TechCrunch is a blog informing readers of new start-up companies, new Internet products and tech news. TechCrunch has more than 37 million page views per month! This blog is interesting because as technology is driving businesses today, a central network for tech news is appealing to people. Not only does this blog represent reader interest within the tech world, but it also act as a business. TechCrunch is a company that hosts conferences, has advertisements on its page and is influential within the industry. I did a blog post before on how TechCrunch was being criticized for giving out too much information on certain investments. It goes to show the changes the industry is facing. Investment records and information used to be more private, but now anyone can have an opinion. TechCrunch writers have the power to alter customer behaviour. TechCrunch exposes companies and gives them attention for better or for worse. It is in itself an advertiser. For example, I found a post on Presentify.me, a company that is producing groupons in the form of gift certificates. It is a start-up that I would have never known if it were not through TechCrunch.

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Companies are always measured by their profitability. Ultimately, the more money a company can make, the more successful. However, companies have come to realize that maintaining sustainability is success as well. In March 2012, the Globe Conference will be on in Vancouver. The Globe Conference will have guests from successful companies such as Microsoft and Ford who will meet to discuss developing sustainability initiatives. The initiatives range from clean technology, renewable energy and green building to name a few.

Companies have a duty to be sustainable. Companies have a strong influence on consumer behavior beyond buying a product. Therefore, companies are able to influence consumers into environmentally friendly actions.

In the words of R. Edward Freeman, “shareholders, financiers, customers, suppliers, employees and community can together create something that not one of them can create alone.” Together everyone can create a more sustainable living.

http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/33084-World-s-Top-Corporations-Confirmed-to-Participate-in-Global-Discussion-on-Building-a-Sustainable-Economy-for-the-21st-Century

In comm 101 class we were talking about the difference between strategy and tactics. A tactic to become great business leaders is improving our communication skills. Nowadays, the proper usage of social media is essential for business leaders to communicate their company’s vision globally. Blogging is becoming an important skill to develop, not just for comm 101 class. In fact, companies are using blogs to attract investors.

SilverRail Technology, a company associated with online travel planning, recently started blogging to develop an effective online presence. “We try to make our posts fairly statistic-based, and it is deliberately written so potential investors and partners look at this stuff,” says CEO Gowell. Investors can look at blogs to gain a better idea of what the company is really like.  The company blog should also be able to include other press about the company outside of its own sources.

Advice by a partner at Flybridge Capital Partners said, “My advice is to have the post be short, and to follow the truism that if I had more time I would have written a shorter letter,” Greeley says. “It has to be really thoughtful and on point.”

SilverRail Blog: http://www.silverrailtech.com/mission

Reference: http://www.inc.com/guides/201109/how-to-use-your-blog-to-attract-investors.html

On Monday Night Football (September 12), the italian car brand Fiat launched its commercial featuring the one and only Jennifer Lopez. JLo is seen cruising the road in a Fiat 500 Cabrio convertible. However, it seems more like a JLO music video highlighting a Fiat Car rather than a Fiat ad featuring JLO.

Since the introduction of the ad, a study of web traffic by Edmunds.com announced that consideration for Fiat has climbed 31%. It was an interesting strategy to have Fiat ad space during NFL games when the target market is women. Yet, it turns out about six million women watch NFL games, which outnumbers the viewers for popular TV shows.

However, despite the clever placement of ads the brand positioning for Fiat is not sending a clear enough message. Considering how many car brands are bombarding us with continuous marketing, Fiat’s points of parity which include style, quality engines and high tech content is not as evident. Fiat even has a new more modern logo to reflect their future technology. JLo’s presence is diminishing the brand image by emphasizing herself more than the car. Whether or not JLo has a positive impact in sales for Fiat is yet to be seen.

http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/09/28/big-star-small-car/

http://www.insideline.com/fiat/500/jennifer-lopez-commercial-drives-interest-in-fiat.html

“Just do it” is exactly what Nike would say about management information systems. With innovative technology, the sportswear and equipment supplier has continuously met its customers’ needs. The Nike swoosh has been worn by the most elite of celebrities all the way to your next door neighbor.

Nike currently uses the GIS system. The system stores information of store locations and marketing information on street maps. The geographical basis allows Nike to choose effective site selections, distribute resources wisely and assist in the shipping of a product. Therefore, Nike analyzes the data to provide better service for their customers. Gone are the days of paper and pencil for research. The GIS system pinpoints where schools with sports teams are located or where the areas with the greatest sales are.

Employees also benefit from the efficiency of MIS. Global employees can access information regarding income of their region and customer data. The communication is improved and employees can develop a sense of common vision. When everyone is informed on the company’s objectives there is more unity. The sense of belongingness in such a large company is crucial. Now sales team have greater decision making power. As a result, higher productivity is achieved.

http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer10articles/nike-learns.html