EOC Week 10: Benefits VS Features

Benefits:

The benefits of the Pepperoni Pizza flavor potato chip is that it's thicker than the normal competitor's potato chip - meaning that it's more fulfilling than your traditional 'snack.' The packaging for the product is put in a cylinder shaped container that is defined and solid. What's beneficial about the container as opposed to other potato chip bags, is that the chips won't get ruined. Compared to traditional potato chip bags, they're a lot more flimsy and fragile. Sometimes when you open up their potato chip bags, you can already see that some of the chips are already crushed into tiny little pieces. 

Features:

One of the biggest key features in the Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chip is that it's infused with spices and seasonings like a real Pepperoni Pizza. The packaging is marked with really outrageous colors, some that symbolize similarities to Italy, and considering the cut of the chip is really thick - it makes the packaging requirements to be bigger, which will make it stand out from it's fellow competitors.

EOC Week 9: Three Great Mission Statements

"At Phineas Fogg's we don't just make ordinary snack foods we take you on a journey around the world with our many exotic flavors. We want to give you the experience that you would have if you were actually in that country or city, without ever leaving your own country. We being to you adventure, mystery, and memories. You will personally feel as if you went on this amazing voyage with Phineas Fogg tasting all of the exotic flavors of the world. Take the chance and go on one of these amazing adventures, you won't regret it. Try one of our newest snacks, it is filled with the flavors of Madrid, Spain. You will feel the rush and the despair that Phineas went through to discover this amazing snack just for you."
-Alexandria Espinoza
I thought that this mission statement was overall really appealing because it had a sense of adventure, mystery, and still explained the product and how it differentiated itself from others.

Giving the consumer value, for there money, bringing them back to try other product that we produce. Make them happy before they buy your products. Giving Beer Buddy Pork Rinds, part of the Phileas Fogg family products, a compliment with your beer in your local pub or to enjoy to take home with you from your local convenient store with your favorite beer.  Enjoy the different flavors from our popular chili-lime and our new mole, a spicy, slightly sweet with a hint of Mexican chocolate.
-Svend Hammering
Personally, I thought that this mission statement was appealing because it felt really casual, as if it was just something a friend you'd be passing by would be telling you. It didn't seem as if the product was trying to be pushed in my face, but that it was just there as something complimentary.

"Our goal at Captain Deez Nuts is to deliver to our customers with the ultimate snacking experience that can be perfectly enjoyed in almost any occasion.  Whether its relaxing watching the game with friends, or a much needed break in the office, our premium ingredients and superior taste will make sure that you are satisfied with your purchase.  I guarantee you from start to finish, Deez Nuts will be on your mind the whole time!"
-Victor Camarillo
I really liked this mission statement because it was filled with tons of humor and just attracted me and caught my attention as opposed to other ones that just focused primarily on the product and adventure - this one had touched a different emotion: humor.

Week 8 EOC: Creative Content

For the final project, I plan on having an editorial photoshoot. I will grab some friends to model each of the characters: I wanted the photoshoot to revolve primarily around the missing daughter whom was kidnapped by the group of bandits. I wanted to use her, because she was the one that was saved, and if she weren't kidnapped, the Pepperoni Pizza flavored chips wouldn't exist as they do today. I wanted her makeup to be as if she was ruffed up a bit, but still maintain a sense of beauty in her posture - the way she looks back at her savior for rescuing her. I wanted her clothes to be simplistic so that the attention would primarily be on the packaging and the product itself.

Week 8 BOC: The Adventure

I, Phileas Fogg, start out roaming around the streets of Italy, admiring it's architecture, culture, and overall atmosphere as I had just arrived. Considering that I’m an investigative journalist traveling around working on stories and reporting them, I just happen to be curious about where I am in general. The story I happen to be following revolves around a missing girl, the daughter of a famous pizzeria in Italy. When the kidnappers realize that I’m in the pursuit of saving the missing girl, they deliver a messenger man to create a deal: handing over the daughter in exchange for a large amount of money. Knowing that this may be my only loophole into getting any kind of Intel on the whereabouts of the missing girl, I accepted. I let my boss know in order to receive the amount of money that the ransom requests and for some reinforcements, and also to have them be aware of where the kidnappers had requested to meet - the pizzeria. The bag full of what is supposed to be filled with money is filled with potatoes, and once the exchange was made the kidnappers quickly realize that they didn't receive money at all. Noises of gunshots take event, which some bullets ricochet off into nearby barrels and create explosions. Sacks of the potatoes exploded into giant chunks of potato chips. One explosion after another soon made the pizzeria explode too, it was like a domino effect - making little bits of ingredients that they had fly into the sky. Onto the thick pieces potato chips then fell all of the tiny bits of pepperoni pieces, some spices, and even some herbs. Thus creating the Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chip. Although the family's pizzeria was severely damaged, the daughter was saved and the restaurant created a new sensation that made them a fortune despite. The fame was shared with me, and it helped fund me off into the next country to help continue my journey around the world.

Final Project: Implantation Evaluation Control

"A customer buys from the firm that offers the highest customer perceived value—the customer’s evaluation of the difference between all the benefits and all the costs of a market offering relative to those of competing offers." Chapter 1, Page 14

The key to making everything work is simple: customer satisfaction. You can have the greatest anything and everything, but if the customer isn't satisfied, then chances are likely that you probably won't be having a customer. Without a customer, there isn't anything, nothing to market, nothing to sell, and just no audience in general. Making sure that the customer gets what they want just ties into what the company's mission statement is from the beginning: making sure that the customer receives a product that is beneficial, safe, and enjoyable. Listening to their feedback, and catering to their needs are the most vital factors of what will make a business successful and drive sales. 

Evaluating every aspect annually, seeing what worked and what didn't work, would also be something that would help better the company. Seeing what promotions worked and didn't work, what kinds of advertisements appealed more to the customer and which didn't, and where the product sold best compared to where it didn't would be just a couple things that we would evaluate. 

Controling these situations and intervening in them is something that the company can do to help better itself, making sure that everything is in line and falls through with deadlines is just a glimpse of the control required.
"Companies also develop product support services that enhance customer service and satisfaction and safeguard against competitors." Chapter 7, Page 238

Final Project: Price

" It must decide how much it will charge for the offering (price) and how it will make the offering available to target consumers (place)." Chapter 1, Page 13

At first, I would price the chip at a cheaper price than it's fellow competitors. I would do that so that the price would appeal to the customer, and make them have the mentality of not having a dent in their wallets with wanting to try a new kind of potato chip. After the potato chip's debut, I would raise the price to about what the competitor's prices are marked at, seeing if the sales are steady and if the product is still selling, I would continue raising the price. Eventually, I would have the potato chip marked at a higher price than the other competitors considering that there's more production that goes into the potato chip and it's packaging: it's thicker and has a defined package as opposed to a plastic bag.

“More-for-more” positioning involves providing the most upscale product or service and charging a higher price to cover the higher costs." Chapter 6, Page 200

Final Project: Distribution

"The company must decide where to launch the new product—in a single location, a region, the national market, or the international market. Few companies have the confidence, capital, and capacity to launch new products into full national or international distribution right away. Instead, they develop a planned market rollout over time." Chapter 8, Page 253

I plan on distributing this product in numerous kinds of countries. See how it appeals to different kinds of crowds. I wanted the product to be placed exactly where their competitors can be found: within the grocery store where the other potato chip brands can be found. With doing that, I can see how the new brand can compete with the other potato chip brands for a given period of time, and then see how it can be improved. Having a test of seeing what other brand was doing best, and seeing why. Was it within the packaging, the price, what contributing factors made the customer purchase that brand as opposed to the others.

"By spending a lot of money on product improvement, promotion, and distribution, the company can capture a dominant position." Chapter 8, Page 262

Final Project: Promotion

" It must communicate with target customers about the offering and persuade them of its merits (promotion)." Chapter 1, Page 13
I plan on having numerous kinds of outlets to promote this new product. Going through numerous kinds of social media would be the best route to go: Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Radio, just everything and anything. I think creating a sales promotion that differentiates itself from fellow competitors would also create a spark and interest in customers roaming around the aisles of the potato chip section. Having the price a little bit lower than what the other brands are selling them at, maybe a customer may think, "Hey, well maybe I can try this new product out," and have that kind of mentality since they wouldn't be spending as much as if they were to be buying a different brand of potato chips. Having print advertisements in magazines would also be beneficial, considering it doesn't cost to make copies and distribute them - it'd also be universal, anyone can view it.
"The importance of different promotion tools varies between consumer and business markets. Business-to-consumer companies usually “pull” more, putting more of their funds into advertising, followed by sales promotion, personal selling, and then PR. In contrast, business-to-business marketers tend to “push” more, putting more of their funds into personal selling, followed by sales promotion, advertising, and PR. In general, personal selling is used more heavily with expensive and risky goods and in markets with fewer and larger sellers." Chapter 12, Page 385

Final Project: Product

"Marketing consists of actions taken to build and maintain desirable exchange relationships with target audiences involving a product, service, idea, or other object." Chapter 1, Page 8
The product that Phileas Fogg is creating is completely innovative and groundbreaking compared to the the other kinds of potato chips in the market. It's completely different and will differentiate itself in the food industry. It's a Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chip. What makes the potato chip so different from other products is that it is cut larger and thicker, making the 'snack' more fulfilling. Another factor that contributes to why the potato chip is different is within the packaging - the potato chips will come packaged in a defined cylinder shaped cone, somewhat similar to what Pringle's has now. We decided on having the packaging this way because with other potato chips in just plastic bags, consumers have found that a lot of the potato chips were found cracked and broken into tiny little pieces when the bag happened to open. The potato chip is something simplistic in it's taste, it's universal and will appeal to the masses. But then again, within the details, it's completely different, size, packaging, quantity.
"Based on each customer’s purchase history, previous product searches, and other data, the company recommends related products that might be of interest. This recommendation system influences up to 30 percent of all sales." Chapter 1, Page 22

Final Project: Target Marketing Strategy

"Effective positioning begins withdifferentiation—actually differentiating the company’s market offering so that it gives consumers more value." Chapter 2, Page 53
With the Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chips, I see it as a more youthful and vibrant kind of flavor that caters to more of the ones I would consider the "fun" crowd. With such zest and flavorful packed with each and every bite, I wanted to create focus groups of different kinds of people, and see who it appeals to most. I wanted series of taste tests distributed to these focus groups, testing things like: the taste, size of the potato chip, quantity of the potato chip, how the like the packaging, if the packaging appeals to them, how it can be altered for the better. I would test all kinds of demographics, and primarily focus on the groups that aren't really feeling that the potato chip is the best, and how we can alter it to cater to them also, and just the masses in general. I would also administer free samples in different kinds of areas with different kinds of crowds, and see how the pizza flavored potato chip appeals to them too. I would be receiving live feedback, and also written ones with surveys that I would hand out. If the testers would like to try the test, they can also take the survey online just to be more time efficient on their clock, and to also have them be comfortable of taking the quiz in the own comfort of their own home.
" In many cases, luxury marketers targeting high-income consumers have been hardest hit. Even consumers who can still afford to buy luxuries appear to be pushing the pause button. “It’s conspicuous nonconsumption,” says one economist. “The wealthy still have the wealth, [but] it’s the image you project in a bad economy of driving a nice car when your friends or colleagues may be losing their businesses.” Chapter 6, Page 179

Final Project: SWOT Analysis

"Strengths include internal capabilities, resources, positive situational factors that may help the company to serve its customers and achieve its objectives. Weaknesses include internal limitations and negative situational factors that may interfere with the company’s performance. Opportunities are favorable factors or trends in the external environment that the company may be able to exploit to its advantage. And threats are unfavorable external factors or trends that may present challenges to performance." Chapter 2, Page 55
Strengths:

• Phileas Fogg's potato chips come in a defined package in the shape of a cylinder as opposed to a plastic bag, so the chips won't get crushed.
• Phileas Fogg's are a bit thicker than other potato chips.
• Phileas Fogg's chips are of a much higher quality than other potato chips.
• Phileas Fogg's chips are a little more satisfying as far as meals go compared to other chips.

Weaknesses:

• Phileas Fogg's require a little more work to process and create.
• Phileas Fogg's have smaller quantities of chips within the package considering the chips are thicker.
• Phileas Fogg's price is a little higher compared to other competitors.
• Phileas Fogg's chips can be found to be either too fattening or too salty for some people's taste.
• Phileas Fogg's is still attempting to 'break' into the market place and create a reputation compared to other establish branded potato chips. 

Opportunities:

• There isn't a specific age group that the potato chips cater to: they cater to anyone and everyone.
• Society is worried about the environment: Phileas Fogg's chips are made in energy efficient ways.

Threats:

• Considering Phileas Fogg's isn't one of the major brands, competition is a huge factor.
• Lack of reputation.
• Advertising costs.
• Production costs.

" A detailed marketing plan is needed for each business, product, or brand." Chapter 2, Page 56

Final Project: Objectives

"The statement of the problem and research objectives guides the entire research process." Chapter 4, Page 107
The main objective, other than selling the product of course, would be to create customer satisfaction. Delivering a great product that is price efficient, full of quality, and completely different from what's in the market is how I plan on creating customer satisfaction. Considering that the product is completely new, different, and innovative, I really wanted to focus on brand loyalty - I wanted customers to take a chance, go out on a whim, and try out a new product. Create loyalty with them, and hopefully have their feedback and see how the product can be improved in numerous kinds of ways: if the taste can be tempered with a bit, if the quantity of what's in the packaging can be altered, and if the packaging is beneficial to how the customer wants it to be carried or seen when they purchase the product. Listening to what the customer wants and needs is the most vital aspect of what will make the business thrive and make sales drive.
"Once the research problems and objectives have been defined, researchers must determine the exact information needed, develop a plan for gathering it efficiently, and present the plan to management." Chapter 4, Page 107

Final Project: Business Mission Statement

"A mission statement is a statement of the organization’s purpose—what it wants to accomplish in the larger environment. " Chapter 2, Page 39
'A clear mission statement acts as an “invisible hand” that guides people in the organization." Chapter 2, Page 39 
 - Armstrong & Kotler (2011). Marketing: An Introduction, 10th Ed. Prentice Hall Publishing           

Phileas Fogg's mission is to constantly deliver high quality snacked foods to our loyal customers coupled with the desire to cater to their needs. The Pepperoni Pizza flavored chip is cut thicker than other's so that there's more room for flavor with each and every bite - the sugar, spice, and everything nice are all key components that we all take into consideration. We sense our moral obligation to safeguard each other, our customers, and environment by aspiring to operate a safe, injury free and healthy work place.

Final Project: Pitch

My snack of choice is Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chips. Choosing Italy for my country would fit perfectly, considering pizza originated from Italy. It's made with extracted spices from a pepperoni, basil herbs to spice it's flavor up a bit, and really thick cut potato chips. What sets the pizza flavored chip apart from the other potato chip brands and flavors is that the chip is dramatically thicker than the usual, and it isn't considered a 'spicy' or 'hot' flavored potato chip, it has a tiny hint of flames with each bite. Since the chip is thicker, it's served in smaller quantities, but it still fulfills the cravings of the consumer. 

My adventure starts out with the main character roaming around the streets of Italy, admiring it's architecture, culture, and overall atmosphere. Considering the main character is just a investigative journalist traveling around working on stories and reporting them, he happens to be curious about where he is in general. The story he happens to be following revolves around a missing girl, the daughter of a famous pizzeria in Italy. When the kidnappers realize that the journalist is in the pursuit of saving the missing girl, they deliver a messenger man to create a deal: handing over the daughter in exchange for a large amount of money. Knowing that this may be his only loophole into getting any kind of intel on the whereabouts of the missing girl, the journalist accepts. The journalist lets his boss know in order to receive the amount of money that the ransom requests, and meets the dealers where they're requested to meet - the pizzeria. The bag full of what is supposed to be filled with money is filled with potatoes, and once the exchange was made, the kidnappers quickly realize that they didn't receive money at all. Noises of gunshots take event, which some bullets ricochet off into nearby barrels and create explosions. Sacks of the potatoes exploded into giant chunks of potato chips. One explosion after another soon made the pizzeria explode too, it was like a domino effect - making little bits of ingredients that they had fly into the sky. Onto the thick pieces potato chips then fell all of the tiny bits of pepperoni pieces, some spices, and even some herbs. Thus creating the Pepperoni Pizza flavored potato chip. Although the family's pizzeria was severely damaged, the daughter was saved and the restaurant created a new sensation that made them a fortune despite. 

EOC Week 6: Me x 3

Dove Extra Fresh Deodorant:

Dove's "Extra Fresh" deodorant is something that I chose over other brands because it works for me on all levels - it's affordable, it smells good, and most importantly, it works. Compared to other brands, they either smell too strong, or not strong enough, they're too pricey, some may not even work properly, and some just make obvious marks on yourself and your clothes which is something you don't want. It smells really nice and just 'fresh,' like the stick says.

Apple's iPhone 4:

I'm fairly new to smartphones, I had just purchased mine about a week ago from having a basic one for that past 5 years. Adjusting to the iPhone was really easy considering I had already had a iPod Touch - which is primarily the same thing, just without having the phone part. I chose the iPhone not because of it's popularity, not because of the price, and not for any other reason other than it's so universal. I can almost do everything I would on my computer on my phone with the exceptions of major tasks. I can get onto Twitter, Facebook, and any other social media applications, I can also video chat with my friends and family back home. It's something that's simple but has numerous features: which is why I chose the iPhone 4 over other products.

H&M's Slim Jean:

I've got lots of clothes in my closet, but as far as bottoms go I'm pretty minimal with what I've got. I own about 3 pairs of jeans: black, dark blue, and grey. I would say that the dark blue jeans define me because they're simplistic, stylish, timeless, and effortless. I had chose the ones at H&M over other brands because they're at a good price, the fit feels and looks nice on my frame, and after a couple of washes the jeans still maintain it's composure. It's something that I can wear universally too: during the day, or during the night; dressing it up, or keeping it minimalistic. 

Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

"In the old days, you’d have chatted up these brands with a few friends and family members. But these days, thanks to modern technology, armed with little more than a video camera, laptop, and a cell phone, anyone can spread the word about products and brand experiences to thousands, even millions, of other consumers", Armstrong & Kotler. The time have changed drastically from what they once were - our hobbies, how we communicate, and even how we carry on with our lives. With technology constantly evolving, we tend to grow as the products do too. Back in the day conversations were simple and casual, but most importantly, face to face. Now with smartphones and computers, we usually either send texts, webcam, or even just send pictures. Social Media and even technology in general has completely shaped and changed the way we as humans communicate as a whole. As far as the term 'Brand Ambassador' goes, it refers to "everyday consumers who are passionate about their products to act as part PR agents, part sales reps, and part evangelists." The goal of a brand ambassador is to "organize and supercharge consumer-to-consumer interactions about their brands." With marketers noticing the way communication has changed, how vital customer service is, and especially what other consumers think about a specific brand or product - markets want to touch on that and create something completely beneficial for their company.
Whether it's business related, or even just for kicks, Facebook is a social media outlet that a majority of us have. It's something completely free, and that everyone has easy access too. It's an easy method for marketers to get their word out about something specific to the masses. With that being said, marketers have tried to penetrate the social media website.

Week 4 EOC: Business to Business

Many people are confused as far as what 'Business to Business Marketing' means. It can be defined as "the marketing of goods and services to businesses in order to keep those companies operating", according to essortment. The most common business to business markets are manufacturers, resellers, the government, and non-profit institutions. For instance, a company that relies on numerous kinds of supplies, like fixtures, cleaning supplies to help keep their store nice and tidy, even small things like paper - other business' like Office Depot can help keep their business running, because through their business they can supply the items that are needed for the operations to fall through. Other than Office Depot, there is also Staples, GE, Home Depot, etc. The possibilities are limitless.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

Millennials (or Generation Y)

The 83 million children of the baby boomers, born between 1977 and 2000.

"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. A recent study found that 91 percent of Millennials are on the Web, making up 32 percent of all U.S. Internet users. According to another study, 77 percent of Millennials frequent social networking sites and 71 percent use instant messaging. “All generations are comfortable with technology, but this is the generation that’s been formed by technology,” says a Yahoo! executive. For them, “it’s not something separate. It’s just something they do.”^18"

^{I would have to agree with the book's definition of my generation and our needs. I feel as if our life does revolve around technology and innovation - intentionally or not. Our generation has grown as technology has been too, and in a sense, we're really dependent on technology to do things for us, whether they're simple tasks or because we're just simply lazy. Reason being, it saves time.  We're a group that wants to save as much time, so we can use it elsewhere. Where we can take as many shortcuts as we possibly can so we can maximize our time and energy on other things.}

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

Baby Teresa:

"Buy once, give twice", is the quote that the company Baby Teresa follows. Baby Teresa is an online clothing company that sells organic baby apparel and accessories. What sets Baby Teresa apart from other baby clothing brands is that Baby Teresa donates an outfit to a child in need for every outfit, and with every purchased accessory, a portion of that goes to purchasing formula for babies. 
"So far we’ve made donations in over 20 countries from Peru to Indonesia, Australia to France and Uganda to Egypt to name a few. " Baby Teresa has donation sites all over the world, where the formula and baby clothes that are to be distributes are located. 
Baby Teresa was started in 2009 by Sammie Appleyard and Kristy Dunphey, who shockingly didn't have any children at the time, but now mother three between the both of them. Appleyard and Dunphey's actions and overall drive have inspired unofficial members in other countries to strive in having the brand grow - "...a new team member - Carrie Hesketh - who has been a pivotal part of our donation team (unofficially up until now) conducting three donations in her adopted home of Vietnam. Carrie's new role sees her spearheading sales into new territories for Baby Teresa. "

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

Star: Xbox 360

With Microsoft releasing some news in regards to information about the new 'Xbox 720,' it just goes to show how far the gaming console has come. As opposed to having a controller, the console provides a wristband that slides on the user, and can sense movement within the hand and fingers - even with the controller not being a glove. With such innovative technology and evolving gaming in general, it really makes Xbox in the forefront when being compared to it's fellow competitors.

Cash Cow: Playstation 3

One of the biggest attractions that Playstation 3 has over other gaming consoles is its free access to 'Playstation Network,' which is it's online gaming community. Compared to another gaming console like Xbox, playing on the internet with the Playstation is free, and Xbox requires a monthly fee.

"Consumer demand for the PlayStation 3 system, peripherals and software was very strong during the Black Friday weekend. Gamers were quick to recognize the incredible value of the PS3 with its free access to PlayStation Network, Blu-ray capabilities, and the industry's best lineup of new titles, including the critically acclaimed Uncharted 3," an SCEA spokesperson commented to IndustryGamers. With that being said, the popularity of the Playstation had only risen during the holiday season when the prices were cheaper.

Question Mark: Nintendo Wii

With the release of the Nintendo Wii, the console was almost in everyone's houses. The feature of the 'Wii-Mote' had allured many gamers into buying the new product. The games revolved around physical movements: games revolving around sports, some had incorporated adventures and zombies, and others were dancing games.Unfortunately, with the recession, the sales of the Nintendo Wii have declined. There is still interest within the console from others - the physically inactive and even people of an older age still have a tad bit of interest in the console primarily because it's different from the other consoles, and that it is interactive so that it gives it a little more of an edge compared to the other consoles. But games marketed toward the physically inactive and people of an older age is a lot more minimal, games revolving around yoga, fitness, and even trivia can only take the company so far. "We've had very good years," he said. "It's [falling demand for Nintendo consoles] part, I suppose, of the cycle. We're not recession proof. We've probably as an industry been better than other industries," Yarnton states.

Dog: Dreamcast
Sega's Dreamcast had first arrived back in 1999, and in it's time was considered innovative considering you could link the gaming system to the internet and play with numerous other players around the world. With that being said, we're in 2012 now, where online gaming is a lot more revolutionary, fast paced, and have different kinds of genres - roleplaying, first person shooters, real time strategy, and various other kinds. Dreamcast had stopped developing games in the early 2000's due to the release of other gaming consoles; their competitor(s) had blew them out of the water.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Service

One time I was at Kate Spade, a designer store, shopping for a Christmas present for my Mom. I knew that my Mom liked tote bags, but I wasn’t too sure of which to get – should it be silver or black? Leather or canvas? I wasn’t too sure. It was obvious that I was a little overwhelmed and a tad bit confused as to what to get my Mom, so I was quickly approached by a sales associate. I had told her that I was looking for a Christmas present for my Mom and  that she liked tote bags. The sales associate had then showed me all of the tote bags that were really popular, offered at a great price, and in the different kinds of colors they had. She had helped me tremendously, and it didn’t even feel like she was trying to make a sale – it felt really natural. I felt like I was with a friend just having a conversation. She even shared a bit of how she was having difficulties finding a gift for her boyfriend, so in a sense we were on the same page. The manager had came out of the backroom after, greeted me, and solidified that my sale was going to be totally worth it. The book says, “If you can’t say who your customers aren’t, you probably can’t tell who your customers are.” (pg. 17) The book’s quote completely relates to me, they knew that I wasn’t there targeted customer, but they helped me find what I needed to find and made a customer out of me after; despite the purchase not being for me.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

I’m Ediben Bilog and I’m currently a student enrolled at the Art Institute of Las Vegas studying Fashion Retail and Management. With having a job in retail coupled with learning about the industry in school, I feel like I already have a taste of my future. I skim through numerous fashion magazines like Vogue, GQ, and Elle just to name a few, and pay attention to their fashion editorials and upcoming trends – through this I become inspired constantly. If I’m not looking at fashions and trends in magazines, I’m usually checking them out in stores and feeling the garments, examining prices, and comparing the store’s apparel with others. Following other successful fashion bloggers from around the world keep excited and passionate about my field - that my dream is within arm’s reach and that it’s only a matter of time.