In response to Joanna Huang’s article “Merging with Machines” she states that video games such as the Nintendo Wii and Xbox connect are gateways to much bigger technological advances that could eventually merge with our bodies. I could not agree more. The rapid expansion of technology making our everyday lives simpler is evolving an field with constant new opportunities. The ideas to push movement into smart phones and to our computers and TV’s is a very realistic expectation for the near future. The expectation of technology being planted in humans in generations to come would not come as a surprise to many. The human species is all about survival and technology seems like the best way to make our species live longer. Joanna goes on to talk about how machines will eventually be able to repair us just as a repair shop can repair a car. This is also a very realistic projection and although it seems like something out of a movie, advanced prosthetic limbs have been developed to make us run faster when we have lost our legs. From this example of a crippling injury to addition of speed the technology of tomorrow will be the key for extended survival.

In the article (hyperlink attached) written by Carly Weeks, the amount of caffeine stated on the energy drink labels is not the actual amount that the drink contains. This is a dangerous problem because the caffeine in herbs is added to the total count instead of separately so that companies can get away with branding their energy drinks as milder ones. This problem is a breech of trust to the consumers because everyone should know what they are paying for in full detail. The obvious and easy solution would be for companies to be more honest with their nutrition facts when creating these drinks so that the consumers do not feel lied to, and most importantly are not in any danger. The FDA widely investigated energy drinks when reports of five deaths may be directly related to excessive energy drink consumption. Although this very much the consumers fault for not following the recommended dose on the label, it does not change the fact that these drinks could be dangerous to ones health. The proper steps energy drink companies should take to stay in business should encompass full honesty and openness with any concern regarding the health and safety.

Inditex, the owner Zara and many other clothing companies has recently started selling online to increase sales and brand recognition around the world. This move proved to be very intelligent when the online store was established the profits have increased 32%. The internet is the crucial link between many countries around the world and the ability to take advantage of this link to promote sales is something that all companies must do to stay up to date with competition. Zara has just launched their online site for China which is where every business wants to compete. China has billions of dollars and with their massive population, their retail market is huge. Inditex also plans to launch their other clothing brands around the world in hopes to further boost sales. The european fashion style is always greatly admired  especially in North America, and with Zara’s clothing being relatively cheap it is very appealing to the general consumer. What Inditex now needs to focus on is the quality of online service over the internet. Because retail clothing online is very hit and miss, when consumers place an order they need to focus on details such as their shipping and customer service.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19645749

This blog analyzes and Alexander’s post “Chocolate Tailored” and how I agree with his view on how the company is introduces products adding points-of-difference to their brand. By introducing this new chocolate with fewer calories there are new niches of consumers to target. In this increasingly health conscientious world companies are forced to set their products apart from the competetion by addressing the needs and wants of the consumer. Because of the sudden trend in health, dessert companies are faced with issues address their shrinking market. What Cadbury has done is very intelligent for they have introduced a healthier dessert which satisfies the consumer wants while still advertising a healthy product. Although a chocolate bar is not healthy by any stretch the company can use advertising to their advantage. The key is to draw the consumers attention to the fact that their are less calories per bar and by doing so their minds will jump to the conclusion that this must be a healthy product. I strongly believe that Cadbury has the advantage for now in their market for they understand how to read their customers wants which is how the best companies stay ahead of everyone else.

Ahmed Khattak, being a foreign student thought about the outrageous costs of phones and thought about long distance charges every time he would call home. This desire for change spawned his idea for GSM Nation. This alternate phone company appeals to the people who travel out of country frequently and would prefer to pay-as-you-go instead of fixed rates and additional long distance charges. Ahmed’s new ideas about changing the phone companies started out small like any emerging business but this new idea of cheaper phone plans could severely threaten the already established phone giants. These companies rely on their cheap initial offers of very expensive phones but are making enormous monthly profits off each cellphone around the world. Ahmed’s initial partners were paying ridiculously high rates for their phones plans, over a thousand dollars a month but after switching to GSM Nation, their monthly bills dropped to three hundred at the most. With young entrepreneurs challenging the the corporate giants it is possible for there to be a serious loss in sales for these businesses. Many people are realizing that they do not have to follow the easy path, because why not create an alternative when itis cheaper.

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224255

With big box office hits now bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars its no surprise that businesses will look upon this as an opportunity for millions to view their products as superior, because lets face it. when James bond strolls in wearing a suit we all want to suit up and look like him. Product placement is most prevalent in technology within the movies. In 1996 Apple was struggling as a company and utilized the first Mission Impossible movie to promote their products. They then heavily advertised Mission Impossible joined with the Powerbook (Apple add here)  which resulted in a massive increase in sales and saved Apple roughly $500,000 in production costs. In the new Mission Impossible Ghost protocol Apple products received over 8 minutes of screen time promoting the new Ipad and MacBook air at the time.

Not only did apple take advantage of large publicity but GM did as well with the new Transformers series. The 2010 Camaro generated 201.2 million dollars in revenue with the first five days of screen time and 14,000 preorders for the car. Apple and GM are just two of the many examples of how dramatic product placement can be in boosting sales.

Over the past few years people have grown more and more health conscientious. This has forced companies to make healthier alternatives for their consumers in almost every area of their product lines. In Leslie Beck’s article from the globe and mail on “Omega-3 eggs: healthier choice or marketing gimmick?” she raises up very valid points about the actual fatty acids in eggs. DHA which is crucial for brain cell development is produced within the hens by the consumption of flax seeds. Because people are buying into eating healthy they are willing to spend the extra money for more expensive organic food. In this case omega-3 eggs are more expensive but people are still willing to pay extra money for them when fish has the exact same amounts of healthy oils for cheaper. In conclusion, as Leslie states “you may not need to pay extra for food with extra ingredients” if it is already a part of your routinely diet. The companies who are striving to make healthy alternatives are doing it more for an image than anything else because as stated before the alternative food options are not entirely necessary.

In response to “Omega-3 eggs: healthier choice or marketing gimmick?”

Photo credit from: Eat Green!

In Ryan Taggart’s Blog article “A smart Alternative“, the issue of soaring gas prices in Europe is brought up and what are the viable alternatives. Although bicycles are a continually growing in popularity, there is still the dilemma of travelling great distances and taking multiple people along for the ride. As mentioned in the previous article in the link above “bikes may not be the best way to get around” but they are a good start to combating the increasing carbon emissions and soaring gas prices or Europe.  I believe a good alternative to this decision is trying to promote smaller and more fuel efficient cars to the Europeans. Also not only driving smaller cars but only driving when absolutely necessary. By doing so this addresses the problem of driving passengers as well as travelling longer distances.

Photo Credit from: Drive.com