Mini-case reponse #15. Management Term Paper.

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Mini-case #15
Introduction
This mini-case study #15 responds to the issues on the overall performance of Skullcandy Company within the headphone industry and market. The material as presented within the mini-case describes the various efforts made by the management of Skullcandy to position the company’s brand and products favorably within the market. Skullcandy also generates a number of products that include branded apparel, smartphone cases, as well as docking stations.
Thesis statement: based on the mini case study alongside relevant literature provided, it is highly likely that the design alternatives as provided by the Skullcandy on headphones will demand high level input within a short period of time. It is important that the company explores different alternatives on design that would accurately tap into the specific consumer demands within different markets.
Background
It is important to understand the prevailing trend within the earphone and headphone market to help in a broader understanding of the mini case. The international Earphone and Headphone market is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. Earphones and Headphones present listening devices that consumers always wear on, over or in the ear and possibly around the head for different purposes that may include but not limited to hearing music and tape recording. These devices appear on different forms that include earbuds, in-ear-canal headphones, canal buds, and full-size headphones. Concurrently, the manufacturing of Headphones and Earphones is becoming more sophisticated depending on the consumer high expectations regarding quality. For instance, current technology on using lightweight Bluetooth Headphones is becoming popular since it has noise cancelling capabilities alongside a long battery life span.
By observing the proposed technologies of headphones as presented in the case, the prevailing technology within the industry can be classified according to the degree of innovation as either wired or wireless headphones. In this case, the wireless headphones operate without a cable, therefore, transmitting audio signals through infrared (IR) signals or rather radio signals depending on the device connected. Such devices with Bluetooth technology are capable of connecting as well as exchanging data over a distance by use of radio transmission.
Alternatives
There are existing alternatives as derived from other competing companies that can otherwise be developed into a detailed alternative for the Skullcandy headphones. The mini case presents the headphone industry as an attractive industry by the time Alden entered with Skullcandy. The current market is full of competing technologies that could possibly command a larger market share as compared to that of Skullcandy. For instance, the industry was earlier dominated by the simplistic and streamlined ear bids, especially during the 1990s. Alden’s family was already dominating the Snowboard and Skateboard industry through the father’s company. Therefore, the company should take advantage of the image and brand for the headphones prevalent amongst the snowboarders and skateboarders. The headphones should be integrat...