Week 4 EOC: There's an App for That

It’s hard riding the bus on a regular basis. If I were to create an app for a smartphone, it would be a taxi application. Taxi drivers are always available, ready to take tourists where ever they please and make money. For someone who has no ownership of any vehicle or personal chauffeur, needs to think ahead and catch public transportation, the bus. Let us say that you’re out partying, wasted, or feel somewhat abandoned and you need a ride home. People call cabs all the time, but sometimes money isn’t always at hand. We live in a society that carries plastic, not paper. So why not have an application that allows you to call a cab and charge your fare immediately to your phone bill? The application also sends a signal to your cabdriver’s GPS device, no need for directions over the phone. Now the next issue at hand is, will every cabdriver in your area receive your call of distress? Not exactly, the GPS signal that is sent from your phone will only notify two cabs that are nearby. So one has competition with the other to see who gets to you first. 

Has it Been Done? 
Yes it has. Apple offers "Taxi Magic" for the IPhone and IPad. It allows all expenses to go straight to your card, and sends an e-receipt to your phone when you have reached your destination. It gives the expected passenger a map view of where their driver is located and no phone call is required. This app has been used in over 50 cities, making it one of the most rewarded applications.  

Week 3 EOC: Making Money For Good

A company that is in the business of making money for good is FIGS. FIGS is a company that makes luxury neckwear and for every tie or pocket square they sell, a child in need of a school uniform will have one specially made for them. Founder Heather Hasson believes fashion can not only make you look good but also give someone the confidence they need in order to pursue an education or anything in life. “Uniting an impassioned interest for ties and pocket squares with the desire to promote global education, FIGS founder Heather Hasson breathes social consciousness into classic style. Mused by a mélange of experience tracing the plains of northern Kenya to the avant-garde ateliers of New York and Rome, Miss Hasson fuses her love of fashion with the promise of building confidence through education, one awesome tie at a time.”

All of her ties are hand sewn and made with the finest materials that resembles true craftsmanship.

“FIGS ties are hand sewn in New York and Los Angeles, as well as by our master tailors across the globe. We dedicate our attention and commitment to crafting products that inspire good taste and global education through impeccable fashion.”

Children all around the world need and want an education. Not everyone can arrive to an institution wearing rags or perhaps nothing to be taken seriously. Over 120 million children have no access to the basic necessities to go to school.  After Hasson’s voyages to Kenya, Tanzania, and Nepal,  she made it her goal to send children to school with uniforms that display prestige, but allows the child to be their own individual.

“It's not just a fruit. Or Adam's leafy cover up. We stand for Fashion Inspired Global Sophistication. We are here to inspire the world through fashion. Bringing style and confidence to work wear.”

Not only does FIGS give back to the community by uplifting our children, they also create more jobs which allows for more supporters.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

As a child of a baby-boomer, I have inherited some qualities from this generation. I have learned the value of hard work and what it means to save your money early rather than later. Growing up with digital technology has somewhat been a challenge for me. Writing on paper, reading books, and communicating with human beings face to face are qualities that I've preferred.  "The post–World War II baby boom produced 78 million baby boomers, born between 1946 and 1964. Over the years, the baby boomers have been one of the most powerful forces shaping the marketing environment. The youngest boomers are now in their mid forties; the oldest are entering their sixties and approaching retirement age. The maturing boomers are rethinking the purpose and value of their work, responsibilities, and relationships." (pg 71)I try not to make technology a "way of life" (pg74) because I know that I will become attached and not be able to think or work independently. “One thing that 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.” (pg 74) One thing I do agree with 100% is that I do love to shop. I love to buy anything that catches my eye or a new technology that will help me in some way in the future. “This group includes several age cohorts: tweens (aged 9–12), teens (13–18), and young adults (19–32). With total purchasing power of more than $733 billion, the Millennials make up a huge and attractive market.”

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group- Video Games

The videogame industry has finally been hit with challenges in the market place. People want games to have easy access, easy set ups, mobile and CHEAP. Cheap is the word that reasons with the sudden downturn of the video game market. A friendly and convincing CNN article sums up the big industry’s decline with just a few sentences and then continues into a boring description of where you can find FREE online games. “Sick of paying $50 to $60 for a video game? Well, you're in luck. There are thousands of free games online. Although none is as epic or technically advanced as the games you'd get with a PC, PlayStation or Xbox, it's hard to argue with free.” http://articles.cnn.com/2010-06-25/tech/free.games.steinberg_1_family-friendly-games-free-games-gaming-consoles?_s=PM:TECH

It does not surprise me to see Apple’s IPhone OS devastating the video game industry with amazing FREE apps, which means, yes, cheap online games, and its’ easy-to-use touch screen makes it innovative and fun for even the simplest of consumers.  Now consider the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) approach, which will claim that the IOS is a star. Even though Apple products are growing rapidly in the market and are highly invested in, they will run into glitches like many of their IPhone users.

A few problems that users encounter:

·      “A number of people reported a rattling noise coming from inside their new iPhone 5 when lightly shaken.”

·      “The camera on the iPhone is supposed to be the best yet, but many users have reported a strange purple glare. “

·      “Reports of the iPhone ’s anodized aluminum casing getting scratched and scuffed very easily started to emerge quite quickly after the launch.”

·      “A few complaints have come in that the iPhone 5 touchscreen is randomly dropping touch input when a finger is dragged forwards and backwards diagonally across the display.”

 http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-5-problems-what-users-complain-about-the-most/#ixzz2Ipitg3fT
The video game consoles like XBOX and PlayStation are considered cashcows to the market place, they make money to keep the company afloat.  PlayStation and Wii consoles are unfortunately in the doghouse bringing in only so much money to keep their name in peoples mouths. Dogs must be cautious about being soon considered as question marks in the market place. Question marks are either going to be booted out or kept within the company to be developed into a star. The video game industry nor Apple are perfect but they both must develop strategies that will catch the attention of the market that will keep the company thriving for years to come.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

I have never really experienced great customer service. There was a time when a group of friends and myself had dinner at TGI Fridays. The waiter was very knowledgeable of current promotions in the restaurant and the menu. He made us feel comfortable by making sure our drinks stayed refilled and smiled every time we made certain requests, like asking for hot sauce, a cleaner spoon. Other than that, the food was delicious but our dining experience was quite normal. As a waiter or anything in customer service you’re supposed to smile and address certain people by Sir or Ma’am. I felt as if he could have taken it further. For example he had talked the whole time, displaying how well he knew his job but did not extend any request for questions. His attitude said to me, “I think I have covered everything you need to know so there will be no need for questions.” He also didn’t pack our leftovers, he handed us our doggy bags and left without a word.

Another one of my favorite restaurants is the Cheesecake Factory. Amazing. I only go there for one thing, Cajun chicken and shrimp jambalaya. Dining in this restaurant is awesome. You can bring your crying babies, old nagging clients, or just get drunk, responsibly, with friends. It is relaxing, noisy but with a perfect pitch. The servers there are very humble and they love cracking jokes and sharing a little piece of who they are with you. One thing ruined that whole dining experience for me. Veins in my shrimp. Apparently the chefs there aren’t happy behind the kitchen. I have complained about this incident twice and have not returned in six months.