Week 4 EOC: Advertising is Based on Happiness

While I really can't stand the store overall, I bought a pair of jeans from Hollister that I think may honestly be one of the best purchase decisions I've ever made. I found them two years ago, and wear nothing else ever since. They fit perfectly, look awesome, and are reasonably priced. I have to have specifically the Hollister Laguna Skinny, size 3 short, in lightwash. Jeans usually are an issue for me, like most women; either they're too loose, too tight, two flared, too tapered, make your butt look too big, or something else. For me, it is the fact that my legs are relatively short, and I need jeans that accommodate my needs. The Hollister jeans I described in more detail above just happened to. That meant that I didn't need to hem the bottoms myself, or wear boots 24/7 to hide my high-waters. Unfortunately, the store has yet to revive the jean style from its tragic death, but I still have to have them. So every time I need jeans, I insist on buying them from Ebay usually. That seems to be my best option. Of course I have sought out for another option, but have yet to come across one, so I am at this point, forever loyal to these jeans, they make me happy every second I'm wearing them. And that might as well be 80% of my life.

Week 3 EOC(2): Internet Privacy V. Market Research

Obviously personal information is collected as market research

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

While TOMS shoes is a very notable non-profit crossover to for-profit venture today, it isn’t the only one.  Vehicles for Change, established in 1999, is an organization that provides restored and (through their subdivision—Freedom Wheels) donated cars to low-income families in MD, VA and DC.  Many families in these areas don’t own a vehicle, making it a constant struggle to do things as simple as grocery shopping, caring for elderly relatives and taking children to school.  “Today, there are a number of families in MD, VA and DC that are struggling to perform common tasks that most of us take for granted because of a lack of transportation.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/) The tax returns given to donors are also generally higher for donations to Vehicles for Change.  “VFC is one, if not the only non-profit in the Maryland and Virginia area that can maximize your deduction by allowing you to claim the full fair market value of your car.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/)  Statistically the families have improved their lives after receiving the donation of a vehicle.  The organization is unique because unlike others, who want to simply give things away, it “helps individuals who want to work to help themselves by providing affordable cars and a chance for an improved life. In a recent study, 73% of our car donation recipients obtained better jobs/promotions and have increased their income by an average of $4,800.” (http://www.vehiclesforchange.org/do_i_qualify.html)  The vehicles aren’t just given away, either.  Vehicles for Change focuses specifically on helping people who are trying to help themselves, they just need a little extra assistance.  Should a family qualify for a car, they are required to agree to a 12-month loan plan, to pay for it.  The cars usually cost $600-$700 each, meaning payment is $65-$80 each month.  This is a reas

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

DFC has two major concerns for the video game industry: One, consumers have a rapidly increasing abundance of choice among low cost games and other entertainment products; and two, the five-year console model that has driven industry growth in the past is currently not working for Sony and Microsoft.

http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25223

Sony and Nintendo: Microsoft's two primary competitors in the Entertainment & Devices sector are the Nintendo Wii and the Sony Play Station 3. Following the announcement of the cutting-edge Kinect peripheral device to the Xbox 360, Sony plans to release Move, its own body movement-sensitive add-on to the Play Station 3, while Nintendo plans to release a new version of its DS handheld device that does not make use of 3-D goggles^[32].

http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/Microsoft_(MSFT)

In my opinion, PS3 is the star. The console has high market share, and is in high demand by it's consumers. It also has high market growth. The product has made significant progression, getting increasingly slimmer and more compact. And now it has gone wireless, using facial recognition, I believe, with the just released Play Station Move.
Question Marks are cell-phones with video game compatible platforms. The amount of progress these have made is unbelievable, and especially considering the very quick time span. Within about 2 years, they have publicized touch screen availability for the majority of customers. Whereas before, this was a commodity offered only at a steep price point, and at one time, known exclusively as an iphone feature. Now, video game compatibility may be the next era for cell phones, or smart phones. However, currently, despite their high growth rate, a low market share plagues these devices.
the cash-cow would be definitely the Wii.  The growth rate of the Wii system is significantly low, although the market share remains fairly high. It is still consistently purchased by consumers, but when was the last time a new installment or upgrade was made? From the beginning, the Wii exceeded expectations, and that was probably the issue. Too much too soon. But, for now, they are still selling successfully.
The dog, I'm told, is the X-Box. Before recently, I'd agree, but their new X-Box Kinect is probably going to shoot them up to cash-cow status, if not star. This new system enables literally hands-free controlling. The use of facial recognition makes your body the controller, possible with the help of movement sensors in the console. This is definitely quite a breakthrough, that is, in my opinion, going to be a big commodity very soon.

http://www.oppapers.com/essays/Competition-In-The-Video-Game-Console/209271

http://www.wikinvest.com/concept/Game_Consoles_Wars:_Xbox_360_vs._PS3_vs._Wii

EOC Week 1: Excellent Customer Service

The best customer service experience I have ever had, so far would have to be at Domino’s Pizza.  I signed up for something online, and they started sending me all these really exclusive and valuable offers in the mail.  When they came out with the new oven baked sandwiches, I was mailed a coupon for one free sandwich.  They had also recently released their online ordering and pizza tracker at this time, so I was asked to order it online, and evaluate the efficiency of this new method.  I went online to do it, and it was actually a lot easier than expected, but unfortunately, I guess I lost track of time.  By the time I arrived to pick up the food, they said it had been ready for almost an hour. I was expecting to hear that they’d be charging me for having to remake it, but shockingly, they offered to remake it at no charge! So not only was my sandwich free to begin with, but i got a replacement free too, and it was my fault the switch was necessary.  I thought this was excellent customer service because they had no obligation to remake my food, and they offered to do so with a friendly attitude and no protests.  I still am not sure why they send me the VIP coupons, as I didn’t go there excessively.  But, that made me feel even more important, as they seem to appreciate all customers equally, regardless how much or how little they spend. 

EOC Week 1: My Voice

It all started with a Vera Wang ad, hanging on the wall of a London subway station, in 1998.  That’s when I realized my passion in life—fashion; which my love for later helped to create clothing label, FAUX SHO.  Upon receipt of a B.S. in Fashion and Retail Merchandising at the Art Institute of Las Vegas, I bought and opened my first store, in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, I was continuing my education at UNLV.  After hardship for about seven months, the store gained market success! FAUX SHO expanded to Los Angeles and New York City (its new headquarters) over the next four years.  FAUX SHO is a clothing retailer, founded by myself, Randi Spencer.  It includes two other brands as well: Chin up Princess in Los Angeles, and Boys Grow Up in New York City. The brand is inspired by elements such as: creativity, modesty, respect, cruelty-free, social responsibility, and style.  As the owner of this company, I want to ensure that my strong concern for social issues is presented in FAUX SHO’s image.  We are a sweatshop-free, fur and leather-free, eco-friendly, socially conscious establishment. Also, we are an active supporter of organizations: World Wildlife Fund, Girls Inc., National Organization for Women, and (PRODUCT)RED.