Week 10 EOC: What are the Benefits vs. Features?

A feature is just that, a feature of the product or service, it's a fact being stated. A benefit is what comes as a result of the feature, it answers the consumers question, "what's in it for me?". Answer the "what's in it for me" question and those are the benefits of your features, they go hand in hand. A feature of the food truck is the chicken sandwich that it serves, along with the other food items that the truck is known for. That is a main feature of the food truck, because it is called a food truck for a reason. Another feature of the truck is  Benefits of the food truck "Poultry in Motion" are the mobility of a food truck, it comes to them. The fact it can go to places like concerts or festivals. Another benefit is the use of social media. Using the online voting to vote for the truck to return to a certain area gives more opportunities for customers to enjoy the "Poultry in Motion" experience. These benefits are closely connected because the mobility of the food truck and where it chooses to go is heavily dependent on where customers vote to have the truck go. Along those lines a benefit may be the casual setting, being outside, easy accessible. The overall convenience of the truck is a benefit.  

Week 8 EOC: Creative Content

In order to present my idea for my food truck "Poultry in Motion" I will take photos of a food truck and do some Photoshopping to make it the Poultry in Motion food truck. Because my subject of study is Digital Photography using photos and photoshop are right up my alley. Also I will make a rough draft of the menu to show what it could look like. I will also have some social media posts that are made to look like customers from the food truck posted after visiting the food truck. By having a representation of what the truck could potentially look like puts the idea into perspective as well as we are able to find out how it appeals to people, how they respond to it. If it's inviting, giving the feel we want. Same goes for the menu, if it conveys what we want and people have the urge to buy the food. Then for the social media posts, it is to show how the "voting" could potentially work. As well as the effect that social media can have on the business. Then I will have an advertisement made to show how the truck will promote it's self before it's "grand opening". The advertisement will consist of a photo or two of people at the food truck, happy and enjoying the experience, and some text introducing the food truck. The advertisement will be on social media. Because the world of social media is so prevalent and influential in the world today the food truck is centered around it. With the "voting" aspect one major part of the food truck, also the more people talk about the food truck on social media the better the business will be. People use social media to talk about anything and everything nowadays so being all over social media will benefit the food truck immensely.          

Week 6 EOC: Me x 3

The three items I've chosen that I believe are a good representation of me are my car, my record player and my headphones. First I choose my car because I quite literally cannot go anywhere without it. I was given my car, named Lil' Red, by my father, when I received my license. It is a symbol if freedom and responsibility for me. A representation of my transition into adulthood. As a teen getting your first car is the most exciting thing in the world, and it especially was for me because I didn't get my license till much later than most teens. Second, I choose my record player, which was a gift from one of my sisters at Christmas, because of how unique it is and it simply fascinates me. Music is a huge part of me and my life. Listening to my records pulls me into rawness of the music and brings a different meaning to the music that entrances me. My record player is a part of the past as well as modern times. I like to think it's a symbol of music and me. Third and finally, my headphones, which were a present I received on my birthday. As I already mentioned music is a very large part of me, and I can't exactly take my record player everywhere with me. I have a large digital music library, as I am not opposed to the wonders of modern technology and the advantages. My headphones travel with me everywhere and, when appropriate, I am constantly listening to something in the music world. My headphones are the part of me that embraces the world of modern technology,  They're also a way for my to tune out the world and become enveloped in my music and my mind. It's an escape, as music is in many ways. These three items I own do not define me, but are a good representation of small part of me.           

Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

More and more companies are beginning to realize that the smartest way to promote themselves is to younger audiences, through younger employees. Joe Light said in his article Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like , in the Wall Street Journal, "More companies are trying to tap Facebook Inc.'s 750-million-plus user base to find new employees, threatening traditional job boards and competing with LinkedIn Corp., which has dominated the online professional networking arena." Through Facebook the recruiters can find potential employees. Social Media has been woven into our everyday life and "In response, marketers are now working to harness the newfound communications power of their everyday customers, turning them into influential brand ambassadors." People will talk about what they love, if it's brand they're loyal to, a restaurant they attended, etc. And it's through social media that it's shared. So companies have had to adapt. Now they can find out how consumers feel about their company, and now recruit people for jobs. More often than naught, recruiters are looking for younger, fresh-faced Generation Y-ers, such as myself. My generation have practically been raised in the major technological developments the world has seen, and therefore are the forefront of social media. "Facebook hires account for less than 1% of the total hires companies are making, according to Jobs2Web, which helps companies track the sources of candidates and hires. But if current growth trends continue, Facebook could rival traditional job boards in 2012, said Jobs2Web analytics manager Phil Schrader." Joe Light. Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like. The Wall Street Journal. Web. 2015.  Companies are finding it not only easier, but more cost effective to hire through social media. "Candidates have been 50% more likely to apply to positions they found through Facebook than through other means, said Mr. Staney. "[Job boards] just blast it out. This is much more efficient and targeted,[...] said Will Staney, talent acquisition Web strategy manager."

Week 4 EOC: New Phone App

I for one have a hard time keeping track of my receipts, plenty of businesses allow you to have an email receipt or a text sent to your phone, but then they're all over the place. What if there was an app that could get all your receipts in one place, organized them and made the easy to find or print, or if need be sent to someone. The app ReceiptMe does just that. You link the app to all your different forms of credit/debit cards and every time one is swiped the app receives the receipt. When you pay with cash simply choose that option on the app and have the attendant who is ringing you up scan the barcode the app provides on your mobile device and the receipt will download. The app also allows you to send the receipt (areas may be blocked out so to not be read) to whomever. For instance if your boss or company requires you to purchase something, or you do so and need to be compensated, this app allows you to have the receipt and send it to your boss for compensation. This app also allows you to organize your receipts, either buy date, what was purchased, or even alphabetical order (based on the store/ company that was bought from).
 
This app not only helps conserve paper, helping the earth a little everyday. But also gets rid of the mess that is receipts, and gets all your receipts in one place and organizes them. The receipts will also be saved forever, so if circumstance arrives and it's necessary to go back months to find an old receipt, you can. The app ReceiptMe brings a simple organization and ease to everyday life that can make all the difference, especially to those who run around all day busy buying all they need.        

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

I was born in the year 1996, this places me in the Millennial generation or Generation Y. In fact we are given many names, as well as are labeled by the generations before us. "Time Magazine released an article titled 'Millennials: the Me Me Me Generation,' which called us lazy, entitled, self-obsessed narcissists." 8 Millennials’ Traits You Should Know About Before You Hire Them. Lydia Abbot. Dec 3. 2013. Web. Lydia Abbot, a fellow Millennial, wrote an article mentioning the positive traits of our generation. The characteristics she outlines are: Multitaskers, Connected, and Tech-Savvy. Also she states that Millennials want: Instant gratification, Work-life balance and flexibility, collaboration, transparency, and career advancement. 

For myself as a Millennial, I would classify myself as a multitasker. Everyday I have to juggle multiple responsibilities and tasks. Though Abbot makes a good point that Millennials "are easily distracted and find social media and texting hard to resist."  For myself  I would say I am not as easily distracted by social media and my smart phone, however it can happen.

Connected: I can attest to the fact that this generation is extremely connected… in the technological world. More and more my generation is losing the ability to connect with people without technology. Human contact is something that scares my generation, more and more for those that are younger. I am among the younger ones, but because of my upbringing I prefer human contact and interaction without technology. I find myself annoyed at my friends who constantly pull out a smart phone while we are having a conversation or prefer to text than call me for long conversations even.  This goes along with my generation being tech-savvy.

Millennials want transparency which means “Millennials want to feel like they have an open and honest relationship with” those who employ them, friends, family, etc. We need people to upfront with us.

As far as career-advancement, I believe with every generation there is more ambition, more drive to go farther in their career. For myself that isn’t something that is a priority for me. All I need is to be financially stable and happy with what I do. That doe not , however, mean I have no drive or ambition for my life. It just means it’s in other areas of my life.

I of course share traits and qualities of millennials but I believe because of my upbringing and different outlook on the world I am set apart.   

   

Week 3 EOC: Making Money For Good

In this day and age there seems to be an uprising of companies that are built around a cause. Such as Toms, “One for One” that when you buy a pair of shoes Toms gives a pair to someone around the world. The Climate Clothing Co. is a company in the like. It is in the early stages, so it is not known around the world or even the U.S.  It works closely with an organization that seeks to help preserve the Earth and it’s inhabitants, the Nature Conservancy.     

Climate Clothing Co. states that it is all about, “Providing the highest quality eco-friendly apparel around- Portion of all sales go to nature.org”. Climate Clothing Co. sells different featured products. For example this month is either a Deep Sea inspired Hamsa bracelet or a Rainforest inspired Hamsa bracelet. Not only are the products made from organic materials that are friendly to the environment, as well as the types of products that will attract a younger crowd to buy their products, but the company also gives a portion of the sales to the Nature Conservancy foundation. A foundation that strives to preserve the lands and the waters of this earth.  

“The Nature Conservancy is working with you to make a lasting difference around the world in more than 35 countries, all 50 states and your backyard. Our Mission: conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends.” This, like Toms, gives the buyer a quality product as well as the opportunity to support a foundation that is working to conserve the earth. This motivates consumers to buy from the Climate Clothing Co. Especially for young adults and teens, feel as though they have nothing to offer to a cause. Through these companies such as The Climate Clothing Co. a youth can feel they have contributed to the cause of saving and preserving the earth.     

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group- Games

In the world of video game consoles there are multiple options to choose from. But, is the console market still relevant? It seems as though the video game console market is being over taken by mobile, digitally downloaded games. John Guadiosi said in his article Mobile game revenues set to overtake console games in 2015, "Consumers are spending so much time- and money- playing games on smartphones and tablets that Newzoo, a video game research firm, has had to raise it's 2014 global revenue forecast from $21.7 billion to $25 billion. The new total is a 43% increase over mobile game revenues recorded for 2013." Mobile game revenues set to overtake console games. John Guadiosi. Web. 29, July, 2015. Still there is a wide range of options for game consoles, such as the Sony Playstation 4 which is the number one video game console in 2015, all the way to the Nintendo Wii which is at the bottom of the food chain. 

"Using the now-classic Boston Consulting Group (BCG) approach, a company classifies all its SBUs according to the growthshare matrix," Armstrong & Kotler (2011). Marketing: An Introduction, 10th Ed. Prentice Hall Publishing.  Based on the Boston Consulting Group the Sony Playstation 4 would belong to the Cash Cow category, because when the console came out it was heavily bought because of the fact it's the better gaming console, but it is not still in demand. It is being replaced by the mobile games. The Nintendo Wii lands in the Dog category because it's the lowest on the totem pole. When the console was released it was not in high demand and it only went down from there. However the world mobile downloaded games could be placed in the Star category, according the BCG, because the market is still growing and frankly appeals to all different types of consumers.             

"The tentacles of the recession have reached into the video game industry, a business that was long considered downturn-resistant." Yukari Iwatani Kane.Videogame Makers Can't Dodge Recession. Web. 7.2015. The world of technology and the wants of consumers are constantly changing. The ones who will be successful are those who can adapt, give the consumers what they want before they even know what that is. 

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

I am not simply a photographer, but I am an artist with a camera. I find the challenge of photography, of expressing myself through a lens quite appealing. But that is not all I am. I am a hardworker. Quitting is not an option, giving up is not in my vocabulary. When I start something I will see it through. I have extreme respect for artist of all walks of earth. When it comes to art I become raw and pull from the deepest reaches of myself, bearing it for all to see. My overall goal is to show how I see the world, through my eyes. As privileged as I have been in many areas of my life, I have struggled and had trials as we all do. And I think channeling those emotions make the art more real and relatable. I am still learning everyday, bettering myself and striving to be the best I can be. I don’t seek the acceptance of others, or base my self worth on what others say about me. I maintain a positive attitude and outlook on the world, trying to always see the best in those around me. I consider myself quite resourceful. “When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence” - Ansel Adams

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

Customer Service is a very important factor for all businesses. A great customer experience i’ve had was at  BJ’s Brewhouse restaurant in Stockton, California. I attended with a large group of friends one evening and right off I felt welcome. The hostess quickly went to work to get us seated. More the often large groups tend have to wait, if reservations were not made, to be seated. But we were shown to our table quite quickly. Once at our table the server introduced himself and without overstaying his welcome, talked with us briefly before departing. Our server came back many times to see we all were satisfied and had everything. 

When our food arrived, know I can be a picky eater, my dish wasn’t what I had asked it to be. As in most situations I say nothing and try and make it work for myself, but an outspoken friend of mine made it known to the server that my dish wasn’t correct, and without any question or hesitation he went to remedy the problem. In no time at all my dish was returned as I had asked. At the end of the evening I was given a free dessert to take home with me. The outspoken friend of mine would have quickly begun an unnecessary scene if our server had not quickly and easily solved what would seem like a minor issue. 

The overall experience made me want to return. The employees were friendly and welcoming. Quickly solved any issues big or small. Establishments such as BJ’s know the importance of keeping your customers satisfied and being quick to resolve any concerns customers may have. Also going above and beyond to in a sense “apologize” for the inconvenience. I’ve been to restaurants where a member of my party received the wrong dish and when it was taken back took a long time to come out again. It does no hurt to the restaurant to fix those types of issues a customer may present, it benefits because the customer feels important, and will in turn want to return again.