Response to Katie O'Hurley

Alex and Ani Bracelets

I think people are still buying Alex and Ani bracelets because they are cute and have "meaning" to them. Each bangle bracelet has a cute charm on it and the bracelets come with cards that explain the meaning of the bracelet. For example, the hummingbird bangle bracelet means "Awakening, Healing, Eternity". How they determined that? I have no idea. Below is a screen shot of the hummingbird bracelet on AlexAndAni.com

These bracelets are the biggest trend right now and have taken the place of Pandora charm bracelets (though I'm still a Pandora girl - I don't own any Alex & Ani products). As I've read in Katie's post, as well as hearing from friends with Alex & Ani bracelets, the bracelets aren't even good quality and rust very quickly. The also cost $3 to make and are sold for prices ranging from $28-$54. Some people think they are worth buying because the bracelets are made in the US, compared to Pandora charms that are made in China... I support companies that keep outsourcing to a minimum but they should be producing great quality products if they say "Made in the USA" on them.

Also, as you can see below... the trend isn't just wearing ONE Alex and Ani bangle. Most customers wear dozens of bangles. One of my roommates has about 8 Alex and Ani bangles that she wears everyday and I know it's her when she walks in the front door downstairs because she jingles when she walks.

How much effort do you think it would take for Alex & Ani to make better quality products that didn't rust? Would it be worth it? How would this effect sales?

Katie's post can be found here.

Response to Blackboard Question - John Smith

To Sell or Not to Sell

John Smith should not sell the names and phone numbers of the people that are "likely" or "very likely" to buy a new car in the next 12 months. Though he will need to lay some people off, it is more ethical to do that than go against the AMA's Statement of Ethics. If he were to sell the contact information to the car dealership, John Smith would break the Honesty part of the Statement of Ethics. More than likely, the survey said that no information will be shared or sold. The Fairness part of the Statement also states "seek to protect the private information of customers, employees, and partners". I believe the people that responded to the survey could be considered customers or even employees and their names and phone numbers could be considered "private information". John Smith should definitely not sell the information to the car dealer.

How could John Smith remain ethical AND not lay off any of his employees?

Professor Johnson's post can be found here.