Samuel Chian's Blog

As you look around, nearly everyone around you is either holding a Blackberry or an Iphone. Such brands like Sony Ericsson, Motorolla, Samsung, and LG seem to be vanishing daily. What is it that makes these two brands so popular? It seems like everything always goes back to the keep word: branding. With Blackberry’s blackberry messenger, no other brand can compete. However, Iphone’s user friendly Aps make them a strong competitor against the blackberry. With technology increasing everyday, it seems that if your mobile phone doesn’t have anything new to offer, you might as well upgrade to a blackberry or Iphone. Looking back 3 years ago, a phone with bluetooth seem to be an extra feature, however now, bluetooth is an essential asset on mobile phones. In order for various competition to enter into the market, they need to come up with an idea that has not been establish. Branding themselves will allow them to compete against Iphone and Blackberry users. Although new android phones are entering the market, this will not be enough to gain the eyes of consumers. You can’t beat a competitor at their own game, however, you can create a new arena for competition to take place.

Coast Capital Saving credit union, open in the lower mainland of British Columbia, is still low key and unnoticed financial institution compared to big banks likes Royal Bank of Canada, and TD,Canada Trust. However, after watching this humourous commercial, it’s advertised that Coast Capital’s chequing accounts are free. Although this fact is true, one starts to question where all the revenue comes from, if their accounts are free. Coast Capital focuses on small fees, such as product services in order to gain profit;however, Coast Capital many many hours in local community events. Sponsoring events like Richcity Idol and the Roger’s Santa Claus Parade. With such a good image, why isn’t Coast Capital able to expand past the province of British Columbia? The answer starts with consumers. When dealing with bank transactions, many of us don’t turn to Coast Capital Savings. Why? Although Coast Capital offers FREE chequing accounts, consumers are willing to pay various fees in order to use the company name. By using big names banks rather than unfamiliar banks names, consumers will find that a well known bank saves the hassle of banking over seas or out of the province. Free Chequing, Debit and More

As you bite into a cheese burger at your local McDonalds, satisfaction eases your mind. A big mac, quarter pounder,  and many other beef burgers are all tasty but what is it about the meat that makes it so tasty? As consumer, we buy these burgers knowing how unhealthy they are. Like hot dogs, McDonald’s patties are filled with various types of meat. With “random meat patties”, why is McDonalds able to advertise that they are 100% beef? McDonalds,being the tricky company they are, have bought a company beef supplier called “100% beef” so that when advertised, consumers are tricked into an illusion that they are having good 100% quality beef. Is marketing ethical? N0, marketing is finding a way to sell your product in schemes of positioning your product. McDonalds is already known to be first and the go to when it comes to cheap fast food. Why must McDonalds trick their consumers into thinking that they are eating what’s not there. False advertisement will dig McDonalds into a hole they won’t be able to escape. With society trying to change the look to a more healthy and environmentally friendly world, all eyes are against McDonald’s.

As you wake up for school or work, there are some days where you convince yourself that you are too sick to go even though you are fine. Today, “calling in sick” for work seems like a normal thing to do. When obtaining advice about that wedding you forgot to book, many people would respond with “just call in sick”; however, “calling in sick” seems to be a lie that goes unnoticed. Although everyone is doing it, a lie is still a lie. Vancity, the largest Credit Union in Canada disagrees with sick days. One might believe that all companies should offer their employees sick days. Vancity, however, does not. Vancity offers “personal days” which are used to take off days when you need them. CEO, Dave Mowat, claims that more people use their sick days for personal things rather than being sick and by changing them to “personal days” one would no longer have to lie about being sick. Vancity theory is that no one wants their employees to practice the art of lying. By practicing integrity, one will naturally be more trustworthy than those who practice lying. Would YOU trust someone who LIES, to handle YOUR money?

Target Corp. is looking to expand their market in Canada with a goal to open up to 200 stores in Canada. Target is the second largest mass market in the United States and by opening their market to Canada, Target will be able to gain many new customers that have never heard of target. Since Target is already well known, there will be no problem for Target to get their name out in Canada. With competitors like Walmart and Superstore, Target will have to compete at those levels and reduce prizes further. A huge customer target is those who shop at Shoppers Drug Mart, London Drugs, Save On Foods, Zellers and Safeway. Although these are all familiar names, Target has the capability to obtain these customers rather than convince those who are already Walmart or Superstore shoppers. With the mentality that Target is a “one stop shop all” store, many lazy customers will enjoy the new Target store. Also, many customers enjoy change. With new stores opening up, advertisement will be booming. Those who might think Superstore and Walmart are too crowded will turn to Target. With Target expanding into Canada, Walmart and Superstore such be ready for a fight.

http://www.financialpost.com/news/Target+eyeing+stores+Canada/3625978/story.html

After a recent trip to check out new phone contracts, I realized that plan rates were not the only thing attracting customers. A new cell phone carrier called Wind Mobile, has amazing plans that seem to be “too good to be true.” However, many consumers continue to stay with the more expensive Rogers’ plans. Wind Mobile is able to join the market with such low rates compared to Rogers in both voice and data plans. However, Rogers does not need to lower their rates to compete with their new competition. Since Rogers has already built a strong reputation and brand name, Wind Mobile needs to have lower rates in order to be recognize into this market. With such big name competitions already in the market like Telus, Fido, Rogers, and Bell, Wind Mobile must obtain new consumers through pricing. However, old consumers who are already with Rogers must considerate switching carriers or staying with what they are comfortable with. Consumers are not only paying for a good plan but also a reliable brand name which they are used to. Wind Mobile must continue to advertise their low rates for voice and data plans in order to compete within this market.

How much can an apology do? In June, Barry Avrich spoke to the Globe and Mail for the purpose of apologizing to Porter Airlines Inc. Back in 2006, Avrich spoke out against Porter in Marketing magazine describing his doubt that the small airline would survive against bigger competitions based upon their choice of an opposing marketing firm to handle their advertising. Four years later Avrich is admitting his defeat. This sudden exposure for the airline has created a small buzz for the corporation as one of its spokesperson Brad Cicero says that the article has increased foot traffic moving through the Billy Bishop airport in Toronto. Whats so special about a situation like this? An error in business ethics has turned out to be a benefit for a small company. Although Avrich spoke out of classless frustration  after his disagreement with Porter’s marketing strategy., his willingness to retract his statement led to a benefit for the very group he had once linked with a negative connotation. It is with this new found support that Porter Airlines has gained a leap for their brand by exposure, Porter’s ability to overcome its critics has given it an even further edge for their future.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ad-man-tells-porter-hes-sorry/article1623486/