During one of the recent comm 101 lectures I have been introduced to the distinct definitions of vision/goal, strategy, and tactic. Though many examples were provided, I was still perplexed by the close proximity of what each meant; therefore, I decided to do my own detective work online and give these terms my own interpretations:

Vision/Goal – What you are striving for, an abstract or general direction of where you want to be.
Ace the calculus test, win the war, become 1st in the particular industry market, earn 1/4 of a a million/year

Strategy – An overview of a plan to achieve the goal; an idea or conceptualization of how you can potentially or possibly achieve the goal. Strategy is a long – term plan.
Study more, divide and conquer, mass advertise, get a high paying job.

Tactic – Action enforced to execute the strategic plan. The actual “doing” part of a strategy.
Go to teacher hours, invest in better weapons and gather more intelligence of opposition, promotions and specific advertisement to targeted consumer, get a higher educational degree.

“A goal is not a strategy unless it has an idea behind it”

– John Furgurson (BrandInsightBlog)

 

 

Reference:
http://www.brandinsightblog.com/2009/11/01/marketing-strategy-vs-tactics/

Picture:
http://www.contentstrategyhub.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/chess-strategy.jpg

BMW and Audi – two prominent grand tourer brands – are taking their duel away from the race track and into the consumers’ minds with tactful advertisements. With the market as their chessboard, BMW and Audi engage in a strategic game of virtual chess – one that determines who is King (of the race track).

Will it be the BMW M3 or Audi RS4?

Lets first distinguish both brands in terms of Points of Parity and Points of Difference:

[PoP – Grand Tourer] Leather seating option, carbon option, comfortable yet sporty, front engined with rear- wheel drive (V8), soft suspensions

[PoD – BMW M3] Light steering, V – 8 torque allows for best handling and cornering with responsive engine, BMW brand recognized for comfort with its inception of the damper control, and comes with latest luxury amenities such as xenon headlamps and heated power seats

[PoD – Audi RS4] Titanium package makes car look more wealthy, exclusive sport – exhaust mode, often advertised as the “halo vehicle” with Audi’s latest advanced technology, and claims to incorporate Audi’s signature “Dynamic Ride Control” mechanism

The race does not end there – BMW and Audi continue to vie for consumers’ attention with comparative advertisement:

References:
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2006/10/audi-rs4/
http://www.topgear.com/uk/bmw/m3

Picture:
http://www.porhomme.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/audi-bmw-ad-war-cali-billboard-checkmate-1.jpg

–> Kindle vs. IPad

As the e – book market replaces paperbacks, hardcovers, and Chapters, it’s no surprise that more companies are switching their effort from other products to developing the company’s own version of the “e – book reader.”

So what does this mean for the producers and consumers?
More options for the consumers in terms of preferences – price, design, functionality, etc – but more competition for the producers who strive to differentiate their product.

A brief review of the pros and cons of the most prominent e – book readers on the market:

Amazon Kindle – Relatively cheap ($79 – 189), compact and lightweight; however, it has limited functions and apps, as in the reader cannot do much except to actually read with the device.

Sony Reader – Same functions as the new Amazon Kindle Fire with a much higher price of $149 and a clearer screen. The price is definitely a disadvantage

IPad with iOS 5 – This product should be considered a luxury (with a hefty price of $499). Consumers might decide to splurge anyways for the reason that the IPad is practically capable of so much more than just “reading on the bus.” Movies and games anyone?

Which one will you choose?

References:

http://www.apple.com/ipad/features/
http://ebookstore.sony.com/reader/

Picture:
http://i.i.com.com/cnwk.1d/i/tim/2011/06/27/e-readers_2011_610x458.JPG” alt=”The IPad vs. Amazon Kindle

Though Japan strives to eliminate nuclear elements at home, governments are pushing to globalize their research and developments. With the additional support of multibillion dollar companies such as Mitsubishi and Toshiba, the Japanese are ready to push beyond borders and into energy craving countries such as Vietnam.

Despite criticism from international environmental groups and Japan’s own politicians, the advocates claim that they are merely saving the rest of the world from self destruction by introducing nuclear technology with innovative “safeguards” – a precedent of the decades- old, unstable reactors that currently dominates the nuclear market.

Japan has been criticized for nuclear distasters during the 9.0 earthquake in Fukushima; however, researchers, technicians, and the government reassure global partners of the efficiency and improved safety of their nuclear developments.

“Many countries of the world are seriously exploring the use of nuclear power, and we have assisted them in improving nuclear safety,” Japan’s new prime minister, Yoshihiko Noda, said at an address at the United Nations General Assembly recently. “We will continue to answer to the interest of those countries.”

How would Canada respond to this invitation for nuclear involvement? Are we ready for a nuclear plant in our backyard?

Related Article:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/japan-pushes-for-reactor-exports-even-as-it-debates-nuclear-policy-at-home/2011/11/13/gIQAfgKfQN_story.html

Picture:
http://www.zastavki.com/pictures/1280×1024/2008/Photoshop_The_nuclear_explosion___bomb_011528_.jpg