Week 4 EOC: There's An App For That

If I were to create an extraordinary app for Apple, my first thought is what do people need that they don’t already have? An idea that seems impossible but most likely a genius can figure out the details is a hair loss counter app, or a when will you go bald app. This app could be for laughs or for medical purposes. Loosing hair is important to many people especially older men and women who are entering the wig phase. A more useful app idea would be entitled Where’d you get that. You can ask her/ him any question about any fashion related product and it will tell you the nearest and cheapest places to purchase the specific item. I see people on blogs daily constantly asking fashion guru’s where to find the best things under their conditions. Now a consumer wouldn’t have to wait for an answer on the other person’s time they would know instantly. The first iphone was released on January 9, 2007 by Steve Jobs. The application software on the phone known as an app was designed to fulfill a user’s specific tasks. Today the app store carries a variety of apps that can be bought and downloaded directly on the iPhone or iPad. “Every app you download from the App Store makes your iPhone do even more. And with hundreds of thousands of apps to choose from, we mean a whole lot more”(apple.com). The categories of apps are Apple apps, Business, Travel, Sports and Fitness, Social Networking, News, Lifestyle, Games, Entertainment, Education, Family and Kids, and Music. To help the search for the perfect app for an apple product user, “with just a tap, Genius gives you personalized recommendations for apps you might like based on apps you and others have downloaded. You can also read reviews from other app users and see their ratings, and even add your own”(apple.com). The makers and workers at iphone truly making having one of their products a full enjoyable experience, which increases their brand loyalty and makes them a must have piece of technology. 

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

I was born May 13, 1992 which puts me into the classification of being a millennial. "Both the baby boomers and Gen Xers will one day be passing the reins to the Millennials (also called Generation Y or the echo boomers). 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"(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p16). I agree that our generation is a huge and attractive market. Many retailers and companies market solely to our age group because they know we are more likely to spend money then any other age group. We are at the age where money is coming in slowly for us but we have enough to shop every now and then. Unlike the baby boomers or generation x who are reaching their points of no longer really needing to buy anything and everything. "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"(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p17). This is also another valid point where our generation has become the tech savy generation. We grew up having the internet and experiencing the boom of social networks and all types of new technologies that we are very dependent on today. 10 years ago no one knew what a fashion blogger was, or they did not take them serious at all to have an opinion about personal style. Presently blogging and other social media platforms are becoming a free way to make money, to have our voices heard which the industry is greatly interested in. People have started online boutiques, blogs, and vlogs and it will continue to grow.“Young people want to be in control of their relationship with a brand. They want to customize and personalize”(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p17). Our generation is also know for wanting to be unique, wanting to be our own person especially in fashion. Our time is known for anything goes in fashion, there are no more rules or guidelines as to how one dresses, everything is personal. Even our cars or technology almost anything can be customized to fit our needs and wants to be different. 

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

       Livestrong, an organization that first started in 1997 as a small group of people trying to raise money to fight the disease that has become one of the leading causes of death, cancer. Live strong is apart of Lance Armstrong’s foundation. After Lance Armstrong was diagnosed with testicular cancer, he vowed to educate himself about his disease and desired to help others with the same situation as well. This program holds fundraisers through cycling races, and other means for people who really want to donate to help stop this disease. Lance Armstrong has inspired many cancer survivors and his foundation has grown more then ever over the past 10 years. They host several events for everyone who is experiencing this disease at any age. 

       Goodwill is a nonprofit organization who takes in whatever the community wants to donate from clothing to accessories to furniture and electronics. They then re-sell the donated items at a much cheaper price. The proceeds help fund job training, employment based services, and other community based programs that help people with disabilities, lack of education, or face employment challenges. The amounts of stores they have have increased greatly and now have locations both in the United States and Canada. Goodwill also does volunteer work for the community by mentoring the youth, and lending job experience and knowledge to those who are currently searching for careers.

      Falling Whistles is a campaign for peace in Congo. This effort helps children who are trying to escape the war region and children who were forced to the front lines of war only holding a whistle. Together the organization partners with local leaders to advocate and rehabilitate for those affected by war. Share their story and speak up for them. In Congo they are developing partnerships with community leaders who are rehabilitating these children through education, art, sports, music, human rights education, vocational skills training, medical treatment and nutritional services. Each organization is working to give children the tools to be whistleblowers and stand for peace within the war-region. To help these children, you can buy their symbol, the whistle that stands for speaking up and being heard or by donating to help the children.

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

A leading company that has been gaining popularity over some time now is Apple. Their video game apps which cost little to nothing are becoming stars."Stars are high-growth, high-share businesses or products. They often need heavy investments to finance their rapid growth. Eventually their growth will slow down, and they will turn into cash cows." (Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p11) For example the very popular game entitled Angry Birds has sky rocketed and can now be found on Google chrome as well as many other phone systems such as on Android. Besides the game other products of the game have been created such as plush toys and clothing which have also been selling. This app may eventually slow down, but mobile games are definitely more convenient and in demand then normal video games and video consoles. PS3 and Xbox 360 are both consoles that most people have, but the need to buy them have gone down and both company's are experiencing price cuts which puts them into a the Cash Cow category. "Cash cows are low-growth, high-share businesses or products. These established and successful SBUs need less investment to hold their market share. Thus, they produce a lot of cash that the company uses to pay its bills and to support other SBUs that need investment."(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p11)  The price of a PS3 console has already gone down from $300 to $250. Especially the demand for video games has slowed down because games can now be updated online without having to actually buy a new game.  Popular games that are released every so months are the only ones that people choose to wait in line for purchase. Even with a loyal following from a certain niche of people online gaming has been fading into the background and hasn't been heard of or made a great scene in any advertisements. These types of games belong in the Question Mark category. "Question marks are low-share business units in high-growth markets. They require a lot of cash to hold their share, let alone increase it. Management has to think hard about which question marks it should try to build into stars and which should be phased out."(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p11) Any decision re-guarding these games are crucial for the company or game. These decisions can be hits or misses and basically have a 50/50 chance of  becoming popular again or shutting down completely. Sadly a childhood gaming company system I feel has lost it's strengths and have become part of the Dogs category. "Dogs are low-growth, low-share businesses and products. They may generate enough cash to maintain themselves but do not promise to be large sources of cash."(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p11) The Nintendo DS was not doing so well with their regular products over an amount of time and has now come out with another handheld in 3D format.  If consumer's didn't want the product regularly, then I don't think a 3D feature will be enough to increase the demand for it. Anything 3D itself is coming to pass and offers nothing more then increased movie prices and headaches.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

After a long week of working in retail, I decided to switch roles on a Saturday afternoon.  I wanted to be the customer and shop at a place I knew I’d be happy to go.  A place where I could be treated nicely and be helped out immediately by the associates, a place where it was about marketing and not about advertising. "Broadly defined, marketing is a social and managerial process by which individuals and organizations obtain what they need and want through creating and exchanging value with others. In a narrower business context, marketing involves building profitable, value-laden exchange relationships with customers."(Marketing An Introduction 10th Edition p4) That store happened to be Francesca’s Collections Boutique, a small stylish boutique where I absolutely love everything from the clothing to jewelry, to the shoes and bags, I loved it all.  Upon entering the store I was greeted with a welcoming hello and they kindly let me know what sale was going on that day and gave me my space to shop.  Since the store’s square footage wasn’t so big they made sure to give enough room for people to shop without being that over bearing associate who can’t get a clue about personal space.  Once I needed something on a higher shelf they were by my side within seconds and we exchanged names. She did not hesitate to give my styling advice and show me other products the item went well with.  Being a sales associate, I know that clearance and sales racks are the last places you want a customer to see or go to, but this associate led right there showing me the perfect bag that would match the top I was getting. I wouldn’t have seen it without her help because it was on a higher shelf hidden. For that I thanked her very much and she was friendly enough to talk to me as an acquaintance without being too nosy. She led me to the cash wrap taking my items that I was going to purchase so I wouldn’t have to carry them either.  It was a nice gesture of her and really made me feel better then I already did. The transaction went smoothly and I thanked her for her help with my purchases and she didn’t even forget to say bye and to come back soon.

Week 1 EOC: About Me

It's not my whole life, it's not my obsession, and it’s certainly not just an average job, but it is my Love, and my form of expression without words. Fashion & personal style for me is my confidence, the one thing in my life that I know I can't fail. I considered myself part of this industry the day the clothes on my back started to matter, when I would not settle for just any pair of shoes, and when that Chanel quilted handbag became irresistible, I just knew I had to have some effect on this industry somehow someday. As of today, I specialize in observing the fashion trends for every season and apply them to my own wardrobe with a twist of vintage and modern pieces, buying the best quality products for prices unheard of, and as a personal stylist to those in need of help with their own closets. The photography aspect of fashion has really gotten a hold of me and I feel the need to capture and admire how beautiful a garment can look through a camera lens. I've experienced the life of retail and what good quality customer service stands for, along with having my own fashion blog. I'm making my way through this industry and I'd like to go from retail management, to being a visual merchandiser, and stylist, in hopes to one day become a fashion editor of a fashion magazine.