I read Nancy’s （https://blogs.ubc.ca/huangnancy/）called “The apple Pricing Game”  and I found it is very interesting that she picked out how Apple differentiate itself from other electronic brands.  It is true that we rarely see Apple’s product on sale, even they have sorta promotion, it is basically like at the beginning of the school, they gave 100 dollar gift card to students.  Almost other brands, like Sony , they have their store in outlet, and online discount regularly. Even Apple rarely does any promotion or discount, it always maintains a good sale in the market place.   The price of apple’s products are relatively higher, people are still willing to their products. I think it is actually because of their never discount strategy makes their products stand out.

If we think about the luxury market, brands such as Hermès, Louis Vitton, Chanel, tiffany&Co, Rolex, They never have any in store discount promotion, but people still line up to buy their products.  Apple is using the same strategy here. I think if you never put your products on sale, people will just buy it when they need. In contrast, brands like, Gap, H&M, Zara, The north Face, Aldo etc.. , they often have  either store promotion, and their website constantly have on-sale products. I am not saying discount is hurting a brand’s identity.  Well, I think if customers know that your products will never be cheaper, they will not have to wait.  Customers can make up their minds almost immediately.  Whereas, if customers are aware that if they could wait for a couple weeks, they can buy it cheaper, they will not buy it right away.  Moreover, during the waiting period customers’s purchasing decisions change greatly. There is a greater chance they will find a substitute at a lower price range.   This never discount strategy reminds me about something called ” Limited Edition“，The scarcity makes it pricier.  Everything has its two sides, including the world of business.

Prices sometimes is not the main factor they customers make their decision.  If a brand can sell its products well without any discount, they should never put their products on sale.

Cited from: http://www.gettyimages.cn/showmid/6347011/BAMBUSTONE

https://blogs.ubc.ca/huangnancy/

I recently read a article called ” Voices of the defenders of grad school.” by Penelope Trunk who is a career advisor and popular blogger in the States.   In this article she summed up  seven reasons why people pursuit a graduate degree.  Then, she rebutes them with her own career experience and professional knowledge.  In a word, she thinks for people who are not in technology, science or medical field, it is worthless to going to a graduate school.  Instead of pursuing a degree, students could in fact use the amount of time and money that they pay for education on to creating their own business.  Even though  the business, most of the case would become  a failure, but the experience that you gain from your failure is priceless.     In addition, for those who are paid to go to grad school, (such as doing research for their profs, or earn a scholarship) should they go to Grad School?  The answer is still no by Penelope who argues that if going to school is free, why not do an unpaid internship which almost guarantees you a secure job in the future.

I do agree with what she said because she is very experienced in terms of career advising, Yet, I personally think most of us should still choose the Grad School Route.  As being a second year commerce student, I know the importance of having a variety of job experiences and internships on your resumer. Not everyone has them!  The work field is so competitive like a real fighting field.  For those who are neither top in academic nor networking, Grad School seems like a shield or dagger.  The only way to survive to not be abandoned is having more education, knowledge, and certificates. I am not saying that the experience and internship is less important compare to degree, they do important. Yet the tickets to them is much harder than spending another three or four years in school as you did for you undergraduate studies.  Therefore, why not attending a grad school?

Reference Blog: http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2011/08/29/voices-of-the-defenders-of-grad-school-and-me-crushing-them/?utm_source=sidebar

picture cited: http://wholeearthblog.com/2012/06/01/finishing-graduate-school/