The Spirit of Competition

           In the world of business there are industries and within those industries are different companies that compete with each other.  So far in my blogs I’ve mainly been focusing on sports marketing but little marketing in today’s world could be done with out one appliance; a computer.   The computer industry in Silicon Valley has grown at a rapid pace birthing new technologies and ideas.  One of the most radical ideas some experts say was the opening of the Apple Store.  In 1996, when Steve Jobs opened the first Apple Store, his company was looking for a way to retail their computers directly to consumers.  Before the Apple Store they were a store-within-a-store at CompUSA.(Source) The Apple Stores became a big hit with a user friendly, helpful atmosphere. 

 

            Just like in any industry there are competitors.  A current event that suggests Apple Stores competition is the opening of Microsoft Stores.  Microsoft opened its first store in 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona and currently has opened 27 more since then.  These stores have brought in 13 million customers. (Source) These stores are also modeling their store atmosphere like Apple’s.  They offer a wide range of their products such as Xbox 360 consoles, desktops, laptops, software and more.  The services they provide include: answer desk for quick trouble shooting, personal training and workshop area, personal shopping sessions, and business solutions.  Contributions will also be made to the community by hosting events for Girl and Boys Scouts, local chamber meetings, school field trips, or for people looking to enter the workforce. (Source) What does all this mean for Apple?  There’s a new force looking to take up some of your market by making it easy and friendly to get their product.  Through their own storefronts Microsoft is slowly making an impact.

            Although this impact might happen at a faster and faster rate than expected.  Microsoft is taking an interesting tactic and putting up stores right next to Apple store’s.  On Saturday morning, November 3, Microsoft opened its new retail store, just a stone's throw from the rival Apple outlet in The Village shopping center, in Corte Madera, CA. (Source)  I think this tactic will really make people think about whether to buy an Apple or Microsoft computer because if the options are so close to each other, it makes it tricky to decide.  As a consumer, having more options is a right in America.  It’s good competition to have the stores right next to door.   

These events are important to my understanding of how competition in the business environment works.  For example in the case of computers, Apple had a good idea with their own stores, and Microsoft jumps on the idea years later.  I see this as a monkey see, monkey do mentality.  Being the first to market is very important when coming out with a new product because consumers will recognize your brand over others.  In my future career, learning about this competition between Apple and Microsoft could serve me well in how I deal with my own competition.