Apple is an anomaly if there ever was one.  They sell computers, tablet computers, mp3 players, music, movies, streaming tv devices, and they also have their hands in software.  They have plenty of competition in each of these markets and they sell their products at a premium.  Just about any other company that has tried this one size fits all approach (with the exception of Wal-Mart) has seen either limited success or complete destruction.  Still Apple presses on.

Per MSN Money the following is true:

• Apple grew like a weed when the world was coming to the end in 2008 and 2009.
• Apple’s profit grew by 70% and its revenue grew 52% in the last year.
• Exxon (the previous #1) is down 22.7% while Apple is up 3.9% over the same period.

There are 3 US tech companies in the world’s top 10 most valuable.  Apple, Microsoft, and IBM.  Microsoft and IBM make their money in guaranteed corporate accounts. These accounts come with thousands of licenses and billions of dollars.  Apple’s money comes from selling to individuals.  It’s unique.  It’s uncommon.  Even for an Apple fan like me its quite perplexing.

That begs the following question.  How does a company that sells luxury goods with high level competition at every turn manage to become the most valuable company in the world?

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