Week 5:Social Networks and Job Hunting

 

"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." (Light, Joe; Theory & Practice-Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like; The Wall Street Journal; August 8, 2011) WSJ.com article

The idea of job recruiters using facebook to find Candidates is a more personable concept and can create an opportunity for value and trust to be built. The social networks are so popular for a quick way to stay in touch with family and events. The credibility of a product or company can be shared on these high exposure sites. When family members are sharing a positive experience about something they just purchased and share it with each other on facebook explaining in detail how it works and that it’s the best they ever had, that is like telling the whole world what a great product did for them. When the story is followed with pictures that’s even better exposure for a company. The best would be when they say they want more of the same or they will repeat that purchase. The raving revues on the social networks affect us all. I have even been touched by the story about the robot vacuum cleaner that the family gave a pet name to.

"We used to assume the best reps would be the cool kids in any given group. But we learned that most kids are not cool. If marketers want consumers to feel a connection to their ambassadors and to feel that an ambassador is accessible, they have to look beyond the cool customers” who are typically thought of as influentials. The best ambassadors, he says, are “friendly, everyday brand loyalists who love to talk to people.” (Kotler, Gary Armstrong and Philip. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation. 10. VitalSource Bookshelf. Pearson Learning Solutions, , 10/31/2012)

   

WEEK 4: Business to Business Marketing

"Business customer buying decisions are made within the framework of a strategic, problem-solving partnership. “We love the challenge of a customer’s problem,” says the company on its GE Transportation Web site." (Marketing an Introduction 10th Edition by Armstrong and Kotler, page 158)

GE's consumer products only contribute approximately one-third of its company sales. Most of its business comes from its commercial & industrial customers. It understands customer needs in order to create superior customer value. In stead of selling to large numbers of small buyers, it sells to a few very large customer buyers. GE locomotives performance plays an important role in the big-ticket purchases by buyers. Their buyers are looking for cost & fuel efficiency with reliability. GE has a proven track record over a long period of time of years the superior quality of their products.
They adopted new environmentally friendly products with their diesel-electric locomotives.

Business demand is derived from  the demand for consumer goods.Consumers like to research & compare a product before they buy it. When a part from one product is needed to make the whole product complete, then both Companies are in demand by the consumers.

"GE wins contracts by partnering with business customers to help them translate that performance into moving their passengers and freight more efficiently and reliably. CSX Transportation(CSXT), one of GE Transportation's largest customers, has purchased more than 300 GE Evolution locomotives since they were launched in 2005." (Marketing an Introduction 10th Edition by Armstrong and Kotler, page 158)

Stages in the buyer success in business-to-business markets involves more than just developing and selling superior products and technologies.The business buying decision process evaluates cost factors first. Then environmental impact, fuel consumption, reliability, serviceability and the Value of an ongoing partnership with GE.

"The changing nature of digital and social media has its own set of distinct challenges for business-to-business (B-to-B) marketers." Edelman

Web searches have affected sales and reports of approximately 90 percent of B-to-B buyers use social media for purchasing decisions. One source is by using social tools to change Public Relations. They may help enhance customer loyalty, spark new lead generation and  industry reputation a mix for marketplace success.

Week 3: Making Money for Good

FIGS

"Threads for Threads is our initiative - created to promote global education and inspire children to realize their dreams.For every tie sold, FIGS gives an entire school uniform to a child in need of an education – Threads for Threads."  http://www.wearfigs.com/

In many parts of Africa the children can’t go to school if they don’t have a uniform. This company  partners globally with local weavers and tailors to make uniforms for their school communities. The uniforms are distributed in a hundred plus Eastern African schools including Kenya and Tanzania. The FIGS ties are made of high quality silks, cashmeres, wool, and linen. One Tie=One Uniform= One Education according to FIGS.

"Approximately one billion people don’t have access to affordable glasses. Glasses can increase one’s income by 20%, enable students to see a blackboard and offer dignity to those with poor eyesight. Warby Parker works with experienced non-profit partners to ensure that each sale of our frames will give someone in need access to affordable glasses." http://www.warbyparker.com/Do-Good

I wasn't awair of the impact glasses can have on peoples productivity resulting by 20%.

It is equivalent of creating an extra day’s work each week according to this article. Glasses are one of the most effective poverty alleviation tools in the world. 

 

"Cause-Related Marketing. To exercise their social responsibility and build more positive images, many companies are now linking themselves to worthwhile causes." (Gary Armstrong and Philip Kotler. Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation.) Page 86

Some examples are if you buy a pink mixer from KitchenAid that it will support breast cancer research. Another example would be if you purchase Ethos water from Starbucks that it will help bring clean water to children around the world. Some companies have been founded entirely on cause-related missions. They have the concept of “value-led business” or “caring capitalism,” their mission is to use business to make the world a better place."

 

 

Week 3: My Demographics
The Baby Boomers. The post–World War II baby boom produced 78 million baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964. Over the years, the baby boomers have been one of the most powerful forces shaping the marketing environment. The youngest boomers are now in their mid forties; the oldest are entering their sixties and approaching retirement age. The maturing boomers are rethinking the purpose and value of their work, responsibilities, and relationships.

After years of prosperity, free spending, and saving little, the recent recession hit many baby boomers hard, especially the preretirement boomers. A sharp decline in stock prices and home values has eaten into their nest eggs and retirement prospects. As a result, many boomers are now spending more carefully and planning to work longer. “You have a huge group of preretirement baby boomers, a huge number of people who are asking,‘ Can I live off my savings and Social Security for the rest of my life?’” says one economist. “A whopping 70 percent of Americans currently age 45 to 74 plan to work during their retirement years … both for enjoyment and because they need the money,” notesanother.9 http://digitalbookshelf.artinstitutes.edu/#/books/9780558851903/pages/48921799

I happen to fall into this group of Baby Boomers and I can certainly relate to this statistics report about the generation after World War II. We had opportunities to advance economically and raise our children to learn and developed skills to further enhance their potential careers. We valued the prosperous years as we were taught by our previous generation to be cautious and careful to manage our money and invest wisely. Our parents struggled to grow out of the depression era and tried to build investments for my generation the Baby Boomers so we wouldn't have to struggle and go without. But due to our current economy I have experienced the loses that my parents tried so hard to prevent.

Week 2 : Boston Consulting Group- Video Games

"The tentacles of the recession have reached into the video game industry, a business that was long considered downturn-resistant." ( Wall Street Journal / wsj.com) 

This article was written in 2009. With further research in the current year of 2012 the U.S. retail sales of new video game hardware, software and accessories fell again in July this year. Overall sales fell 20 percent according to the research firm NPD Group. The video games fell 23 percent from a year earlier. Nintendo Co.'s Wii U will be introduced later in the year and the prediction by NPD is that sales will be down from last year.

Video Game sites

“Feeling pressure from the popularity of inexpensive and easy-to-play video games on Apple Inc iPhone and other smartphones Sony Corp. said it will start selling “PlayStation-like” games in October for handsets, including those not manufactured by the Japanese electronics giant.” Sony Play Station

The company always viewed PlayStation 3, which debuted in 2006, as a product with a 10-year life cycle and they don’t plan on replacing it at this time.

“Some component suppliers to Apple in Asia say they have received orders to make more than 10 million units of the smaller tablets in the fourth quarter. That is roughly double the order that were placed for Amazon’s Kindle Fire tablets in the same quarter, these suppliers say.”

(Luk, Lorraine. "Buzz Building for Smaller Apple Tablet" Digits technological news and insights. Wall Street journal Blogs. / WSJ.com / October 7, 2012,)   Apple Tablet

The iPad Mini tablet is suppose to have around 7.85-inch screen and a lower price point to compete with newer tablets from Google and Amazon. Apple's market share of tablets was nearly 70 percent for the second quarter of the year. Apple is rumored to be revealing the iPad Mini later this month.

In conclusion my BCG analysis of the video game market after my research:

In the Cash Cow= Playstation 3

The Star=iPAD, iphone, smartphones

The Dog=Wii

The Question Mark=Android and Kindle

      

WEEK 1: Great Customer Service

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What is a high quality experience I had? (Marketing Creating and Capturing Customer Value,pg. 21) "Good customer relationship management creates customer delight. In turn, delighted customers remain loyal and talk favorably to others about the company and its products".

I have remained with the same Insurance Company  for over 25 years because of the way they have treated me and my family. They make us feel important and always acknowledge us as soon as we walk in to their office. They have always greeted us with a smile and listen to our needs.  When it’s time to make a payment they show extra care about our needs and not just try to sell us another policy. When it has been an emergency they are quick to respond with help for what procedure, direction and detail is necessary for us to take. I have continued to make my payments in person at their office which in return has built a special trust and rapport over the years.

They have proved over the course of time to be honest with me and my family in several situations. When my son’s car was stolen they made every effort to help us, even with police reports. It was even found within 24 hours before it was torched by the vandals. When I had an auto accident that caused injuries and damage to my car they were quick to respond with all the necessary steps I needed to get things done. They have been diligent to follow through until we are satisfied with everything including any medical needs. They even call me to check to see if there is anything more they can do to help. They didn’t even raise their rates!

Allstate has always been there for our family. Actually they are like family to us.

WEEK 1:MY VOICE

I, Sharon St.Laurent, grew up mainly in Washington and lived the longest in Seattle by the waterfront surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery. I have always enjoyed arts, crafts and fashion designing since I was a little girl. I started by making Barbie doll clothes and accessories. I made clothes for the family and progressed with my skills by taking art, sewing and tailoring classes. I learned a lot about the fashion industry while working retail and distribution for Nordstrom department stores. I had an opportunity to work at a Fabric Store in the Seattle area designing merchandise, displays and demonstrating the products I designed. I also taught craft and sewing classes at the store and schools for many years. I had a dream since I was a little girl to design costumes for the Las Vegas Shows. I never thought it would happen to me! Then everything fell into place when I moved here to Vegas 4 years ago. I have been since working on stage with the entertainers maintaining their costumes, building costumes, designing and making stage props and covers. I have learned a lot from working with the performers and entertainers both on stage and behind the scenes. The Wardrobe department carries a lot of responsibility both before the Show starts, during and after. I enjoy learning everything I can to make it all come together smoothly. I have always wanted one more dream to come true and now it has by going to school here at the Art Institute of Las Vegas. I am majoring in Fashion Retail and Management with a Bachelors of Science Degree. I am finally getting answers to questions that I have had my whole life. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity to grow and learn about the History of Costumes and all the other classes offered here.