Ch. 14 - Retailing Post on customer service and atmosphere at Apple Store in Oculus

Retailing - Customer Service and atmosphere at Apple Store in Oculus

I recently visited the Apple store, at the Oculus in the World Trade Center it was a different type of experience for me. Let’s just say my expectation was way over my head. It was late, maybe 9 or 9: 30 pm I stopped there to conduct my research. When I came in a sales representative, who was already engaging a customer approached me. He said: “Can I help you with something? I answered I am here for a project to find out how Apple's customer service worked. He was a bit hesitant and he walked away. I was left on the floor on my own. I looked at most of their product. Like many places I made various observations. For instance, their prices are not listed comparable to other electronic store. Another thing I noticed you can actually play or try their product instantly.  A prime example was, I tried their MacBook air it I wrote a sentence on it. Some of their iPhone has live cameras in which I took a picture with.  No one seems to care about a new customer. No one approached me anymore. All my excitement flew out the windows. I taught living the store I would feel like another person….like I am big or something….In the end it was just a dream. Will I go back again? NO.

Ch. 5 - Developing a Global Vision - Is Walmart Good For America?

My answer is no.  I will not pretend nor sugarcoat my opinions about this retail giant. Walmart business practice is unfair, and bad for the American consumer. Their main focus is to keep everything at a lower price. How did they do it? How can a small company can expand so fast yet keep their customers happy? It does come with a price. Their strategy is that Walmart buys and exports goods at lower cost which allow them to sell these items in the US at lower rate than other competitors. They won’t stop until they get their goods at the desired price.  If you are one of its suppliers you either agree to its betting price or else you’re out. When factories or plant like Rubbermaid could not keep up with their bargain price they auctioned their companies, which resulted in thousands jobs lost. Walmart saw an opportunity with China trade by having their plant at cheaper labor they took advantage of it. This business move has cost us billions in trade deficit.  In the end this partnership is more beneficial to China and Walmart than the US. It has also destroy most competitors big time

 

Ch.18 - Social Media and Marketing

One of the most significant advantage that companies have is promoting their business through marketing. Traditionally marketing was done through T.V. ads, newspaper and posters. All that has change with the spread of Social media taking over our world. Marketers had to step up their game, get on board or else they will miss out on great opportunities. With Social media marketers and Companies have created new approach on how to address the consumer’s needs. Social Media has made it easier for companies to target and provide the product directly to its customers. An example would be during live Super Bowl 2017 Pepsi was trending big on Twitter. The ad that was promoted had reached its audience. It brought Pepsi to the number one trend during the half-time show. This type of marketing has become very successful as social media is very popular among different generations. However, not every business chose to use social media for marketing, or even marketing at all. Apple for instance, they just keep it simple. If they have a billboard ad it is basically a picture of the product or the I-Phone and no words at all.

 

Their  message is simple! “Evolution in every dimension.” In order words: Transformation in every way possible.

Ch. 2 - Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage: Swot Analysis for the IPhone

 Strategic Planning for Competitive Advantage 

I do not own an iPhone 7.  To help me with my SWOT analysis I asked a co-worker who owned one and surprisingly I found most of my research based on her answers. I noticed a lot of good features about it and it is really cool and easy to use.

Strength: ·        Apple’s advertising capabilities which create brand awareness ·        Loyal consumer base always support with the release of a new version ·        Apple targets high end customers ·        Multi-Apps control ·        Water resistance ·         Apple’s electronic payment system allowing consumers to buy by tapping your phone against a sensor at the till.

Weaknesses ·        Over Independence on iPhone sales ·        High End but overpriced devices is likely to lose the battle for emerging markets to cheaper android devices. ·        Incapability with other OS (Operating System) are quite different than some of its rivals like android and windows. ·        The headphones jack holes are used for  charging ·        The battery life and / or one hardware

Opportunities ·        Apple has a unique position to take advantage of the growing internet of things market. ·        With iPhone and iPad becoming common in corporate

Threats ·        Risk of data breaches ·        The rising of the U.S dollar ·        Other smartphone maker like Samsung continue to cut into Apple’s market especially with cheaper offerings for similar products. ·        Very limited ability to customize compared to other smart phones.

Source: tweakyourbiz.com

Marketing 100 Chpt 1 (Overview)

  

Marketing and Brief Summary and Goals

       Like most readers when I heard the word “marketing” two words came in mind selling and advertising. In Marketing 100 the first chapter gives a detail summary of what marketing is about. The existing relations between customer and a product. This chapter also describe the differences between sales and market orientations. I learned quite a lot in just a small time. I learn to listen to the consumers and customers, what might interest them in buying the product. I have also learn the essence of running a business does not solely rely on sales values. The company ought to empowering its employees in customer service skills by providing quality training, and maintaining highest standard. I have learn different approach in earning customer’s trust which help bring in more business to the company. After all paying attention to these loyal customers are valuable to achieve any company’s goals.


                                                            


My lesson: We all part of marketing it is not only our duty as consumers to educate ourselves on a new product but to appreciate all the works it takes to produce it as well.

 

Ch. 1 - Overview of Marketing Mission Statement / Brief History for Apple and IPhone

Apple’s Mission Statement:

Founder Steve Jobs, the owner of Apple, primary purpose was to create "great technology that makes a contribution to the world by making tools for the mind that advance humankind." 

His vision was to craft a family based culture with technology that improves people's lives. When Steve died, Tim Cook continued the culture of Apple Company. The iPhone7 which was launched last year in September 2016 had more feature than the first generation of iPhone. Prior to the 7 Apple had already created 6 different types of smartphone. Each of them had one feature less than the other. When 7 was lunched the iPhone commercial success has been credited with reshaping the smartphone industry and make Apple the world’s most valuable Tech giant company