Google search discovery-
MileOne- provides for all the automotive needs of its customers conveniently, on their own terms, through the largest automotive sales and service delivery network throughout 5 different states surrounding Baltimore. . . so basically a 1-stop-shop for car service? Not quite. MileOne is more of a client manager. They represent a network of cars and provide customers with every service they need from searching for a car to repairing it after a collision.
Our Mission:
To create an unparalleled car buying, ownership and service experience that puts the customer's needs first and results in a lifetime relationship with us. We will give our customers access to the car industry on their terms through empowered and well-trained employees who reinforce our mission every day.
MileOne allows you to search for the exact car you want and then will tell you where to go to buy it. They can do the same for locating parts and services for car maintenance.
From what I understand, there are no fees associated with using the website to find things. I am not sure exactly where the fees come in, but they have to charge for convenience. Whether the dealerships/clients are paying them on commission or the customer pays for information, the website must be profitable.
Placement
A long time ago, I noticed that certain stores cluster in the same plaza or next to one another in location. I have learned from this class that this is probably a well-thought out strategy based on market statistics, competition, and brands though I still don’t know the specifics of this theory. To this day, I cannot understand why Chipotle always locates near Qdoba and Caribou Coffee near Starbuck’s. I know that competition is good for business, but doesn’t this placement also drive sales down since the two companies have to split the market share?
The Facebook Economy
I was amazed in reading this article. I know that Facebook has a lot to offer and opportunities for development, but I never knew it could go as far as it did. On top of creating a whole new breed of social networking, Facebook has enabled business to grow and others to develop to manage those businesses. For example, appoholic.com, is a website that developers of Facebook applications use to analyze market segments and define new creations. The applications first took off as programmers created fun, virtual ways to interact with friends. But now there is even a business that manages the applications and provides data on trends, usage, and more. WOW.
My company does not use Facebook (as far as I know) for anything. I think there is a huge opportunity for every company to utilize its features both internally and externally.
Walgreen’s potential to integrate with Facebook:
My company does not use Facebook (as far as I know) for anything. I think there is a huge opportunity for every company to utilize its features both internally and externally.
Walgreen’s potential to integrate with Facebook:
- Implement a network for employees to communicate. This would enhance productivity, save time and resources, and allow easy sharing of information
- Targeted consumer advertising. Facebook categorizes users and provides the data to companies who publish on the site. Walgreen’s could identify specific market segments and advertise their products and services to the users who will most likely buy them. A good example of this is advertising a new drug for MS on a MS Support Group page. This would raise users awareness of the product, increase Walgreen’s place in the market, and make customers to go to their pharmacy to get the drug because that is how they heard about it
- Market research. Walgreen’s could analyze Facebook users’ trends, and interest to obtain information about various customer bases. We could introduce new products or carry preferred brands based on the findings. Also, we could get feedback from our own advertisements to determine how likely users were to click on our ads.
IKEA
I spent a lot of time at Ikea over the past couple weeks (well more than usual) because I moved into a new house. Although I love their products and prices and give them kudos for their marketing success, a few things about the company frustrate and confuse me.
Disadvantages:
1. I replace the original item I had liked with something that I like even more. If the item was already in my cart or bag before I saw the second item, I may have just gotten both.
2. Forget what an item that I wrote down actually is or decide I don’t want/need it. IKEA’s set up gives customers a lot of time to think before paying for their items. This greatly reduces impulse buying.
3. Missing information. If you forget to write down something about the item that you want (color, location) you might not be about to find it once in the warehouse area. In this situation, I would simply leave without it due to wasting time.
4. Room details. Sometimes there are particular accessories that I like in a display room. If the products were available alongside the display, I would probably just purchase everything that matches. But by the time I make my way to pick up the items, I often forget about some of the smaller things that I had planned to purchase.
- Store layout
Disadvantages:
1. I replace the original item I had liked with something that I like even more. If the item was already in my cart or bag before I saw the second item, I may have just gotten both.
2. Forget what an item that I wrote down actually is or decide I don’t want/need it. IKEA’s set up gives customers a lot of time to think before paying for their items. This greatly reduces impulse buying.
3. Missing information. If you forget to write down something about the item that you want (color, location) you might not be about to find it once in the warehouse area. In this situation, I would simply leave without it due to wasting time.
4. Room details. Sometimes there are particular accessories that I like in a display room. If the products were available alongside the display, I would probably just purchase everything that matches. But by the time I make my way to pick up the items, I often forget about some of the smaller things that I had planned to purchase.
- Product information
The Brand Alphabet
Our discussion about branding and the ladder made me think of a drug marketing class that I had a couple of years ago. Pharma’s recent burst of direct-to-consumer advertising is reflective of their change in marketing strategies. Drug companies have begun to market their products in the same manner as everyone else. They are attempting to create a brand image and earn a reputation with patients.
When we think about brands, our minds often revert to an image or logo that represents the company and which they have engraved in consumers’ minds through advertising. My favorite example of the impact that culture and society have on the way we think is the Brand Alphabet. There are several variations, but you’ll get the point.
Seeing only the first letter in the characteristic “logo” writing, immediately you can recognize the brand that is represented. The ones that are unrecognizable are not prominent players in you consumer habits. This may be a reflection of our society, income, education, and other factors influencing market segmentation.
When we think about brands, our minds often revert to an image or logo that represents the company and which they have engraved in consumers’ minds through advertising. My favorite example of the impact that culture and society have on the way we think is the Brand Alphabet. There are several variations, but you’ll get the point.
Seeing only the first letter in the characteristic “logo” writing, immediately you can recognize the brand that is represented. The ones that are unrecognizable are not prominent players in you consumer habits. This may be a reflection of our society, income, education, and other factors influencing market segmentation.
Dell’s Surprise Pricing
HOT TOPIC- Dell Mini 9 for $199!!! Is Dell commoditizing its product? How will this promotion affect the company’s image? Will consumers begin to doubt the quality of the machine because of dirt-cheap pricing?
This is Dell’s first attempt at a mini computer. Light, small, on-the-go access to the web. . .AND it’s available in a variety of appealing colors for that added personal touch. Techies have termed thses ultra-portable budge notebooks “netbooks.”
I must admit that I was immediately grabbed by the posting of the reduced price on my favorite forum, but that just as quickly I questioned the quality and performance of the computer. Expert review articles and technology forums backs Dell 100% on this one. The Mini is rated favorably compared to other netbooks on the market in all categories. After reassuring my confidence in a Dell product, I had to put my shopping impulse in check. Is it even practical?
At 8.9 inches, is the LCD viewing area large enough to be reasonably functional in normal tasks? Besides that, I already have a laptop that is reliable and on the smaller side. My third reason not to buy a Mini is my Blackberry. I can surf the internet, check email, chat on AIM, and do almost anything that involves web access. Aren’t these ultra-portable computers just a step closer to an all-in-one device to fulfill all of our technology addictions?
This is Dell’s first attempt at a mini computer. Light, small, on-the-go access to the web. . .AND it’s available in a variety of appealing colors for that added personal touch. Techies have termed thses ultra-portable budge notebooks “netbooks.”
I must admit that I was immediately grabbed by the posting of the reduced price on my favorite forum, but that just as quickly I questioned the quality and performance of the computer. Expert review articles and technology forums backs Dell 100% on this one. The Mini is rated favorably compared to other netbooks on the market in all categories. After reassuring my confidence in a Dell product, I had to put my shopping impulse in check. Is it even practical?
At 8.9 inches, is the LCD viewing area large enough to be reasonably functional in normal tasks? Besides that, I already have a laptop that is reliable and on the smaller side. My third reason not to buy a Mini is my Blackberry. I can surf the internet, check email, chat on AIM, and do almost anything that involves web access. Aren’t these ultra-portable computers just a step closer to an all-in-one device to fulfill all of our technology addictions?
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