An internationally well-known brand, known to give individuals the experience of helping others in need while acquiring a stylish pair of canvas shoes for themselves. The founder of TOMS, Blake Mycoskie visited Argentina 9 years ago and decided that he wanted to help the children there upon witnessing their hardships without shoes. From that, Blake created the One-for-One model. For every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS will give away a pair of shoes to a child in need. Over the next few years, TOMS expanded their work to cover areas such as clean water, eyesight, safer births along with shoes.

On the other hand, SoleRebels, began when Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu had the idea that “the creation of shoes could be a platform for inspiration hope.” Since 2004, SoleRebels trained and hired “those thought unemployable.” SoleRebels, trains and provides a way of life for the community. Contrary to TOMS before their expansion to other areas. SoleRebels products are also all handmade, and made from the most eco-sensible materials and with the most energy sufficient manner possible.

Though TOMS intended the One-for-One model to only have positive influences and outcomes, it generated a negative impact as well. By simply giving away shoes, TOMS is taking away from local businesses and communities that are wanting to survive. Though with a few tweaks and alterations to their business, TOMS is now supporting communities in more ways than just shoes.

Personally, I would support SoleRebels over TOMS (even though I own a pair of TOMS myself). I find myself choosing SoleRebels over TOMS because their core value of helping people grow instead of providing handouts, even though handouts aren’t necessarily bad; it’s just not as proactive. This mindset and value that I’m drawn to is extremely similar to the value that I try to instill in my junior cadets; they won’t grow if you don’t give them the opportunity to learn.

sources:

http://www.toms.ca/about-toms#companyInfo

http://www.solerebels.com/pages/solerebels-101

http://newflatmall.com/images/toms/Toms%20Red%20Polka%20Dots%20Womens%20Classics%20Shoes.jpg

http://photo.faircompanies.com.s3.amazonaws.com/users/faircompanies/photos/soleRebels_jpg_122x122_crop_q85.jpg

#ilovecomm101becauseihavethebestestprofessorsinthewholewideworld

The “hashtag” is denoted by the symbol ‘#’ and is used on many social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and many more.

This post by Dylan Kissane articulates very clearly how companies can “improve engagement with hashtags.”  Dylan shows us 4 tips on how to do just that:

1. Align Hashtags with Your Brand
2. Choose Hashtags Carefully
3. Take Your Hashtags Offline
4. Introduce Variety with Hashtags

Generation Y, the generation of computers.

Having access to technology all throughout my life, I felt that the majority of the information is already in the back of my head. This kind of “Hashtag Etiquette” is common knowledge for those (like myself) that spend countless hours scrolling through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and etc. Even though this post doesn’t contain much new or groundbreaking information to me, regardless, I think that this post is still very handy to fall back on. This post is especially useful for those that are rather new to social media and are not as warmed up to the idea of hashtags just yet.

#sources

http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/4-ways-to-improve-engagement-with-hashtags/

https://www.rivaliq.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/How-to-Use-the-Power-of-Hashtags-in-Your-Social-Media-Marketing.jpg

Lulu Lemon

Outdoor Voices (OV), “the young, chic athleisure brand launched in 2012 and has since been gaining traction and attention.” Although Lulu Lemon is a more established brand, having been selling yoga wear since 1998, Outdoor Voices has the potential to become Lulu Lemon’s competition.

Women’s Wear – OV

According to Porter’s generic strategies, Outdoor Voices implements the “Differentiation Strategy.” Though the idea of selling yoga wear is not new, the products offered are unique and trendy. “With its high-wasted pants and tiny crop tops, the company appears to be targeting young hipsters,” the 26 year old CEO of OV, Tyler Haney, is able to sell their trendy products. Furthermore, the design team for OV features designers from brands such as Calvin Klein, Alexander Wang and Lulu Lemon. This corresponds with the internal strength of “highly skilled and creative product development team,” in a Differentiation Strategy.

OV has a lot of potential, however, I don’t believe that the company is going to reach the heights of Lulu Lemon anytime soon. In spite of it’s uniqueness, in terms of style and trendiness, OV’s products can be substituted and imitated easily.

sources:

http://www.businessinsider.com/outdoor-voices-wants-to-be-the-next-lululemon-2015-9

http://www.forbes.com/profile/chip-wilson/

http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/generic.shtml

pictures sources:

http://shop.lululemon.com/home.jsp

https://www.outdoorvoices.com/