Month: October 2012

Starbucks Makes Evenings Better

Post author By Rosa Jin
Post date October 27, 2012
No Comments on Starbucks Makes Evenings Better

The largest coffee shop chain in the world, with 19,972 stores in 60 countries and the distinct green and white siren logo of Starbucks, graces workplaces, streets and cars everyday.Traditionally known to sell hot and cold coffee (and coffee-based beverages), along with other snacks and refreshments, the company has taken on a new approach with Starbucks Evenings. With 16 store locations in the U.S. (and more on the way), Starbucks Evenings start at 4 pm and provide customers with a different kind of menu – one that involves an assortment of savoury sides dishes to compliment your choice of alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer.

This take on brand repositioning is projected with the purpose of ringing in more sales in the evenings and late afternoons, in addition to the loyal customer base that saturates stores in the mornings; however, critics of Evenings worry that the increased availability of alcohol will have an effect on “the risk of alcohol related harm” (Sarah Mart c/o Alcohol Justice). Whether this holds true or not, I feel that Starbucks’ new venture will not only expand their consumer base (thus bringing in more sales), but also improve the company’s already admirable reputation as a sophisticated and trendy brand. While this kind of innovation has been introduced already by Burger King’s “Whopper Bar,” Starbucks’ existing status as a leader in their category will definitely be beneficial in this endeavour’s potential success. They really are doing it right when it comes to brand repositioning.

Sources Cited:

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/starbucks-rolling-out-beer-and-wine-sales/article4197514/?service=mobile

Photos:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://news.starbucks.com/images/10041/EveningsFactSheet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id%3D674&h=450&w=600&sz=38&tbnid=73zWb6pp5t10pM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__Rvi7HpPbHnYZ7X22Pr9WiHpKh9s=&docid=dar4mW91-zAYdM&sa=X&ei=SXyMUKSbFIrPigKiw4CgAQ&ved=0CDUQ9QEwBA&dur=2039

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the future of RIM: does it exist ?

Post author By Rosa Jin
Post date October 7, 2012
No Comments on the future of RIM: does it exist ?

As the releases of the new iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 stir up the debate between iPhones and Androids, we ask ourselves:
where is the future of RIM headed?

In June (2012), Forbes published an article containing their Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which lists the current lines of smartphones according to “consumer engagement and corporate profitability.” Blackberry sat below Nokia, LG, and Motorola, at a mere no. 7, while Apple and Samsung lounged comfortably at the top at 1 and 2 (respectively). This was not only is a visual representative of RIM’s (already plummeted and continuously dwindling) appeal to consumers, but was also reflective of RIM’s decrease in sales by 20%, “with its market value down nearly 76% from a year ago.”

However, a recent article by Crackberry.com informed me that surprisingly enough, Research in Motion’s continues to grow in consumers (by more than 10% annually). Although this sluggish growth doesn’t compare to the likes of Apple and Samsung, it gives me (Blackberry through and through) hope that the launch of Blackberry 10, with its extra convenient, one-hand features to better access notifications and messages, a new keyboard, as well as OS features that differentiate personal and work actions, means a potential future (in market value, subscriber base, reputation, and profits) for RIM.

Sources:

http://crackberry.com/following-blackberry-jam-americas-things-are-looking-bit-research-motion

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marketshare/2012/06/12/6668/

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/blackberry-10-features-all-inone-approach-to-the-inbox/

Photos:

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/blackberry-10-os-hardware-delayed-until-2013-20120629/

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Re: Is a Debt-Free Education Needed? (Sam Dunner)

Post author By Rosa Jin
Post date October 1, 2012
No Comments on Re: Is a Debt-Free Education Needed? (Sam Dunner)

Sam’s post regarding the cost of today’s education (particularly in the US) sparked an area of high interest to me – as a university student myself. The astounding amounts by which students (many as young as I) are in debt (due to student loans) are truly unbelievable, especially since in today’s society, there is a tremendous importance and preference placed on a post-secondary education. Is it necessary to dig ourselves into these huge holes of monetary incompetence just to have to resort to “quick and easy work immediately after graduation because of the need for income” ? Furthermore, this debt that is plaguing the nation (and then some) is causing a greater and harder to manage problem of a generation of debt-ridden workers who have not much to show for their expensive degrees.

Although many may argue that education is “priceless,” I agree with Business Week’s article (referenced by Dunner), “at what point does it become too much of a good thing?” To what extent do we allow ourselves to give into this notion? Even if it turns out to be “the cause of the next economic crash,” is education still priceless?

Sources:

Is a Debt-Free Education Needed?

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-06/student-loans-debt-for-life

Photo:

http://personal-finance-guru.com/debt-solution-7-money-mistakes/