BHO2259 PRODUCT & SERVICES INNOVATIONS
University
Name of student
Q1. Use the Cyclic Innovation Model (Fig 1.9, pg 30) figure to illustrate the innovation process in this case and provide a brief description?
Answer – Apple has been known as the world’s most innovative company and is still proving to use the most innovative technologies in the world. It has shown innovation capabilities in all areas, product, customer experience and leadership. They have focused primarily on technology in their products but have not left out other factors.
Figure 1 Cyclic Innovation Model (CIM)
Apple used the Cyclic Innovation Model (CIM) for product and marketing to achieve the position of the world’s biggest organization. Let us understand this by an example; iTunes was developed by Apple to store the music files and movies on their website. This was a big innovation itself. The Apple’s iPod originated from the need of a portable music player which was required to store the music files which was made available by Apple on their website Apple iTunes. This is a classic example of Cyclic Innovation where one innovation (iTunes) led to another innovation (iPod). IPod further led to the innovation of small sized devices with huge memory space and gave birth to iPod Nano and iTouch. Consequently, Apple has followed the customer needs and enhanced their products through technology, scientific research and as per market transitions. Knowledge has played a fluidic role which flowed in all parts of product development and hence Apple was able to balance the technology push and the markets pulls so efficiently. Apple Inc. is a true example of best use of the cyclic innovation model (CIM) in today’s world.
Q2. With sales of iPod falling and Apple facing fierce competition from all quarters such as Sony, Dell, Samsung and other electronics firms as well as mobile phone makers who are incorporating MP3 players into their devices, can the iPod survive?
Answer – IPod
References: "Competition In The Mp3 Player Industry." 123HelpMe.com, Viewed on 19 Feb 2015, http://www.123HelpMe.com/view.asp?id=164294 Guttenberg Steve, “When will Apple kill the iPod?”, March 30 2013, Viewed on Feb 20, 2015, http://www.cnet.com/news/when-will-apple-kill-the-ipod/ “Innovation at Apple”, IBS Center for Management Research, icmrindia.org, Viewed on Feb 19, 2015, http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Strategy/Innovation%20at%20Apple-Excerpts%202.htm