In Response to Alex

I think the new acquisition of Facebook is brilliant by Mark Zuckerburg.  Buying instagram means big money in the near future.  I recently downloaded the app for my iPhone and I love it, the amount of photo editing you can do to pictures instantly right before you post them is awesome.  I would imagine Zuckerburg bought Instagram because of the similarities between that and Facebook, both have members post photos with captions everyday.  Gaining more members will me more profits, and that's what Instagram will bring.  I do not think that however that Instagram is worth a billion dollars at the moment, however in the near future, it definitely will be! I also think that Facebook paid way to much for Instagram and so do experts but it is being said that Facebook paid this premium because they did not want it to fall into their competitors hands.

In response to Jaycelyn’s post about Apple commercials

Do you think that Apple's ad campaigns make their products sound better than they are? Or do you think that the iPhone is better than say the Droid and the Mac is better than a PC?

I do feel that the Droid is better than the Iphone because there are more apps for free. Undoubtedly Android operating systems and the Droid phones are a spitting image of the Iphone. They both operate under the same principals and have some of the same applications but you still have Iphone loyal customer. I feel this is because some people have had them since the beginning, it was the first one of its kind and they understand how it operates.  In my opinion the Android market has not taken customers from Apple but, has stopped more people from going to the Apple Iphone. It is a very similar debate when discussing PC’s vs Mac’s. Do you think that it makes no sense when someone owns an Iphone but does not own a Mac computer? Are they buying the phone JUST to own an Iphone.

In Response to Brook’s blog Burger King vs McDonalds

I think that Burger King has seen the success of McDonalds and has changed some of they things they do to make their business more efficient. Burger King is starting to offer things such as wraps and smoothies that McDonalds has done for a few years now.  I feel Burger King saw an opportunity for growth because their customers were going to McDonalds to get what they could not get at Burger King. This is a risky business because they now have to take loyal customers from McDonalds, but understandably some people prefer Burger King to McDonald’s which will allow current loyal customers of Burger King to enjoy new menu items and tell others about the new delicious snacks on McDonalds menu.

In Response to Jacelyn's post about Apple

     I do think that apple is moving in the correct direction in establishing customer loyalty and keeping its shareholders happy. Apple has the largest assets ever owned by a single company. Apple holds nearly 80 billion dollars in cash. In keeping their shareholders happy Apple gave dividends back to very happy shareholders who’s stocks continue to hit record highs. Apple also listens to its customers and every complaint that they may have. Apple reminds me of L.L. Bean in the sense that they have terrific customer service and they are very helpful. Their replacement policy is not as great as L.L. Bean but if their product is ever at fault they do their best to replace it.

      I most recently purchased a Mac Pro and was VERY pleased with the customer service that I received and continue to receive from apple support. I left the PC world because of the cheap product I felt they made and poor customer service. My old PC had a defect from the start, they put to small of a fan in the computer so it would overheat and fry the mother board, my computer surprisingly lasted longer than it should have but in doing so I missed the replacement window, HP told me there was nothing they could do. I switched to Apple because I feel they offer a more reliable product and I know they have better customer service.

Do you think businesses would have an advantage in making its employees purchase Mac products because of their customer service?

In Response to Michael Thompson Vibrating Tattoo's

         Could this actually become something successful for Nokia?

   I do not think that this will become successful for Nokia. This is a waste of money that Nokia could use somewhere else, ex advertising, marketing, new products. This idea that someone would program their tattoo to tell them who is calling or to tell you if you have a voice mail or text message is just nonsense. I strongly believe ideas like this is why the US economy is doing so terrible. Because people can spend millions of dollars to research and develop  something as dumb as a vibrating tattoo. I believe that if Nokia spends millions of dollars on researching a product like this, they may not be around for much longer because this idea will flop. In what ways could this help out Nokia?

BlackBerry On The Way Out?

When was the last time you got a BBM? Maybe its because BlackBerry are only making up 5% of consumers purchasing. Android is leading the race with 48% but Apple is not far behind with 43% of market shares. Why are BlackBerry’s not selling? Studies show that consumers feel that BlackBerry is not keeping up with the fast growing Android and IOS phones. From games to apps Androids and iPhones cater to business professionals as well as college students and anyone looking for a cool new phone. Androids and iPhones offer the best cameras, highest resolution screens and newest applications.

            BlackBerry is still trying to grasp only the business professional market, or more plainly stated someone who does not want a phone with all the bells and whistles and that is their downfall. BlackBerry is losing this race much like the way Boarders went under, because they are not adapting to the growing market and listening to customers needs. BlackBerry’s are very particular when it comes to applications, games, and programs, those programs are only compatible with BlackBerry’s. While Androids and iPhones run different operating systems they use the same games and applications making them compatible with the competitors phone. If you were the marketing manager of BlackBerry, what would you do to increase revenue?

In Response to Matt Vest iPad 2

Has Apple outdone it's self again? Apple announced that it is releasing the iPad 2 and already is behind on filling orders. Its sold out and pre ordered to the max, so why would Apple release a product that it cannot keep up demands for? Why not wait and produce enough so 80% of the market can buy one the day they come out? Because of marketing. Apple wants people to not be able to get the iPad 2 because we all know that when your cannot have something that makes you want it that much more, thus driving sales and prices to a premium. Apple feeds off consumer competition who wants the first one? the customer with the largest wallet or the most amount of free time so they can stand in line all week. I like Matt's stance on economic recession and Apple outselling every product it makes. From iPhones to iPods Apples sales have gone where no other company has and the scary thought is that the U.S. has been in an economic recession this whole time. So i ask this question, How can the U.S. be seen as in a recession in the eyes of the business world when Apple is recording record sales and revenue? Unemployment rates are astronomically high, but somehow Apple is finding enough revenue to have over 80 billion dollars cash... which came from where.... Us.

In Response to Brook

Do you think that Facebook will lose users do to the soon to be increase in ads? Will users begin to switch to other social media sites, like Twitter, who do not show as many ads? 

Being a fan of Facebook myself I believe that if any social network becomes as big and as collective as Facebook companies and business are going to take advantage of free advertising. When doing research for the MBL project that one of the largest expenses of a business MBL included can be advertising. With this said I believe that if another form of social media such as Twitter and Linkedin does not allow as many annoying ads customers of Facebook may switch to get away from the annoying ads. It is my feeling that the advertising will follow social media around forever because it is an inexpensive way to advertise your product.

How could Facebook do a better job of limiting ads? Would to many ads cause you to leave Facebook?

Judge makes man apologize over face book or go to jail

Yeah you did not miss read the title, Magistrate Paul Myers has ordered Mark Byron to issue a formal Facebook apology to his estranged wife Elizabeth Byron for comments he posted last year. The judge gave Mark two options, 60 days in jail and a 500$ fine or he could pay back child support and post an apology on his Facebook for 30 days. Rules stipulated that Mark could not close his profile and had to become friends with his wife so she was able to see the formal apology. The news article found on zdnet.com states:

 “The magistrate actually wrote the apology for Mark and then included it into the sentence. It reads as follows:
I would like to apologize to my wife, Elizabeth Byron, for the comments regarding her and our son [name withheld] which were posted on my Facebook wall on or about November 23, 2011…” (Byron) article by Emil Protanlnski to read the whole article (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/court-apologize-to-wife-on-facebook-or-go-to-jail/9477)
I would like to know what you would have done if you this judge? Furthermore I want to know what you think on the judges ruling in this case? Do you think this is a waste of tax payers money?

John Smith Dilemma

I feel that by John giving the dealer the names of people who are going to buy cars is unethical and wrong. John has a responsibility to keep those names private. Even though he needs the money he cannot take unethical means to obtain this money. His employees would rather have their jobs than a lawsuit that could cripple the business and potentially put them more in debt. He has a responsibility to be honest. John needs to embrace ethical values that are honesty, responsibility, fairness,, respect, transparency and citizenship.

Response to Georgianne

I believe that clients will return to products that they have used in the past and have found value in, do you?

I believe that if a product is made well enough and there is a need for it, customers will always return to buy that product and may be more reluctant to buy a product that has that specific brand name on it. For instance for Christmas I purchased a Norelco 3D shaver. I was not sure which one I wanted but knew that there were certain features that I wanted it to have. I bought the second to best shaver they offered and awaited my purchase. Upon receiving my new shaver I had never felt such a great shave. This product was well made and came with a reliable name. I enjoyed this shaver so much I sent it back and purchased the top of the line Norelco. This product came with a few more features that just added to my satisfaction of this product. This was the first instance where I found myself upgrading to a better product after I had already purchased the lesser. I cannot say that I will be quick to do this with another product but for this instance it was worth it. Have you ever purchased a product only to return it for the better model?

 

Mount your HD TV with Geckskin?Gecko-inspired adhesive that is said to hold up to 700 lbs. This new innovative technology is said to only be about the size of an index card but is able to support even the largest tv stuck to the wall, and once you remove it, and it leaves no nasty residue. This product is called “Geckskin” How was this designed? Scientists have been studying and replicating the ability’s of geckos. These scientists found that on geckos feet they have millions of microscopic hair like structures that cause attraction and repulsion down to the molecular level. This article was very interesting and I feel that this product has the ability reinvent the ways we up pictures and awards. How do you think this product would change your life?

Gecko-inspired adhesive that is said to hold up to 700 lbs.  This new innovative technology is said to only be about the size of an index card but is able to support even the largest tv stuck to the wall, and once you remove it, and it leaves no nasty residue.  This product is called “Geckskin” How was this designed? Scientists have been studying and replicating the ability’s of geckos. These scientists found that on geckos feet they have millions of microscopic hair like structures that cause attraction and repulsion down to the molecular level.  This article was very interesting and I feel that this product has the ability reinvent the ways we up pictures and awards. How do you think this product would change your life?

In Response to Chris Beland Selling Beer in Starbucks

I few months ago i had read an article where Burger King was going to start selling beer at a few of its burger shops to test the market, only three stores out of the entire chain were going to attempt this. One was in Las Vegas and the other two were in Florida. The first thought was can you get beer in the drive thru? but the answer was no. It was for guests that wanted to have a beer with their burgers, absolutely nothing wrong with that in my eye. Needless to say i understood why Burger King would want to sell beer within their establishment, but i am having a hard time wrapping my mind around why Starbucks needs to sell beer in their stores? I would think that would be the last place that demanded alcohol. I am not objecting the idea i just feel that Starbucks is not the place to sell beer, but if there is a demand and they can make money on it, I'm all for it. What do other people think about selling beer in Starbucks vs Burger King?

Walmart Starting To Sell Healthier Food

Today while browsing Google news, I found a topic that really caught my eye, a news article on the worlds largest superstore starting to carry healthier food, and its all a part of Walmart’s recent “Pledge to start selling healthier food” this is a five step process that they have towards meeting there healthier food goals, some of these goals include “making healthier choices more affordable” and “ providing solutions to address food deserts by building stores”. (A food desert is when a Wal-Mart  has little or no access to affordable nutritious food) Wal-Mart will start placing a label on the front label on product packaging. There is a great video on this Walmart’s stand on this issue. (http://walmartstores.com/pressroom/news/10818.aspx)

This is great news and I must say I am happy to see Wal-Mart taking such a healthy stand on its grocery industry. Wal-Mart is the largest superstore in the country, and millions of people shop there. Putting healthier food on Wal-Mart shelves essentially will have the American people eating healthier. Someone shopping at Wal-Mart for their groceries in my opinion is going to substitute what they can only get at Wal-Mart, why drive to another supermarket to get something when Wal-Mart has a close second or third brand to the one you initially wanted? What I’m getting at is that people buy items at Wal-Mart because that’s where there are and its all their shopping in once place they don’t want to waste gas driving to another store.. Customers in my opinion will love this new healthy food stance Wal-Mart is taking, what are your opinions on Wal-Marts new healthy food stance?

Radcliffe Shawn, Men’s Fitness http://walmartstores.com/nutrition/?sourceid=healthierfoods

In Response To Matt's NASA Reaches Dark Side of The Moon

I saw the video and it was really cool. To think that that part of the moon has never been seen before in astonishing. I hope the hype and interest sparks a public interest to attempt to go back to the moon.
Seeing as we have not put a man on the moon since 1972 I personally would like to see another lunar trip conducted. I hope NASA can get the grants and the interest they need to put another human on the moon. Do you think something like this is good for our economy? or is it a waste of money? ( dark side pictures and putting another man on the moon)

American Airlines

     American Airlines announced the other day that it wants to layoff 13,000 employees which is nearly 16% of its workforce. This is terrible news for anyone within that company that is going to be laid off. This is also bad news for anyone with frequent flyer miles. How so do you ask? Less employees means less planes that are able to fly, which means less seats for passengers, and frequent flyer miles are so regulated to begin with its going to be almost impossible for those with frequent flyer miles to use those points. This will not only effect American Airline customers but those flyers from partner airlines.  Partner airlines share frequent flyer miles allowing customers to choose the best way to travel. But unfortunately with fewer planes, people attempting to redeem frequent flyer miles will suffer the most. But more importantly is that fact that American Airlines will be laying off 13,000 people.13,000 more people collecting unemployment. This is not good for our economy and only continues to show the that we are not out of this recession yet. If a major company like American Airlines has to lay off 13,000 employees, what does that say about other companies around the world?What do think could be some other consequences of American Airlines laying off 13,000 people.

Myself as a Product

Product- Fratea Landscaping Corporation, doing landscaping for six years. We will do anything from beautiful blue stone patio's to fall clean ups. My specialty is free standing stone walls. I have competitive prices and my past work speaks for itself. I come highly recommended from all of my past clients. If you can dream it, I can build it.
Place- Working out of the Keene area but am willing to drive almost anywhere for the right price, travel is an expense because I will be hauling stone and work materials. Travel charges apply and are subject to change depending on travel time.
Promotion- Mondanock shopper did an article on me this past summer. I also have business cards and advertise in the Mondanock shopper as well. I feel my work speaks for itself. When your friends come over your house and see the work i have done, my name is referred therefore my business is referred. Its simple easy advertising. I also ran a promotional price this past summer, its was 47.00$ sq ft instead of 57.00$ sq ft  on all stone walls.
Price- Since every job is different every job is priced differently. i have set prices for stone walls and that is usually 57.00$ sq ft without promotional price. Jobs such as lawn mowing depends on the size of the lawn. Blue stone patios depend on how but the patio is going to be. Do you think that all P's are equally as important?

Homework 1

Marketing in my mind could be defined as having the want or need for a product within a specific area, sporting goods or automobile parts. Advertising is how you get that product noticed by other people or businesses. You have to get you product noticed in order to sell it. Propaganda I feel is is when someone wants you to do something because it somehow benefits them.