USP

Blackeberry have announced that they have sold 11.1 million in the first quarter which is a drop of  21% from the previous quarter. Iphone on the other hand sold 37 million handsets in the same quarter. Blackberry  (RIM) are planning on going back to basics and focusing on the business market.Their USP and target market.

For the articles click here and here.

So how much of this is about shareholder pressure and dividends? They are still making money. 

Bamboo Smartphone

Phones are very much a part of our lives.Like everything, there are those who buy the product for function, fashion or both. When we buy a phone there are many considerations and it is not new to customise our latest purchase.  Ringtones, phone covers and jewellery have all been used. But how about a Smartphone made from wood? A designer called  Kieron-Scott Woodhouse, a final year Product & Design student at the Middlesex University in London has done such a thing. He is someone to watch who clearly knows what he wants to do and how he is going to do it. Wannabe Entrepreneurs need to take note. Will you be a new owner of one of these phones?

Advertising

As someone who has always taken an interest in business and the wider world, I had often wondered where advertising will go next. It has amazed me how the messages have been delivered through the changes in technology, perception and attitude. I found some adverts from the 1960 for shirts and blenders which in todays world would not be acceptable due to the overtones of pure sexism.

I have seen viral adverts and various others: one of my favorites being the T-Mobile advert . I have seen stories about people selling space on their bodies for advertising space and just yesterday I saw on the news that there is a company who will pay your mortgage for a year, if they can paint your house in bright colors and hang banners of prominent companies on it.The contract is for a year and then the house will be reverted back to its original color. This has caused mixed reactions from people embracing the idea that they will have a mortgage free year to it being an eye sore in the community. You decide.Green and Orange

Consumer surveys

A new survey had just come out highlighting the best and worst retailers. With this in mind I started to think about how much a survey like this could change buying behavior and habits. Would revenues be affected? Have a read for your self. Consumer report

Gone Viral

I was looking on the Yahoo website and saw this video clip from the Federer and and Nadal match from the Australian Open. An impressive catch by the ball boy. Well worth a watch. Click here to watch it.

Baby games

I have just come across an article where a mother wanted to buy tickets for a horse riding event during the Olympics in London. She was told that she would have to buy a ticket for herself and her newborn baby at a cost of 95 pounds each. This would make a classic debate in the classroom. Should she or should she not have to pay for a ticket for the baby?  Have a read of the article baby games plus the comments below and make your own mind up.

Secrets of McDonalds

The health, eating habits, lifestyle and many other things change in time. Sitting at the dinner table for dinner, but being allowed to sit in front of the tv on saturday whilst eating was a treat. Going out for dinner or having fish and chips on friday was a welcome family outing. The age of writing letters to people has changed and now we are exchanging emails and texts constantly. I challenge the younger generation to remember your friends phone numbers since you got mobile phones.

So , how does this relate to McDonalds - well my though process goes along the lines of that as we as a nation, and human race changes, McDonalds is also changing with us and in doing so, winning. Where the recession is cutting in and competition is becoming greater McDonalds are gaining market share and intertwining with our lives. Have a read of the article for yourself. For those studying Business Studies and franchises, market share, market trends and "knowing your market" this is definitely a read: 10 secrets to McDonalds success