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.

Response to Jade Brulotte

Would you invest your life savings in an idea you were fairly confident in?  Or would you have to be completely confident?

Though Michael Dubin's Dollar Shave Club has been successful, I don't think that I could invest my entire life savings in an idea that I was only fairly confident in. I am a creative person, but I don't like to take big risks. If Dubin's idea had been a bust, what would he have done after his life savings disappeared? There would be a significant lifestyle change and a long struggle.

If, for some reason, I had a great sum of money in my savings account right now at age 20, had a stable, well-paying career-job, and came up with an idea that I thought would take off quickly, I would definitely pursue it because I'm young and have a great job so I could bounce back easily. If I were older and closer to retirement, I wouldn't be as likely because that's chancing losing so much money that I wouldn't have time to save up again and live off it after retirement.

Do you think that your age determines what you invest your money in? What would some examples be?

SMS vs Social Media & Email Marketing

Text Your Customers, They'll Actually Read Your Message

SlickText.com released this infographic to the right shows that text messages are checked more frequently than tweets, posts, and emails. Not only are they checked more frequently, but text messages are also typically read within 5 minutes of receiving them whereas emails might not be opened for a day or two.

Think of all the promotions you receive/read/are exposed to from different companies you like...how do most of those promotions reach you? In my case, and I assume most other people's as well, I get almost all promotions and information about stores and brands I like from emails and one by text message. If only 20% of emails are opened and 98% of text messages are read, why don't more businesses use SMS? More people would receive them, not to mention the promotions would actually be opened AND read and also be read within minutes of being sent. If you go to a company's website, there is more than likely a subscription button to enter you email and buttons to take you to the company's Twitter, Facebook, and other social media...but very rarely is there ever a place to enter your cellphone number for SMS updates on sales, new items, or VIP discounts.

Why don't more businesses offer the SMS option to connect with consumers? Wouldn't this be a more effective way?

Dunkin Donuts

Dunkin Donuts Straying Away from Doughnuts...?

Dunkin Donuts has began a new focus on foods other than doughnuts and beverages. They have released many new kinds of sandwiches, coffee, tea, and frozen drinks. There have also been limited time offers like spring and summer specials. Paul Carbone, Dunkin's CFO, announced March 14th that Dunkin Donuts will be shifting their focus to beverages and breakfast sandwiches. I believe they will still sell doughnuts but they will rarely ever be advertised. Carbone said "beverages are the holy grail of profitability" and that there will be a time when no one will want doughnuts anymore.

How do you think this will effect doughnut customers? Will they still think of Dunkin Donuts when looking to find a doughnut if DD's isn't marketing towards doughnut eaters anymore? How will this effect Dunkin Donuts?