Decline in iPad sales

Where the decline in iPad sales can actually be seen as a good thing. Shocked by the statement. I was until I read the article. Makes a lot of sense afterwards.

Partnerships

In the internet world, collaborations often occur in order to maintain market share, climb up the SEO rankings and enhance one another products. Facebook and Netflix are no exception. Through the change in the Video Privacy Act, Netflix and Facebook are now able to share information. Users watch movies provided by Netflix and Facebook shares this information with the users friends. The rest you can figure out. Netflix and Facebook share.

Marketing at its best

When are Apple and Samsung not in the news? The battle for market share and thus leadership has been hotly contested for a while. Apple with its wide range of products that succinctly synchronize with one another, have had competitors chasing Apples dust for a while, to the point that they were the must have device. Samsung have slowly been opening the door, catching up on the innovation and first mover advantage of Apple and now is in sight to make a serious play in the market share battle of the phone. For all Business studies students, this is a must read.

Game Over

When Atari first came out, it was groundbreaking. I remember my first Atari, I had Pacman, tennis, fishing and a robot game. If memory serves me right, the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 were also in the market place. By being the innovator, I would have thought that they would have market advantage and held the market place to ransom. Atari is now in trouble and filing for bankruptcy. It makes me wonder, how were  they first movers in the market place and now they are more or less out for the count. Where did they go wrong? Was it the difference in games, poor management, wrong strategy, ego in the board room, lack of investment? The list goes on. If the late Steve Jobs had been a part of Atari, would it be the market leader? Lots to think about and a great business example when examining strategy.Atari

Swatch and Diamonds

Just like VW owns Skoda, Seat, Audi, Porsche and Bugatti, there are many other large businesses that own a stable of brands that allow them to sell their products to a wide range of customers and therefore ensure that market share, sales and all markets are represented by that particular company. Swatch is about to joins those ranks by adding a high end watch company to their stable. Can you think of any other companies that have done this? See Swatch article.

Net Flix and Red Box

A while ago Net Flix was launched, it allowed you to rent the latest movies on DVD. Now you are able to stream them into your home whenever you like. The world of cinema must have quaked in their boots when this was brought out as more people are probably staying in and watching movies in their homes with surround sound etc and saving money. Net Flix now has a rival and I am sure there is going to be a price war as Red Box strives to gain market share and Net Flix will do their up most to defend it. The immediate winner could be the consumer as introductory offers are there to be used and the loser in the short term might well be the cinema, as people may take advantage of these offers and not venture out of their homes. So with every action, there is a reaction and a consequence. Net Flix and Redbox

Merger

A merger between Boots Alliance and Walgreens is set to become the worlds largest healthcare retailers. The synergies between the two companies is set to or should I say hope to equate to more than the 2 separate companies. This should result in increased market share, higher turnover and profits. A greater number of retail outlets, sharing of products resulting in a wider product range, shared development costs, distribution costs and many more. This could also mean diseconomies in scale with regards  to communication and job losses as restructuring takes place. Could there be potential derailment if the culture and leadership of these two companies are not aligned. Article

USP

Blackeberry have announced that they have sold 11.1 million in the first quarter which is a drop of  21% from the previous quarter. Iphone on the other hand sold 37 million handsets in the same quarter. Blackberry  (RIM) are planning on going back to basics and focusing on the business market.Their USP and target market.

For the articles click here and here.

So how much of this is about shareholder pressure and dividends? They are still making money.