Entrepreneurial Business Management Assignment: Apple and Steve Jobs

This report delves into the application of the Timmons model of the entrepreneurial process, using Apple as a case study. It examines the critical factors of opportunity, team, and resources, highlighting how Apple, particularly under Steve Jobs, navigated these elements. The report analyzes Apple's opportunity identification process, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses in seizing market opportunities. Furthermore, it critically applies theories about the entrepreneurial mindset, exploring the leadership and strategic decisions that shaped Apple's success. The analysis covers the post-Jobs era, assessing the company's ability to maintain its innovative edge. The report also discusses the importance of balancing opportunities and resources, and the role of effective teams in driving entrepreneurial ventures. Overall, the assignment provides a comprehensive overview of entrepreneurial principles as applied to the context of Apple's business development.

Running head: ENTREPRENEURIAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT
Entrepreneurial Business Management
Shrikant Biyani
London School of Business and Finance

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Table of Contents
Applying Timmons model of the entrepreneurial process....................................................................2
Critically evaluating the opportunity identification process at Apple....................................................9
Critically applying theories about the entrepreneurial mindset..........................................................12
Reference............................................................................................................................................16

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Applying Timmons model of the entrepreneurial process
The Timmons model of entrepreneurial process considers the opportunities, teams as
well as resources as three main and critical factors that can be made available to an
entrepreneur. As stated by Kirzner (2015) the key consideration of the model is based on the
fact that success depends on the ability of the entrepreneur to create a balance in the critical
factors that affect the entrepreneurs. In the case of Apple the application of the Timmons
model can be taken into consideration by identifying the opportunities that are available to
the company (Apple.com 2019). The manner in which the model can be applied is based on
the rate of critical success that can be availed by the company.
The application of Timmons model helps an entrepreneur to search for an opportunity
that can help in the development of the business. According to Venkataraman (2019), upon
gaining the opportunities and finding its implication in the market, the entrepreneur can shape
the opportunity so that a high potential value can be gained which can help the team to gather
the required resources for starting a business. As stated by Dees (2017) the business need to
capitalise on the opportunity provided since the entrepreneur remains at a risk of being
bankrupt due to the investment made in terms of career, personal cash as well as the net
worth.
In the case of Steve Jobs, in his early years, he needed to find opportunities based on
which Apple can be developed in the market (Apple.com 2019). The opportunities gained in
terms of support from his friend helped in finding the required target that can be developed
for attaining high potential value to the company. The shaping of the opportunities has helped
Apple to develop its current position in the technological market and have become a
worldwide and global organisation (Apple.com 2019). Therefore, it can be said that at the

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initial stage, Apple had been consistent in using the opportunities in a proper manner
(Apple.com 2019).
According to Kuratko (2016), the application of Timmons model requires odds to be
changed, fixed as well as moulding. The application of the process starts with an opportunity
instead of money or strategy. As stated by Burns (2016) it is of belief that genuine
opportunities that are obtained in business account for the receipt of money, strategies,
networks as well as teams. Storey (2016) observed that without the opportunities, it can be
difficult to obtain these resources and ensure that the development of resources take place in
a proper manner. At the same time, Etzkowitz and Zhou (2017) stated that it is also necessary
for entrepreneurs to be able to identify a business plan, which helps for the development of
language as well as communication between the different driving forces in the business.
In the case of Apple, Steve Jobs had wanted to develop opportunities that can help in
the development of its business (Apple.com 2019). The need for grabbing the opportunities
was a requirement for Steve Jobs so that he can prove the world that development of
strategies can be formulated only if the opportunities for improvement are provided
(Apple.com 2019). In this regard, it can be said that after his demise, seeking opportunities
for the promotion of the new products of Apple had been limited and the company needed to
communicate with the customers so that promotion of Apple can take place (Apple.com
2019). The entrepreneurial processes that can be associated with the driving forces need to be
based on the resources available for the team.
The components that can be associated with Timmons model are in constant motion.
According to Burns and Dewhurst (2016), it expands and contracts as per the development of
opportunities and changes that are required to be implemented in an organisation. As stated
by Hitt and Duane (2017) the teachings associated with entrepreneurship can be associated

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with a rigorous course of study, which determines the education level that is provided to the
people. However, in the words of Cooper and Folta (2017) it has been seen that a balance of
opportunities as well as resources need to be maintained that is responsible for the execution
of changes with proper consent from the employees. Therefore, the application of the model
for Apple can be considered as a learning curve particularly after the departure of Steve Jobs
(Apple.com 2019).
The fact that the opportunity for continuing with the legacy of Steve Jobs has been
weak provides for deeper analysis of the development and growth required for Apple
(Apple.com 2019). At the same time, changes in the managerial aspects may bring about
opportunities for Apple in trying to reclaim its existence and ensure that the company remain
a high profile technological company in the years to come (Apple.com 2019). Hence, it can
be said that for Apple new opportunities in the market place can reflect the dedication of the
company in trying to ensure its stability in the market (Apple.com 2019). Therefore, the
balance between the opportunities as well as resources can be considered for the development
of Apple (Apple.com 2019).
Opportunity factor
Timmons model dictates that the entrepreneurial process cannot be initiated with the
business plan alone. At the same time, money, strategies, networks as well as teams are
considered as secondary since the focus is more on the opportunities that are to be developed.
Read et al. (2016) is of the opinion that the belief is that entrepreneurship is driven by
opportunities that are developed in the market along with the business. Developing
opportunities are essential than the talents and competence of lead entrepreneurs as well as
teams. It has been stated by Barringer (2015) identification of the right opportunities needs to
be made so that long-term success of business can be capitalised. According to Aldrich

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(2017), a good business idea does not always bring about great business. An excellent idea
can be obtained of products and services could be positioned for creating and adding values
to customers.
In the case of Apple, the application of opportunity can help the company to recognise
the talents (Apple.com 2019). The motive of Steve Jobs was to create an opportunity in
which he can display the effectiveness of Apple and the technologies that are being
implemented in the organisation (Apple.com 2019). The manner in which Apple can continue
with the development of its technical factors can be associated with the opportunities that can
be derived (Apple.com 2019). Right opportunities for Apple and for Steve Jobs can be based
on the fact that the company as well as Steve Jobs decided to take risks while developing its
competence in the market (Apple.com 2019).
Products and services of Apple such as the I-pad or I-phone are the main reasons for
the development of Apple and its growth in the market (Apple.com 2019). The idea to
develop the company was excellent and thus, the value obtained while applying the technical
feasibility of the company provided for the development of its products (Apple.com 2019). In
this regard, employees are divided into teams that are relative to other critical factors.
According to Cooper (2017), the critical factors that are to be kept in focus include the
removal of the ambiguity as well as the uncertainty of opportunities by the application of
creativity. Scarborough (2016) provided another factor that includes providing leadership in
order to manage the resources that are available in an effective manner by the interaction of
exogenous forces. Lipset (2018) is of the opinion that it has been seen that the capital market
is another factor as it changes in a continuous manner.
For Apple these critical factors play an important role for the development of the
company (Apple.com 2019). The post Steve Jobs era have seen the company to be less

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creative as critics have been made about the similar type of patterns that are followed for the
manufacturing of its phones (Apple.com 2019). However, as observed by Kazanjian, Drazin
and Glynn (2017) with the growth of the company in the business world, it has managed to
create an interaction among the employees and thus have been able to manage the resources
in terms of retaining talented employees in the business. Apple has been involved in keeping
in mind the changes that are adopted in the capital market so that the price and timing of the
launch of the product can be maintained (Apple.com 2019).
Resources factor
The Timmons model is of the discussion of a popular notion in which it is stated that
extensive resources help in reducing the risk of starting a new venture in business. At the
same time, Nambisan (2017) stated that bootstrapping is encouraged for starting with bare
minimal requirements as a way to attain competitive advantage in the market. In the case of
Apple, the advantages that are developed by the implementation of bootstrapping can be
considered which includes:
Driving down the cost of market: Apple can ensure that it reduces the marketing costs
required for the purchase and sell of its products (Apple.com 2019). This can be done by
allowing customers to visit the store. During the time of Steve Jobs, the marketing costs
could be controlled by ensuing that the products are developed and displayed by conducting a
formal auction for the development and promotion of the materials (Apple.com 2019).
Encouragement of discipline and lean management: According to Meyer, Neck and
Meeks (2017), discipline needs to be maintained that can help in the development of a proper
organisational structure. It is necessary for Apple to continue with the discipline that was
developed at the time of Steve Jobs so that the consistency in the manufacturing of the
products is made (Apple.com 2019). At the same time, the lean management system

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associated for providing quality products need to be implemented as part of the discipline for
Apple (Apple.com 2019).
Encourage the creativity of resources: Creativity of resources requires product
diversification so that every product can be considered as unique as and better than previous.
The post Steve Jobs era have seen Apple develop new phone models without significant
changes (Apple.com 2019). Thus, changes in the creativity of resources are required for
Apple to develop its business in the market (Apple.com 2019).
Team factor
A high effective lead entrepreneur needs to be able to piece together the best talents
after identifying the best opportunities and gathering the best resources required for the
success of the business. As stated by Schaper (2016) working together as a team can help in
the development of a greater success and thus, the team factor can be made to develop
contingency in terms of size as well as nature of opportunities that are developed in the
market. Welter et al. (2017) is of the opinion that the application of Timmons model, suggest
that good teams often lead to success while badly formed teams require the necessary time to
develop and possess the threat of wastage of a great idea for the development of a business.
Among the resources, development of good teams can unlock high potential that can
help in the development of opportunities. For Apple the major roles that are to be played by a
team is required for the analysis of the critical factors associated with the organisation
(Apple.com 2019). These roles include removal of any uncertainties in the business and at the
same time applying creativity so that the products can be differentiated and made unique
(Apple.com 2019).

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It can be seen that post the Steve Jobs era Apple had lacked the support of a leader
and thus, interaction with the employees along with the communication had been a major
factor in the downfall of the company by some degrees. The continuous fluctuation in the
capital market has also helped in the constant change of strategies at Apple (Apple.com
2019).
Figure: Timmons model
(Source: Bhachu 2017)
Critically evaluating the opportunity identification process at Apple
Opportunity identification can be considered as a way to analyse and find paths that
can help in the development of an organisation. Terjesen, Hessels and Li (2016) stated that it
requires excessive research of the market, internal as well as external environment. The
opportunity identification process takes into consideration various sources that can help in
provide an organisation with the means to gain perspective of the market and the manner in
which it can be used to develop a positive attitude in the market (Frederick, O'Connor and

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Kuratko 2018). Thus, it can be said that opportunity identification can be considered as an
important process, which can encourage the identification and application of strategies in an
organisation.
Opportunity identification process adopted by Apple during the time of Steve Jobs
can be related to the manner by which had managed to promote innovativeness among the
employees (Apple.com 2019). Proper market identification and knowledge can be stated as
an important factor that had led Steve Jobs to develop a superior company and promoted
Apple to continue with its development process in the market (Apple.com 2019). In this
regard, it can be said that for Apple the opportunity development process can be attributed to
the marketing research and the requirement of the customers (Apple.com 2019).
According to Davidsson (2015), having proper marketing knowledge can be stated as
positivity for an organisation and thus industry experience based on the development of
innovation in an organisation can help in enhancing the chances of success. It can be said that
marketing opportunities among diverse employees can be considered as factors, which help
in increasing the level of awareness among the people. Shepherd and Zacharakis (2018)
stated that the identification of the problems faced by the customers usually accounts for the
development of opportunities since the strategies adopted are aligned with that of the
demands made by the customers. Hence, as stated by Siqueira, Webb and Bruton (2016) for
service as well as production companies, opportunity identification needs to be aligned with
the requirements of the customers.
In the case of Apple, the age at which Steve Jobs aimed to make innovation in the
world of computers accounted for the development and promotion of technological
advancement (Apple.com 2019). The formation of the model world domination of technology
can be attributed to the innovation process that was undertaken by Steve Jobs (Apple.com

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2019). The opportunities that were developed based on the demand of the customers can be
attributed to the fact that Steve Jobs wanted his company and his innovations to be
recognised as an emerging trend in the modern world (Apple.com 2019). The opportunity of
excessive development presented itself in front of Steve Jobs and was accounted for in an
effective manner (Apple.com 2019).
However, despite the success, argument has been made over the validation of proper
market knowledge (Hatten 2015). Market knowledge does come at a cost and experienced
entrepreneurs seek wealth in order to create marketing opportunity potential as well as scope
for innovation. According to Kirzner (2015), the positive relationship that exists between
proper experience as well as opportunity can be identified based on the resource mobilisation
and the opportunity obtained from negotiation. Hence, from the words of Venkataraman
(2019) it can be said that market knowledge and its application for innovation require proper
relationship between the organisation and the customers. In this regard, the importance of
innovation for solving problems and adapting to change can be considered for Apple.
The risks involved in the innovation process can be considered as hindrance to
opportunities. In the case of Apple, the biggest threat that Steve Jobs had to fear was that of
technological failure (Apple.com 2019). The computers developed or any other technological
devices needed to be protected from malfunction as well as threat from virus. Financial strain
also needed to be considered by Steve Jobs since Apple was a start up company (Apple.com
2019). These factors of risk had helped Steve Jobs to understand the failure that can be faced
in the market and at the same time ensure that consideration of the customers be undertaken
(Apple.com 2019).
The innovation network set up by Steve Jobs needed to be brought under scanner
mainly because it required the development of internal business issues such as forming a

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strategy to encourage the customers for adopting Apple as a brand (Apple.com 2019).
Opportunity development in this case can be attributed to the fact that Steve Jobs had
managed to identify the manner in which he can commercialise the innovation so that
customer demand can be made (Apple.com 2019). Hence, in the words of Dees (2017) it can
be said marketing research in a proper manner had been beneficial for Steve Jobs mainly to
consider the success obtained by the development of the strategies.
Therefore, the analysis from the words of Kuratko (2016) show that the opportunity
development process sheds light to the fact that entrepreneurs need to be aware of the
marketing needs of the customers and based on it strategies for creating opportunities can be
development. In the case of Steve Jobs, identification of opportunities for the development of
Apple can be attributed to the fact that knowledge, cognition as well as creativity with an
opportunity for the exploitation of innovation were present at the company (Apple.com
2019). Currently however, opportunities for continuing with its reputation can be considered
as a source of the development process for Apple (Apple.com 2019).
Hence, based on the identification of opportunities, it can be said that under Steve
Jobs, Apple had gained reasonable success and the fact that the company is one of the best
technologically developed companies in the world, can be attributed to its development as
well as contribution it has made in the business. An analysis can be made based on the
theories related to the entrepreneurial mindset of Steve Jobs.
Critically applying theories about the entrepreneurial mindset
Entrepreneurial mindset defines the quality of an entrepreneur and the manner in
which the entrepreneurs can seek opportunities for improvement of the strategies (Storey
2016). In the case of Apple, the entrepreneurial mindset needs to be based on the manner in
which the company can progress in the market (Apple.com 2019). Hence, as stated by Burns