Businesses in social media helps in enhancing the sales and also helps in attracting for the potential buyers. Social media makes in competing with rivals by advancing their enterprise through all social networking sites.
- Explain the aim and objective of the company.
- Appropriate research methodologies which can integrate knowledge in research process.
- Analysis of research which is relevant to research project.
- Communication of outcome of the research project to stakeholders.
- Reflection on the application of the research methodologies and concepts.
INTRODUCTION
In the current era, numbers of peoples are involved within social media which help in grabbing the attention of large numbers of potential customers towards their goods and services. Businesses are adopting social media for enhancing sales and attracting higher numbers of potential buyers as well (Ahmed Dine Rabeh, Jimenez-Jimenez and Martínez-Costa, 2013). Social media will help them in competing their rivals by enhancing their enterprise by using social networking sites. Apple was founded by Ronald Wayne, Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs. This company is having approx 500 retails stores within the worldwide. Their products are Apple watch, iPhone, iPod, iOS and many more. In this assignment it involve the aims and objectives of the research along with this they also make a effective management plan for project in order to achieve set objective and time frames. In this, it also conduct the small scale research by applying quantitative and qualitative methods.
LO1
Aims and objective of research project
Social media are used by the company for advertisement and marketing of products and services by using online websites and so on. It will help the company in increasing their sales by adopting latest strategies of marketing like as social networking sites. It will aid in increasing their profits and sales within the marketplace. Apple is enhancing their business at large area for grabbing attention of large numbers of potential customers towards the organisation. They are using various different ways of advertisements and marketing their goods and services for making new buyers. Using these new strategies it will aid in increasing sales and profits. Along with this it also help in maintaining of companies reputation and goodwill within the marketplace (Chesbrough, 2010). Social media is used by large numbers of people know a days. Through which companies can easily able to make awareness of their goods and services among their potential customers at large number.
In this, company can select the different ways of advertising of their products by using social networking sites which are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WeChat and many more other. Social media is a computer-mediated technology that facilitate the sharing as well as creation of information, career interests, ideas and many more expression forms through networks and virtual communities (Crane and Matten, 2016).
In this research, they had selected the Apple organisation which is American multinational technology organisation. This firm develops, designs and sells computer software, consumer electronics and their online services. They are giving employment to approx 1,23,000 employees in 2017. Apple hardware goods involve Mac personal computer, iPad tablet, iPhone smartphones, iPod portable media player and so on. Apple is using the software which involve the iOS and macOS operating systems. Its applications are Safari browser, iTunes media player, iWork and iLife productivity and creativity suites and many more.
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Aim- “To determine the impact of social media channels on business performance and its activities, like – marketing, HR, accounting etc. A case study on Apple”
Research Objectives
- To identify the importance of digital technology in business organisation.
- To ascertain the role of social media channels within Apple.
- To evaluate the influence of social media on Marketing activities
Research questions
- What are the importance of digital technology within business?
- What are the roles of social media channels within Apple?
- How social media sites will effect marketing activities?
Make an effective project management plan that involve relevant actions to achieve time frames and objectives
A project management plan is approved and formal documents which are used to execute and manage them effectively. It is important for supervisors to create, define, coordinate and integrate all the project activities which disclose about how the project will controlled, executed and monitor (Den Hertog, Van der Aa and De Jong, 2010). In this context, company is adopting a social media for attracting large numbers of potential customers. Therefore, there are the requirement of certain factors which are needed at the time of accomplishing a project systematically. Some of aspects are as follows:
- Risk – It is the very main factor which has to be involved at the time of making a project management plan. Project controllers have to emphasis on assessing various risks which gave influence on project activities and its growth. In extrinsic surrounding, there are several factors of risk which take place at the time of advertisement and marketing through social media. For examples human errors, Malicious apps and attacks, Phishing scams and so on. In order to control all these risks Apple company have to take some corrective actions to protect their information.
- Project scope –In this factor, it aid in demonstrate the growth of project within upcoming times. Every person is engage in project for making their organisation successful. It refers that company scope must be wide. Various technologies of marketing is failed because of not having appropriate knowledge (Eckerson, 2010). Hence, project scope is to seize better opportunities within the market and ensure Apple competitiveness within upcoming times.
- Cost – At the time of establishing a new project, organisation managers have to determine its actual cost along with that also analyse that company will able to bear it or not. It is necessary to measure the cost in order to operate marketing, research, operation, production and many more. It also include the cost of providing training and adopting new methods of advertisement. After analysing all these costs, supervisors have to start making budgets according to their financial capabilities of a organisation. In current scenario, the all over cost of project is €5.00 billion.
After analysing all the factors of project, it is necessary to find out project time frame, it is applied to demonstrate how much time is needed to accomplish any project. In this, project supervisor of Apple can use different tool like as Gantt chart and Work breakdown structure to complete the project functions within the systematic way. Both tools are explained in brief below:
- Gantt chart – In this, it supports to accomplish all the activities of projects within the predetermined period of time. Mainly, it is a graphical representation which distinguish all tasks or actions included within the projects (Gebauer, Edvardsson and Bjurko, 2010). It is a overview of every day to day reports of project which provides support to project supervisor to measure the project success and accomplish all the activities systematically.
- Work breakdown structure – This tool is implemented to collapse all the project work into various segments within the given period of time. It makes the process easier of recognising needed knowledge and skills to accomplish the project activities and tasks. It explores the transparency and accountability to decrease complexities which take place at the time of doing a project for making successful (How digital technology could benefit your business, 2016).
LO2
Carry out small-scale research by implementing quantitative and qualitative research
Research is the process of accomplishing a systematic inquiry by collecting data (Jones and Lubinski, 2012). It is a documentation of typical interpret and information by implementing appropriate methodologies. Additionally, research is organise for evaluating validity of interpretive model and then reach at best conclusion. Their are two kinds of research which are as follows:
- Quantitative research –it is a structured way of assessing and gathering data which is obtained from several sources. This method of research involve the use of mathematical as well as statistical tools for achieving outcomes. Its aim is conclusive as the quantitative research approach concentrate on determine the issue as well as show how prevalent to achieve better results. In this, it is exploitative within nature which is based on collection of behavioural and verbal data.
- Qualitative research – In this research it is a systematic approach of observation to gather a non-numerical data. This research is a long request for the investigator as it allows them to analyse the real mean of people actions, behaviour and interactions (Lai and Ong, 2010). Mainly, it is used to identify relationship within two variables. This research is studied to bring out the conclusion on the basis of their actions.
Questionnaire |
Name: |
Gender: |
Email: |
Q1. Does use of digital technologies helps Apple to improve their business operations? |
A. Yes |
B. No |
Q2. Which department of organisation attains the maximum benefit from the implementation of digital technology? |
A. Human Resource Management |
B. Management and Administration |
C. Communication and Marketing |
Q3. Does application of use social media marketing channel helps in promotion of their services and products? |
A. Yes |
B. No |
Q4. What are the channels of social media that company is opting for promotion, marketing and communication purpose? |
A. Facebook |
B. YouTube |
C. Instagram |
D. Twitter |
Q5. What are the major benefits that are observed in Apple after execution of social media as a communication channel or medium? |
A. Obtain high competitive edge |
B. Sales Enlargement |
C. Consumer Satisfaction |
D. Proper Employee Communication |
Q6. What is the impact of social media on sales enhancement as per the observation of Apple Sales? |
A. More than aggregate |
B. Aggregate |
C. No Impact |
Q7. What are the probable medium through which Apple can persuade their potential buyer through social media? |
A. Social media marketing |
B. Social media updates |
C. Both A & B |
8. Which marketing method is more utilised by Apple for promoting, marketing and communicating their service user? |
A. Traditional Marketing |
B. Modern Marketing |
LO3
Analyse research and data
Data analysis
Theme 1: Digital technologies helps Apple to improve their business operations
Q1Does use of digital technologies helps Apple to improve their business operations? | Frequency |
A. Yes | 45 |
B. No | 5 |
Interpretation: In this above bar graph, it shows that 45 respondents are agree that digital technologies help apple in their enterprise operations and on other side 5 respondents are not agree that digital technology is not helpful to organisation within their business operations. Therefore, maximum respondents are agree the digital technology is useful for the company.
Theme 2: Apple can opt the digital technologies
Q2.Which department of organisation attains the maximum benefit from the implementation of digital technology? | Frequency |
A. Human Resource Management | 10 |
B. Management and Administration | 15 |
C. Communication and Marketing | 25 |
Interpretation: In this above bar graph, it shows that in which operation Apple can opt the digital technologies. 25 respondents say that in the marketing and communication, 15 respondents say that in management and administration and others remaining 10 respondents say that in HRM operation can adopt the digital technologies. Marketing and communication will provide advantages by using advance techniques for grabbing attention of potential customers.
Theme 3: Apple use social media marketing channel for promoting their services and products
Q3. Does application of use social media marketing channel helps in promotion of their services and products? | Frequency |
A. Yes | 35 |
B. No | 15 |
Interpretation: As per above pie chart it shows that 35 respondents are saying yes to use social media marketing channel for promoting their services and products and other 15 respondents are saying no to social media. Therefore company will adopt the social media tool for promoting their goods and services.
Theme 4: Channels of social media
Q4. What are the channels of social media that company is opting for promotion, marketing and communication purpose? | Frequency |
A. Facebook | 25 |
B. YouTube | 10 |
C. Instagram | 10 |
D. Twitter | 5 |
Interpretation: As per above pie chart it shows that there are the channels of social media that company is opting for promotion, marketing and communication purpose. In this 25 respondents are saying yes to Facebook is better social media for promoting Apple goods and services, 10 respondents of both social networking sites which are You Tube and Instagram for enhancing goods and services and remaining 5 respondents can say that twitter is best way for promoting
Theme 5: Benefits that are observed in Apple after execution of social media
Q5. What are the major benefits that are observed in Apple after execution of social media as a communication channel or medium? | Frequency |
A. Obtain high competitive edge | 15 |
B. Sales Enlargement | 20 |
C. Consumer Satisfaction | 10 |
D. Proper Employee Communication | 5 |
Interpretation: As per above bar graph it shows that the major benefits that are observed in Apple after execution of social media as a communication channel. 20 respondents are saying that they are using social media for sales enlargement, 15 are saying for gaining higher competitive edge, 10 respondents is said it is used for customer satisfaction and 5 respondents is saying for making effective relations with them.
Theme 6: Impact of social media on sales enhancement
Q6. What is the impact of social media on sales enhancement as per the observation of Apple Sales? | Frequency |
A. More than aggregate | 35 |
B. Aggregate | 10 |
C. No Impact | 5 |
Interpretation: As per above bar graph it is shown that the impact of social media on sales enhancement as per the observation of Apple Sales. 35 respondents are are saying more than aggregate, 10 are saying that it gave a aggregate impact of social media and remaining 5 respondents are saying there is no impact of social media.
Theme 7. Probable medium through which Apple can persuade their potential buyer
Q7. What are the probable medium through which Apple can persuade their potential buyer through social media? | Frequency |
A. Social media marketing | 15 |
B. Social media updates | 10 |
C. Both A & B | 25 |
Interpretation: As per above pie chart it has been shown that the probable medium by which Apple can persuade their potential buyer through social media, in this 25 respondents say that by using both mediums, 15 respondents say by using social media of marketing and other remaining 10 respondents say that social media updates will be best medium.
Theme 8. Marketing method is more utilised by Apple
Q8. Which marketing method is more utilised by Apple for promoting, marketing and communicating their service user? | Frequency |
A. Traditional Marketing | 15 |
B. Modern Marketing | 35 |
Interpretation: As per above graph it has been shown that the marketing method is more used by Apple. Modern trends are mostly used by the company as 35 respondents say yes to modern trends and remaining 15 respondents say traditional marketing is the best way for promoting goods and services,
LO4
Recommendations as a outcomes of research & data analysis
As per thematic analysis, it is suggested to Apple that the company has to implementing a social media tool for advertisement and marketing of products and services all over the globe. It will help in achieving companies objectives and goals. Making a plan of developing a online website of ab organisation for covering a large area at the same time. With this, it is necessary to collect all the relevant information of social media before applying within the business activities. It will help Apple in achieving best results in future within the marketplace. In addition, organisation can use different social networking sites and they can develop their own online website for attracting higher numbers of new customers towards their brand. In this, they can improve their knowledge and skills of online working for enhancing their business within the new market.
In this dynamic world, different types of changes take place for the growth and success of organisations. They have suggested to project controllers to demonstrate all the threats for knowing about new strategies and techniques of advertisement and marketing of their goods and services. Apple company should analyse the new tools within the digital technologies. As firms can also use search engine optimisation, payment of per click on advertisement, online business websites, social media and many more. Twitter as well as Facebook are the important ways for accomplishing advertisement as it is used by large numbers of peoples at the same time. In this, firms should keep on adopting changes for maintaining their goodwill and reputation within the markets. Along with this, it they have to compete with their competitors they have to make a different way for doing advertisement to grab attention of peoples and retaining of existing customers. I will also suggest that company should make proper strategy which can be accomplish with the purpose of gaining competitive advantage all over the globe.
Self Reflection
This research will provide a lot of advantages to people for understanding about any specific topic in a brief. At the time of accomplishing study, it get realised that social media is a very important aspect of the study. This report help me in enhancing my knowledge as some of terms which I analysed within the research which help me in learning new things. Overall investigation aid me in enhancing my knowledge as well as my confidence level. After this report I can able to increases my communication skills, leadership and so on. Therefore, when I was fresher I face various problems. For overcoming with all this problems, my mentor and professors aid me in framing a time for accomplishing all activities accordingly.
For overcoming of my all the confusion regarding the influence of social media. I had taken help of various articles, books and journals. Hence, I mainly concentrate on accomplishing my work in an effective and efficient way. In this, some of issues which I faced while completing of project are lack of resources, cost, time and data. These are the main reasons that I cannot reach to best outcomes. As I am having a nature of introvert due to that I cant able to deal with persons effectively. It also gave impact on my communication skills as well.
CONCLUSION
As per above report it has been concluded that social media is playing a very main role within the success and growth opportunity of business operations. In this research they conduct an small scale research by using qualitative and quantitative methods. Additionally, company is using social media for enhancing their sales and providing effective customer satisfaction to their customers. They are using various tools of social networking which are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and so on. Along with this also conduct the data analysis and its interpretation for drawing a effective results.