Week 8 EOC: Creative Content

In order to get information out about the talent show, I plan to get some of the artistic kids that attend Mountain Top Faith Ministries to create flyers featuring their own original drawings.  Also on the flyer will be the information of where the event is taking place, the date, time, and cover cost.  There will also be information about who people can talk to or where people can go to make donations if they won’t be able to attend the event. This is a way to showcase the artistic talent that some of the kids possess. Usually talent shows showcase things like singing, joke telling, or instrument playing. They rarely showcase someone's drawing ability. This way, no one feels left out or like their talent is smaller or less relevant to another. The fliers will be given to members of the church to pass along to neighbors, co-workers, and friends.   I will also ask the children to post statuses on their Facebook and create an event page on which people can get the information about the event as well as information about the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation.  The whole show, under the direction of myself, will be all of the kids' work and ideas. There also will be announcements made at the end of each church service. Services are held every Wednesday at 7:15pm and on Sunday at 8am and 10:45am. The kids delegated to make these announcements will be the ones who have the talent of speaking in front of people. They will be asked to simply state the time, and date of the event and share their own excitement about the event as well as a fact about cancer creating awareness for the church congregation.  They will also provide information about the fliers and where they can be picked up from.

Week 7 EOC: The Pitch

"It's better to light one candle, than to curse the darkness" ~Unknown

To make a difference you have to start with the initiative to do so.  SO MANY people sit and complain about the way things are and what they would do if they had this or that, but all you need is to be willing.  You need the will to make a difference.  It starts with YOU.
As far as I can remember, cancer is a word that I have been familiar with.  It's not something I am comfortable with. Actually, I HATE it.  It has taken loved ones away from me.  It has plagued people who didn't deserve the pain.  It terrorizes families and breaks hearts.  It is something I want to raise awareness and funds for.  It is something that needs to be cured.  One of the worst things about cancer is that it doesn't care who it infects.  Its the worst when it's a  innocent child.  The Nevada childhood cancer foundation is one of the programs that helps these children.  I want to help these children.  My plan is to host a talent show, showcasing the talent of healthy children and teens in order to raise money to help those that are not as fortunate or healthy.  The event will be held at Mountain Top Faith Ministries in Las Vegas, NV.  I want to make these children and tens aware that there are people out there suffering, and while you're fortunate enough to have good health, you must extend yourself to help those who are not.  You must show others that you care.  This is why I would like for my church to host the event because we believe in helping others.  We will use the talent of the children and teens within the church and showcase talent for a good cause!  There will be a cover charge of $5.00. We will also sale baked goods and refreshments being served that is made by the youth also.  We will also plan a trip to go down to the offices of the Nevada childhood cancer foundation and get personal.  We will educate ourselves on this subject because this could easily be one of us.       

Week 5 EOC: Super Bowl Commercial

This is my favorite Super Bowl commercial. First, because another female M&M is introduced. She is at a business type social gathering and the guys are immaturely snickering because they think she is naked. In my opinion, this is a real life situation. Besides the fact of a girl being at a social gathering and people think you’re naked, immature males ALWAYS snicker at you when they think something funny is going on. "Today’s marketers want to become a part of your life and to enrich your experiences with their brands—to help you to live their brands." (Marketing: An introduction for education management corporation pg.3) My husband and his friends are notorious for these immature male actions. :-) To make matters worse Red, a male M&M adds to the immaturity of the guys by also assuming that she is naked and rips off his shell after stating "Oh, It's THAT kind of party!” After that a popular song by the group LMFAO comes on and he starts to dance. At this point the females are irritated by the immaturity of the guys.  “Marketing is managing profitable customer relationships.” (Marketing: An introduction for education management corporation pg. 3)  This real situation produces a relationship between the customer and the marketer because the consumer can relate to this.  In the end, the guys make complete fools out of themselves which happens ALL OF THE TIME in reality.  Being able to reach someone on a personal level as well as make them laugh about it is a great marketing tactic to use.  Marketers feel that the customer relationship to the brand is the number 1 priority.  Strong emotional bonds = happy and loyal customers who will return again and again for whatever it is that a particular brand offers them.  “These new approaches do more than just blast out messages to the masses. They reach you directly and personally. Today’s marketers want to become a part of your life and to enrich your experiences with their brands—to help you to live their brands.” (Marketing: an introduction for education management corporation pg. 3) 

EOC Week 4: Business VS. Consumer buying behavior

“Business customer buying decisions are made within the framework of a strategic, problem-solving partnership.” (Marketing: An introduction for education management corporation pg. 158)  Businesses buy because of successful relationships with whom they are purchasing from.  In the world of business, networking and business relationships are very important.  It is important for a business to know who they are buying from, and to develop a trust of each other.  Business purchases are usually in bulk, and if the decision is made to go elsewhere to get their products it could result in a huge loss of the company they are buying from.  Customer buying behavior however, is slightly different.  Customers buy because of an emotional connection, beliefs, social status, religion, etc.  If one customer decides that he or she doesn’t want to continue to buy at a particular store, the store will not take a huge hit as if it would in a bulky business purchase.  Business purchases to not consider social statuses, religious affiliation, or emotional connections.  It’s all about business.  “it might be disappointing when a refrigerator buyer chooses a competing brand, losing a single sale to a large business customer can mean the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in business.” (Marketing: An introduction for education management corporation pg. 158)  Customers buying habits depend on their age, lifestyle, occupation, economic situation, and whether they are motivated to buy or not.   Business buying is strictly based on loyalty from the buyer to the seller.  When a business finds a great seller, they usually stick with them.   Also, when sellers find a great business that buys in good faith they treat them well.         

Week 3 EOC: MY Demographics

Generation Y: Milennials
I was born in the year of 1982.  My parents are the baby boomers.  My parents are all about saving, having money set aside for later, and they don't own a computer.  Although my mother has a facebook page and a smartphone, my dad wont go near any of it.  It is said that Generation Y is the generation of technology.  I remember the first time using the internet and my mother gave me this huge speech on how she had to research everything at the library, how there was no internet and that I should be appreciative of the resources that are accessible to me.  I am appreciative, but I'm not sure if its the type of appreciation she wants me to have. You see, I'm used to computers, I usually google any or everything I need information for.  Although i do have a library card, I don't have to go to the library and do research without the use of a computer.  My parents brought a computer for my brothers and I when I was in the 6th grade.  I was born into the information age, when everything was starting to transition into the huge phenomnnon we now know as technology.  My generation also loves to persnalize EVERYTHING.  We want ours to be different from  and stand out.  Although we are into fahsion, I think it's safe to say that we are also rebels of fashion.  We creat our own looks.  We realize that in fashion trends come and go, but most of the time we just want something  different and unique.  We innovate and recreate old things from the past, we spend money to have the latest gadgets and high end fashions.  At the same time, we will go to the goodwill to seek out old vintage fashions.  I believe that we know the value of the old, while at the same time, we are adapting to the new.

Week 3 EOC: Making money for good

If you have extra, why not use it to help others???  Companies and businesses becoming "socially responsible" is the way to gain respect of the community and get recognition for a job well done.  People appreciate companies who give back.  One of these companies is Macy's.  As of now, they have a program going called "Be book smart" that simply asks to give a donation of $3.00 to provide a book for a child while getting $10.00 off  of a future purchase.  This helps the world or community to realize that Macy's cares while at the same time customers receive incentives for a small donation and a child somewhere in the world will recieve books in order to become educated. (www.macys.com) 
Another company that does a good job giving back is Starbucks.  Starbucks incorporate community programs in the communities in which there is a brick-and-mortar operation.  They invest in the youth by giving grants to help develope their leadership skills.  They also assist in aiding youth programs that tutor students in the communities as well. (www.starbucks.com) 
Nordstrom has a program called "Ten for you".  This program awards $10,000 to 80 high school students every year across the country to assist in funding a college career.  The scholarship is awarded to high school juniors who participate in community service projects and extraciricular activities as well as keep their grades to at least a 2.7 g.p.a.  This is a GREAT incentive as most college students end up in debt from loans.  This is an excellent way to give back.
I give a huge KUDOS to each of these companies or any other company who gives back and realizes their social responsibility.(www.norstrom.com)

EOC Week 2: BCG- Video Games

I remember playing video games with my brothers and cousins as a kid. I remember one Christmas; my brother got his very own Nintendo Gaming system.  Since my childhood days, video games have evolved to a worldwide network of gamers. The main three gaming consoles are the Nintendo Wii, which was the first gaming console that has a wireless controller that captures body movements, the Sony PS3 and the Xbox. You can create a profile, become part of a team, and challenge people all over the world in games. This was a huge hit in the earlier 2000’s, but recently the video gaming industry has declined tremendously. "If people don't really have a reason to go out to the store, they're not," said John Taylor, a financial analyst for Arcadia Investment Corp. in Portland, Oregon (www.wsj.com)

This decline can be blamed on people choosing to download games to their mobile devices (cell phones, ipad, kindle etc.).  "Nintendo said that it plans to focus more on digital downloads to improve sales of the 3DS. Nintendo also plans to release a larger 3DS XL handheld at the end of July." (www.venturebeat.com). This is a smart move for Nintendo if they want to remain relevant in the gaming world. According to the Boston Consulting Group, I'm sure it’s safe to say that the Nintendo Wii is in the cash cow stage in its career.  

As for the Xbox, its cash cow days are over. I believe that the Xbox is in its dog days. There is little to no growth, and no one is buying. "The next generation of gaming consoles will fail to reach the same audience current machines have according to two very smart and reputable market analysts!" (www.baddigit.com) The generation of NOW wants everything portable and downloadable. This is why I feel that Ipads, Kindles, and other tablets, they are in the (?) category of the BGC strategy. This is a growing market, but at this point it is difficult to see where its headed.  “Indeed, many educators have been discussing the potential of handheld technology to leverage learning, while watching for signs that the manufacturers of e-book readers may cut prices.” (www.scholastic.com) Iphones are in the star category as far as gaming goes. You can download just about any game and have it at your fingertips at any time.  Where is gaming headed?   To a cell phone or tablet near you…

My VOICE, My REASON

Week 1 EOC: MY VOICE

When you LOVE to do something, you don’t need the recognition.  The looks of awe and excitement on the faces of people who watch the final result is acknowledgement enough for me.  I love to put things together.  I love to create a plan.  I love the stressful process of making that plan come to life.  I love the feeling I get when all of that hard work from that plan pays off.  I love to create.  I LOVE FASHION.  In the past I have made things for friends and family that they loved.  I made things for myself that I loved.  Fashion is happiness to me and I love using fashion to make others happy.  As a visual merchandiser, I want to be the person who picks what people love and show them ways to wear it.  I want to eventually create an emotional attachment to those things; to a brand.  I want to do something that will impact others, as well as something that I am passionate about.  Happy people make me happy, and beautiful things make people happy.  I want to make beautiful things for people.           

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

On July 4, 2012, I went into a Ross store for a pair of shorts and a t-shirt.  I was in a rush because my husband and I were late to a friend’s barbeque which was about 45 minutes away from our present location.  I went in, got the shorts and shirt, and headed straight to the fitting room.  On my way to the register, I stopped in the hat aisle and picked up a cool hat.  When I got to the register, the cashier was very friendly.  He asked me how my day was, how my holiday was going and if I was satisfied with my choices.  I told him about my day, answering truthfully.  At this point, a woman was on her way out of the store with a shopping cart.  Anyone who has ever been inside of a Ross store knows that the carts are not allowed out of the store.  At this time, the cashier proceeded to tell the woman that he apologizes, but the shopping carts are not allowed out of the store.  The lady immediately got irritated, removed her things from the cart, and left it in the doorway.  At this point the young man was the only person in this area of the store.  He looked a little confused and I could tell that he wanted to remove the shopping cart, but he didn’t want to step away from the register and stop the transaction.  So, I decided that I would remove the cart from the doorway and place it in the appropriate area for him.  When I got back to the register, he proceeded to give me 25% off of my purchase.  He said it was because I responded back to his positivity, and also that I was nice enough to remove that cart for him.  He said that that made his day, so he made MY day!  “Customer relationships and value are especially important in today’s tough economic times, when more frugal consumers are cutting back and spending more carefully.”  (pg. 2)