The document discusses IBM's history and strategies. It summarizes that IBM initially dominated the market with quality products but faced challenges from competitors offering flexible, cheaper products. To compete, IBM boosted sales by adding mainframe computers and launching PCs. However, IBM then faced problems as the economy declined and PCs were incompatible. This led IBM to partner with Apple to develop new software and multimedia capabilities. Various management strategies helped IBM adapt to changes in the environment and tackle competitors.

2. Group Members
Group Members
• Adeel Ahmed
• Arshad
• Adeel Siddique
• Agha Habib

3. Summary
• IBM has been well known for its quality
products and services but later on, it had to
confront certain challenges given by the
competitors on the basis of flexible products,
lower prices and personalized support.

4. Summary
• IBM boosted the sale by implementing
accounting machine manufacturers. It also
added mainframe computers in its portfolio
and also launched PCs in order to compete
with APPLE.

5. Summary
• Afterwards, IBM faced a number of problems
such as declined economy, fluctuating interest
rates and moreover, IBM PCs were
incompatible to support all applications as a
result the staff got frustrated. This persuaded
IBM to integrate NON-IBM PCs with IBM
computers.

6. Summary
• Management strategies were applied to focus
on customer related functions and by giving
sound incentives to employees. A joint
venture was established with APPLE to
develop software and multimedia capabilities
for IBM. HR functions were also enhanced by
training employee performance etc.

7. Summary
• All these strategies helped IBM to bring
change and tackle with competitors and
environmental challenges.

8. Question 1

9. Question 1
• What task environment forces are acting on
IBM? What effect has culture had on IBM’s
competitive position?

10. Answer
• The economic forces acting on IBM are
economic, technology, customers, competitors
and demographics.
• IBM enjoyed a successful culture initially, but
was overwhelmed by this success.
• It responded slowly to the markets demand
which was efficiently & affectively done by its
competitors.

11. Question 2

12. Question 2
• What roles does Apple play in IBM’s
environment? What concern might Akers have
about Apple’s links with IBM?

13. Answer
• Initially Apple was the Major Competitor of
IBM but later on IBM and Apple started a joint
venture.
• Akers might had concerns of dependency of
IBM on apple for the capabilities.

14. Question 3

15. Question 3
• What information might boundary spanning
scales people and service technicians bring to
IBM? How can IBM use this information to
better scope its environment?

16. Answer
• People were not willing to buy IBM products
as they were not supported with non IBM
products.
• IBM, by using this information, can produce
multi matching products.

17. Question 4

18. Question 4
• How can Akers use forecasting to help the
company adapt to environmental turbulence?

19. Answer
• Increase the production of mini computers
• Decrease or stop the production of mainframe
computers.