Ch. 15 - Marketing Communications

Apple basically control the media period. They can access their customers whenever they needs them.  Have you noticed what they’re doing here? Apple isn’t content with being a leader in sales alone, they want to own the market itself, which explains why they’ve planned iTunes as the major music provider that it is, and why the iPad, having the luxury of being the first. It is very rare that a company could turn an ordinary press conference into a live global event. Their secret lies beyond expectations. Their product lines and design standards are the core philosophy of their communicating success. Which is the user doesn’t always know what they want. To conclude Apples' communicating strategies involve both paid and earned media

Ch. 10 - Product Concepts

 Apple Company has always been admired among all ages, various countries, and cultures. They managed to distinguish themselves from their competitors by creating and innovating new ideas in the tech market. Apple’s purpose is to introduce luxury lifestyle trough high quality, creativity, colorful themes, and unique feature products. The company is well aware of its targets market and use it towards the planned adolescence style of branding. Started with only one product the computer " Apple 1" now had sold a range of products like Mack Book air, iPod, iPad, iPhone, Apple watch, TV, etc... Apple built their brand trough consistent designs. They keep it simple and classy. 
 

Ch. 17- Personal Selling and Sales Management

Steps in The Selling Process Of The iPhone 7  

     

Ø  The first step is generating a lead:  (i.e. When Professor Joel Evans, visited the Oculus Apple Store was there communication between him the potential buyer & the salesperson)

Ø  Qualifying leads: (was he equipped to buy the product, were they receptive to him) that has to be determine by the salesperson

Ø  Approaching the customer and probing needs: (when Prof.  Evans went in the Apple store did the salesperson study him or any research on him i.e.… what he likes as a customer, needs assessment …genre…etc...)

Ø  Developing and proposing Solutions: (When Prof. Evans needed a change in the watch bracelet did they give him a better solutions or ideas for his need?)

Ø  Handling objections: (There were some objections but the salesperson did lose the deal in the end he/ she did not do well) you should always try to negotiate a deal so you may keep your customer

Ø  Closing the sale:  (there was no deal made)

Ø  Following up: (Prof. Evans did not tried to follow/up) he was not well received he left…they lose a big potential buyer!

Ch. 16 - Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Promotion

Perfection is achieved not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away. -- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 1939

Advertising industries had long holding the cards in consumers’ decision making. Marketers are realizing that offering more copy, complexity, and more information – isn’t working like it once did. With estimates that the average American sees anywhere from 250 to several thousand ads or marketing messages every day, there’s simply no way to keep pace if your strategy is to be ‘bigger and louder’. Instead, brands need to think strategically about how to stand out among the clutter. Apple is my favorite example of simplicity in marketing. Take their Mac versus PC ads: 2 guys just standing and talking, set against a white background. No lengthy list of product features, no mention of price, no professional voice actors with emotional voice-overs, or even information on how to buy a Mac. Each ad aims to make one point, and one point only: one way in which Macs are better than PCs.

Ch. 6 - Consumer Decision Making

 

After Reading chapter six from “MKGT 10”, and watched “The Merchants of cool” from Frontline in PBS I was stunned. I could not believe how far both the media and marketers would go to win the teens markets. The documentary was very informative. As a mother myself, I never taught corporations and advertising industries had any interest in our teens / youth. Chapter six describes the importance of consumer behavior which the documentary did an extensive research on teens as well. My conclusion is that culture and trends plays a significant role on our decision making. Their impact on society have made it the ultimate target for lunching any new product. An example of that would be the release of the I-Phone 7.   Whenever Apple sets a new dates for the I-Phone 7 or a new product it always boil down to consumers camping out the night before in front of the main store.

 

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