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Apple had a hugely successful 2012. The company watched its iPhone and iPad sales soar, and its Macs gained more ground on Windows PCs than they had in previous years.
Meanwhile, Apple’s revenue and profits soared, its stock price hit an all-time high, and it became the world’s most valuable company. As if that wasn’t enough, Apple won a major ruling in its case against Samsung, potentially netting the company over $1 billion in damages.
But that was last year. As history has proven time and again, a company’s success in the previous year doesn’t necessarily determine future success. That Apple was successful in 2012 doesn’t mean that 2013 will be as good to the iPhone maker. Only through a dedication to quality, a laser focus on product innovation, acknowledgement of its leadership position and a true understanding of corporate responsibility will Apple be as successful.
That’s why Apple must make several New Year’s resolutions and stick with them this year. If it adheres to the following resolutions, Apple should have an extremely successful 2013.
Read on to learn more:
1. Continue pressuring Foxconn
Apple did a great thing in early 2012 by bringing in the Fair Labor Association to make sure that its production partner, Foxconn, was adhering to all labor regulations. But in 2013, Apple needs to step up those efforts. Foxconn is still not in total compliance, though it’s making progress. Meanwhile Apple has been relatively tight-lipped on the matter. Apple needs to be more vocal about its support for fair labor. That will go a long way in making the company look good to customers.
2. Focus more on the enterprise
In 2012, the enterprise became a key growth opportunity for Apple. So, in 2013, the company should focus more heavily on corporate customers. Apple should unleash its sales force on the enterprise and bundle into its products more corporate-friendly features. The proper combination of high-quality hardware, reliable software and security is what Apple needs to appeal more to enterprise customers.
3. Launch an Updated Mac Pro
The Mac Pro has been on store shelves for the last two years without a single modification. Many of Apple’s pro users are persistently complaining about that. In 2013, Apple must update the Mac Pro and prove to its core customers that the wait was worth it.
4. Keep rolling out the Retina display
It was nice to see Apple offer the Retina display on the iPad and MacBook Pro in 2012. But Apple can’t b stops there. This year Apple has to build the Retina display into more Apple products, including its line of monitors, all MacBook Pros and any other devices it might have up its sleeve. The Retina display is a feature all customers want.
Apple Must Fulfill 10 Resolutions to Achieve a Successful 2013
5. Close the Android software gap
As nice as iOS is, Android comes with a host of features lacking in Apple’s mobile operating system. For example, iOS doesn’t anticipate what apps a person wants to open based on their previous actions, as Android does. iOS also lacks support for multiple windows, file systems and wireless data transfers via Near Field Communications. Apple should deliver many of those features this year.
6. Worry about China
China is a huge growth opportunity for Apple as well as a risk. China’s middle class is growing, which means more and more customers in the world’s most populated country will be looking to buy smartphones, tablets, and computers. If Apple can deliver the right value proposition to customers, it can dramatically improve its business. If companies like Samsung are able to appeal more to Chinese customers, however, Apple could be in for trouble. Apple must focus on the Chinese market for years to come.
7. Only release one iPad and do it later in the year
Last year, Apple launched not one, but two 9.7-inch iPads. The move irked some customers who purchased the first iPad model and saw it trumped just a few months later. This time around, Apple should release only one new iPad, and offer it up sometime later this year. The closer to an annual iPad launch Apple can get, the better.
8. Bring NFC to the iPhone 6
For years now, iPhone owners have been begging Apple to bring near-field communication technology to the smartphone. And each year, Apple has balked. Let’s hope that 2013 is the year in which Apple finally embraces NFC and delivers an interface that will make it easy to wirelessly transfer information from one device to another.
9. Reassure shareholders
Although Apple’s shares hit all-time highs last year, over the last three months, the company’s stock price is down nearly 18 percent. At least during the beginning of the year, Apple must reassure shareholders that it can stabilize its stock price and continue to hit its lofty earnings estimates. To not do so would send its share price into a tailspin.
10. Take the lead in security
Apple’s iOS and OS X are less likely to be affected by security woes than other platforms, but that doesn’t mean that the company shouldn’t try to take a lead in safeguarding customers. OS X and iOS are still very susceptible to malware and other security threats. Making a renewed commitment to improving security would go a long way toward retaining current customers and help bring new customers into Apple’s big tent. The sooner Apple does that, the sooner it can make Windows and Android look bad in comparison.
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