“Facebook + Twitter + Google Communities = Narvii”

There is no better way to describe what Narvii is than the simple equation displayed by Forbes as its title for its article. Narvii is a new social platform that allows people around the globe to form micro-communities online. Those micro-communities are referred to as aminos as the developers of Narvii came up with amino apps that allow people with similar interests to communicate with each other.

What makes this social platform unique from other existing platforms is that Narvii allows its users to engage in a more interactive relationship with each other, forming a peer group which allow people to pursue their interests to a further extent.

I find it interesting how technology has a such a great impact on the business industry as it not only allows room for innovation, but it also allows businesses to grow and expand upon it. Narvii is an idea that is innovated from the branches of Facebook and other existing social media platforms, which could later launch sales platforms that could lead to a greater platform for communities and organizations.

Link: http://www.forbes.com/sites/karstenstrauss/2013/11/14/facebooktwitter-google-communitiesnarvii/

With recent launches of Apple’s newest products such as iPhone 5s and iPad Air, the public begins to wonder whether Apple would start a new journey in a brand new product category that the company has never touched upon. There have been rumours lately regarding Apple’s expansion into categories such as watches and televisions.

Facing these types of inquiries, Apple’s CEO Tim Cook responded ambiguously by stating Apple’s capability of making these designs into a reality. I believe this is a bold, yet possibly another profit-earning step for Apple if rumours regarding the developmental project of iWatch were to come true. Smartphone industry has already comprised of several companies competing amongst each other, allowing little space of development and innovation. However, the industry for smart watches is yet to be discovered. If Apple were to be the first company to make the bold move and to dominate this untouched industry, this would definitely become the next big step for the company. Product differentiation can enhance the company instead of distracting its focus since Apple is not only about making smartphones, but it highlights its value proposition of forward thinking.

Link: http://mashable.com/2013/10/28/apple-new-product-categories/

In a blog titled “Subway Vs. McDonalds”, written by a fellow classmate, it is mentioned that Subway markets itself as a healthy alternative to consumers within the fast food industry. However, despite this marketing tactic regarding health and lifestyle, it is shown that a combination of toppings added to a subway sandwich would make no difference in calories compared to McDonalds.

Instead of comparing calories between the two fast food brands, I find it interesting to focus on the companies’ marketing strategy. Subway on one hand appeals to the public as a healthy fast food branch as it clearly understands McDonald’s disadvantage on this topic. McDonalds on the other hand performs its marketing tactics by psychologically enticing children to buy the company’s fast food with appealing TV advertisements. According to the diagram shown above, the amount of advertisements McDonalds has invested in has surpassed the rest of the competitors in the industry, more than doubling Subway’s amount of fast food ads. This may seem as a successful marketing tactic among the young audience as children base their decisions more on the toys that “Happy Meals” offer than the value proposition that Subway is trying to illustrate.

Link: http://mashable.com/2013/11/14/fast-food-ads-kids/

Yes, what you have just seen from the picture happened in real life with the amazing stunt performance performed by Jean-Claude Van Damme. According to Volvo’s public relations manager, Anders Vilhelmsson, “the stunt is real and is performed in just one take”. Volvo filmed a one minute and sixteen seconds video, which went viral on Youtube within one week, to portray the stability and precision of the company’s trucks by allowing the action star to perform splits on the two trucks.

However, is this advertisement a successful marketing strategy? The audience may be more awed and distracted by Jean-Claude Van Damme’s breath-taking performance than to actually focus on Volvo’s intent of displaying its trucks stability performances, until the line “this test was set up to demonstrate the stability and precision of Volvo Dynamic Steering” popped up.

Personally, I believe this indeed is a successful strategy as this video not only captured millions pairs of eyes around the globe but it also allowed Volvo to differentiate itself from its competitors. Audiences may be distracted by the stunt performance at first, but later they would realize the crucial role of Volvo’s stable steering.

See full ad: The Epic Split feat. Van Damme

Recently a fellow classmate has blogged an article about how Google is recognized as having the best working environment in the world. Bianca mentioned in the article, Google provides several benefits to its employees in order to encourage innovation within the company, such as rewarding workers’ mistakes and increasing job satisfaction to nurture creativity. This portrays the importance of human resources management as Google chooses to build its cohesive organizational culture based upon employees’ level of satisfaction and comfortability within the working environment. The company thus links its employee management to its business strategies by developing creativity and innovation, which is extremely important for the company to expand and grow in the long run. This strategy used by Google was proven to be effective as creations such as Google Plus was innovated from employee’s risk-taking yet creative ideas.

Just like the shoe company, Zappos, Google believes in the concept of creating a cohesive environment for workers which in return would develop innovate ideas that would increase unimaginable profits for the company. Therefore, this crucial part of managing the company’s employees is portrayed through HR management.

Angela Ahrendts, once known as one of the top-paid CEO in UK now turns toward Apple’s newest job position as a senior vice president of retail and online stores. One of the most interesting and innovating marketing strategy implemented by Ahrendts was her idea of incorporating technology into marketing. In 2012, a 27,000 square foot retail empire is introduced in London which integrated advanced technology that allow customers to have the online experience physically. Techonological features such as “Full-length screens transitioning between audio-visual content displays, live-streaming hubs and mirrors. Radio-frequency identification chips attached to certain clothes and accessories so that information about a bag’s stitching and craftsmanship, or a video showing how a skirt was worn on the catwalk — will appear.” Marketing strategies involve reflexive adaptation to change in the society, in this case, it is people’s shift of interest in social media and technology. Ahrendts fully displayed swift adaption to this change as an efficient marketing strategy. I agree with the original blog poster on Mashable as I question Ahrendt’s future impact on Apple as Apple needs product innovation, not store innovation.

Click the link: Burberry’s Social Story

http://mashable.com/2013/10/15/angela-ahrendts-apple-burberry-analysis/