic takes form in the seemingly viral spread of information through social media networking and the influx of customers.

The word unlikely has been used to describe the business and its CEO, Andrew Mason. A newcomer in the list of The World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of the year 2011, Groupon has changed the landscape of the coupon trade. Mason’s frank approach expresses his observation that some companies fall short in coming off as genuine with their intentions, and the companies that he exchange deals with are opposite that.

By chasing interests as likened to living life with the creative possibilities, what was once a side project meant to generate income to support their main startup – a social justice platform called Point – materialized into a company that even Google had its eyes on. After the birth of Mason’s idea, his former employer, a man named Eric Lefkofsky, provided a one-million dollar seed money for its development. Once ready, it was introduced to the industry in November 2008. From serving only one market in Chicago, its number rose to a whopping 150 by October 2010.

Mason expresses flameouts happen to companies that do not stick to the path of the goal, that of keeping consumers happy. To counter this, he ensures there is no settling, because the previous day is different to the next, and with the latter, you have to be better.