Fliers to flash mobs

Getting a message out there through the various marketing channels has changed over the years. I am always fascinated by the adverts and the process of getting a message across. Quite often on TV or the radio I actually take notice of the commercials just to see how things have changed. There are some really lame adverts where you know you could have written the content in 10 minutes and the original format of how the message is conveyed. I know budget has a lot to do with it too. Are they purposely bad to that you remember them for being bad and therefore remember the brand? However over time, there have been some absolute beauties. Flash mobs are a relatively new thing. With the use of social media and being able to make a video go viral instantly, more businesses are turning to this. Its a change in technology and marketing is changing with it. Before the England and New Zealand rugby game, a flash mob was organised in Trafalgar square. It wasn't necessarily selling anything other than highlighting that the Kiwis were in town and that there was a rugby game on today. One of my favorites has to be the T Mobile Welcome Home. Definitely memorable. Whats your favorite commercial?

Holiday jobs in doubt

The days of being at school and getting a part time job could be disappearing fast in some industries. In my last blog I had mentioned how technology is changing in terms of our behavior, interaction of others, fixation on efficiency and power at our finger tips. Well the burger industry is getting in on the act with a machine that can produce 360 burgers per hour. Will the fast food burger restaurants be needing more staff or less? Or do you think it is a fad. Will it improve efficiency or end up costing more? You decide.

10 things in Economics that everyone should know

This is a great article for anyone studying Business or Economics. The diagrams and explanations are really clear. Highly recommended. link

iPod cannibalizing its own!

Technology is a scary thing. I have been reading how over the years technology has changed how we work and interact with others. There are apps that test you on logos, set your burglar alarm,turn on the heating, work out how long you have left to live, how many calories you consume and the list goes on. I watched Apollo13 yesterday and it was staggering to think that there is more technology in an iPhone or smartphone than there was when NASA sent up the space rocket. When computers were first introduced, the monitor itself was the size of your desk. Computers are getting smaller to the point that you could run your office virtually from your phone in the palm of your hand.

Apple are now working on changing this through developing computerized glasses. Where will it end?

Credit Scores

Whether you are applying for a loan, trying to buy that car using finance, renting an apartment or using a store card, the most important thing going for you is your Credit Score. This is the first thing that is checked to see whether you have the tendency to pay your bills. If you have a history of not paying bills, would you let someone buy something off you on credit, knowing that there is a chance that you might not get your money back? There are ways to build your credit score up, but unfortunately you can lower your credit score just as easy. Read the following article.

Real or Fake?

David Copperfield,  Penn and Teller and many more make their money out of magic. The majority of tricks performed are based around illusions.Another type of illusion is based around drawing in a distorted way which you may have seen on pavements / sidewalks around the world. Take a look at this video. The word of the day is Anamorphosis.

Black Friday

Black Friday, shoppers heaven to some but not to others. Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving and it is comparable with the Boxing Day sales in the UK. Retailers offer stock on that day at really low prices, which tempts people to go shopping. More deals, more shopping, same amount of floor space and parking spaces. You work out the equation. It is called Black Friday because it has been said that this is the day that the retailers go into the black, meaning they are making profit. It also allows retailers to clear end of the line stock, ready for the new products coming in. In the past as you will read in the attached article, there have been "incidents" occurring in shops due to the frenzy being stirred up for the latest deals and last remaining items on the shelves. Retailers such as Walmart are now saying that if the product is not on the shelf on that day,not to worry, pay for it and the product will be delivered from another store or warehouse and you can pick it up on another day. Go one step further, why focus on one day a year, spread the savings out over the year. Article