VerticalResponse Inc. is a provider of various marketing solutions that empowers small businesses to make their marketing campaigns more effective. Janine Popick blogged about the company’s move to a new building, which brings good impacts to the working environment. She mentioned how trivial changes can bring substantial impacts to the employees, and that it is very important for these changes to occur, to improve the employees’ motivation.

I find her blog very interesting, as she mentioned incentives that I have never thought of before. One example was the enhancement of office kitchenettes that allows employees to share their days with one another, hanging out, while getting some coffee. In addition, the office is designed to be open to one another, to allow conversation to occur within working spaces. These are simple things that many might consider trivial, yet is proven to be effective to improve employees’ motivation.

This blog appears to be useful for me, as it has opened my eyes to the different possibilities (from simple to complicated ones) that could be used as an incentive to improve employees’ motivation.

Popick, J. (2011), How a Revamped Office Environment Can Boost Company Morale, Mansueto Ventures LLC (online). Available at: http://www.inc.com/janine-popick/how-a-revamped-office-environment-can-boost-company-morale.html (20/11/11)

Contributing to the society is never a hard thing to do. All it takes is just the will and effort to do so. Iwas so intrigued by the lesson on social entrepreneurs the other day, as it explains a way to dogood while still being able to make profit. Jamie Oliver was the social entrepreneur I chose for the class preparation activity. At first, I chose him because he wasthe only person I knew out of all the social entrepreneurs listed on a certain web page. As I looked deeper into it, I was so amazed how his work has brought hope on many youngunderprivileged people, while still generating income.

Fifteen started with a group of 15 underprivileged youngsters that are personally trained by Jamie Oliver not merely to become a good chef, but to leave their past and embrace the bright future ahead of them. It is amazing how he uses his “celebrity” status to pursue this social entrepreneurship. It is definitely inspiring for me, and I am certain that many people too, have been touched by this and are inspired to do similar things.

About Us (n.d.), About Us, Fifteen (online). Available at: http://www.fifteen.net/about (20/11/11)

Who does not know Wal-Mart? Its value proposition that involves low cost has captured the attention of consumers worldwide, and it can arguable be named the most successful business, at least in terms of popularity. Recently, Wal-Mart has invested more on its healthcare services, looking to partner with healthcare companies to treat serious diseases like HIV/AIDS, Diabetes, and many others. Many of its consumers are reported to be pleased that they could obtain adequate treatment with much cheaper cost compared to other clinics. This indicates the degree of success for Wal-Mart in terms of maintaining brand equity within the market.

These investments might be considered one of the company’s tactics to maintain its market position as the leader among its competitors. What may become a risk though, would be the impacts of even tiny mistakes. As Wal-Mart is a household name, a problem in its healthcare services, might have an impact on its other services, hence affecting the entire company. Conversely, a success might lead to another dominance in a new industry, and so Wal-Mart might be able to expand to new industries.

Helfand, D. & Hsu, T. (2011), Wal-Mart considers expanding healthcare services at its clinics, Los Angeles Times (online). Available at: http://www.latimes.com/health/la-fi-wal-mart-healthcare-20111110,0,4195474.story (9/11/11)

When people think about jeans, they think of Levi Strauss & Company. They patented the first blue jeans in 1873, and here they are more than a century later, still dominating the jeans market. Recently, the company has concerns regarding water depletion caused by the renowned issue, climate change. As the environment becomes a center focus for many companies, Levi Strauss & Company fears not only for the planet, but also that their dependence on water for production might cost them in the near future. One pair of blue jeans usually consumes about 919 gallons of water during its life cycle. With this in mind, the company has recently sponsored a nonprofit program that teaches farmers mostly in third world countries, methods and techniques that require less water intakes. In addition, they have encouraged their customers to wash their jeans less.

I agree with what Kevin said in his blog, that companies should participate more in benefiting the social community, in this case the entire world population, as Levi Strauss & Company attempts to produce “waterless” jeans. Sustainability is definitely one major issue in this era, and this attempt will help the company gain a good product image from the consumers.

Kaufman, L. (2011). Stone-Washed Blue Jeans (Minus the Washed), The New York Times Company (online). Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/science/earth/levi-strauss-tries-to-minimize-water-use.html?ref=pepsicoinc (4/11/11)

The household brand, Hershey expects a challenging year in 2012. Despite its recent double-digit increase in net income in the third quarter, the renowned chocolate maker seems doubtful to maintain its current market position. One major reason is because prices of key ingredients have ballooned over the years. Due to spoilt crops in the US and floods in Thailand, sugar prices remain high, while the prices of cocoa have gone better for Hershey as the Ivory Coast resumed exports after the country’s political struggle.

As we have talked about supplier’s power in class, it seems relevant to discuss the fact that Hershey is having problems with supply. In this case, supplier’s power is high since Hershey is very dependent on exports of materials to produce chocolate. Considering its emphasis on chocolate products, Hershey has less options to get out of this problem. In other words, Hershey may as well focus on its marketing to gain more customers, as its production will definitely be hard to be beneficial in the upcoming years.

Hershey forecasts low growth in 2012 (2011), Hershey forecasts low growth in 2012, BBC (online). Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15486018 (27/10/11)

I was walking around downtown last weekend when I noticed a line along the sideways. It was a pretty long line, and many people were anxiously waiting for something. I went straight to the front of the line and saw a minivan with its doors opened. A salesperson was giving out free beers and people seem to just keep coming.

The brand was Molson Canadian 67 Sublime. I thought they were expecting a prize or something from the free beers, but then I heard a woman said to a fellow pedestrian “you should line up, they are giving out free beers”. Only then it hits me. People didn’t care about the brand, it was the free beer they were after.

Recalling the discussions we had in class about tactics and brand marketing, the beer brand seem to have gained some attention from its potential consumers. Due to this tactic, many people automatically spreads the brand name as they carry the free beers around downtown. Many people became aware of the brand, and whether or not they will buy the beer in the future, the company has successfully introduce the brand to the target consumers, and even people outside their target market.

After Microsoft failed to take over Yahoo in 2008, the company is considering a new bid to gain control of the renowned Internet company. Yahoo is currently valued at US$18 billion, and alongside Microsoft, there are several other companies interested in the purchase. The decision on going after Yahoo again has not been finalized, yet if the company does decide to commence this purchase, it is most likely going to involve a partner company.

As mentioned in Troy’s blog, Microsoft has had interests to take over other companies like RIM (Research In Motion). The reason there is most likely to pursue a different market, to compete with rival, Apple Inc. which has dominated its market with is unique innovations. Microsoft may as well consider purchasing Yahoo for the same reason, or maybe to pursue the online market.

To commence this take over yet again should be a wise move if Microsoft has planned it thoroughly. The benefits of acquiring Yahoo may not be as apparent as the benefits of purchasing RIM, and this will definitely cost the company some fortune. Hence, to purchase such giant company would require thorough planning and strategies to assure profitability for the company.

Source:

Reuters, T. (2011), Microsoft considers new bid for Yahoo, National Post, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. (online). Available at: http://business.financialpost.com/2011/10/05/microsoft-considers-new-bid-for-yahoo/ (5/10/11)

People know that the online business has big potential, yet many may not know how big the potential is.

Topspin Media is a company that allows its clients to market directly to target consumers. In this case, the company has proven to be a significant help to the reunited band, the Pixies. The company was able to sell out 1200 tickets in one hour for the band’s recent show by e-mailing 8031 fans with Southern California ZIP codes. Established in 2007, Topspin Media offers bands the ability to sell recordings through customizable Web widgets, tickets and merchandise, as well as a detailed accounting system.

This example simply illustrates how we are now living in a digital world, dependent on the development of technology. The potential of an online market is unbounded, hence technology is and will be one of the most essential matter a company could consider. Relating to our recent topic in class (MIS and BTM), technology does contribute significantly to all companies, even though some may be more dependent to technology than others. Therefore, it is essential for companies to understand the potential of technology in influencing a business.

Source:

Sisario, B (2011), Online Tools Help Bands Do Business, The New York Times Company (online). Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/03/business/media/high-tech-tools-help-bands-market-directly-to-fans.html?pagewanted=1&ref=technology (4/10/11)

Achieving no success in its market, Blackberry PlayBook has started to cut its prices. The company’s major downfall has prompted new strategies to create a market for the PlayBook. Canadian electronic stores have been reported to cut down prices for PlayBook due to the low demand for the item.

It seems that the company has overvalued the PlayBook, following the success of the Blackberry smartphones. It should probably differentiate the product, in a way that suits at least the Blackberry users, as the product is competing with such major competitions like the Ipad and Android. Aside from the competition, the PlayBook has features that apparently do not suit most of the demands, including a smaller screen with a same selling price as the Ipad.

As implied in Maggie Kong’s Blog, the way consumers view or value a product or a change (as Maggie explained) provides a significant impact. Consumers may not view the PlayBook highly currently, yet it does not mean that the product could not achieve success. RIM may as well change the features of the product to target a new market segment, in order to survive the market.

Source:

Electronista Staff(2011), Blackberry PlayBook cuts start, as low as $250 in Canada, Electronista (online). Available at: http://www.electronista.com/articles/11/09/23/canadian.stores.cut.playbook.prices.first/ (27/9/11)

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