Month: October 2010

For those who didn’t catch my acrynom FORD, or fix or repair daily, or found on roadside dead, or even failure of reasearch and development.

My negative attitude towards Ford vehicles has been instilled in me through my family and friends, I have also grown up with Chevy lovers, so Chevy is part of my culture. When I think of Chevy, I think of all the good times me and my friends have had 4x4ing, or tailgate parties and camping.

Even though I know Ford can’t be as bad as I believe them to be, they would have to work very hard to change my attitude. It would take more than giving me facts about their different vehicles to change my mind. Ford just doesn’t bring out the warm fuzzy affective feeling like Chevy does. I believe thats the most powerful influence when it comes to purchasing. There are products I absolutely love, like LuLu Lemon and there is nothing that would change that (although Costco is my second alternative, completely different spectrum than LuLu).

So, I believe the emotional attatchement through memories is a main influencer in my purchase decision.

I believe the vehicles we drive (with no budget) can be passed down from generation to generation, there is no way I would purchase a ford,

Having the chance to read Ashley Collins blog The Blackberry Decision = Consumer Decision. I realized just how much time I spent on choosing between a blackberry and an Iphone. It is really a process. My need really surfaced when I realized, not only does my current blackberry not have a back, but it takes pictures when it feels like it, and also seems to have a mind of its own (I think from going swimming too often). I immediately threw all other phones out the window, as I feel blackberrys and Iphones (my evoked set) are the best of the best, and everyone’s got them. Also, this is a phone that I will be stuck with for the next three years, so it better last.

Looking at the Blackberry, its a little cheaper than the Iphone, and also has blackberry messenger, which I have become attached too. From my past experience with phones I have a tendency to be hard on them, I have smashed 2, dropped one in the toilet, and left one sitting at a restaurant never to be seen again. I originally thought maybe I should go with a cheaper phone because I do tend to go through them alot. However, I have had my blackberry for 2 years and knowing how tough I am on phones, bought the extended warranty (I have had it fixed. or replaced 4 times this year). So all in all I believe a Blackberry can put up with everything I throw at it, (or throw it at). Now, I don’t think the Iphones delicate screen would have the same effect, unless it was wrapped in bubble wrap, or a heavy duty case (which I would just take off once I got annoyed with it).

In the end, I know I’m a loyal Blackberry user, theres just no way I could give up my bbm for plain old text messaging, how else would you know when someones ignoring you? Other than the cool apps for Iphones (that would distract me from my studies) it really doesn’t appeal to me. I need a phone thats tough, and thats just not the Iphone.

Now, what version to get? Thats another 5 hours of research, and I’ve got a Mid-term to write.

I came across Crystal Chu’s blog Playing Dirty. She touches on how Snooki (from Jersey Shore) has recently been carrying Gucci bags. It turns out that Coach, not wanting the unclassy, bad image of Snooki, sent her a Gucci bag at no cost, as to not be associated with her.

I was appalled at the thought of the ruthlessness of companies who throw each other under the bus, but who is it really making look bad? Where do you draw the line? On one side, yes Gucci is being associated with Snookies wreckless image, and bad reputation, and “the pouf.” But on the other hand, people are bound to find out about Coach’s devious plan.  However, I do see where Coach is coming from, the chances of people wanting to be just like Snooki are questionable. So, by “unbranding” itself from Snooki, will Coach maintain their luxurious, high class image?

I think the media plays a big role in the stories around celebrates, doing more research, it has been said that Snooki is designing a purse for Coach. Is this just a stunt for Coach to recover from its malicious attack on Gucci? Another marketing ploy to regain its classy image, but when does it stop? It is hard to get the real story, especially when its coming from the tabloids.

Marketing firms are constantly trying to undermind each other. They have been know to tamper with experiments (test markets), gathering information on competitors marketing campaigns, or stealing ideas, and in the case of Snooki, Gucci, and Coach, damaging competitor’s images. But where do you draw the line? And when will it end? It is not ethical, but who is to prove, let alone enforce it?

I personally think the worse part is, that Snooki is getting free designer bags out of this war. Life’s just not fair.

I am currently going through the recruiting for accounting, whether it be CA recruit, or just a summer intern. I didn’t realize how much you have to sell yourself to the accounting firms, its really a give and take relationship between you and the firms.

Selling your image:

Through resumes, business cards, CASEEs (resumes specifically for accounting firms), and meeting future employers. You have to sell the kind of person you are, and learn what the firms are looking for. I have had to do research on each firm, most research from info sessions, but also from the internet, and having one on one conversations with the employees of each firms. You then have to show how you fit into their company culture, and be a great asset to their team. I’m not saying change who you are, or pretend to be someone else, just be yourself, but make sure you highlight your best skills.

The recruiting sessions are very overwhelming, you are fighting for the attention of recruiters, and have to make yourself stand out, all the while the firms are also trying to sell themselves to you.

Firms Selling to you:

The firms marketing to the students is a big asset. If the firm is able to attract more student , they will also get more applications and therefore, the best of the best.

However, because there are so little firms, and so many students it is more important to sell your image, because its a competition, one student against the other.

So, recruiting ties in with marketing and many ways, research, promotion, and consumer decision processes.

(KPMG – part of my evoked set)