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Cars RVs Boats

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:26:28 +0000

What do you consider the best way to see this beautiful country of ours? Picture yourself driving down the road to sight-see. What are you driving?

Perhaps you are one of the hundreds of people who dream of taking that road trip in your car . You love the freedom to know that you can travel down any road that you come upon. Knowing that if you want to drive to the top of the mountain or drive to the end of the shore and right up to the beach your car gives you that option. Cars can provide you the beautiful solitude of driving a long distance alone, or perhaps you dream of having friends or a love one along with you.

If you like the freedom of the road but also don’t want to have to worry about where to stay or paying for gas and a hotel room then perhaps the freedom of the road calls to you with a dream of an RV . With RVs you can go anywhere you want to go and don’t have to worry about finding the nearest hotel. If you wish to stay in the middle of no where you don’t have to sleep in a tent on the cold hard ground or worry about finding a bathroom in the morning. You have all the convenience of home combined with the ability to travel where your heart leads you.

An option that not many people consider when traveling is boat . Some of the greatest places and scenery can only be seen when you are traveling by boat. Some of the islands off of the coast hold the greatest adventures and with out boats to get you there you would miss out. Traveling by boat you don’t really have to worry about traffic or being delayed in a construction zone for hours. Enjoying the breeze and the sunshine on your skin can be the best relaxation that there is and it is all possible thanks to your boating travels.

So the next time you find that your walls are getting smaller and you wish to see a piece of this great country remember that you have a few options available to you. Think about the kinds of things you want to do and see and choose the option that is the best to fulfill your wishes, and most importantly have fun.

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Disclaimer: This entry / entries are for sole purpose of entertainment . It is not meant to give any sort of advice / advise . We makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, correctness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Please use at your own risk . Some of the links mentioned within this post or posts may lead to our own sites and or affiliate links . In such case we will get compensated for recommending those products. However, we will never recommend something that we don't personally believe in and we welcome your questions and feedback.

Authority Sources

Shopping Blogs — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 15:10:10 +0000

They say that knowledge is the source of power. Perhaps knowing a few of these will make you feel more powerful.

Knowing about finance sources can help you with your own personal finances. For example knowing what the top investment banking firms are and how they do business may help you in your finances. There may be a branch of one of these top firms in your area and they may be able to help you with your finances or your investment portfolio. At these investment firms they will show you where the best returns on your money may be possible as well as being able to help you decide if you prefer a risky investment or if you prefer to be on the safer side of the investment world. Knowing where the sources of finance headquarters may also be helpful. Most have their headquarters listed on their website. Many of the same finance sources that you are looking at are also some of the top credit sources in the country.

If you want to do a little research before you enter the world of investing there are several reliable business sources available to help you keep up on these financial times. While some you can subscribe to come in the mail in the form of magazines and newspapers almost all of the primary sources for business have a website.

A great debate currently going on in America is renewable energy sources . With the top five renewable sources being nuclear power, compressed natural gas, biomass, geothermal power and radiant energy. There are pros and cons to all types of energy but most experts agree that we have to find a better way to get out energy.

There are many different types of sources out there for you to find the best in food sources . Everything from the best foods to get you healthier hair to food that improves your iron levels. There are also vitamin sources that tell you how to improve your Vitamin C intake with certain types of foods. Almost anything that you are lacking in vitamins and minerals in your body can be balanced out with the right nutrition and supplements.

Being proactive in your child’s education can not only help you make sure that your child is getting the best education, but it can also help you to see any areas where they may need a little extra assistance. There are many tools that as a parent you can use to help your child. There are online education sources that are dedicated just to helping parents. Also sitting down and working with your child on these educational website sources will give you time together.

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What Exactly Are Network Affiliates?

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 17:33:46 +0000

The last couple of years have been a tough one for economies all over the world. People lost their jobs, big MNC’s went bankrupt and the economies worldwide were debt ridden. But among all this, there were still some people who were enjoying a steady flow of incomes and a good standard of living. No, I am not talking about the politicians here. I am referring to the network affiliates. The internet has proved a boon for so many around the world that its critics have had to eat their own words. Companies have taken to internet marketing in a big way. They can be seen all over the social networking websites, forums etc.

And one of the most powerful tools the businesses are using online is that of hiring network affiliates. For those of you unfamiliar with the term, network affiliates are people who join a particular business as their marketing persons. The network affiliates earn a commission for every product that is sold through them. But the difference between a marketing personnel and network affiliates is that network affiliates are not bound by any contract. They are free to leave as and when they wish to and they have the power to decide their own working hours. They can use any marketing technique they deem right, the bottom line being to help increase sales of the business concerned. Joining the growing fleet of network affiliates may seem a simple and lucrative deal to start with, but it is not as easy as it sounds.

First of all, you must understand that network affiliates are of two types. The first type is the affiliates who have to make direct sales with the help of the website and e-mail given to them. The second type is the network affiliates who are assigned their own group of affiliates after a certain point in time.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both the types of network affiliates. While the first type is easier to manage as you have to manage just one channel of marketing, it usually does not have the potential returns. After some time, the monthly payouts of this kind of network affiliates become stagnant.

The second type of network affiliates have a lot more potential to make huge amounts of money as they get paid for two things- one, the direct sales that they make and two, the sales made by their own network of affiliates. That said, this kind of a network affiliates program is harder to manage as one has to look after a lot of aspects related to marketing, which can be a daunting and time consuming task in itself. On should weigh the pros and cons of both the types of network affiliates program before he/she decides to join one.

It is all a matter of personal choice and one must choose wisely. However, before joining such a program, make sure you have the complete knowledge and the tools with you to succeed in the venture. A wise man rightly said-“little knowledge can be a dangerous thing” and it is always better to avoid playing with danger.

Finding People and Places in the Directory Search

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 13 May 2010 12:52:36 +0000

Directory search is an excellent technique used by large numbers of individuals to locate specifics needs. People search far and wide to find other individuals and places throughout the world. With the help directories provide, individuals are capable of getting what they desire in seconds. Many people’s searches are simply trying to locate restaurants, hair salons, and clothing stores. Locating such places is made easy using the internet. Though the internet provides numerous resources for individuals, using directories such as phone books and mall guides gets the job done just as successful if not more as online searches.

The directory search technique is great for finding perfect vacation destinations. Many recordings are shown via the internet to allow individuals with a more extensive view of where they would like to venture to. Not only do searches show what the destination will look like but the amenities that are available. Individuals are able to compare and contrast the different festivities offered as well as the shopping opportunities. Most people go on vacation to relax and get away. With the directory available couples, families, and even friends can make choices ahead of time of events that they could partake in.

Directory search provides many individuals with useful information about a variety of things. For instance, a college student and her two girlfriends want to go clothes shopping downtown but they are not sure what time the stores close for the day. It is already six at night so they search the phone book directory for their favorite stores to call them. With the use of the directory the three ladies were able to plan their shopping trip accordingly which allowed enough time to browse each store thoroughly before closing time. Another strategy the girls could have utilized is the directory search online to find the stores hours. However, using the online directory may take a long time to search specific stores. As many individuals know, searching directories online provides an individual with many results for the keywords searched. Thus, the information given may not be exactly what the searcher was hoping to find; therefore leaving the college student and her girlfriends irritated because after all that searching they discovered that the clothing stores were a half hour away from closing time.

Although, searching online can become frustrating there are benefits of utilizing it. People are able to find directory search information regarding anything imaginable. For example, a person is looking for a reasonably priced funeral chapel, hearse, and casket to make her mother’s burial ceremony special is made possible. Though times like these are hard to handle for loved ones having the opportunity to save on the expenses of a funeral can be relieving and make the process less stressful. Online tools such as funeral or wedding directories provide people with options. Directories online offer individuals the chance to bargain shop for the best prices for the services offered.

There are numerous searches made everyday using the directory search online but many individuals still use the area telephone books with the yellow and white pages to locate specific places and things. In today’s society the telephone directory does offer coupons and discounts to use at a variety of restaurants and several shopping stores. Although many individuals still use the telephone book this nation as a whole is encouraging people to go green to save trees. Going green in today’s society allows for paper products such as the phone book to be accessed online.

Water Babies Never Grow Up

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:52:17 +0000

Living near the majestic blue ocean provides numerous opportunities to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Jogging along the beach makes for a relaxing and life affirming morning, clearing your head and strengthening your heart all at the same time. People who live near the ocean are more likely to get outside, even if it is just for a sandy stroll with their pooch or to watch the sunset off the docks. Surfing, swimming and beach volleyball keep busy bodies tone and tanned. Sun worshipers come from all over just to feel the heat and listen to the crash of the waves. There is something about the oceans immense size and beauty that strikes a chord within. Even the sea gulls are drawn to it.

Those who have the financial means to afford a yacht, sailboat or racing boat take their passion far beyond the sandy beaches and into the sparkling waters off shore, where scuba diving and snorkeling offer a glimpse into worlds that normally go unseen, and water skiing gives thrill seekers something to smile about, and keeps local boats storage owners happy all year long. These hobbies require more mechanical dedication as well as more money to accomplish, but those who splurge on big, bad boat toys do not often regret it, and neither do their families.

Local boats storage facilities dot the landscapes of ocean side communities like steak houses in Texas. Boats are a source of family togetherness that bring a spirit of adventure to an otherwise normal, work filled life, and get people out on the water, where they truly seem to want to be. Water babies know their place is near the ocean, and preferable floating on top of it or swimming within it. When it comes to the big blue ocean, water babies will never grow up.

Why woluld you want to shop online – Part Three

Shopping Blogs — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:52:20 +0000

Every year ecommerce experiences new trends in the online shopping world. As our world evolves with nature, technology evolves at a faster pace. It is crucial for any business in any industry to keep up with technological trends for its survival. Like Darwin’s survival of the fittest, the companies who are ready to adapt to the latest trends will survive and the others will become extinct. This is why we see many retailers expanding their business to online shopping, because they are following the latest trend in the retail industry. Those retailers, who fail to set up an online shopping website, will have the same fate as the dinosaurs. They will become extinct. The following are the latest trends in online shopping. They clearly show how rapidly our society is evolving to a cyber world.

Online shopping spikes in the forth quarter every year during the holiday season. This spike pulls the rest of the year with it. Every year online shopping brings in new people online to buy, and those people sign on again during the regular calendar year. They become online shopping regulars and often tell others about the benefits from online shopping. People who were wary before about online shopping give it a try after they see their friend’s enjoyment.

Online shopping is also showing an increase due to many new online merchants. Online shopping customers have more choices on the internet then they ever had before. Online shopping business may offer unique items, or hard to find items that local business don’t carry. As more merchants hit the cyber world, online shopping revenue goes up. Antique businesses make up the majority of new online merchants. Instead of being limited to a local area, antique business owners have discovered that an online business caters to the whole world.

Online shopping also has become more cutthroat with competition. Online shoppers can find better deals then anywhere else. Not only do other online shopping stores price match with other online shopping stores, but retailers must price accordingly to online pricing. Online shopping auctions have also contributed to the online shopping growth. Online auctions offer head to head competition between venders which drives down pricing. This attracts more online shopping users to the internet.

The increase in broadband availability has contributed to the increase in online shopping. With faster internet connections, shoppers don’t need to have patients. The wait time for an online store’s web page to load is much quicker on broadband than it is on dial up. As more people switch to a broadband connection, more people use online shopping.

Online shopping increase can be contributed to local retailers with web pages desire to online shop. Online shopping allows big retailers to cut down on staff and operating hours. A smaller staff means smaller payroll and no benefits to pay. When the business is being directed to the web site and away from the store, the company can staff accordingly. Also, companies can cut down on operating hours. This saves costs on payroll and utilities.

We call these trends because we never know how the future will evolve. Two decades ago, strip malls were the future; today it is online shopping ; tomorrow, who knows.

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Why would you want to shop online – Part Two

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:03:22 +0000

Now that the holidays are over and online shopping has cooled down, it’s time to cash in on all those gift cards you received as holiday gifts. It seems like every major retailer and online shopping company offers gift cards these days. Though January is still a busy time in shopping malls with people handling returns, exchanges, or cashing in the gift card, as a gift card holder you can avoid the shopping malls. How? Cash it in at an online store.

Many retailers don’t limit the use of gift cards to the retail store itself. They will gladly accept them at their online shopping store. From the comfort of your couch, just type in the company’s web address and your at the store. Find the product you want and put it into your shopping cart. If you are not sure of what product you want, browse around without getting on your feet. When you find something you like, place it into the online shopping cart and check out using the gift card.

The biggest hesitation people have about online shopping is waiting for the product to arrive. This should not be your concern as a gift card holder. You had to wait this long for after Christmas for your gift anyway, so what are a few more days? There is a good chance that your desired product will not be in stock at the local store, especially after the busy holiday season. Waiting for the product to arrive may be unavoidable anyway. So, sit home, make a few clicks, and find something else to do until the product arrives.

Second to wait time, shoppers are afraid of online shopping because they do not want to reveal their credit card information to the cyberspace world. Well, with a gift card you don’t have to worry about that. A gift card has no record of your personal information, so there are no risks. Buying gift card for yourself and using them for online shopping is not a bad idea either if you are afraid of credit card fraud. Gift cards for many different retail outlets are available at your local pharmacy; therefore, a trip to the actual store is avoidable.

Keeping the gift card at a secure location in your home prevents it from being lost or stolen. That’s right, reserving the gift card for online shopping keeps it out of harms way from crooks and your own clumsiness. Gift card are just like cash and the retail store does not keep a record of them. So if you lose your 50 dollar gift card, it is like losing a 50 dollar bill. It is impossible to get your money back. Keep the gift card at home close to your computer, where it is safer than your coat pocket.

Convenient stores need to drop the word convenient from their title, because online shopping is much more convenient. Plus online shopping doesn’t raise their prices for being convenient. In fact, the competition involved with online shopping helps consumers find better deals. In other words, you can get more value out of your gift card by with online shopping.

Secret Shopping and Weather

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 10:43:21 +0000

The weather section in the morning paper calls for snow and ice canceling your shopping date with the mall. Newspaper advertisements show huge sales this weekend, now they are just a waste of paper. Or are they? Maybe there is still hope in taking advantage of the huge blowout sales without leaving your home. Actually, there is a way. It’s called online shopping. When the big retailers are closed due to snow or to business ours, online shopping is still open for business. Like the post office, online shopping is open during rain, snow, and sleet. In fact, online shopping is open 24 hours seven days a week.

Don’t let bad weather or even good weather ruin your planned shopping day. No one likes to travel in rain or snow. If this includes you, don’t do it. Sit at your computer desk, or sit on your couch with your laptop and go online shopping. Shopping during beautiful weather is difficult too. Who wants to be trapped indoors when they can go shopping outdoors? Instead of pacing though the long dark hallways in shopping malls, sit outside on your deck; catch some rays, while you make a reservation for a self storage unit.

Besides, rainy weather brings crowds to the malls. Have you ever gone to a shopping mall on a rainy Saturday afternoon? Then you know how hard it is to find a parking spot. Maybe your one of the lucky few that seems to always find a good parking spot. If not, you will look like you have just fallen for the water bucket above the door trick. Once inside the shopping mall, you will have to fight other soggy people with squeaky shoes over who was first in line. You’re better off waiting for nice weather before deciding to go to the shopping mall. But a better solution is to go online shopping so you can still enjoy the nice weather.

If you have a laptop with a wireless modem or a wireless network card, you can do your online shopping practically everywhere. So, when the weather calls for a beach day, you can sit in a beach chair under an umbrella, sip on a margarita, while buying bidding on Native American Indian pottery at an online shopping auction website. On the contrary, maybe you are in the mountains on a beautiful ski vacation. While sitting in the cabin waiting for the blizzard to quite down, you are online shopping for a self storage unit to put away your winter storage when you return home. If online service is available, online shopping can be done anywhere at anytime.

Just like how weather doesn’t affect the access to online shopping, time of day doesn’t disturb online shopping access. If retail store hours don’t cater to you busy schedule, online shopping does. The internet never closes; it is always open for business. So if you can’t get to the shopping mall during normal business hours, you can shop the same stores 3 o’clock in the morning. Online shopping caters to everyone’s schedule.

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More about Online Shopping and Self Storage

Shopping Blogs — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:04:04 +0000

Picture this scenario: a self storage property manager just gets off the phone with a self storage customer who booked a storage unit her mother’s old furniture. The word mother repeatedly echoes in his brain. The self storage manager knows that this word, mother, should trigger some sort of reminder about his own mother. Then, as he whispers mother three times with his lips, he yells out, mother, its mother’s birthday tomorrow.

At first the self storage property manager begins to panic as he has realized that he had forgotten about his mother’s birthday. Is it too late for him to buy and send her a gift all the way across the country? He felt like he was trapped inside a Local self storage, until he caught sight of his computer. Quickly, he found an online shopping web site that could send flowers for overnight delivery.

Online shopping bailed out this fictional self storage property manager, and it could save your real life relationship with your mother too. We’ve all been in this situation, where we almost forgot a love ones birthday and need to send a gift fast. Online shopping has many benefits which include sending gifts on time. One has to wonder why they need to leave home anymore.

Right now, as you read this sentence, millions of online shoppers are online shopping from their desk at work. Now shoppers can cut down on extensive shopping breaks and be more productive, because they don’t have to leave work to shop. Avoiding long lines caused by everyone having the same idea to shop during their lunch break is a huge plus.

Online shopping allows shoppers to shop everywhere in the world from one location. Every major retailer now offers online shopping. You can find the same merchandise online that is sold in the retail store. Plus, you can find more. Online shopping provides access to specialty retail stores and unique hard to find items that are not sold in your hometown.

Bargain hunters use online shopping to find the best deals. Instead of driving from one retail location to another, or one self storage property to another, online shoppers just need to maneuver a mouse. With a click here and a click there, online shoppers are just clicks away, not miles away, from finding the best price.

The most annoying part about retail store shopping is finding out that they are out of stock on the desired item when you get there. Would you want to spend your Saturday afternoon driving around your hometown search for a self storage unit only to come up empty? Online shopping is immune to such let downs. Most online shopping web sites display quantities available in inventory. So you know if they have an item in a storage room or not.

If you are not sure about the quality of a desired product or self storage unit, don’t take the commissioned salesperson’s word for it. Online shopping allows shoppers to read product reviews from customers who have already bought and experienced the product or storage unit.

From last minute shoppers to bargain hunters to self storage renters, online shopping benefits everyone.

offline shopping vs. online shopping

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:08:59 +0000

The other day someone told me that they never used the internet for online shopping. I couldn’t believe it. I though everyone was on the online shopping bandwagon. Though studies show that people over 65 years old and kids less than 15 years old are unlikely to use the internet for online shopping, this person is in his thirties. When I asked him why he doesn’t use the internet for online shopping , his answer caused a bit of a debate with the dangers of online shopping versus the dangers of regular shopping. He believed online shopping was unsafe and I was ready to rebuttal.

Like my friend, most people afraid of online shopping worry about identity theft and other scams; they fail to see the dangers associated with real world shopping. Online shopping is done sitting by eating chips and drinking beer on your couch while watching Sunday football games. Traveling to a shopping mall on a busy Sunday afternoon runs the risk of getting into a car accident. Have you ever seen the traffic around a shopping mall on any given Sunday? Minivans full of screaming kids whose parents denied them a Playstation video game clog up the roadways. These parents are distracted and can’t focus on the road.

Another argument is online shopping is vulnerable to identity and financial theft. But how many newspaper stories have you read about people getting mugged in the mall or in the mall parking lot. I bet every week you can find at least two in the local police blotter. Meanwhile millions of online shoppers make purchases everyday. The odd that you will be picked as a target are very slim if you take extra precautions. When a mugger steals your wallet or purse, he not only gets all of your money, your identification and credit cards are his too. An online thief might be able to find your personal information but he can not get your actual credentials. Also, can you fully trust the cashier with your credit card and check numbers? What is stopping them for steeling your identity and information?

So far we just went over the safety benefits of online shopping versus regular mall shopping. Here are a few more pluses for online shopping.

You might have to wait for your product to arrive in the mail when online shopping, but you don’t have to wait in line. I consider waiting in line a waste of my precious time.

Shopping online avoids annoying sales people who attempt to sell you things you are not interested in.

How about those annoying surveyors who just want a moment of your time, but there definition of a moment is 5 times 20.

Depending on where you shop, parking can be quite expensive. In cities where space in limited, so is free parking. Parking your bum on the couch if free. You may argue that shipping costs out way the parking costs, but many online shopping companies offer free shipping. Also, when you purchase a product from out of state, usually tax is eliminated.

So, to those who are still online shopping phobes, wake up and see the advantages of online shopping versus mall shopping. As a society we are accustomed to mall shopping; therefore, we tend to overlook the dangers. Online shopping is still relatively new, so the dangers advertised.

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Online Shopping

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:13:12 +0000

My favorite invention with no doubt is online shopping . Why? First I’ve always dreaded fighting the mall traffic. Second, waiting in a long line with screaming kids begging their parents of a pack of bubble gum is not my idea of a perfect Saturday afternoon. Online shopping allows me to go shopping all over the world from my cozy couch and a bottle of wine. However, online shopping should be conducted with caution. For those of you who are new to online shopping, you will enjoy the convenience and ease shopping with your new friend, the mouse, but just like in shopping malls were crooks are lurking in the parking lots demanding your wallet, the cyber world has its own predators. I’ve been online shopping for over ten years and it has been a pleasant experience. To copy my great online shopping experiences, please follow the same precautions I use.

Most of us shop whether it is online or the traditional way selecting a retailer by its brand or reputation. For instance, Self Storage is a leader in the self storage industry, so we can trust giving out our personal information on their website. However, the benefits of online shopping allow us to find unique items of interest sold from unknown retailers. Before you give out your credit card and personal information to one of these online shopping web sites , you want to make sure they are operating a secure and trustworthy web site.

Before you enter your name, address, and phone number make sure the online company has listed their postal information on the web page. If they don’t, move on to another online store. If they do have it listed, call and talk to a representative or request a catalog.

Look for third party seals of approval from such organizations as the Better Business Bureau Online or TRUSTe. Companies earn these seals if they abide by certain standards created by these trustworthy organizations. However, if they do have these seals, click on them to make sure they link to the organization and are put on the web site with permission. Most likely an online company will not post these seals without approval because it increases their chances of being caught.

If you visit web sites such as Epinions or Bizrate, you can find out what other customers have to say about their online shopping experiences with the company in question. People are most incline to write a bad review before a good review. So if your company has a good online shopping review, remember it must have been wonderful experience for someone to take the time to write. On the contrary, bad experiences are easily written driven by anger. If your company in question has no reviews, take that as a good sign.

Review the company’s policy on shipping methods and returns. The most difficult part about shopping online is not fully knowing what you bought is exactly what it is. Pictures can be deceiving. Sometimes an item looks larger in the picture than it does in person, or if you are buying clothes, you can’t try on a sweater though the computer. If the item is not what you expected or doesn’t fit, you want to make sure they will take it back and exchange it refund your money.

Lastly, trust your instincts. If you have a fishy feeling during your online shopping experience , skip the web site on move on to somewhere else.

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Secret shopping is a great strategy to learn about the competition.

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 07:25:44 +0000

Secret shopping is a great strategy to learn about the competition. One of my job responsibilities as a district manager for a wireless retail chain was to check out our competition by secret shopping them. Not only did this strategy generate sales approaches to counter our competition’s punches, it allowed us to adopt new innovative ideas and discredit others used by the competition.

Secret shopping also was used to train new employees. Like self storage, the wireless phone industry is highly competitive and the sales process is very intimidating to new hires. It takes time for new hires to find their niche and to feel comfortable on the sales floor or on a sales call. Secret shopping the competition allows them to understand the sales process from the customer’s viewpoint. Secret shopping a few competitors was encouraged to compare different sales approaches. Not all sales people and companies have the same standards and style, so it was important for the new hire to define what works and what doesn’t work.

After secret shopping, the new employee would report back to me and give a report about the experience. Together we would review his opinions of likes and dislikes compared to our expectations. Most likely I had already secret shopped the company before; therefore, I had a good idea of the secret shopping experience that the new hire practiced. As the saying goes, two minds are better than one, but more than two is even better. From the manager’s point of view, there is a lot that I learned from the experience too. Witnessing many different sales scripts allows you to pick out what you like and implement them in your own sales script.

Secrete shopping also was used as a weapon to counter customer’s gripes about our company compared to our competition. We were never involved in getting caught in a price war. If we did, we would have failed. As a smaller chain most of our competition was large retailers who bought in huge quantities for a cheaper price. On the contrary, we could only afford to buy enough inventories to stock one storage room shelf. So we had to sell value over price. Since our stores were specialized in wireless products, so was our sales team. Just like in the self storage industry, our company specializes in storage, so should our employees. In the wireless phone industry, we were not just a sales force, rather a place to get professional help on all wireless communication products. The same goes with self storage; self storage property managers should not take just reservations, but be a total storage consultant. This is why secret shopping is important whether you are checking out the competition or using it for sales training. By identifying competitive sales strategies you can act on them when they are dealt to you.

Most likely your competition is selling the same exact storage space as you. Sometimes there are differences, but not always. So to avoid getting into a price war, know how your competition is selling a self storage unit and counter on that.

For more information about secret shopping, mystery shopping, or if you want to learn how to secret shop visit one of PhoneSmart’s secret shopping blogs or mystery shopping blogs .

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Quality Assurance

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 09:31:33 +0000

What do you look for in a product or service? Price, availability, guarantees, style, reputation, brand recognition, and quality are just a few of the things that consumers look for before making a choice about an important product or service. Quality assurance can be a service or a description of how something might be delivered to you. Quality, the term is known to mean, “top shelf,” better than average, excellence, value, or superior. Assurance is the promise, oath, declaration, word, or pledge. Together we have Quality Assurance, the promise of superiority. When you need Quality assurance for your business, you need some kind of systems in place to monitor, train and control the information coming in and the product or service you are delivering.

Quality assurance monitoring is watching the end product to check for perfection. Monitoring can also be done with a staff of employees. Quality assurance monitoring for employees is a basic check of customer service, work ability, attitude or attendance. This can be done by a company that offers quality assurance services or by an inner department that is instructed to monitor the staff.

Quality assurance training is providing at least adequate written, oral, audio or visual training that will meet or exceed the company’s standards. Training is very important to every business and trade and many of these places will offer continued training to all employees to keep everyone on the same page. Teachers and nurses are required to have training all throughout their careers.

Quality assurance control is the ability to fine tune and inspect the final product or service that is offered. Control of your final product or service is key to providing the customers with the quality product of service that they would expect. One might also think of quality assurance control as those little stickers you find on packaged clothing, like socks and undershirts. Somewhere on the assembly line there is a quality control inspector making sure the socks and undershirts are perfect before packaging. They prove it by putting a little sticker that says, “Inspected by #43” to show the customer that the company has standards in place.

Some companies now have a quality assurance department or quality assurance services area. If a company does not have this department or area then there are other companies out there that can offer this service for you. Either way, your business will prosper from a proper quality assurance program. Some quality assurance services can offer all three; monitoring, training and control to help you have the best product or service you can deliver.

Property Management

Shopping Blogs — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:01:48 +0000

Property management can have different definitions depending on where you need property management services. In some large corporations or factories, property management could be managing the actual property. This could include parking lots, landscaping, private roadways and driveways, rooftops and any common areas. To the local landlord, property management is the upkeep and maintenance of the rental apartment or home. Some property management companies manage many properties for the owners of the rental homes or apartments. A homeowner could be their own property manager and keep up the lawn, driveway and outside structure of the home. To a self storage business owner, the property manager is usually the self storage manager. A daily checklist of items on the property help make the self storage facility runs smoother. Some of these items might include:

Visually inspecting the gate for problems, rust or age
Opening and closing the gate to make sure it is working properly
Checking the outside of each unit to make sure they are closed and locked
Picking up any debris, or trash on the property
Sweeping the front sidewalk or walkway
Check the outside fencing to make sure there are not any holes or damage
Check the dumpster for any trash that has blown out or too large to fit in
Paperwork for current tenants and collections of unpaid rent
Snow removal or weather related items
Check perimeter lights and security cameras
Keep front office clean and neat

These are just a few things that the self storage manager would do on a day to day basis to help keep their property clean and safe. Property management can be a part time job or a full time position. Some businesses find that they cannot concentrate on their property management needs so they will hire a property management company to help with the property.

Property management companies are becoming more and more popular as businesses find that it is easier to hire out the service than worry about managing their own property. Property management companies can come in and focus on what the property needs to help make the business a success. Property management companies can be found for most businesses that might require those kinds of services. Of course hiring a property management company will cost your business some money. The more money you can budget for property management will get you different levels of service. Call around and ask for references before you decided on a property management service. Once you have found one, you will not have to worry anymore about your property management issues .

Secret Shopping

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 11:06:12 +0000

Secret Shopping

Does your business have a way to monitor your employees?

Many businesses these days are hiring outside secret shopping companies to monitor their employees from an outside source. Secret shopping companies can be specialized depending on the client they are monitoring or they can be a general service. Secret shopping can be in person or on the phone. Secret shopping companies that offer in person shops utilize people who are very observant and who can communicate well. Communicating the required information is key to delivering the shop to the client. The client must trust that the secret shopping company is going to be accurate, fair and prompt. In turn the client must be able to share the report or evaluation to the manager who was shopped. By going over the shop with the manager, discussions can develop on how the manager handled the customer (the shopper). Secret shopping is great for the new hire or the seasoned manager as customer service training can always be refreshed.

Secret shopping by phone is a great way to see how your managers are answering and handling your customers that call. People are calling around to business to get information so they do not have to waste time and expensive gas going from place to place. If someone can call your business and get a friendly and helpful person they are more likely to come and purchase your product or service. Being able to provide excellent service over the phone is vital to getting the potential customer into your business. Once the person is in your store, you can then wrap up the sale and gain a new customer.

Mystery shopping or secret shopping is great for business that have some type of interaction with people, either in person or on the telephone. One popular type of response from shopping is the consumer survey where the customer gives their feedback about a shopping or dining experience. Many stores and restaurants will offer some sort of incentive to get the customer to call or take an online survey. The incentive could be a coupon or a free gift for completing the questions. These calling and online surveys are typically done by an outside company that specializes in gathering and compiling data to form reports that the company can use to better their service.

Secret shopping companies are easier to find than ever, so look around to find the best company for your secret shopping needs. Make sure the relationship is good and that an open line of communication is developed so that each part of the equation may prosper.

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Internet and international information systems

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 10:46:09 +0000

One of the rather unique futures of Information systems as a business tool is its capability to cross function across geographical and political barriers. The invention and evolution of internet has certainly greatly contributed to the ability of information systems to be deployed globally, regionally as well as locally. Tools such as remote back up, remote access, as well as data transfer via internet or intranet have enabled business managers to create an environment of accessibility to virtually all stakeholders.

Nevertheless, the implementation of such advanced information systems may not be as simple or easy. Many issues including privacy, security, as well as cross platform compatibility may illustrate significant issues in term of financing as well as implementation of those measures. Additionally, issues such as language and cultural barriers may hinder a smooth transition.

Nevertheless, it is not only possible, but viable to consider and implement IT infrastructure that assimilates cross border utility and usability in order to benefit all stakeholders and decision makers. The proper planning, evaluation and implementation of such ventures are the only real way to assure the greatest possible positive impact.

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Unemployment and Informational Technology

Shopping Blogs — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 14:48:57 +0000

The evolution of the World Wide Web and the consequent widely implementation and development of information systems have certainly contributed to elimination of job; hence contributing to unemployment. Yet such actions and consequences are certainly not unusual nor uncommon. Similar historic tracks such as automatization have had similar impact in eliminating jobs.

Essentially, it is rather a philosophical question: should a company or industry be held responsible for job elimination because of advancement in technology or other similar reason. It is hard to argue that attempts to increase effectiveness and efficiency should be accompanied by punitive measures such as holding particular end users responsible for loss of jobs.

Nevertheless it seems rather obvious that for profit organizations as legal entities and member of the social and cultural structure have a responsibility to their native country. It is neither out of order nor illogical to suggest that in exchange for the natural resources and granted rights, those for profit organizations should attempt to contribute to overall well being of their respective nations and economies.

Ultimately, a direct connection between end-users of a given respective technology to increase effectiveness and efficiency cannot and should not result in punitive actions. Yet expecting the end users to positively contribute to their respective societal well being can and should be expected. A balanced approach between volunteer contribution and legal obligations maybe a good approach.

Security is not just a technology issue, it’s a business issue as well

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 08:51:26 +0000

Security is not just a technology issue, it’s a business issue as well

The evolution of technology has had its impact on virtually every business or private aspect of our lives. From privacy to liability issues, the impact of technology on business is only limited to imagination. However, the issue of most concern is certainly security – James Madison University has one of the largest collections of information about security.

Security in general as well as sub topics such as data security as well as infrastructure security, create an entirely new concern in addition to the traditional issues. The mere evolution of technology including the World Wide Web as well as personal computing means have created rather newly conceptualized businesses such as data back and storage which are subject to great deal of potential danger for businesses in terms of liability and for consumer in terms of privacy and data security.

Nevertheless the main topic of security is not new. Before the evolution of technology physical and employee access to hard collected data such as consumer credit card numbers were equally of great concern. Hence it is fair to say that the evolution of technology has simply added new issues such as data breach, malicious or accidental data loss as well as potential hardware and software failure.

Ultimately, considering the immense involvement of advanced technological tools into private and business lives, it is fair to say that security concerns are not limited to business owners or business stakeholders. It is rather a universal topic that concerns virtually everyone; though the degree of impact and concern may depend on many factors including given geographic locations.

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Informational Technology

Shopping Blogs — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 11:41:36 +0000

Informational technology i.e. IT is the accumulation of any and all tools that enables the gathering, processing and output of data in forms of information or application. The level of integration of IT infrastructure depends on many factors including industry, type and size of the entity, necessity of data availability and analysis as well as cost and benefit considerations.

The decision of the level of integrate of informational technology infrastructure can certainly not be universalized. The level of integration, as previously mentioned, is an asymmetric situation in which the given entity has to conduct a cost benefit analysis to make proper determinations. Yet generally speaking, informational technology may enable the decision makers to have a greater set of information and data analysis which may in turn enable better decision making.

Nevertheless, the scope of integration will greatly depend on the impact and outcome. The mere integration of advanced technology including informational technology is in the spirit of advancement; to enable better decision making, increase output, and ultimately increase profitability. Just like any other tool the integration of IT has to have purpose that would persuade decision makers to implement it.

Ultimately, as in any business decision, the integration of IT has to be carefully evaluated for its potential. The major considerations will depend on the particular entity and its respective goals. Yet it is certainly a reasonable assumption that IT integration has a great deal of potential to increase effectiveness, efficiency and profitability by enabling the accumulation of data and respective data analysis.

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Retail Industry and managing technology

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 09:30:05 +0000

Porter’s five competitive force model include: New Market Entrants, Substitute Products and Services, Suppliers, Customers, and Competitors. In its most basic assumptions Porters model is the illustration of potential factors that may influence the outcome of a given companies effort in particular markets.

The retail industry can be used to amplify Porters model. In retail industry new market entrants may illustrate one of the rather signification factors in understanding competition. New entrants may chip away from existing customers that are enticed by marketing or lower introductory prices.

Similarly the concept of substitute product and services may impact retailers bottom line. The impact of generic or substitute products which may sway consumers to change brand or retailers is certainly of interest to retail industry.

Further, supplliers can have an equal impact because of their ability to manipulate constant stream of goods and services as well as their ability to initiate fluctuation in prices. Such factors influence the overall pricing strategy as well as proftiability of retailers.

Moreover, the end user i.e. customers can have an immense impact on retailers long term surviavability and profitability. The consumers choice to conduct their business with particular retailers can depend on many factors including prices, public image, product availability as well as customer support. Hence the slightest movement, both poistive and negative changes can influence the consumers shopping habits which may in turn influence the given retailers.

The last but not least important factor is comptition. Clearly, retailers or any for profit venture is fundementally influenced by quality and quanitity of its given competitors. Though some exceptions apply, the general rule of tump would dictate that competitors are the most obvious hurdle in market penetration and market domination.
Naturally all of Porters factors are subject to changes because of evloution in business and business practices. The most recent history which has included the immense evolution in informational technology including personal computers as well as internet have certainly had an impact on such models.

The evolution of interenet alone has created an immese impact by enabling consumers to have access to more products, more competitors, cheaper prices, as well as provide the ability to conduct comparison shopping. Widespread and cheap high speed internet connection in combination with reduced PC prices, makes virtually every houshold to a shopping information center.

Ultimately, it becomes the obligation of business decision makers to continoue to integrate technology and its repsective impact on their endusers into their business model. Manageing technology is not just another business aspect rather than playing a main role in creating and maintaining time appropriate and profitable business.

Ethics of SERP — Continued Part 2

Shopping Blogs — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 10:51:00 +0000

A while back one of our sponsors World Consulting Group started an entry discussing the Ethics of SERP .

The following entry is the Continuation:

As previously stated the first significant issue to be considered is the role of search engine. The three most known first tier players Google, Yahoo and MSN are the main search engine or portals used world wide. Each is known and used by different target users whereby most users probably use more than one at the time. However all of the major three players are in terms of traditional business rather young. The longest existing player MSN a division of Microsoft; which has been conducting business for around 30 years. But even in MSN case, the World Wide Web ventures are all around a decade old.

Considering the evolution of informational technology which has virtually impacted all walks of personal and business lives, it is rather obvious that the major players carry a great deal of social responsibility. However, considering the recent government and search engine co-operation to acquire user data illustrates one of the rather unique challenges.

But first one has to consider core competencies of each of the service providers. Google is widely known to be the front runner in terms of end users and advertising revenues. Yahoo is better known for its portal functions which basically allow for a “one stop shop” approach by combining a wide range of available topics. MSN on the other hand, is in for front of providing a portal similar to Yahoo but targeting high end users with above average income.

In spite of such categorization, all three are private companies that dictated their own internal policy. Usually that would be in sync with a capitalist and free market society. However, since the essence of all major three companies is around information collection, categorization and distribution, it is hard to argue that private entities or market driven economy should be in charge. Historically, the same thought and philosophy under which particular industries become greatly scrutinized and regulated has been applied to other industries such as transportation. Hence it is not out of place to suggest that such private entities should not be self regulating or not attract governmental oversight. Yet until now, only a few isolated instances such as Google attempting to purchase Click Track has attracted any governmental scrutiny.

It is hard to imagine that private entities which provide and distribute information that influences virtually all aspects of our daily lives; have been left to their own rules and regulations. It is unthinkable that similar approach would be taken in industries such as farming, port transportation or airlines. Some of these industries are tightly controlled and regulated as well as received huge amount of subsidies financed by tax payers’ money in the name of national interest or national security. Though such industries are vital, in the age of information and internet, search engines are at least as important.

Hence it is important to keep in mind that such private, uncontrolled, and hardly regulated industries illustrate a vital interest in national security as well as having a rather significant positive impact on individuals’ life.

The second important point of consideration should be viability and consistency of Search Engine Results Pages or SERP. Clearly SERP should get the most scrutiny due to its impact. It is SERP which will show the results of search queries, advertising, and any other relevant or irrelevant issues. SERP is basically the ultimate search engine results illustrating company preferences and core capabilities.

One could easily get too involved in examining technical issues, advance mathematical algorithms, object and result rankings and another dozen technical specification to determine how and what is ranked and why. But in terms of overall picture, it is rather irrelevant why and how a search engine determines to out put particular results. The most significant factor is that it is their decision as to what and when to index, why, when and how to show the results or chose to not output particular results.

Proponent of free market may argue that the market is self correcting and abuses will result in end users outcry, abandonment of particular services that may at the end lead to self correction by means of replacement with alternatives or corrections on behalf of the offenders. Though it maybe true that eventually the market will correct it selves, this particular case can not and should not be based on eventualities. In today’s information driven society, time is of essence. A fair portion of available information including news, public statements, as well as industry specific releases require prompt attention. Yet given the fact that search engines are free to chose their own formula and time table, one could argue that disclosure and distribution of such vital information should not be left to private entities without a great deal of regulations.

Proponents may argue that online news agencies do not face such regulation nor do print or audio counter parts. However, as long time established businesses most traditional news media are subject to information delay in the first place, hence eliminating a comparison. Second, similar organizations are individual business or compilation of some regional / interest based selections. Search engines, however, are aggregators. They do not generate any form of information rather than outputting a collection of that information. Hence farther nullifying comparisons.

Similarly one could argue that SERP is a product just like any other business or personal product which is used by those that trust its brand or producers. Yet that is equally flawed. Search Engines have created an competitive environment which has resulted in establishment of artificial industries such as Search Engine Optimization which in turn has established a grate deal of sub divisions including directories, article directories, writing services, and dozen more. No other industry has ever created so many artificial sub divisions. Other industries have managed to create sub industrial divisions in order to find specialized vendors for their needs. Yet search engines have actively encourages and help create and industry that is no help to them nor does it serve the end users. Further search engines do not provide specifics about how ranking occur rather than vaguely pointing to obscure issues that may or may not be of any help to stakeholders.

As mentioned previously it is to get caught up in technical aspects of SEO or SERP. The main issue should remain about transparency as well as public availability.

The third important issue to consider is the availability. In today’s global information age and globalize social and economic setting search engines just like any other major business in abide or adhere to political and economic pressure of domestic and foreign government. However as in previous instance those rules should not and can not be applied to search engines. Considering the core competency of information collection and distribution, search engines are our generations’ libraries. However, unlike libraries which may chose to carry books or publications or to avoid particular titles, search engine do not have the same luxury. Their social obligation of fair, unbiased and equal distribution of information dictates that search engines enable everyone to find the information they seek without unnecessary burden of artificial rules.

In the same realm of argument one has to examine the lack of multi lingual approach. Obviously search engines have created portal for other countries in their respective languages, yet an overview of those languages shows a lack of effort in those areas that would have the greatest need for widely and freely available information. Among those, none of the major search engines have major portals for Farsi or Urdu. One might argue that past and current economic and political sanctions have hindered such efforts, but that would only partially be true. It is rather obvious that business decisions pertaining the ROI of such investment is and was in the hart of such decision. Providing search engine portals for established markets promises advertising and marketing revenue. The same can not be said of developing nations nor emerging markets. But all of the search engines have managed to establish Chinese portals and have freely and widely complied with not so democratic governmental information requests; because of potential revenues.

Nevertheless one should not forget that search engines are and will always be for profit organizations. The mere cost in IT tools and staff will dictate a for profit approach. However, because of their particular nature, profit sharing should be only secondary to their core competency of fair, equal and unbiased information distribution.

Ultimately the nature of information age and global information exchange dictates that those dominating those markets for whatever reason have a responsibility to all end users. They are obliged to at least attempt to enable the equal availability of information to those who need it most. Those deprived or prohibited of unbiased information. Those who could use free unbiased information to improve their lives and living standards. Yet even that attempt has to be undertaken with additional considerations. The for profit nature of search engines dictates that their bottom line will have to be attractive in order to finance farther innovations. Hence, leading us to the conclusion that public support for those organizations may have to include financial incentives in forms of subsidies, grants or tax benefits.

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Outsourcing – Advantages and disadvantages

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:57:27 +0000

Outsourcing in general is geared toward one main goal of cost savings. Certainly there are substantial quantity of other reasons such as reconfiguration of human resource capital, increase in divisional or organizational effectiveness and efficiency. However, the ultimate goal is to increase bottom line by reducing overall costs. E-Business or ecommerce is no exception. In order to determine the viability and suitability of outsourcing any or all business processes a cost saving analysis as well as return on investment maybe the most suited tools to make such determination.

The most current trend in the outsourcing appears to be the marketing aspects of an ecommerce site which may include Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Link Campaigns, online organic marketing, offline promotion as well as niche marketing. Most of these functions occur after the initial design and implementation with the exception of SEO. Other common attempts to outsource include article submissions, data storage, data processing, ad servings, CRM, as well as many other but similar popular third party services.

The advantage of outsourcing ecommerce projects could include cost and time savings in initial creation, reducing cost of maintenance, as well as taking advantage of third party up to date expertise in design, optimization and functionality. Though all of these functions can be equally created internally, the cost efficiency is certainly questionable. The influencing factors may include talent acquisition and maintenance, continues educational and training costs, purchase of hardware and software as well as their respective maintenance cost, as well as managerial cost of supervision and evaluation of human resources as well as tools.

At the first glance, it seems like a no brainier that once a viable third party is selected, outsourcing of e-business is a simple choice of economic decision making. However, there is more to it than it meets the eyes at first. The most pressing issues is one of strategic nature. The outsourcing of vital functions such as ecommerce is certainly a two sided coin. The cost benefits are great yet the strategic reliance on a third party which essentially creates dependency as well as lack of internal expertise may have a greater impact on long term strategic vision than the cost saving may justify.

Reliance and dependency on a third party eliminates the negotiation capabilities of the outsourcing entity. Equally, the lack of internal capabilities and expertise certainly creates a vacuum in terms of knowledge creation and maintenance which is equally significant for long term strategic vision and goals. Nevertheless, even the most novice business personnel and entities have not only observed but have actively participated in outsourcing. It is interesting to see the long term impact of relinquishing total or partial control over vital functions by means of outsourcing.

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Information Systems

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 10:55:51 +0000

In today’s information age it is hardly a surprise that many decision makers, end users as well as law makers are concern about information security and data privacy. Historically it is not surprise that new technology and advancements are accompanied by new challenges as well as uncertainty in terms of upholding traditional set of values and regulations.

Information systems are no exception. Business to business or business to consumer both illustrate equal dilemmas; data and privacy breaches, hackers, viruses, worms, spy ware, and industrial espionage are just a few concerns. Such concerns may translate themselves into criminal and civil liabilities for service providers which may raise the cost of insurance and ultimately reduce profitability.

Yet the main issue at hand is if information systems can or should be subject of all time efficiency, accuracy and security. Certainly a pro argument for effectiveness and efficiency is hard to counter, however, in terms of absolute security; the issue becomes more philosophical than practical. Every aspect of business is accompanied by certain amount of risk which also includes security issues. Information systems are no exception; currently there is no system that has an absolute security option nor does any information system provider make any such assurances. As technology evolves so does the human curiosity and ability to challenge the status quo; hence any and all new technology is either subject to errors or human interference.

Besides, in terms of business practices the mere cost benefit analysis would dictate that such security is more costly than it is worth. Even in terms of civil liabilities it is certainly cheaper to compensate individual and businesses than attempt to invest into capital ventures that would create and maintain absolute secured information systems. Yet it is important to point out that such analysis certainly would dictate a dues diligence; assuming that no reasonable attempt was speared to assure sensible and common industry standards.

Ultimately, as in any other component of business and business decision making the proper balance is the key.

There has to be enough resources invested in creating a viable and secure a system which conforms to industry standards as well civil and criminal laws. Yet such effort should not be hindering the ultimate goal and obligation of business to create the greatest possible profits for its stakeholders.

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Avon

Shopping Blogs — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 15:47:14 +0000

Avon as a long recognized brand name is certainly an interesting company to examine. Considering its overall market penetration and brand recognition it certainly raises the question as to the validity of it approach. Avon’s sales system which entails the infamous and time proven technique of direct sales is certainly in contradiction with the most up to date and revolutionary sales tools that are available to virtually all size companies. Hence inherently leading to the question as why Avon has failed to adapt to increase productivity, efficiency and effectiveness which would logically lead to greater bottom line.

It is unclear what the motivation of such company maybe. It could include lack of funding, managerial / stakeholder insistence on maintaining the status quo, lack of viable competition that would force changes, as well overall company cultural and attitude toward changes. In any case, the individual issues such as their approach to direct sales, outdated paper sales system, high turnover of employees and sales personnel and lack of uniform informational technology tools are all secondary issues. There are more fundamental problems that need to be addressed.

Essentially examining the details of a given problem in an organization is not only ineffective in terms of overall organizational strategic vision; it is a barrier to correct potential issues as it applies to the entire organizational culture. For all intents and purposes Avon appears to have large philosophical and theoretical discrepancies. It is not a secret that their methodology has not seen an overhaul for a long time. This certainly raises the question as how this could be changed.

By no means one can certainly know or pin point the exact reason/s as why changes have to been conducted. Yet is certainly obvious that many possible changes are available for consideration. The first and most important asset of any company is certainly its human capital. The Avon ability to reduce its high turnover of its sales personnel should be the first and most obvious point of discussion which could include reevaluation of hiring procedures, overhaul of human resource department guidelines, survey of current and past employees to determine major causes of dissatisfaction and many other similar issues. Deployment of high tech tools including sales automatization, performance evaluation, adaptation of uniform IT tools as well as rigorous examination of data and return of investment could certainly assist in increase effectiveness and efficiency.

Nonetheless, as mentioned before, micro examination and determination of problems as well as micro recommendation in this particular case is contra productive. The more important issues is the examination of the organizational culture that appears to be resistant to change. Certainly there is an argument to be made that Avon organizational culture has resisted changes in order to maintain the status quo; or alternatively changes have not been considered because of potentially less than assuring outcome or probable disruption to the existing operation.

No matter what the reason for the organizational resistant to change, it is a fundamental problem on organizational long term success. It is not only logical, but commonly understood fact of conducting successful long term business that changes in virtually all aspects of business are inversely unavoidable. Changes in the business world can be caused by evolution in technology, its availability, and cost effectiveness as well as changes in customer needs and requirements, changes in social and cultural factors, governmental regulations, domestic or international factors such as tariffs or sanctions as well as issues such as globalization.

Ultimately, in general as well as in Avon’s case, it is not out of order to suggest that a long history in resisting to change may illustrate a very fundamental flaw that may even jeopardize the very survival of a company. The most generic recommendation, without wanting to examine every detail of such basic mistakes, maybe within the most significant asset of Avon or any other similar company; namely its human capital.. Hence it is logical that one can and should suggest an elementary change in adding and replacing those that are essential to organizational culture. A logical start would certainly suggest that the core personnel i.e. senior management should be replaced with individuals more open to adoption and change. Such radical change would certainly assume that a trickle down effect will take place; those senior mangers that are instructed to bring about changes by means of adoption will certainly echo their efforts down to the chain of command to the mid managers and ultimately to the front line workers.

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Ethics of SERP

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 11:20:00 +0000

Ethics of SERP

In the ever changing world of ecommerce and its subsequent inherent dilemmas, it is hard to pin point to a particular set of issues that would take precedent over others. Even the most fundamental ethical issues such as equality in information availability to direct or indirect guided views, illustrate philosophical, theoretical as well as practical problems.

Essentially one of the rather relevant issues of ecommerce as well as informational evolution is within the major players and distributors of organized information which leads to the examination of search engines. It is to ambitious wanting to examine all first tier players, hence the concentration should be within the most successful and main stream group of actors i.e. Google, Yahoo, and MSN.

The essence of examination should not be within the details of their business conduct rather than the core competency as defined by the end users and their subsequent behavior. The methodology of such examination should also concentrate on global scale rather than only United States or Western nations in order to theorize on a grand scale, rather than only a minimal portion of potential end users.

The appeal to praise or regurgitate common statements such as profitability or massive expansions should be resisted by exploring the true nature as well as the intended spirit of World Wide Web in order to achieve a greater sense of viability, effectiveness and efficiency in philosophical, theoretical as well practical topics.

Further, in order to examine the validity of ethical viability should be examined in terms of Search Engine Results Page SERP by examining consistency, viability as well overall relevancy. Again, the attempt to sink into technical examination should be resisted by examining the overall global human impact and relevancy.

One last important point concerning academic value of such examination is the obedience of academic standards. Consideration must be given to the circumstances as well as the nature of such examination which will include a variety of business sources to accredit facts. However, the theoretical examination of such abstract topic can not and will not meet the highest academic standards. The reasoning behind such statement is rather simple and includes interfering factors such as lack of academic interest and past research either because of lack of funding or lack of institutional foresight, massive insertion of personal opinions, information censure, as well as potential impact.

Hence the examination will concentrate on fact verification through academic and business sources, however, the theoretical examination will be subject to personal interpretation of data and academically examined and validated theories.

Ultimately, in order to validate the main point of research should solely rely on academic and business sources that are available online. Such methodology by it selves will establish the core point of the necessity of such research.

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SWOT Weakness and Thread

Shopping Blogs — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 09:48:00 +0000

Today’s announcement by Microsoft that it will provide a 3 year warranty and repairs in order to eliminate the current issues with “Ring of Death” is rather expected. In their announcement MS also provided a warranty reimbursement for past repairs. Essentially this announcement will translate into a cost of up to $1 Billion for Microsoft.

In terms of SWOT analysis, this announcement is certainly a great illustration of a potential weakness as well as thread. In terms of weakness, the hardware flaws that have plagued XBOX 360, have illustrated a great point of weakness. In terms of threat, such sudden and uncalculated cost is certainly a threat to potential future profits. Yet this is not unique to XBOX; Nintendo Wii had its issues and problems with its joysticks and Sony PS3 had software flaws. Hence leading to a logical conclusion that all the three major players had flawed products and entered the market prematurely which created unforeseen cost.

Both the weakness and thread in this particular case is an illustration of a flawed organizational culture in which early comers and most of their end users are more concern with early market penetration with the conscious knowledge that such early penetration may compromise quality as well as create unintended negative consequences. Yet the benefit of early market penetration with its potential marketing benefits outweighs the quality concerns. Other industries such as the automobile industry have been living with this issue for generations.

Nevertheless, in terms of analysis the issues of early market penetration as well as inferior products illustrate formidable issues that have to be a part of strategic vision of a viable business concept as well as effective product scrutiny.

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SWOT Strength Weakness Opportunity Thread of Gaming Industry

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 05 Jul 2007 15:40:00 +0000

SWOT Analysis of Gaming Industry: Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo

SWOT is acronym for Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Thread. In Essence a SWOT analysis is geared toward predictability of obvious and hidden factors that may influence the outcome of marketing and sales.

In terms of gaming industry, Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo with their respective hardware’s MS Xbox 360, PS 3 and Nintendo Wii illustrate the first tier competitors in U.S. as well as globally.

Microsoft Xbox 360
Strength:
• Integration of next generation DVD players i.e. HD technology
• Backward compatibility with previous Xbox games
• Online product – the first of its kind
• Lower price than most comparable competitor PS3

Weakness:
• Expensive hardware and games
• Production flows
• Direct competition with Nintendo because of equally large customer base

Opportunity
• Penetration of new markets in ME
• Penetration of untouched markets by means of bundling
• Partnership with Hollywood studios

Threat
• Lower cost competitor i.e. Nintendo
• Anti trust issues in Europe
• Hardware complication

Sony Play Station 3
Strength:
• Integration of next generation DVD players
• Backward compatibility with previous PS2
• Mostly Free Online product
• Recent decline in profits

Weakness:
• Expensive hardware and games

Opportunity
• Great product lunch covering global spectrum.
• Penetration of new markets in ME
• Penetration of untouched markets by means of bundling
• Partnership with Hollywood studios

Threat
• Lower cost competitor i.e. Nintendo
• Delays in production
• Constant strategy change

Nintendo Wii
Strength:
• Uniqueness of hardware motion detection
• Low cost hardware and software
• Intuitive usage

Weakness:
• Joystick liability
• Limited selection of software

Opportunity
• Penetration of new markets in ME / Europe / Asia
• Marketing to novice gamers including seniors and adults

Threat
• Loss of potential customer because of lack of software selection and sophistication of games.
• Software developers abandon game development because of lack of adequate profits.

Brought to you by: Freelancer —

Pricing Strategy and JetBlue

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 19 May 2007 09:34:00 +0000

Service strategy refers to comprehensive planning, decision making and implementation of strategic selection of particular methodology which may include service offering, marketing and segmentation, as well as advertising in order to maximize market penetration and ultimately advance the organizational universal goal of creating the greatest possible profits for stakeholders.

In essence, a service strategy can be either referring to the overall strategy or as a part of marketing and advertising a product. However, service strategy in general is associated with service providers rather than tangible consumer goods.

One of the rather interesting examinations in failed service strategy is in the Airline industry. In spite of past decades of turbulence in Airline industry consumer have witnessed many ups and downs including great changes in prices, offspring of new low budget competition, local and regional small competitors, governmental bail outs, reduction in perceived and actual services including in flight services, arrival and departure delays and cancellations as well as lost of luggage.

Additionally the public relations aspects of the Airline industry have farther complicated matters by allowing the public to perceived the Airline industry as one particular odd yet constantly governmentally protected private industry which is in real and philosophical conflict with the free market concept.

However, many proponents and even some segments of public have accepted the blame of terrorist attacks as well as national security interests as justifiable reasoning to offer public funds to protect a private industry. Similarly there has been a comparative linear argument that Airline industry has received less protection than some other industries such as automobile manufacturers or the farming industry.

All of the above point to only one conclusion: the airline industry with its tremendous assets, debt, political influence and revenues has miserably failed to create even the most basic condition to be self sufficient as well as massive failure to be at least perceived as private business. Nonetheless, the specifics of individual members such as Jetblue are not comforting either.

Jetblue has been celebrated as one of the rather relatively successful newcomers to the airline industry. Its service model of operating at lower cost yet offering low cost fairs that are attractive to both price conscious shoppers as well as low budget travelers has been hailed as successful.

The complements that have been made to JetBlue are based on theoretical assumptions such as it pricing strategy devised to attract a segment that is price conscious; market segmentation that is devised to attract the greatest possible subset of consumer; differentiation efforts tailored to maintain better than industry standards of service, predictability and punctuality, as well as positioning efforts to be perceived as a viable alternative to aging giant competitors.

All of the above theoretical strategic decisions appear to be viable, yet all of those efforts did not help in preventing one of the most publicly embarrassing and humiliating episodes of organizational failure combined with greed and incomprehensible incapability’s and incompetence during the Valentine day episode.

Considering such massive failures in spite of the theoretic attempts, it is hard to suggest short term fixes for such a failed industry as well as its individual members such as JetBlue. The most obvious yet avoided issue is certainly positioning. JetBlue, for instance could build on their earlier less successful attempts to position itself as the service provider with customer oriented business model. This would certainly be a new concept to airline industry; it has not been tried yet.

Additionally, a company such as JetBlue could assist its overall market penetration by appealing and attempting to penetrate markets that are otherwise either entirely ignored or at best neglected. Taking a lesson from the mortgage industries play book to penetrate the minority segment of the market, JetBlue would certainly make its mark if it is able to become attractive to particular minority segments such illegal immigrants.

Moreover, the current pricing strategy implemented by JetBlue that is designed for differentiation purposes as well as position JetBlue as the low cost service provider can be improved on. Nowadays it is not enough to have just low cost, rather than offer equal or greater value combined with low prices. Taking an example from Wal-Mart’s play book which just recently started to offer the same generic drugs for as low as $4 for 30 day prescription, JetBlue could and should offer greater customer service including in-flight free movies and phone calls, additional gratuities such as alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, and with proper technology even may include free internet access.

Ultimately, it is obvious that the above analysis and recommendations are theoretic and may not be particularly suitable after cost benefit analysis as well as potential conflicts in technology or federal regulations. Yet the greatest lesson from the above analysis should not be the details rather then the overall troubled environment in a private industry that has been protected by federal government which has not resulted in any visible improvements or benefits to consumers. Maybe it is time to allow the free market economy to sort out the weak and incompetents; yet allow the most business and consumer minded enterprises to survive and grow.

Alexa.com is important

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 10 May 2007 09:08:00 +0000

We have been asked many times to explain the benefits of Alexa.com. So here is summery of what we think.

First and foremost the neutrality of Alexa.com to evaluate a “snap shot” of the traffic to a give website is extremely important. Many argue that the numbers are either not accurate or not representative because of the methodology. Alexa.com evaluate the traffic based on the users which have an Alexa bar installed on their browser; hence providing simply a summery of their own users. However, it is not clear if those users are a sample representative of all global users. Yet, it is really a one of a kind service that is widely available for users and non users. Even more importantly it is free.

Second, the function to leave feedback that is unaltered and available to all internet users creates a great deal of possibilities to evaluate actions before entering into business relationships. One may argue that it can be misused or abused by competitors or the web site owners to leave positive or negative feedback. But again, because of the fact that is publicly available and it is free, it can be effectively used to counter minor issues.

Third and finally, the comparison tools allow for evaluation and competitive intelligence which may be of assistance to webmasters and decision makers. It simply provides a snap shot comparison accompanied by visual graphs that may aid in collecting unbiased information.

Ultimately, though not perfect Alexa.com illustrates the spirit of World Wide Web: for users by users is a sort of fair and balanced virtual existence that may contribute to neutrality as well as overall advancement of virtual world.

Brought to you by: Royalty Universe. Your one stop shopping information center.

Five Dimensions of product differentiation

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 09 May 2007 08:06:00 +0000

Five Dimensions of product differentiation

It is no secret that branding simply refers to the process of establish differences and emphasizing the benefit of the particular product and or services. There are five different dimensions in establish the differences which include product, services, personnel, channel and image.

Each of the above dimensions or points of differences enable marketers to either establish the benefits or establish differences. Such differentiation is geared toward brand recognition as well as brand loyalty among end users as well as increase in overall market shares.

Looking at Silver Dollar jeans; in this case an assumed name and brand rather than actual Silver Dollar jeans product line, it is rather simple to use the previously named dimensions to establish and brand such product. For instance, the first step could be a campaign to associate the product with trendy and hip stars to establish uniqueness of the product. A similar approach could also entail staged stress tests such as spills or tear and wear simulation. The second step could include the emphasis on wide availability or deliverability by mobilizing the greatest number of point of distribution such as availability in many stores, online and catalog ordering possibilities. The third steps may include providing information about product and production personal; alternatively, the product could also be related to known and famous people. Channel and image dimension could simply include proper selection of techniques and modes of information distribution which may include utilization of product related venues as well targeting of new market segments by utilizing web 2.0 and social networking means.

Essentially, it is a question of market research as how to approach the marketing of a particular goods or services. The selection and utilization of five dimension of differentiation and the ultimate success of implementing such techniques is mostly depended on the reliability of available research and information.

The stakeholders, decision makers and end users will all benefit from proper and reliable multi dimensional research which may lead to greater and improved targeting of particular market segment which in turn may even result in greater effectiveness and efficiency as well as improved return on investment.

Brought to you by: Royalty Universe. Your one stop shopping information center.

Marketing and its social impact.

Shopping Blogs — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 13:05:00 +0000

Marketing and its social impact.

Though we may all have had sporadic thoughts about the impact of consumer and their behavior on economic and financial health of a given nation, we virtually never concern ourselves with the external and artificial factors that may influence consumer behavior. The most significant subset of factors should be the comparison of natural needs vs. artificial needs. For instance, a marketing message that introduces new brand of milk or meat may not have an existential influence on consumers. However, a marketing message for a 60 inch brand name plasma TV may create artificial needs and wants that may influence the overall social, economic and social standing of the consumers.

In essence, there appears to be a moral component to marketing messages as well overall marketing efforts. Many companies that market to particular target groups may not consider the impact of their message on the individual consumer. The best example of this is our national experience with cigarette brands such as Camel or Marlboro. The images of a cool camel or cowboy may have caused young consumers to purchase items that were less than beneficial to their overall lives.

Ultimately, the sheer recognition that marketing and marketing message may have substantial impact on our societal standing and well being may create awareness and result in conscious moral decision making. Yet it also creates a question of finding the proper balance of marketing activities and corporate citizens’ right of conducting business without harming the very society that provides that venue for business, profit and wealth creation. All in all, the value of marketing and its impact on consumer as well as a nation raises a series question that every developed country will face. The end results has to be a national as well international consensus in regulating those activities that may be considered harmful to societal well being.

Generalization of moral imperatives.

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 07:31:58 +0000

Generalization of moral imperatives.

Western philosophers have laid the ground work for an immense ethical battle in every day life as well as business life. In the recent history, many people have attempted to translate and implement the moral concepts such as absolute duty into the western oriented business practices; however, the current business environment has certainly created “speed bumps” in such attempts.

Factors such as globalization and its consequent impact on multi national players in the business arena have certainly created a vacuum of moral guidelines. In addition the multi cultural facets in combination with religious and social separation may dictate the formulation of new and more comprehensive theories that can be practical and translated into semi universal methodology.

Essentially, it is vital to consider the changes in the past half decade in order to formulate such guidelines. The clashes of moral standards which may or may not be based on religion, social, financial and cultural standards have to be taken into account before a basis can be determined. Generally speaking, it is vital to formulate such theory / methodology by integrating proportionate and multi component that would consist of global theories including the non western philosophical framework.

Categorical Imperative & Perfect duty.

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 07:35:00 +0000

Categorical Imperative & Perfect duty.

Categorical Imperative refers to absolute concepts which dictate only one correct way to act and react to moral issues. In essence Categorical imperative enables human being to take the only logical and morally viable method of decision making. Categorical Imperative relies on the concept of perfect duty which refers to selection or avoidance of actions that would fundamentally undermine the basics of fairness. Generally speaking, perfect duty assumes that certain choices can not be legitimized because of the consequences that undermine the nature of fairness.

Following the above definition it is impossible to point to any practice in business that is / should be considered a “perfect duty”. Even the most basic concept of business obligation to create the greatest possible profits for all stakeholders, may not stand the test. For instance, an exception to that obligation could be a merger that would initially reduce or decrease share values, but end in creation of greater stability in the long term.

The main issues with categorical imperative and perfect duty are the lack of evolution. At the time of formulation of such moral guidelines and philosophy, factors such as globalization, World Wide Web, social and cultural evolutions such as racial and gender equity were not at the hart of those formulations. Those factors have initiated a social and cultural change / evolution which accompany new issues such as the necessity to eliminate absolute truths / duties that would be harmful to individuals living in our time.

The concept of morality

Shopping Blogs — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 07:45:00 +0000

The concept of morality and its abstract consequences may take different shapes because of geographic, cultural and social setting. In essence, the concept of morality takes a varying form based on the social environment. For instance the concept of business conduct may be dictated because of historical local moral standards which may in turn have evolved to adapt to rules of international trade and globalization.

The essence of morality maybe summarized by classification of artificial norms that may even be contradictory to human nature; yet necessary to illuminate and sustain social units that avoid chaos. One may even logically conclude that morality may be one of the essential corner stone to create, maintain as well as evolve social and cultural units that may result in nation states.

The experience and implementation of morality may certainly not lie within theoretical accumulation of aristocrats and academics far from the actual varying reality. The practical sense of morality is created by social and cultural practices that cultivate a sense of routine and commonality. Hence, the practice of morality should not be formed nor cultured by studying aristocratic and academic theories, rather than social networking and learning.

Ethical Dilemma: negotiating the Nuclear crisis.

Shopping Blogs — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 07:52:00 +0000

Ethical Dilemma: negotiating the Nuclear crisis.

It is assumed that most readers have at least read or noticed the current international disputes and attempts to diplomatic settle concerns and differences with the Iranian Nuclear civilian program.

There are certainly some moral and ethical dilemma involving in both sites argues: on the international site, the argument lies within the international concern about potential military use of nuclear technology by the Iranian government as well as the actual reason as to why Iran, which is a oil rich country, needs a nuclear program at. Certainly anyone can see the ethical dilemma in those arguments: considering that the UN Security Council veto yielding members have all civilian and military programs, it seems a contradictory measure to ask other nations not to have the same rights. Further, assuming that the U.S. lead effort is being publicly influenced by domestic and foreign interest, illustrates an even greater dilemma – the so called “lobby” influences the domestic politics of a nation without considering the actual impact on that nation.

On the Iranian site, one may wonder / doubt about the Iranian motivation: the dilemma could certainly lay within the contradictory facts on the ground, for instance if the Iranian nuclear program was actually for civilian purposes, why was it hidden for 20 years? The ethical dilemma, one could argue, is the fact that hidden programs in itself may be an indication of inherit unwanted attention which in turn could be suggestive of alternative motivation. One might suggest that “the means to the end” was not ethical.

Generally speaking the concept of “Ethical Dilemma” is not only abstract, it is subject and entirely dependent on the view point of individuals / groups. Essentially, one individuals “Ethical Dilemma” may illustrate another persons reasoning for particular action.

In house lead generation vs. Lead aggregators.

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 06 Mar 2007 07:59:00 +0000

In house lead generation vs. Lead aggregators.

Throughout the last 12 months we have been experiencing a wide range of fluctuation in real estate and self storage lead generators and lead aggregators. There have been a few new lead aggregators but the greatest change has been internal efforts to generate leads in house.

In our opinion both approaches are flowed: first and foremost, lead generators in general resell the same lead/s many times which reduces the quality and convertibility. Second, some of the lead generators may not use ethical approaches to lead generation. On the other hand, internal lead generation may not be any better: in house lead generation teams and participants are unlikely to have the proper expertise to generate online and offline leads cost effectively nor are they were likely to create the most effective environment in response time and follow ups.

Alternatively we would suggest hiring a third party to generate those leads specifically for particular vendor and geo targets. Such action would enhance the lead quality, response time, follow up time, lower per lead cost and most importantly allow for the internal data collection and analysis which maybe otherwise hard to come by.
The most significant factor in selecting a third party consulting firm to create those leads, is certainly their specific industry knowledge and experience. Depending on what industry one is searching, the larger companies are not particularly suited for small and mid size clients because of lack personalized service, higher retainer costs as well as lack of flexibility of large organizations.

In the coming weeks we will discuss some techniques and ways to determine the best possible partner for small and mid size companies to select the best possible third party partner to create solid and constant leads online as well as offline.

Differences between corruption, bribes, questionable payments, and gift-giving

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 22:17:00 +0000

Differences between corruption, bribes, questionable payments, and gift-giving

The above name terms in their most basic forms are rather simple and easy to define.

• Corruption refers to the power holder / brokers’ availability and willingness to accept rewards for certain official behavior that other wise would not occur.
• Bribe refers to the material and non material rewards that will be accompanying certain action by official representative of particular institution / organization.
• Questionable payments refers to rewards that would be construed as unusual or out of standard operating procedures.
• Gift Giving refers to a material or non material reward with the intention to recompense certain actions and behaviors.

Generally speaking, the definition of these terms points to one common denominator; intentions. The “givers’” and “receivers’” actions can basically be differentiated by their intention; gift giving could be construed as bribe if the intention was to persuade someone to behave in a particular way. Similarly, a bribe my not be bribe but gift giving if the intention was to show appreciation.

Certainly, there are other components such as culture, tradition, business practices, laws and political consideration that would influence the definition; for instance what might appear as gift giving and perfectly acceptable in Turkey, may be considered bribe in Germany or Italy.

It is important to consider these terms in a context which should include, location, laws, political impact as well as traditional business behavior. Such consideration will enable the business stakeholders to have the most viable conduct.

Major staffing models used in managing an international business

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:21:00 +0000

Major staffing models used in managing an international business

There are four major staffing models:

• Ethnocentric staffing which refers to using natives from the host country but use natives from the headquarter to fill vital management / decision making positions.
• Polycentric staffing which refers to the division in hiring by employing natives from the host country in / for subsidiaries and parent nationals i.e.. national from the originating country for headquarter positions.
• Regiocentric staffing which refers to the regional hiring as well as third nation citizens hiring.
• Geocentric staffing which refers to hiring which takes place based on competency without regards to nationality or citizenship.

Except the Geocentric staffing, the other three above named approaches are fundamentally flawed and belong to a previous “business age”. For instance, non of the three approaches actually considers the mere fact that conducting business in other geographic location does not eliminate business fundamentals. Hence, making hiring based on citizenship / locality is fundamentally flawed. Certainly one could argue that hiring locals may illustrate benefits such as familiarity with customs, laws and general dynamics of local market; however, these factors are all available / possible for learning. The most significant factor in hiring was / should be the merit which would include education, work experience, proven track record and most importantly the ability to perform the job / task at hand to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. The same reasoning applies to as why the Geocentric staffing should be selected.

Ecology.Politics.Morality.

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 22:34:00 +0000

Ecology.Politics.Morality.

Ecology:

Balance in its definition dictates even handed approach: given issues at hand have to be treated fairly in order to achieve balance. However, balance is also an issue which can differ based on cultural, social and traditional values. Thus, balance /balancing of ecology can be defined and treated differently from country to country. One may also argue that results of ecological balance can be interpreted based on individual views: industrial view may be satisfied with minimal balance; yet, private citizens may expect more efforts.

Ultimately, in order to achieve a true balanced ecological policy one has to consider industrial and citizens views: industrial needs have to be considered in order to maximize profits and efficiency; citizens’ needs and desires have to be taken into account in order to maximize satisfaction factors.

Politics:

Soft money and lobbying are the two most distractive component of U.S. political machine. Those who chose not to vote are rightly assuming that their vote is less valuable than money contributed by individuals and interest groups. Academia has chosen to address this issue by making this kind of contribution as necessary part of democracy. Equally, politicians argue that by allowing lobbyists to contribute to their campaigns, the true goal of democracy has been achieved.

Ultimately, democracy takes the biggest blow: money replaces the power of the people. Those who chose to make their voice matter by financial contributions are choosing to diminish the value of those who express themselves by voting alone. It is an act of “powerful using their power to stay powerful”, or “rich help each other”. Nevertheless, it is a part of democracy: using all means to matter.

Morality:

Morality and loyalty toward those that participate in particular interest groups is a vital part of maintaining group dynamic. Those who chose to ease their standards because of sympathy for their peers, exercise discretionary morality. As in every other abstract concept, morality can depend on cultural, social, traditional and economic factors: thus morality has to be treated with the leverage and flexibility.

Ultimately, those who decided to protect their own, are only exercising the necessary judgment which accompanies all abstract concepts: morality in its definition dictates value based practices. Thus, individual choice to use different standards in morality based on individual groups is within the realm of morality.

New approach to R&D???

Shopping Blogs — Sat, 17 Feb 2007 22:29:00 +0000

New approach to R&D???

Generally speaking there are fundamental divergences in conducting business in a different geographic location; basic concepts of product identification, financing, market penetration, proper advertising and marketing as well as sales, stay the same, however, they require a modified approach to illustrate adaptation to particular market.

Essentially, it becomes virtually impossible to formulate and implement an educated strategy without considerations such as local cultural, social, economic and political component. Naturally, however, there many problems with “educated strategy” because of lack of experiences as well as reliable data.

The current globalization trend has opened never before accessible markets that illustrate great potential for diversification and profits; however, those markets also illustrate a great deal of challenges: current business know-how and knowledge is essentially limited to those nations with similar backgrounds of economic goals and open access to markets and information. However, the newly accessible markets may not be as clear cut to penetrate or maintain because of lack of proper protective laws, historical data, lack of understanding of local cultural and political components as well as naturally competing interests of local government and local businesses.

Hence, it becomes ever more important to recognize that globalization and its ever increasing access to new markets comes with a necessary reinvention / rediscovery of standard operating procedures. The future of business planning will ultimately have incorporate modes of research and development that is suited for particular markets, however, the old SOP of common ground assumptions have to be revisited. Some recommendation / proposed changes may include integration of natives into the R&D process, hiring of local information agencies, harvesting of foreign student talent, cultural and business exchange programs, constant evaluation of measures and many other actions that would require the integration of particular cultural, social and political component of the tentative markets. Ultimately it is fair / safe to assume that new markets and opportunities will be accompanied with challenges that will require ad new approach to strategic thinking and planning. Only those institutions that are willing to adapt to those challenges will be able to harvest the potential benefits and profits.

Strategic Management and Cultural Impact

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:38:00 +0000

Strategic Management and Cultural Impact

Strategic planning naturally contains the process of research and compilation of proper steps to achieve maximum results. Hence it is obvious that cultural component will be virtually irreplaceable in terms of comprehensive strategy formulation. Certain assumptions / data such as cultural impact on purchasing trends and behavior, cultural factors in terms of spending habits, the impact of advertising and marketing on cultural values, as well as overall cultural attitude toward foreign goods and services are natural components that should be integrated into formulation of strategic planning. Hence, one can assume that culture will have an impact in planning and execution – those factors maybe the different between successful or failed approaches. For instance, certain products from known brands such as Coke or Pepsi have less of a struggle to take cultural factors into account. Their sheer brand may diminish such consideration. However, a product such as Dell may encounter problems based on nationalistic issues – such products would do well by incorporating cultural factors such as creating local jobs to benefit the local economy. Hence a marketing mix could / should include emphasize on such job creation to overcome “cultural nationalism”.

Similarly, the same issues of cultural impact may apply to domestic business. For instance a company could encounter problems because of cultural trends such as populism – The pharmaceutical industry recently experienced some resistance from public about their intellectual property and licensing practices concerning generic HIV / Aids drugs.

Nevertheless, the overall strategic planning and formulation may have to contain a wide range of issues including culture and cultural impact, current cultural trends and potential changes; as well as the respective impact of those trends on determination, formulation and implementation of marketing mix

To be or not to be… NAFTA

Shopping Blogs — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 22:36:00 +0000

To be or not to be… NAFTA

The first and most important factor that comes to mind, is certainly issue of national interest which may include transfer of jobs, reduction in self sufficiency, loss of industry specific market share and know-how, impact on local economy, and many others. Certainly there are also a great deal of benefits which may include increase in trade efficiency, increase in industry specific know-how and efficiency, lower prices for end users, penetration of new and previously unattainable markets and many more.

Certainly both pros and cons of this argument have valid points that needs more in detailed exploration, however, the issue at hand is rather one of much more significance; namely the political impact of such trade areas. Governments all over the world have used such trade agreements to entice or punish countries – the stick and carrot has mainly concentrated on such offerings as trade and aid.

Generally speaking, it is rather obvious that free trade zones create benefits and disadvantages at the same time; however, it is obvious that the natural evolution of trade among neighboring nation states have to eventually evolve. It is debatable if free trade zones are the definite answer to streamlining of procedures among geo trading partners, yet the alternatives are illusive.

Instant Buzz

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:05:00 +0000

Non paid, non commercial review Instant Buzz.

Well, we are ready to report back on the Instant Buzz at instantbuzz.com. After trying it for over 2 months we have to report that it was useless and awful. Nothing that they promised worked; not even the paid version. But again, if you have better experience with it, please feel free to email us and we will certainly post it.

We give it a 0 out of 5 .

Wrong approach to Globalization?

Shopping Blogs — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 23:15:00 +0000

Wrong approach to Globalization?

In the current global available business environment and globalization trends, the factors that will contribute to a successful market penetration and domination may become even more complex.

Entering new geographic locations that have different social, cultural, moral, legal and environmental sets of rules, brings an inherent multi dimensional dilemma. It is not to say that it becomes impossible to penetrate such new barriers, however, it becomes a more of challenging task to devise a long term and substantial sustainable strategy to penetrate, maintain and dominate a foreign market.

Certainly there has to be a differentiation into target market; those geographic locations that are in close proximity with similar ideas, cultures, legal, social and environmental component would theoretically illustrate a lesser degree of difficulty to penetrate and dominate. However, the same attempt to penetrate a different location with substantially different set of rules, will require different sets of strategy.

It is important to realize that the current business and political approach to measure and compare other nation states is theoretically and practically greatly flawed. There are many factors that may contribute to flawed theoretical and practical assessment and strategy implementation including cultural and social biased, factoring of irrelevant factors such as corruption, false sense of moral and cultural superiority, arrogance, lack of fundamental understanding and most importantly the actual approach to understanding differences by allowing non natives to provide the comparative basis of fundamental differences.

Naturally, unlike social sciences that rely on quantitative and qualitative approaches to examine scientific hypothesis, the actual real world implementation will require a fundamental and through understanding of uniqueness and cultural differences that will ultimately determine the value and success of a long term strategy. Though it is virtually impossible to find comparative analysis of debuted attempts to successfully analyze past performances in penetration and domination of foreign markets, it is easy to find anecdotal evidence of past failure, including Walmarts’ and Burger kings’ attempts in simple penetration attempts into Germany.

Global Management

Shopping Blogs — Tue, 23 Jan 2007 05:46:00 +0000

In today’s world of “globalization” and “global village” social, economic and political issues become ever more intertwined into the business environment. It is an understatement to suggest that global business issues are greatly dependent on current social, economic, cultural and political components.

One of the main issues to consider is the impact of poor vs. rich. In essence the developments in the western / developed nation are natural sparks to competitive approaches within the developing nations. One of the rather successful attempts to enable entrepreneurs within the developing nation has been the concept of micro credit / loan. Essentially the use of micro credit may enable a greater quantity of those individuals willing to pursue a free market entrepreneurship.

Another important factor in global management issue, is the component of change; changes in locations, laws, cultural, social, economic and traditional issues. All those changes dictate certain organizational complications which may include organizational resistance, managerial incapability / ineffectiveness, increased cost as well temporary decreased of profitability and revenues. Such issues can be naturally dealt with by either proper preparation or progressive adjustment.

It becomes more obvious that global management is taking a new shape. Previous wisdom, knowledge and practices are and will encounter more hurdles because of the ever changing dynamic interaction among major and minor national and international stakeholders. Further, the development of technology creates more challenges in creating the most effective operational methods and milestones. Similarly the operative agents and management participants will have to become more accustomed to the dynamic changes and the need for continues education and training to adapt to new and ever changing set of “play rules” .

One last thing that appears to be of increasing impact is cultural / political clashes among nation states that may have negative impact on business. Intertwined political influences and sanctions may create secondary markets and expertise which in turn may decrease and minimize the ability of the main players to constructively and effectively penetrate and control markets. Similarly such markets may even undermine the validity of established business norms as well as current and coherent intellectual property issues.

Ultimately it all comes down to a new set of rules and new systematic and asymmetric modes of conducting business; whereby the traditional norms may have to be revised or rethought to maximize profitability.

On Globalization

Shopping Blogs — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:17:00 +0000

On Globalization

Upon repeated requests, we will start posting some business related thoughts.
In today’s world of “globalization” and “global village” social, economic and political issues become ever more intertwined into the business environment. It is an understatement to suggest that global business issues are greatly dependent on current social, economic, cultural and political components.

One of the main issues to consider is the impact of poor vs. rich. In essence the developments in the western / developed nation are natural sparks to competitive approaches within the developing nations. One of the rather successful attempts to enable entrepreneurs within the developing nation has been the concept of micro credit / loan. Essentially the use of micro credit may enable a greater quantity of those individuals willing to pursue a free market entrepreneurship.

Another important factor in global management issue, is the component of change; changes in locations, laws, cultural, social, economic and traditional issues. All those changes dictate certain organizational complications which may include organizational resistance, managerial incapability / ineffectiveness, increased cost as well temporary decreased of profitability and revenues. Such issues can be naturally dealt with by either proper preparation or progressive adjustment.

It becomes more obvious that global management is taking a new shape. Previous wisdom, knowledge and practices are and will encounter more hurdles because of the ever changing dynamic interaction among major and minor national and international stakeholders. Further, the development of technology creates more challenges in creating the most effective operational methods and milestones. Similarly the operative agents and management participants will have to become more accustomed to the dynamic changes and the need for continues education and training to adapt to new and ever changing set of “play rules” .

One last thing that appears to be of increasing impact is cultural / political clashes among nation states that may have negative impact on business. Intertwined political influences and sanctions may create secondary markets and expertise which in turn may decrease and minimize the ability of the main players to constructively and effectively penetrate and control markets. Similarly such markets may even undermine the validity of established business norms as well as current and coherent intellectual property issues.

Ultimately it all comes down to a new set of rules and new systematic and asymmetric modes of conducting business; whereby the traditional norms may have to be revised or rethought to maximize profitability.