Social networking and the internet have changed the way the world has communicated and done business both personally and professionally. Many businesses are turning to the web with sites such ans LinkedIn and Facebook to market their company and also to use these sites as a tool to reach out to future employees of their company.
"More companies are trying to tap Facebook Inc.'s 750-million-plus user base to find new employees, threatening traditional job boards and competing with LinkedIn Corp., which has dominated the online professional networking arena. Facebook's use as a job-recruitment tool remains small, but its appeal may be growing. Some recruiters say they have all but eliminated their spending on job boards, which can charge a few hundred dollars per job posting, depending on volume. Others note that while LinkedIn contains a more comprehensive resume database, candidates tend to value referrals from their connections on Facebook more," says Joe Light in his article.
The way that companies market their products have also changed since the invention of the World Wide Web. The days of advertising agencies primarily using their ads in magazines and on commercials to sell products are a thing of the past. Now they're turning to websites like Facebook and Pinterest to sell products. Advertising and communication have reached a new level, because now they have us to be their advertising experts. Yesterday I pinned over 50 pins for new apparel, recipes, and make-up. One of my posts describes the best mascara EVER! DiorShow. Thanks to my post, Dior gained free advertising from my post which went out to a plethora of friends and coworkers.
"People love talking about things that make them happy—including their
favorite products and brands. Say you really like JetBlue Airways—they
fly with flair and get you there at an affordable price. Or you just
plain love your new Sony GPS camera—it’s way too cool to keep to
yourself. In the old days, you’d have chatted up these brands with a few
friends and family members. But these days, thanks to modern
technology, armed with little more than a video camera, laptop, and a
cell phone, anyone can spread the word about products and brand
experiences to thousands, even millions, of other consumers." (Page 143).
Business to consumer interactions have come a long way prior to the internet age. Companies have found ways to use consumer wants and needs to revolutionize the way companies do business.
"In response, marketers are now working to harness the newfound
communications power of their everyday customers, turning them into
influential brand ambassadors. Companies such as JetBlue, Sony,
Microsoft, and McDonald’s, among others, are now developing a new breed
of brand ambassador programs that organize and supercharge
consumer-to-consumer interactions about their brands. These programs
employ everyday consumers who are passionate about their products to act
as part PR agents, part sales reps, and part evangelists." (Page 143).
Monday, April 29, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Week four EOC: Consumer vs. buisness to buisness marketing
There is a huge difference between Consumer marketing rather that business marketing. With consumer marketing, the company that is selling deals with a wide range of people, which is us, the consumer.
"Consumers make many buying decisions every day, and the buying decision is the focal point of the marketer’s effort. Most large companies research consumer buying decisions in great detail to answer questions about what consumers buy, where they buy, how and how much they buy, when they buy, and why they buy. Marketers can study actual consumer purchases to find out what they buy, where, and how much. But learning about the whys of consumer buying behavior is not so easy—the answers are often locked deep within the consumer’s mind (Kotler, 137).
In business marketing, business marketers deal with employees of a company, such as an IT technician or an office manager. Many of the transactions that business marketers have with other companies can vary between computers, office furniture, or even tires.
"The business market is huge. In fact, business markets involve far more dollars and items than do consumer markets. For example, think about the large number of business transactions involved in the production and sale of a single set of Goodyear tires. Various suppliers sell Goodyear the rubber, steel, equipment, and other goods that it needs to produce tires. Goodyear then sells the finished tires to retailers, who in turn sell them to consumers. Thus, many sets of business purchases were made for only one set of consumer purchases. In addition, Goodyear sells tires as original equipment to manufacturers who install them on new vehicles, and as replacement tires to companies that maintain their own fleets of company cars, trucks, buses, or other vehicles" (Kotler, 157).
Many companies use different advertising tactics when dealing with both consumers and business. As a photography supervisor in the Air Force, I purchased a lot of my offices photo equipment. I was given an annual budget and we had specific companies that we did business with. We would get a lot of correspondence from other companies either through email or they would mail us their catalogs to try and earn our business. As a consumer, we mainly see advertising for products either on television or the internet, Facebook has become huge for companies to advertise their businesses.
"Marketers are working to harness the power of these new social networks to promote their products and build closer customer relationships. Instead of throwing more one-way commercial messages at ad-weary consumers, they hope to use social networks to interact with consumers and become a part of their conversations and lives" (Kotler 142-143).
Whether marketing to consumers or businesses, advertising and marketing are in the business to make the customer happy, keep the customer coming back, and of course to make money.
"Consumers make many buying decisions every day, and the buying decision is the focal point of the marketer’s effort. Most large companies research consumer buying decisions in great detail to answer questions about what consumers buy, where they buy, how and how much they buy, when they buy, and why they buy. Marketers can study actual consumer purchases to find out what they buy, where, and how much. But learning about the whys of consumer buying behavior is not so easy—the answers are often locked deep within the consumer’s mind (Kotler, 137).
In business marketing, business marketers deal with employees of a company, such as an IT technician or an office manager. Many of the transactions that business marketers have with other companies can vary between computers, office furniture, or even tires.
"The business market is huge. In fact, business markets involve far more dollars and items than do consumer markets. For example, think about the large number of business transactions involved in the production and sale of a single set of Goodyear tires. Various suppliers sell Goodyear the rubber, steel, equipment, and other goods that it needs to produce tires. Goodyear then sells the finished tires to retailers, who in turn sell them to consumers. Thus, many sets of business purchases were made for only one set of consumer purchases. In addition, Goodyear sells tires as original equipment to manufacturers who install them on new vehicles, and as replacement tires to companies that maintain their own fleets of company cars, trucks, buses, or other vehicles" (Kotler, 157).
Many companies use different advertising tactics when dealing with both consumers and business. As a photography supervisor in the Air Force, I purchased a lot of my offices photo equipment. I was given an annual budget and we had specific companies that we did business with. We would get a lot of correspondence from other companies either through email or they would mail us their catalogs to try and earn our business. As a consumer, we mainly see advertising for products either on television or the internet, Facebook has become huge for companies to advertise their businesses.
"Marketers are working to harness the power of these new social networks to promote their products and build closer customer relationships. Instead of throwing more one-way commercial messages at ad-weary consumers, they hope to use social networks to interact with consumers and become a part of their conversations and lives" (Kotler 142-143).
Whether marketing to consumers or businesses, advertising and marketing are in the business to make the customer happy, keep the customer coming back, and of course to make money.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Week three EOC: My Demographics
My demographic group is the Millinials. "This group was born between 1977 and 2000, these children of the baby boomers number 83
million, dwarfing the Gen Xers and larger even than the baby boomer
segment. This group includes several age cohorts: tweens (aged 9–12), teens (13–18), and young adults (19–32). With total purchasing power of more than $733 billion, the Millennials make up a huge and attractive market." (Kotler, Marketing an introduction).
"The millennials have developed a reputation for a certain materialism. In a Pew Research Center survey in which different generations were asked what made them unique, baby boomers responded with qualities like “work ethic”; millennials offered “clothes.” But, according to new data, even though the recession is over, this generation is not looking to gorge; instead, they are the kind of hungry that cannot stop thinking about food. “Call it materialism if you want,” said Neil Howe, an author of the 1991 book “Generations.” It seems more like financial melancholy. “They look at the house their parents live in and say, ‘I could work for 100 years and I couldn’t afford this place,’ ” Howe said. “If that doesn’t make you focus on money, what would? Millennials have a very conventional notion of the American dream — a spouse, a house, a kid — but it is not going to be easy for them to get those things.”(http://www.nbcnews.com/business/do-millennials-stand-chance-real-world-2B9110594).
Millinials have also been referred to as the "net generation," because they can't remember a time without the internet. I was born in 1978 and didn't have an internet account until the late 90's. I actually find myself missing the days when communication between people wasn't all through social media outlets, such as Facebook. Although convenient, I think that the majority of us millennials are the "we want it right now" generation. Which could be our downfall in the future as we progress economically. I think we can all take a lesson from our past generations.
"The millennials have developed a reputation for a certain materialism. In a Pew Research Center survey in which different generations were asked what made them unique, baby boomers responded with qualities like “work ethic”; millennials offered “clothes.” But, according to new data, even though the recession is over, this generation is not looking to gorge; instead, they are the kind of hungry that cannot stop thinking about food. “Call it materialism if you want,” said Neil Howe, an author of the 1991 book “Generations.” It seems more like financial melancholy. “They look at the house their parents live in and say, ‘I could work for 100 years and I couldn’t afford this place,’ ” Howe said. “If that doesn’t make you focus on money, what would? Millennials have a very conventional notion of the American dream — a spouse, a house, a kid — but it is not going to be easy for them to get those things.”(http://www.nbcnews.com/business/do-millennials-stand-chance-real-world-2B9110594).
Millinials have also been referred to as the "net generation," because they can't remember a time without the internet. I was born in 1978 and didn't have an internet account until the late 90's. I actually find myself missing the days when communication between people wasn't all through social media outlets, such as Facebook. Although convenient, I think that the majority of us millennials are the "we want it right now" generation. Which could be our downfall in the future as we progress economically. I think we can all take a lesson from our past generations.
Week three EOC: Making Money for Good
The slogan for Burt's Bees products is: Earth friendly natural personal care for the greater good. Not only do they have a great slogan, but great products as well! "Burt's Bees takes pride of being one of the best "Earth Friendly,
Natural Personal Care Company" in today's market. Burt's Bee's natural,
Earth-friendly personal care products are specially formulated to help
enhance your well-being and that of the world around you. Their
products are carefully crafted from time-tested, proven recipes using
ingredients that are the best nature has to offer: beeswax, botanical
and essential oils, herbs, flowers and minerals. These safe, effective
ingredients have withstood the test of time." (http://www.thefundraisingjournal.com/Archive/1002/Burts_Bees.html).
In 2007, Burt's Bees created the Greater Good Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization. The Foundation Burt's Bees volunteer company employees and funded by 10% of the sales from the Burt's Bees website. Also, "The company partners with Habitat For Humanity to build eco-friendly homes, and in 2007 they established The Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation, which is funded by a percentage of their sales. Its goal is “to help empower non-profit initiatives whose efforts resonate with our own mission, particularly in the areas of natural health and well-being, the environment and social responsibility.” The company also gives back in another way by working to develop sustainable packaging solutions." (http://www.takepart.com/photos/companies-give-back/positive-buzz).
It's refreshing to know that a company that embodies being natural and giving back to their consumers also is involved in a variety of charities to help make the world a better place.
In 2007, Burt's Bees created the Greater Good Foundation, a non-profit, charitable organization. The Foundation Burt's Bees volunteer company employees and funded by 10% of the sales from the Burt's Bees website. Also, "The company partners with Habitat For Humanity to build eco-friendly homes, and in 2007 they established The Burt’s Bees Greater Good Foundation, which is funded by a percentage of their sales. Its goal is “to help empower non-profit initiatives whose efforts resonate with our own mission, particularly in the areas of natural health and well-being, the environment and social responsibility.” The company also gives back in another way by working to develop sustainable packaging solutions." (http://www.takepart.com/photos/companies-give-back/positive-buzz).
It's refreshing to know that a company that embodies being natural and giving back to their consumers also is involved in a variety of charities to help make the world a better place.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Week two EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games
The earliest video gaming system that I can remember was the Atari gaming system, which made it's debut in the 1970's and stayed strong through the 1980's. Since then, many video game systems have come and gone from the shelves such as the Nintendo NES, Nintendo 64, Game Cube, and the Sega Genesis. With the decline of video game systems, how long will the popular gaming systems like the Xbox 360 and the Playstation 3 maintain it's popularity with today's youth? The popularity of video game apps, such as Angry Birds and Words with Friends, why would parents continue to shell out $60 for games that are on the decline when they can download games for free.
"The gaming world has found itself teetering at the edge of a financial cliff. In the first eight months of this year retail sales of video games plummeted 20 percent in the United States. That followed a lackluster performance in 2011, when sales fell 8 percent. An analysis on the Web site Gamasutra this year said it was possible that 2012 would be the worst year for retail video game software and hardware sales since 2005." (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/arts/video-games/video-game-retail-sales-decline-despite-new-hits.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).
With the decline of the gaming systems within the last few years, tablets continue to prosper within the gaming communities. More consumers are turning their backs on their much loved video game systems to purchase tablets such as the iPad and the Kindle Fire HD.
"The Xbox 360 arrived in 2005 and the PlayStation 3 a year later in 2006. The technology inside each of those boxes is now at least six years old. And with price drops and budget bundles to come, these boxes are probably still at least two to three years away from official retirement. That’s a 10-year cycle, cradle to grave, an eternity in tech-dom. And unless Microsoft and Sony plan to iterate their next-gen consoles every couple years, we’re probably talking another 10-year attempt. Tablets, by contrast, are turning up with better, faster internal components on average of once a year. The iPad, which launched the tablet revolution barely two years ago in April 2010, has since iterated through three generations, each dramatically more capable than the last. Does anyone expect that pace to slow?" (http://techland.time.com/2012/08/09/are-tablets-like-the-ipad-poised-to-dethrone-game-consoles/).
If I was conduct a Boston Consultant Group (BCG) analysis of the video game systems that are currently popular, the gaming systems would go into four different categories: Cash cow, dog, question mark, and a star. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, I would put into the cash cow category, because I feel that there isn't many more changes and upgrades that can be made, for consumers to continue to shell out $500+ to upgrade to their newer gaming systems that are released in the future. The Nintendo 3DS, I feel is a question mark because although I don't feel like they are going out the door yet. Tablets and mobile gaming apps are definitely in the star category. The Nintendo Wii (which is my favorite) is in the dog category, the Wii which has lost it's luster with consumers, soon will be a thing of the past because gaming stores, such as Gamestop, will discontinue it's sales within their stores due to a decrease in sales.
"It’s no secret that the media wants consoles to die so that tablets can take their place as…what, exactly? The new leaders of lackluster gaming? Nintendo is eager to help them, it seems. Instead of fighting like a champion against the toughest of competitors, and instead of reminding consumers why console gaming is and should always be a cherished form of entertainment, Nintendo has done nothing to ensure the success of its next game machine. Rather, the Mario maker has done the opposite."(http://www.forbes.com/sites/benzingainsights/2012/06/06/nintendos-disappointing-wii-u-showing-will-lead-to-the-demise-of-console-gaming/)
With technology continuing to evolve, and gaming systems coming and going. How long before another electronic device dethrones the much loved tablets? It's amazing that in 10 years, tablets could be just another "Atari" of the past.
"The gaming world has found itself teetering at the edge of a financial cliff. In the first eight months of this year retail sales of video games plummeted 20 percent in the United States. That followed a lackluster performance in 2011, when sales fell 8 percent. An analysis on the Web site Gamasutra this year said it was possible that 2012 would be the worst year for retail video game software and hardware sales since 2005." (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/arts/video-games/video-game-retail-sales-decline-despite-new-hits.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0).
With the decline of the gaming systems within the last few years, tablets continue to prosper within the gaming communities. More consumers are turning their backs on their much loved video game systems to purchase tablets such as the iPad and the Kindle Fire HD.
"The Xbox 360 arrived in 2005 and the PlayStation 3 a year later in 2006. The technology inside each of those boxes is now at least six years old. And with price drops and budget bundles to come, these boxes are probably still at least two to three years away from official retirement. That’s a 10-year cycle, cradle to grave, an eternity in tech-dom. And unless Microsoft and Sony plan to iterate their next-gen consoles every couple years, we’re probably talking another 10-year attempt. Tablets, by contrast, are turning up with better, faster internal components on average of once a year. The iPad, which launched the tablet revolution barely two years ago in April 2010, has since iterated through three generations, each dramatically more capable than the last. Does anyone expect that pace to slow?" (http://techland.time.com/2012/08/09/are-tablets-like-the-ipad-poised-to-dethrone-game-consoles/).
If I was conduct a Boston Consultant Group (BCG) analysis of the video game systems that are currently popular, the gaming systems would go into four different categories: Cash cow, dog, question mark, and a star. The Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, I would put into the cash cow category, because I feel that there isn't many more changes and upgrades that can be made, for consumers to continue to shell out $500+ to upgrade to their newer gaming systems that are released in the future. The Nintendo 3DS, I feel is a question mark because although I don't feel like they are going out the door yet. Tablets and mobile gaming apps are definitely in the star category. The Nintendo Wii (which is my favorite) is in the dog category, the Wii which has lost it's luster with consumers, soon will be a thing of the past because gaming stores, such as Gamestop, will discontinue it's sales within their stores due to a decrease in sales.
"It’s no secret that the media wants consoles to die so that tablets can take their place as…what, exactly? The new leaders of lackluster gaming? Nintendo is eager to help them, it seems. Instead of fighting like a champion against the toughest of competitors, and instead of reminding consumers why console gaming is and should always be a cherished form of entertainment, Nintendo has done nothing to ensure the success of its next game machine. Rather, the Mario maker has done the opposite."(http://www.forbes.com/sites/benzingainsights/2012/06/06/nintendos-disappointing-wii-u-showing-will-lead-to-the-demise-of-console-gaming/)
With technology continuing to evolve, and gaming systems coming and going. How long before another electronic device dethrones the much loved tablets? It's amazing that in 10 years, tablets could be just another "Atari" of the past.
Monday, April 1, 2013
Week One: Great Customer Service
Great customer service is important when running an effective business so customers will keep coming back. If I go somewhere and receive bad customer service, I won't go back again. I think the qualities one needs to provide good customer service are being courteous, having good listening skills, and being knowledgeable about the product being sold. I had an experience with great customer service at Chase bank here in Henderson, Nevada. I went into the bank to open a new account because I was having a lot of issues with USAA bank (identity theft twice in the last year). When I went in I asked to open just a regular checking account. I wasn't familiar with all the different types of checking accounts the bank offered. I also didn't realize all the perks the bank offered for military members, so I didn't share that information with Julie, the bank representative. When the Julie saw my military I.D. card, she automatically opened my Husband and I up for a premier account which is only offered to select individuals. Since opening the account, whenever we go into the bank, the bank tellers treat us more like family, than a customer. It's really nice feeling that Chase Bank cares more about us than our money.
In the text, Zappos CEO, Tony Hsiech states, “For us, we’re willing to lose that sale, that transaction in the short term. We’re focused on building the lifelong loyalty and relationship with the customer.” (Marketing, Armstrong/Kotler, pg. 4)
I think the Zappos has the right mentality. Instead of thinking about the short term sale with the customer, companies should be thinking about the long term relationship instead, that way they keep the customer coming back for years, instead of just one or two times.
In the text, Zappos CEO, Tony Hsiech states, “For us, we’re willing to lose that sale, that transaction in the short term. We’re focused on building the lifelong loyalty and relationship with the customer.” (Marketing, Armstrong/Kotler, pg. 4)
I think the Zappos has the right mentality. Instead of thinking about the short term sale with the customer, companies should be thinking about the long term relationship instead, that way they keep the customer coming back for years, instead of just one or two times.
Week One EOC: My Voice
As a professional photographer, capturing life through the lens of my camera is one of my greatest passions in life. I was fortunate in my career because I had the opportunity to travel to different countries throughout the world, as an Air Force photographer for 12 years. I've always felt it's so important to use my photographs to tell a story and to remember the past, without photo documentation many events in history would be forgotten. In my future studio, My services I will offer are weddings, boudoir and family portraiture. My main focus as a photographer will be my passion to shoot WWII pinup style photos. I am absolutely in love with the 1940's and the women that represented that era. Through my images, I will be able to recreate the nose art on the aircraft that fought for our freedom during WWII. I would love to have my own gallery of my images on display here in Las Vegas. My goal also is to pass on my knowledge of photography to up and coming photographers just starting out through mentoring sessions on my website. I look forward to sharing my journey of photography with you as I discover new and exciting things to capture, in this amazing thing we call life!
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