Week 3 EOC: Demographics- MINE

    Being that I was born in 1992 I fall under the category of Millennial (also known as Generation Y).  I would have to say I concur with this aspect of life.  Yes, I grew up with technology all around me; I had my first email in grade school, I got my first cell phone in the fifth grade, and I got my first iPod in the seventh grade.  Ever since I feel there’s nothing out in technology that I don’t know how to use or feel comfortable using, it’s like a second language to this generation.  “All of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology. They don’t just embrace technology, it’s a way of life. The Millennials were the first generation to grow up in a world filled with computers, cellphones, satellite TV, iPods, and online social networks. A recent study found that 91 percent of Millennials are on the Web, making up 32 percent of all U.S. Internet users. According to another study, 77 percent of Millennials frequent social networking sites and 71 percent use instant messaging. “All generations are comfortable with technology, but this is the generation that’s been formed by technology,” says a Yahoo! executive. For them, “it’s not something separate. It’s just something they do.” (Marketing: An Introduction Chapter 3 pg. 17)  

According to stated statistics the millennial generation is definitely the biggest yet to exist.  With baby boomers reaching at 78 million people born during the time between 1946 to 1964, and Generation X resting at about 45 million being born between 1965 and 1976.  The Millennial generation reaches a high of 83 million being born between 1977 and 2000.  We have the world in our hands because our demographic label is made up of such a variety of ages ranging from pre-teens, teens, and young adults.  A lot of what’s made today is directed towards the younger generation from political views to automakers even television shows.  “With total purchasing power of more than $733 billion, the Millennials make up a huge and attractive market.” (Marketing: An Introduction Chapter 3 pg.16)  We have the older generations relying on us and our careers to determine how much social security and taxes that will be received to help them with their retirement.  So yes, I see eye to eye with my demographic label.

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

Since the cell phone games have come into play the video game industry is finally hitting a decline.  The android base smart phones and iphones all have applications where you can either pay to download a game or download one for free.  This has taken over the gaming industry because not only are they free but they're convenient.  People carry their cell phones with them everywhere so when waiting somewhere why not play a quick fun game on your phone. 

   According to the BCG growth-share matrix they have categories which consists of cash cows, stars, question marks, and dogs. Cash cows are low-growth, high-share business or products, the play station console would fall into this category.  It's a safe product that has been around since the 1990s, and it always comes out with something new and updated.  "It has everything. You got it. The PS3™ system has built-in Wi-Fi and huge amounts of storage for games, add-ons, music, videos and photos. Its built-in Blu-ray player shows HD movies at 1080p so you get pristine picture quality. We’ve got Netflix for streaming movies and our own PlayStation^®Store where you can download hundreds of games, free demos, and stream thousands of TV shows and movies." (http://us.playstation.com/ps3/)  Question marks are low-share business units in high-growth markets, this would represent the Nintendo.  They have been around for ages and always have a new console to promote.  The most popular one right now would be the Wii; it's an active game for the whole family to be involved in.  This category requires a lot of cash to hole their share, let alone increase it. Dogs are low-growth, low-share business and products.  They may generate enough cash to maintain themselves but don't promise to be large sources of cash.  Under this would fall the Xbox, it’s probably one of the newest consoles to have been around but definitely not the most profitable.  You have to pay to have your internet on the system, let alone all the accessories, plus the play station graphics are still known to be better.  "After E3 this year I think it's obvious that the big companies, particularly Microsoft and Nintendo don't relate or understand their customer base. I was left scratching my head at a lot of the announcements and demonstrations. The gaming industry is going downhill. I used to love Xbox and now it's becoming more and more about TV and casual games. How many people are honestly going to buy an Xbox to watch movies and TV? People, even casual gamers, buy these consoles for games. They don't buy them to watch TV or movies. The only hope seems to rely in 3rd part game." (http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/713574/feedback-at-e3-2011-sony-microsoft-nintendo-everything-else-from-the-show/)  But it doesn't matter how long the systems been around there is no competition to the handy dandy cell phone games people carry with them all the time, and these would fall under the category of the star.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

   You don't really get to experience great customer service everywhere you go these day, your lucky if you recieve any at all.  Because of this economy and jobs being over staffed, under staffed, and the low pay it really reflects how employers these days treat their customers.  One place I know of for sure that no matter what, you will always recieve excellent customer service skills is Bonzai Bobs Teriyaki Grill.  Everytime you walk in there you are greated with a warm welcome, and everytime you leave you are thanked for your business.  They go the extra mile to please all customers under any circumstance.  Everytime I have gone in there it has been an enjoyable experience, something to remember.
   Although I'm sure everyone can recall a time where they recieved bad customer service skills atleast once in their life, can you not?  And it's not because the product is bad but simply because the employees just don't have good customer service.  That is one of the reasons why we have thousands of business's closing down everyday.

"Marketing, more than any other business function, deals with customers. Although we will soon explore more-detailed definitions of marketing, perhaps the simplest definition is this one: Marketing is managing profitable customer relationships." ( Chapter 1 Marketing An Introduction Pg.3 By Gary Armstrong & Philip Kotler)

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

I am an artist with an imagination ready to conquer all.   Apparel manufacturing has been a lifelong dream that I have been chasing, and I feel as if I’m right on its tail.   As a fashion professional I would like to one day create my own clothing line along with a boutique.  Fashion to me is more than just clothes you place upon your back; it says something about your character.  Fashion is the art in which you chose to present yourself to the world so why not make it charming.  Ever since I was a child I’ve always had this passion to succeed one day in fashion.  It’s not really about the materials you have but how you place them all together.  I am now working on my bachelor’s degree in fashion design/retail management, as well as being a part time sales associate in a well known worldwide clothing brand.   Not only am I gaining experience, but I am also absorbing great customer service skills and product knowledge.  With this in mind I aspire to inspire and plan on not only conquering the fashion industry but also to lead by example and keep my artistic imagination in my clothes and allow it to shine on to everyone else.