Updating Technology

information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. IT systems and other information systems are an extremely important within a business today. it allows companies to neatly organize data and keep important information about customers, products and helps you financially. i am currently taking an info systems class and it shows us how critical these databases are for keeping your company running smoothly. As information systems have created more diverse human activities, they have exerted a profound influence over society. these systems have quickened the pace of daily, normal activities and affect the structure of an organization and influenced a different nature of work. but the dependence of these systems bring up new threats, but its important to keep this systems updated and running.

In which other ways can information systems benefit an organization?

Response to Colin Raaberg: Cell Phone Battle

Do you believe that the verdict on the patent infringements by apple's competitors should stand Why/Why not? Also do you think Apple's competitors will be able to compete against apple without the touchscreen feature that has become standard to all smartphones and all users.

Personally, i feel the patent infringements wont stand. even though Apple has created such a large global brand that is basically impossible to compete against its almost impossible for Samsung not to step on their toes. the touchscreen is the face of a new technology that all major phone companies want their phones to have. Even though apple has claimed to copyright their touchscreen technology, Samsung and other competitors will find ways to incorporate the technology into their phones. if the copyright infringement does stand then Apple will overtake basically the whole cell phone market. if other phones aren't allowed to use touch screen technology then consumers are going to switch services. 

Name Brand or Store Brand?

At all major grocery stores today consumers have to pick and choose whether to buy name brand products or generic store brand products. i know the main factor that comes into play is budget but how else to do we choose between the two. since most of us are in college we tend to buy generic brands of food and cleaning products but that's about as far as we go. everything else we tend to prefer name brands especially with clothing because we think how we look is more important than most things (thats just our society in general). but with food we have to decipher between taste and price. People with more disposable income will tend to buy name brand products or they will tend to save money buying generic. Growing up with 2 older brothers i always had generic products in my household just because my mom had to save as much as she could, but everyone has different circumstances and many factors come into play when shopping at grocery stores.

what factors drive you to buy name brands or generic brands of food?

response: Roland Rumrill: Sheep or Wolf?

When you buy stuff, do you follow the crowd like a sheep, and buy what everyone else does? Yoga pants and Uggs comes to mind. Or do you defy convention and follow your own path?

As much as i like to think that i defy convention and follow my own path, i don't think i do so. Like most people i as well buy products based what i want and see other people have rather then buying something on my own that no one has. Roland made a great point on how many Americans spend all this money on gym clothes and apparel yet they never even go to the gym or rarely do. I have purchased about 20 different baseball hats in the past 4 years and do you think i wear them all? of course not! i have no need for all the hats but yet i still like having them based on the fact i like them but don't necessarily need them.

Celebrity Endorsements

Have you ever bought something based on the fact it is branded by a famous celebrity? Of course you have, im sure we all have once or twice. the biggest example i can possibly think of is the Jordan brand. Micheal Jordan has created a global phenomenon just on a pair of shoes. just because of his stature and who he is, he was able to build the largest most popular brand of shoe. this goes for perfume and cologne, clothing, cars and many other lifestyle products. People view celebrities as people they want to look like so its only true that they buy specific products endorsed by specific celebs. This doesn't necessarily make it a better product either, its just a way where a company can charge more and generate more sales by using a famous person.

Do any of you agree with this? or do you feel you are benefiting from a product endorsed by a celeb?

Response to Ariana Barone

Would you agree that public affairs is the most important form of public relations?

I definitely think that public affairs is the most important part of public relations. Companies and businesses want to make a positive impact and have a positive image in their community around them. Public affairs is an important part of a companies overall plan and should be integrated within their goals. it is likely to gain a much higher degree of interaction within their target audience and past customers. Having someone specifically working on publicity marketing is great idea to carry out and you want people to remember you and your products for a good reason. it also helps with company insight, knowing what the general public thinks of your company you can make improvements based on what your consumers thinks. a strong public affairs program is going to pay out in the long run.

Gender specific products

a lot of new ad campaigns are promoting their products as either for males or females when really it doesn't matter which gender you are to purchase and use the product. Dr. Pepper and Miller Lite have been the main culprits and i think it is wrong to advertise a beverage for only one specific gender. i know their are certain tactics behind it like trying to sell diet soda to men but do they have to bring it so far where their ads basically shut down the product to the wrong gender. i have posted a couple videos for you guys to watch and see what you think

Do you think that it is right for companies to advertise certain products towards one gender only?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCx1MDBBWkk

Response to Gina P: Social Influences on Consumer Buying Decisions

Do you think reference groups reduce the search and evaluation of decisions?

when purchasing major products in your life such as automobiles, phones and other technology you really want to see what others have thought of the product or experience. these reference groups definitely reduce the search and evaluation of your decision. what others around us think has an effect on us and our own personal decisions. whether its a "cool" thing to have or just something small we still want others to be satisfied with the purchases we make. 

Customer Service

customer service can either be extremely helpful or just out right frustrating. I have T-mobile for my cell phone service and i had a really bad experience the other day. all i wanted to do was pay my bill over the phone because they allow you to do so but i had to go through voice automated services way too many times. usually this is an easy process but it shows how inconsistent customer service can be within companies. Things like this are frustrating and it definitely has an effect on whether customers will return to your service. i know that customer service is also a helpful thing with building relationships with customers but a lot of people have bad experiences.

What was the worst customer service experience that you have gone through?  

Response: Matt Tolen, Brand recognition

Do you think that Brand recognition comes only from advertising, or do the products also meet the standards the customer wishes better then available substitutes?

for me, action speaks louder than words and advertisements so i think its all about how satisfied the customer is with specific brands. The available substitutes may be just as functional and useful but certain products just work the best. Some people may get drawn in with the ads but it all depends on how satisfied i am as a customer. if i am happy with a specific brand i am going to stick with it. and when i recognize a brand and have a positive image its because i felt they created a successful product not just a cool advertisement.  

Social Media Marketing

A Facebook page is the quickest and easiest way to get a web presence and exposure for a new product. With millions and millions of people on social media sites these pages are very important for building product awareness and its a great marketing tool. it allows people to make comments and also give feedback which can be useful information in future projects. I personally run the facebook page for the company i work with now and it really gives us an edge when customers come into our store with deals from coupons and groupons that we offer. 

Response: Allison Ray: Shipping

Have you ever gone to buy something online, and once you see the shipping price decide not to buy it anymore? Are you more likely to search for a product offered on a website with free shipping site wide, rather than a website not offering free shipping site wide?

i personally do a lot of online shopping just because i think its quicker and easier. i usually tend to find items with free shipping or i come across certain deals where if you spend a certain amount then they will include free shipping. if i want to purchase an item and the shipping charge is a ridiculous amount, then yes i will try to find another site where i can get it cheaper but if i feel the product id of less quality then ill go ahead and pay for the shipping.  

Government regulation

Do you believe self regulation is more or less effective than governmental regulatory agencies?  Why?

Not necessarily, i feel that government agencies are necessary when dealing with regulating large financial structures. Matt brought up a good point when he talked about the case of the large bank HSBC and money laundering situation. The international bank admitted to laundering money for drug cartels, organized crime, and others.  The bank was forced to pay a large fine $2 billion and a managers have been fired.  Although the government does have regulation on banks many time that regulation fails to work,  when this happens and people, like those at HSBC, are left to  regulate themselves.  although not everyone is going to take advantage or break the rules when no ones looking, there are those who will and for that reason the government needs to regulate some organizations. Alot of large financial companies have problems like this as well. major CEO's will pay off government agents in order to get away from the problems they may have.

Do you think the fine on HSBC and more government regulation will stop something like this from happening again?

Marketing in Pro Sports

In the U.S. professional sports are sought out to be Americas past time and a major important piece of our cultural experience. with sports fans in every single state its only right that companies market themselves through sports teams and organizations. If you have ever been to Fenway Park or any sports stadium in that matter its obvious that these places are the mecca of advertisements. with so much exposure of major media and television, its only logical to try and make a deal with a major sports team. Jay-Z for example, is a hip hop star who uses all of the New York Sports teams to promote himself and his music.

What are other ways in which companies can market themselves through professional sports?

response to Kendra and Sean: Brands

today, there are thousands of products and thousands of different brands. so how do you choose just one? Branding is a major part of selling and customers will buy products based on brands they have preferred in the past. Kendra and Sean made a good point about how MacDonald s has become one of the largest known brands in the world today. the main reason for this is the fact they sell fast food that people enjoy for a very small price. i personally have bought cheaper items with no name brand that turn out to be perfectly fine, but most consumers are tricked into buying products with the most reputable brand. 

so What is the main reason people are loyal to brands?

response: Julianne B

Do you think a partnership with Product (RED) can improve Gap’s image? Is it a sign that they are making a commitment to corporate social responsibility or do you agree with critics who say their involvement is an attempt to spit-shine the company’s image while continuing to do business as usual?

I fully agree 100 percent that this joint venture with the product red campaign boosts gap's image. I feel these companies are working with things to better the community and promote awareness to where the funds actually go. when customers know their money is going to a good cause then they are more likely to buy the product. Corporations such as Gap are taking advantage of their position in society to try and better their communities. Many other major brands have done product red promos and it is seemingly taken off from other clothing brands to even alcohol.  

Marketing Strategies: new tactics

Companies differ their marketing strategies in many ways to stand out from their competitors but how does this process work and what is the most important info that a company needs to know. The first thing we were taught is finding and pinpointing a specific target market. marketing teams in your company help because it allows more than one head to brainstorm ideas and come up with the best one to attract your new customers. If you want to try a new marketing tactic, you must put yourself and your team on an aggressive timeline. New tactics often get pushed to the back burner as one gets caught up in putting energy and resources behind tried and tested ideas. However, these new tactics are what could change the course and success of your marketing. This is why we see alot of radical marketing these days because companies want to take themselves out of the typical marketing norms.


Should more older businesses today re vamp their marketing strategies and goals or should they stick to what has worked in the past?

Debate Over Music Piracy

A huge problem within our society today is the process music pirating. The effect of piracy continues to be intensely debated in the entertainment industry. many studies have shown that it negatively affects sales, and makes a consumer less likely to legally purchase their favorite music. This topic will long bring heated arguments between artists and legal copyright laws. I felt this situation didn't effect me but it effects our generation greatly because we appreciate all types of music and I am sure have all committed some sort of music piracy or just even listened to pirated music. I enjoy the thought of free music and i love the fact i can get free music on the internet but in the long run someone is effected negatively.
      So the question i'd like to bring up is why our generation so likely to not oppose or fight against music piracy? 

Google Glass

Google released a video showing what it would look like if you were wearing the Google Glass. but unfortunately the only thing we have seen about the device is what is shown in that video. This is a cool idea to everyone and it would definitely be a technology breakthrough, but why has google gotten everyone so excited over a product that does not exist yet? I know there are prototypes and models that have been created and there is a maximum amount of potential for this product, it just seems a little too unrealistic to expect google to pull it off. 

if you have not seen the video or the website,
check it out: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9c6W4CCU9M4
http://www.google.com/glass/start/what-it-does/

Response to Caitlyn Croasdale and Colin Raaberg

Do you pay more for food or atmosphere when you go out to eat? 

I have to agree with Colin in this situation due to the main fact people go out to eat is because they want a stress free meal in a nice environment. From what i've known its always been the nicer the restaurant  the more expensive it was, so you really are paying more for both when you dine out. the customer will pay for that certain experience or that certain type of food they want, it just happens to be you have to pay more for the more attracting places. But on the other hand you are also paying more the food as well. A restaurant wont sell their food for what they buy it for. The obvious business aspect comes into hand where they have to make money and charge you more for preparing the food. So generally you are paying for both.  

Blog 1/28/2013

(2)  Are customer satisfaction and customer value interdependent or mutually exclusive?  Can satisfaction occur simultaneously with low customer value?

customer satisfaction and customer value are extremely similar and i feel they are interdependent rather than mutually exclusive. For a customer to be satisfied with a product or service that they receive, it needs to bring some sort of value to the customer and the other way around because if a product brings value, the customer is then in turn satisfied. these two aspects of business go hand in hand and both have to coexist. Even if a product is cheap and has little value to its customer, it can still satisfy based on the customers expectations.