Consumer Decision Making- Skin Care

In chapter 6 we discussed consumer decision making with a focus mainly on consumer behavior and what motivates each consumer to purchase what. I thought skin care and cosmetic industry would be a great choice to blog about because it is all about preference when it comes to skin care. I know when I choose face wash I always go for the "morning burst" clean & clear oil-free wash. Not only does it make my pores feel open and less clogged but it certainly does exactly what they advertise, it wakes you up with a fragrant smell of orange and lemon grass. I started using the product when I was in middle school and my skin felt oily and clogged and my brother suggested the product. He had used Clean & Clear products for a while and it seemed to help clear his skin so I thought it would be a great choice. I also felt over the course of the day my skin would become oily but washing it more then twice a day would dry it out so my mother picked up some oil free face wipes that seem to do the trick. My loyalty and my families is to Clean & Clear skin care products because we know they work on our skin and we would recommend them to anyone. Clean & Clear is our personal preference and we feel as though our brand loyalty is to them. Before using Clean & Clear products my brother started with Neutrogena and found their products to actually cause more oil than prevent it so that was an obvious brand to cross off the skin care list. Specifically pertaining to gender my brother and myself do not really have much of a preference but Clean & Clear products seem to work well. We both look as hygiene to be an important factor in life and skin care is part of day to day hygiene.


Has a family member or social setting influenced you in purchasing a certain product?

Response to Kevin Provost's post- Product To Market

I think Kevin brings up a good point that many consumer do not realize how difficult it is to bring a new product to the market. It takes a lot of time and effort for a new product to be launched. A lot goes into it, financially with cost control, plans and designs are drawn out through methods of quality control. I product is put through a series of tests that make sure it is usable or not. Then market research is done, is there really a need or desire for this product? Where should it be distributed? What is the target market? Time is the number one factor in this equation. It takes time for a new product to be released and distributed. There are so many great ideas that simply go to waste. I watch the show "Shark Tank" occasionally and I see all these wild ideas unfold right in front of me and I think to myself, wow this is incredible. I would invest in a lot of companies if I had the capital to launch new products. Some ideas may be a fail but others are genius that do not see it to their full potential. Consumers need to realize that it took a lot for that product to hit shelves then and there. It took a large thought process, a whole team of experts took the time to focus on this product and what to do to launch it. How successful a product does is determined on how much of the product a consumer purchases and what they may be willing to spend. Look at Razor scooters, a few years back young consumer had to spend over $100 dollars on a cheap metal object with two plastic wheels that broke easily. But yet, everyone had to have it. It was the latest things because the engineers that designed it knew that kids would love it and the market research showed that it would do well.

How do you feel about launching your own product? Would you be nervous?

Products & Branding- Nike

Everyone knows when they see the signature "swoosh" trademark, they think of Nike. A company that promotes active living by providing consumers with a wide range of products geared towards fitness. The slogan "Just Do It" is a way for Nike to brand itself. Nike promotes that anything is possible by the consumer purchasing the product anyone can really "Just Do It." This athletic apparel and footwear company has a high level of brand equity. Their products sell and by advertising their catchy slogan and by selling large quantities of the product to consumers it advertises itself. It has developed a global brand for itself, everyone all over the world knows what Nike is. From the streets of New York City to Beijing, China. Consumers genuinely enjoy the product. Its flashy colors draw in consumers attention, the trendy apparel that everybody wants to wear. Nike has really made a name for itself. The footwear packaging is easy to distinguish because it is always in an orange box. The informational labeling tells the consumer what the shoe is made out of, where it is made, the use of the shoe and what size. It is easy for consumers to tell that Nike's product mix is apparel, footwear, gym and fitness equipment. They even use "cause-related marketing" with a cancer foundation known as Livestrong. Through marketing a yellow "Livestrong" slogan stated that all income from the sales of the Livestrong product goes towards a cancer foundation. I feel as though Nike overall does a great job at branding and marketing their product. It is easy to identify what Nike sells and how they branch out and sell and what they specifically make. They are a successful company in many ways, but mainly by identifying themselves from competitors. I would not have a problem referring Nike products to other friends, family, etc.

Do you think Nike does a good job at branding themselves? Is there product is easy to identify and distinguish itself from competitors?

Response to Ariana Barone's Post on Global Marketing!

I found Ariana's post about the Globe running on Dunkin' Donuts to be quite surprising. You think when you hear the slogan; "America Runs On Dunkin'" that they are just mainly located in America. From what Ariana's article has taught me is that Dunkin' Donuts is in fact a global company. I chose to discuss Starbucks in my post. Both companies seem to have reached out in to different markets in order to draw in consumers from different demographics. Marketing internationally is a brilliant idea for a company. If that company, such as Dunkin' Donuts has the capital to reach developing markets then by all means they should. The concept of globalization is genius. It is a way to increase profit margins and communicate internationally. Pick up different ideas from different places. Chinese culture is certainly different than the United States. It is important for companies to realize if they plan to go global that they have to take in to consideration different customs and currencies. We live in a thriving global economy and the best way to stay a float is to keep your customers happy.

If you were a business and had enough capital would you invest in expanding your company over seas?

Developing A Global Vision- With Starbucks Coffee!

An article entitled: "Starbucks Unveils Accelerated Global Growth Plans" seemed to interest me the most this week. Mainly because we are discussing companies that are "developing a global vision." In this case, Starbucks coffee has set high standards for its self and branched out globally. The company plans to open 3,000+ new stores in the Americas by 2017. Double its international footprint by 2015. China on track to become the second largest home to Starbucks stores by 2014. They have expanded and reiterated their commitment to social justice and profitability in Western Europe. Starbucks plans to expand to new markets, reach customers wants and needs through providing an excellent product and service. They use global marketing strategies to reach different cultures and races all over the world. To simply sell a cup of coffee? And the company is doing quite well at it. They're not only environmentally friendly but they are an equal opportunity employer and believe in giving back to the area in which they open stores. Starbucks global mission is to expand internationally and give everyone all over the world a chance to try their delicious coffee, teas, hot chocolates, lattes and treats. I know from experience that I enjoy getting a Starbucks iced tazo tea every once in a while. It is all about the "Starbucks experience" how I (the consumer) feel when I sip out of that green straw. I feel as though Starbucks is a prosperous company and global expansion is a wise choice for the company to make. If you can enjoy the "Starbucks experience" in Boston, Massachusetts, you should also, be able to do it in Hong Kong, China or Paris, France. Reaching different markets opens up an international market and could make your global flourish. A little coffee shop from Seattle, Washington is now found in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. I think it is important for companies to not just stay in one place but expand into different cultures and help develop under developed countries.
Source: http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=733
http://seattletimes.com/html/businesstechnology/2018837267_starbucks05.html

                                                       STARBUCKS GLOBAL!

What do you think it would be like to go to a Starbucks in Rome, Italy? Would the experience be the same? What about that signature Starbucks taste?

Regulations!

From that definition of regulations in the text book,  I found self regulation to be just as, if not more than important as governmental regulations. Self regulations through industry is extremely important. It limits what is happening in the market and how much standards need to be met. For example, the Food and Drug Administration is very important. It is in charge of enforcing regulations against selling and distributing adulterated, misbranded, or hazardous food and drug products. The Federal Trade Commission which is in charge of seeking out and challenging anti-competitive conduct in the market place, including monopolization and agreements between competitors, promoting competition in industries where consumer impact is high, such as health care and real estate. Also, the Consumer Product Safety Commission; is in charge of protecting the health and safety of consumers in and around their homes. Without these regulations the market would be open for what ever. Regulations are made to keep us the consumers safe and I feel as though they are important to have. I'm glad we have regulations.

How do you as a consumer feel about regulations?

Response to Ariana Barone's Post on Flash Mobs!

I think that flash mobs are an effective form of advertising. Like Ariana stated in her blog, they take place in random spots but are planned out. And just when someone least expects it a flash mob breaks out in dance. Usually to a catch tune. A catchy tune that could be a theme song to a company. Thus, promoting the company further. Take a mall for example, if a flash mob breaks out in front of the store Kay Jewelers and they're dancing to Rhianna's hit new song "Shine Bright Like A Diamond" then at the end of the flash mob they promote "every kiss begins with Kay." This is a big hit! Especially with Valentines day soon approaching a flash mob in front of Kay Jewelers wouldn't be such a bad thing. Not only does it turn heads but it draws people's attention to that area. In a episode of Glee they did a flash mob out in the school cafeteria to a Lady Gaga song and that certainly got students attention. I think that flash mobs are fun, entertaining and certainly a good way to draw attention to a business- product and/or service.

Would you participate in a flash mob? Or use a flash mob to promote a business?