Author Archives: Danming Li

The Joneses

Leave a reply

Question One

Would you categorize the way the Jones family lives as personal selling? Why or why not?

Personal selling is defined as the process of selling products or services to target individuals or people through face-to-face interactions. In this promotional method, the salesperson always uses his/her abilities and skills to make sales, and they mostly do that without the target consumer realizing their intentions. In the movie, the Jones family does not seem to be involved in personal selling in the traditional sense. Still, rather, they use product placement and influencer marketing strategies to sell products to their neighbors without using any advertisement strategies. The Jones family tries to portray themselves as people living an ideal lifestyle to influence their neighbors to emulate them and, resultantly, opt to buy and use similar products. This technique is called stealth marketing, which involves personal selling where the salesperson is not transparent to the target consumer.

Question Two

What similarities do you see between the sales tactics the Jones family employs and the marketing tactics of some of your favorite brands? Give an example.

The sales tactics used in the film by the Jones family are quite similar to the marketing tactics that most popular brands use in real-life situations. For instance, Audi, which is one of the most popular car brands in the world, has been using product placement within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The main character of Iron Man, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Junior) is often seen using the Audi R8 in all the Iron Man films, and this is a strategy that Audi has used to advertise their product through partnering with the film industry. Other good examples are brands in the fashion industry like Louis Vuitton and Channel, which use influencer marketing and celebrity endorsements to reach their target audience and make them desire to use their products (Eisend, 2020). The influencer marketing and product placement are currently among the most effective marketing strategies, so several brands have been using them.

Question Three

Based on what you read in the course materials and what you observed in this movie, do you think the way products are marketed in this movie is ethical?

The ethical implications of marketing products in this film are open to interpretation (Kolter et., 2016). The family is actually using the products they are marketing and not forcing their neighbors to buy them. However, the Jones family is living a fake lifestyle, making people buy products they do not need due to feelings of inadequacy. This strategy seems manipulative and raises questions about the ethics of marketing and advertising.

 

Question Four

How would you feel if you were friends with someone in the Jones family before you found out their secret? What about afterward?

I would feel manipulated and deceived if I were friends with the Jones family before realizing their secret. It is okay that they are trying to make sales but the fact that they are not transparent would make me lose my trust in them. After knowing their secret, I would be even more disappointed for how there are capable of deceiving me and others for financial benefit because this signifies lack of integrity.

Week G

Leave a reply

Press Release: Food for The Poor

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Food for the Poor Launches ‘One Meal a Day’ Campaign across the Caribbean to Combat Hunger

[Coconut Creek, Florida] – Food for the Poor is a humanitarian organization that alleviates poverty and malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean. They’ve now launched a new project dubbed “One Meal a Day.” This Endeavor aims to provide food aid to needy people throughout the Caribbean, where hunger and famine remain major challenges.

 

Food for the Poor will provide a daily meal to undernourished youngsters and adults employing its “One Meal a Day” initiative. The major focus of this initiative will be on the Caribbean localities and households with the poorest access to wholesome Food and the greatest incidence of food insecurity.

 

According to Robin Mahfood, president and chief executive officer of Food for the Poor, “We are thrilled to launch the ‘One Meal a Day’ program as part of our ongoing efforts to combat hunger and poverty in the Caribbean.” “With this effort, we want to help those who most need it by giving them the nutrition and assistance they need. No one should go hungry, and we are dedicated to doing all in our power to make that a reality.

 

Food for the Poor’s larger initiatives to address the underlying causes of poverty and hunger in the Caribbean include the “One Meal a Day” program. For more than 35 years, the group has operated in the area, offering vital assistance to underserved populations via housing, education, healthcare, and disaster relief programs.

 

The COVID-19 epidemic has worsened food insecurity and poverty in the Caribbean, making implementing the “One Meal a Day” initiative crucial. According to the World Food Program, 2.5 million more individuals in the area are now severely Food insecure than a year ago.

 

Mahfood stated, “We realize that hunger and poverty are complicated concerns that require a diversified solution. “That’s why we’re not simply giving meals through the ‘One Meal a Day’ program – we’re also trying to solve the underlying causes that contribute to poverty and food insecurity in the Caribbean. Collaborating with regional partners and local communities can have a lasting impact.

 

The ‘One Meal a Day’ initiative is made possible by the kind donations and partnerships of Food for the Poor. Visit https://foodforthepoor.org/  to learn more about the industry and how you can help Food for the Poor battle hunger and poverty in the Caribbean.

 

About Food for the Poor:

Food for the Poor is one of the country’s major international relief and development organizations. We aim to help the impoverished and vulnerable people in Latin America and the Caribbean. We collaborate with local communities to address the underlying causes of poverty and hunger, offering crucial assistance in housing, education, healthcare, and disaster relief. For further details, go to https://foodforthepoor.org/

 

Contact:

Name: Thomas Shelby

Title: VP of Public Relations

Organization: Food for the poor

Phone number: 954-427-2222, 877-765-4673

DonorService@foodforthepoor.com  is the email address

Week F

Leave a reply

PLAY MAYSIE COMPANY

As a renowned show in the United States, the shark tanks is an award winning entrepreneurial themed reality show that has reinvigorated entrepreneurships in America. Hosting and interviewing different entrepreneurs with different ideas across the globe, the shareholders are always looking forwards to funding worthwhile ideas that can bring them a return on investment.

In this episode, the four entrepreneurs pitched their businesses to the Sharks with an aim of convincing them into partnering or even buying them. However, one of the businesses that resonated the most was Play Maysie. This is a company that creates portable doll houses for children with an aim of making playtime easier, quality play and less messy.

In a quick review of the company’s product, the concept can be concluded to be simple yet a very brilliant one. Play Maysie provides fun, as well as a creative play option for children who doesn’t require a lot of space but with limited mess. Apart from the fun filled play depicted by the idea, there are other aspects that adds to its ability to succeed in the Sharks.

First is the ability of Play Maysie to fill the market gap, by its unique design concept. Numerous companies have not been able to produce a portable, sustainable and mess free play option for children. Because those parents have been looking for other new and creative ideas to keep their children entertained and engaged, especially during vacations, travels etc. being the company that can produce a portable and sustainable playhouse, many parents and caregivers are more likely to acquire them for their children.

Secondly, because of their portable nature, Play Maysie will make play time easier and more convenient to both parents and the children. The doll houses are designed to fit in backpacks, which makes it easier for children to carry them everywhere they go. Therefore, this feature can be more appealing to those parents who are always on the move, and at the same time wants to provide their kids with a stimulating and a fun-filled play option.

Lastly, with the current developments, customers are looking forward to using products from companies who have corporate social responsibility in their undertakings/products and services. Being that Play Maysie’s strong social mission of supporting youths entering foster care through product donations, it not only adds the product’s appeal but also positions the company as a socially responsible brand and the consumers can feel good/ see worth in supporting them.

Generally, what positions Play Maysie apart from other toy companies is their social mission. The company website shows that every purchase made supports their donations of cases to youths entering foster care that not only makes it a socially responsible company, but also appealing.

Much can be done in terms of the branding and packaging perspective to make them more appealing to their customers. Apart from having a website, the company can have their product advertised in different social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, that is accessed by numerous people. The advertisement can be accompanied by having a packaging that features fun and colorful designs that are appealing to children. Moreover, the packaging can also highlight the product’s sustainable materials and other unique features such as its ease of use.

In conclusion, Play Maysie fills the gap evident in the toy market by providing children with fun, portable and mess-free options during their play time. Therefore, by positioning themselves as a premium and eco-friendly product, Play Maysie can attract parents who are always looking for toys that are of high quality and at the same time socially responsible (PlayMaysie, 2023).

 

References

PlayMaysie. (2023, April 13). playmaysie. Retrieved from playmaysie.com: https://playmaysie.com/

Shark Tank. (2023) Retrieved from ABC.com: https://abc.com/shows/shark-tank

CONSUMER DECISION MAKING

Leave a reply

Research Outcomes on the Italian Restaurants Available at the Salt Lake City

         Research on the Italian restaurants available in Salt Lake City, Utah, brought out the restaurants below as the most popular among Italians visiting Utah:

  1.     Valter’s Osteria

         It was found that Valter’s Osteria is a warm and inviting restaurant that offers a casual dining experience to both Italians and non-Italians who fancy Italian cuisine. Some Italian foods the restaurant offers include tiramisu, pasta carbonara, and lasagna (Veronesi & Schiavello, 2023).It is hybrid because it allows customers to dine within the premises or use the takeout option, and average prices for each entree range from $10 to $35.

  1.     Cucina Toscana

         Cucina Toscana mainly offers Tuscan dishes such as osso buco, grilled quail, and homemade pasta to the many Italian revelers who flock to it, especially during the holiday season. It has fostered an ambient atmosphere that gives its customers fine dining experiences, and prices per entree range from $25 to $50 (Alberti et al., 2022) It also has dine-in and takeout options.

 III.     Tuscany

         Located on the south of Salt Lake City, Tuscany targets those in the upper echelons of the class spectrum with a rather sophisticated atmosphere and higher charges for services. Its main dishes include risotto, veal scaloppine, and pasta, and its prices per entree range from $20 to $40. Tuscany offers both dine-in and takeout options.

  1.     Sicilia Mia

         Sicilia Mia is a restaurant in Salt Lake City that has majored in traditional Sicilian cuisine in line with the wishes of the founder of the family-owned entity. The main dishes offered include pasta, wood-fired pizza, and seafood dishes in a restaurant that charges $10 to $30 per entrée (Veronesi & Schiavello, 2023). Dine-in and takeout options are also available at Sicilia Mia.

         Imagining that I have moved to Salt Lake City and need a takeout, I would start by searching the information above to know which Italian restaurants are there and their attributes. While in such places, I often prefer casual foods which help me relate with the locals and learn more about the way of lives of people from different places. Pricing will influence my buying behavior since I am not the type that will extravagantly splash money out for something that is available at lower costs and a satisfactory down market. Based on these values and insights from the research findings above, my decision-making process will be as follows:      

  1.     Need Recognition

         In this first step of the customer decision-making process, the customer identifies gaps in their lives that need to be filled (Qazzafi, 2019). It is an important step since misidentification of the gap will lead to a counterproductive process. Having moved to Salt Lake City, I understand that the city is dominated by Italian restaurants that welcome people from all walks of life to taste Italian cuisine. And as an adventurous person who desires to visit the whole world and interact with people from all walks of life, it is important that I use the opportunity to go out and interact with Italians and even enjoy their cuisine since the chance has presented itself.

  1.     Information Search

         Once the gap has been identified, the customer gathers information relevant to the gap identified so that the most plausible choices are made in filling the gap (Stankevich, 2017). As part of the decision making process, I browsed through my tablet to sample the type of Italian restaurants available in Salt Lake City, as seen from the sampling done above. It can be seen that the restaurants differ in sophistication, variety of food and also charges which will influence my choice.

   iii.     Evaluation of the alternatives

         I am choosing between the four restaurants above, and when pricing is one of the considerations for me, there seem to be slight differences in price per entree for them all. Sicilia Mia is the cheapest since its cost per entree averages below $30. Tuscany is sophisticated and hence has its price per entree averaging up to $40. All restaurants offer Italian cuisine, but menus differ. Sicilia Mia offers wood-fired pizza, a dish I have always desired. I am for the takeout option available in all.

  1.     Purchase

         In this stage, the buyer settles for the alternative most favorable to their situation (Qazzafi, 2019). I am a good shopper for quality products at reasonable prices. Sicilia Mia is best in pricing, as seen in information above, since their average pricing per entree does not go above $30. And as I shared before, I prefer casual dishes, especially the wood-fired pizza offered at Sicilia Mia. I am also a fan of seafood dishes which are part of the products offered by the restaurant. Overall, Sicilia Mia sounds like the place for me, assuming that the commuting expenses from where I am based allow for the choice. I am, therefore, placing an order for wood-fired pizza and seafood available on their menu.

Reflection

         The process above was an eye-opener to me as a shopper with no defined shopping process, especially when visiting foreign lands. It has taught me that every purchase ought not to be based on impulse but rather calculated moves to ensure rationality and appropriateness at all times. In the future, I will rely on this activity as a manual to guide me in my purchases, especially when I am in strange lands whose terrains I do not understand well.

Apple company

Leave a reply

Apple’s Corporate Responsibility

         Sustainable business practices attempt to provide long-term value for stakeholders while solving social, economic, and environmental concerns. Ethics, social responsibility, and employee relations are vital to such strategies. Businesses emphasizing ethics and social responsibility set themselves apart by valuing corporate citizenship, transparency, and accountability (Ceil, 2018). Good employee relations can significantly aid positive workplace cultures that encourage productivity, employee engagement, and retention. Therefore, businesses should embrace ethical and socially responsible practices that align with their beliefs and goals and positively affect their staff, local communities, and the environment. Apple Inc is one company that has made progress in this area. Apple is a multinational corporation that produces and distributes electronic devices, computer programs, and internet-based services. The company has received praise for its initiatives to lessen its environmental impact, increase the openness of its supply chain, and foster an environment where everyone feels welcome (Chen et al., 2021). Apple’s success may be primarily attributed to the business’s dedication to upholding ethical standards and improving society, and the corporation is actively seeking new methods to do so.

Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts of Apple

         Apple can continue pursuing several methods to establish a more ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable firm. One suggestion is for the corporation to increase its openness regarding its products and operations’ social and environmental effects. Apple can strengthen corporate accountability and establish stakeholder confidence by disclosing information about the resources needed to make its products, its supply chain’s environmental effect, and its suppliers’ working conditions (Chen et al., 2021). Apple is also advised to increase its efforts to encourage diversity and inclusion among its staff and supplier chain. The organization has previously made efforts in this regard, such as committing to improving the diversity of its leadership team and forming partnerships with minority-owned businesses, but there is still potential for improvement. By embracing diversity and inclusion, Apple can establish a more egalitarian workplace and supply chain and better serve its varied customer base.

         Apple may also establish a more sustainable and ethical firm by researching novel approaches to lessen its environmental effect. The corporation may, for instance, invest in developing new technologies that enable the reuse and recycling of electronic trash and investigate alternative materials with a lower environmental impact (Ceil, 2018). Apple may also continue to set an example in the technology sector by fighting for rules and regulations that promote sustainability and social responsibility. Apple can effect systemic change that addresses global issues such as climate change and social inequality by engaging with industry peers and government organizations (Ewing, 2020). Apple can create long-term value for its stakeholders and positively impact society and the environment by adopting a comprehensive approach to corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices.

Ethical Principles of Apple

         Apple’s reputation as a responsible corporate citizen depends on the company’s adherence to ethical standards. The company’s code of conduct establishes explicit ethical standards for its employees, vendors, and suppliers. The code stresses the significance of integrity, honesty, and respect in all interactions and defines the reporting procedures for potential infractions (Brown & Thompson, 2022). In addition, Apple’s supplier code of conduct reflects its dedication to ethical and accountable sourcing procedures. The code mandates that vendors offer fair salaries, safe working conditions, and adherence to international human rights norms (Chen et al., 2021). Apple performs frequent audits to guarantee compliance with its supplier code of conduct and has severed ties with suppliers found to be violating. These actions illustrate Apple’s dedication to ethical business practices throughout its supply chain.

         Apple’s devotion to privacy and data security further exemplifies its ethical beliefs. The corporation has developed numerous precautions to safeguard the privacy of its users, such as data encryption, facial recognition technology, and other security features. Apple’s comprehensive privacy policy explains how it gathers and utilizes consumer data and gives users control over their data (Tao, 2020). Moreover, the corporation has pledged to increase diversity and inclusion among its personnel and supplier chain. Apple has implemented steps to boost the number of women and underrepresented minorities in its leadership and workforce and has collaborated with minority-owned businesses to encourage diversity in its supply chain (Ewing, 2020). These initiatives are essential for ensuring that Apple’s products and services are accessible and inclusive for all and that the firm represents the diversity of its global consumer base.

         Also, Apple’s ethical values encompass labor and human rights. The organization has taken measures to guarantee that people in its supply chain are treated fairly, are paid a livable wage, and work in safe conditions. Apple has also led human rights advocacy within its supply chain and the greater community (Chen et al., 2021). For instance, the corporation has spoken against discrimination and inequality and collaborated with groups to promote human rights and social justice (Tao, 2020). Apple has positioned itself as a leader in promoting sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical business practices by prioritizing ethical values across its activities.

Recommendations for a More Ethical, Socially Responsible, and Sustainable Business

         Apple may broaden its philanthropy operations to embrace a broader spectrum of social and environmental problems to create a more ethical, socially responsible, and sustainable firm. Investing in energy-efficient technologies and sustainable supply chain processes will allow the company to boost its use of renewable energy and minimize its carbon footprint (Brown & Thompson, 2022). Enhancing supply chain transparency can ensure ethical sourcing and lower the likelihood of human rights breaches. Improving diversity and inclusion activities can contribute to a more inclusive working culture while bolstering data privacy and security safeguards sensitive consumer data (Chen et al., 2021). Apple may finally ensure compliance with labor and human rights standards by conducting frequent audits and taking prompt action in case of infractions. Organizations must prioritize ethics, social responsibility, and employee relations to generate customer trust, promote sustainability, and benefit society.

 

Danming Li

hi, guys, my name is Danming Li, you guys can call me Rachel. I am from china, I am coming to the united States about 10 years ago. my major is accounting and my hobby is going shopping when I was free time. thanks

My BMCC email is: anming.li@stu.bmcc.cuny.edu

Danming Li

hi,my name is Danming Li, I am 24 years old. I am come to the united state by 10 years old, I have come from China. my major is accounting, I like to go shopping with friend when I was free time.

My BMCC email is: a787216750@gmail.com