Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

Ah, social media, the wonderful World Wide Web, and hand held mobile devices have change the way we live and do business drastically in the last ten years. This change has come faster than any other technical advance before them. It not only change our lives it has change the way major companies market them self’s and how they hire new employees. Major companies like Jet Blue are hiring what they call brand ambassadors who go out and promote the brand. At times for free with gifts and free stuff from the companies. Sony used brand ambassadors to jump-start the launch of its new GPS camera, a high-tech device that draws on satellite tracking technology to let you record the exact location of every picture you take and later map them out online using Google Maps. Sony selected customer ambassadors who like to travel, take pictures, and blog. “This is a product with emerging technology and we really need to let consumers see people using it,” says Sony’s director of digital imaging. (Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation, pg 143). Another way this technology crazy has changed the human world is the job market. Jobs now are using social media to find candidates they seem fit for the job. In an article in the Wall Street Journal they state “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.” (Job Recruiters Turn to Facebook to Find Candidates - WSJ.com). Though this trend or new way of life may pose a threat to the way humans live and interact it is a wonderful tool for business. Social media helps companies reach out to their customers and make them feel wanted and appreciated. “Apple’s obsession with understanding customers and deepening their Apple experience shows in everything the company does. For example, a visit to an Apple retail store is a lot more than a simple shopping trip. Apple stores are very seductive places. The store design is clean, simple, and just oozing with style—much like an Apple iPod or iPhone. The stores invite shoppers to stay a while, use the equipment, and soak up all of the exciting new technology:” (Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation, pg 143). Oh the internet what an amazing thing it lets us connect to people we would normally never have the chance to connect with but when used wrong it can harm. When used for good it is amazing.

week 4: EOC consumer VS business to business

It may seem that business to business marketing may seem the same as business to consumer marketing, but in reality they are two separate entities. “Business to business marketing requires. It requires a deep-down understanding of customer needs and customer-driven marketing strategies that create superior customer value. But that’s about where the similarities end.” (Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation pg 158). Companies like GE are the supplier like the a company that sells food to a restaurant and the restaurant supplies the consumer. Now with companies that are business to business companies only sell in bulk. This makes for a more reliable customer base because with other businesses that are consumer based have the chances of the consumer not buying their project and sales may drop. “An average consumer buying a refrigerator might do a little online research and then pop out to the local Best Buy to compare models before buying one. In contrast, buying a batch of jet engines involves a tortuously long buying process, dozens or even hundreds of decision makers from all levels of the buying organization, and layer upon layer of subtle and not-so-subtle buying influences.” (Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation pg 158). But what is the better of the two? It’s hard to tell restaurants have to get there food from somewhere unless they have a slaughter house in the back and rail road companies don’t make their own trains so there for they go to the most reliable companies that makes trains. Like GE for example one would never know that most of their revenue comes from industrial consumers. “Most of GE’s business comes not from final consumers but from commercial and industrial customers across a wide range of industries. Beyond light bulbs and electronics, GE sells everything from medical imaging technologies, water processing systems, and security solutions to power generation equipment, aircraft engines, and diesel locomotives.” (Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation pg 158).  So in the end there is no fight between consumer and business to business marketing. You can say they are best friends because we the consumers buy the products on business makes and that business buys the best from another business to make us happy.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

I am Generation Y

Millennials (or Generation Y) the 83 million children of the baby boomers, born between 1977 and 2000. 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). One thing that all of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology. They don’t just embrace technology, it’s a way of life. The Millennials were the first generation to grow up in a world filled with computers, cellphones, satellite TV, iPods, and online social networks. A recent study found that 91 percent of Millennials are on the Web, making up 32 percent of all U.S. Internet users. According to another study, 77 percent of Millennials frequent social networking sites and 71 percent use instant messaging. Marketers of all kinds now target the Millennials segment, from automakers to political campaigns. However, the Millennials are bombarded with marketing messages coming at them from all directions. And rather than having mass marketing messages pushed at them, they prefer to seek out information and engage in two-way brand conversations. Thus, reaching these message-saturated consumers effectively requires creative marketing approaches.

Personally I do not agree with this description full heartily because yes I fall into the young adult subcategories but as a whole it is all wrong. Born in 1985 I did not have all the things that we have now. I had cordless phones and dial up. Yet I am very comfortable with technology and do feel it is a way of life now only for the simple fact that everything is leaning towards that way.

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

As much as I like to bash Walmart for reasons of my own, like the bringing down of local businesses everywhere they do a lot for the community. It is always important for multibillion dollar companies to give back to the community because it builds great customer relations. Yet with that said not many know about these companies like Walmart giving back. In an article from NBCnes.com they reported that “Wal-Mart said most of its U.S. giving was in cash, about $250 million, vs. $22.9 million of in-kind donations…donations went to organizations including the National Teacher of the Year program, hospital aid group Children’s Miracle Network, the Salvation Army, United Way and food bank America’s Second Harvest….and  majority of donations are made at the local level by its 4,000 Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores to charities they pick.” http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17803920/ns/us_news-giving/t/wal-mart-keeps-spot-top-corporate-charity/#.UWw_BXfJhoU . No company will make in this business of making money if it was not for the consumer. We are the driving force behind any major business because we buy their goods and services. We as Americans may be gun hoe but we do care so to see someone giving back makes us feel better about buying their product. David Fray from frugalmarketing .com says “Not only is it a primary means for developing a powerful network but also it helps others in the process. People like to associate themselves with businesses that support causes, which help disadvantaged people in a meaningful way.”  http://www.frugalmarketing.com/dtb/charity.shtml .  giving to a charity not only builds great customer relations it also Increasing brand loyalty, Brand differentiation, Changing/strengthening brand image, and product awareness and visibility. “Knowing what motivates businesses to become sponsors can help you plan your approach to them. There are many business benefits of sponsorship” http://nonprofit.about.com/od/causerelatedmarketing/qt/sponsormotivation.htm

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group

 Video game makers have not dodged the recession at all but they are still in the game. Some may say that PC gaming will be the heavy hitter to knock the consoles out of the market, but is that really the answer? From a Boston Consulting approach the top main systems are still in good standings.  The approach is in terms of its market growth rate and relative market share. SBUs are classified as stars, cash cows, question marks, or dogs. If we take a close look PC gaming will be a star for the simple fact that all games will be up to date with graphics and content instead of waiting ten years for the next console. according to ING “Unlike with consoles, there is no one company that sets rules and says yes or no to everything that happens on the PC platform. It’s an open environment with plenty of options for nearly every kind of service…” (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/12/21/why-pc-gaming-ruled-in-2012)Cash cow will be hand held systems like the Game Boy. The Game Boy leans more towards kids and that will always bring in the cash. From ABC News “Nintendo's Pocket Rocket With a half-million of these $100 handheld game units sold in its first week of introduction, Nintendo claims it to be the fastest-selling game system…”(http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=98471&page=1#.UWMIhZPnuok)Question marks would be PlayStation and Xbox consoles because as games like “Call of Duty” and “Madden” that allow online play true Fans will always stay loyal. "Most people who liked console games in the past still do today," says Alex Hutchinson, creative director of Ubisoft, "but they're also looking for a wider spread of experiences. I want some games I can play quickly after work or while the kids are asleep and have a short satisfying experience." (http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/09/tech/gaming-gadgets/console-gaming-dead). Not many dog in this fight other than Sony’s PSP, but diehard fans will be fans to the end Sales may decline but it will never go away.

Week EOC: Great Customer Service

                The time I felt the wonderful power of great customer service is when I stayed at the MGM Grand Signature. The stay made me feel like a king for a day but at first I felt a little weird. I booked the room online three weeks prior and on arrival I checked in at the gate, they took my name gave me a parking pass and called to the desk to let them know I was there. There was no parking I had to use valet and at first I was a little upset but then I said to myself “oh why the hell not I paid all this money hope they don’t expect a tip”. I pulled up bell hops opened the door asked for my bags when I told them “I got it” they responded “it’s our job we have to”. Shocked at the response I kind of felt like a big deal so I walked to the check in counter with my head held high but still a little confused on where they were taking my stuff. When I checked in I asked “what about my bags” and the lady at the counter replied “it will all be brought to you room”. The customer service was amazing I didn't have to a superstar to feel like one they treated me and everyone the same even those who bought the standard room. from the words of Armstrong and Kotler from Marketing: An Introduction for Education Management Corporation  pg. 14“Customer satisfaction depends on the product’s perceived performance relative to a buyer’s expectations. If the product’s performance falls short of expectations, the customer is dissatisfied. If performance matches expectations, the customer is satisfied. If performance exceeds expectations, the customer is highly satisfied or delighted.” That is actually what I got from them and will one day return. 

Week One EOC: My Voice

 As a filmmaker I see the world though a single lens. Everything is a film, everything is art. Film is not something that I love to do; it is something that I love to live. It is my life. After 7 years strong serving my country In the United States Military I pride myself with hard work and dedication to everything that I do. Making films is a passion not a job that is why I spend countless hours perfecting my craft because every Tom and Harry can pick up a camera but everyone cannot be an artist. HB Productions is a music video production company and will bring a whole new flavor to the game. I focus on the story not the flashiness you see today on MTV or BET. I am bringing the art back to videos. Reincarnating the narrative videos and paying homage to the greats of films, poets and Story tellers. I pride myself on my knowledge of film history, and my innovations to bring a song to life.