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APEX does have its benefits…

March 24, 2010 in Uncategorized by sep225 | No comments

One of the projects my APEX team has been working on is market launch ideas for Polk Audio’s new speaker, the HitMaster.  Polk Audio, in sympathy to our pro bono work, offered to send us samples so that we could try it out.  A couple of weeks ago, I got the call that my new HitMaster was here. Although I don’t really have Guitar Hero or Rock Band (which the speaker is really for), I was pretty excited, because the audio at La Casa de Sara is pretty poor. Plus, after speaking with audiophiles over the last module, I was ready to upgrade a little.

My thoughts are that it is really easy to carry, not too heavy, but with some great sound. The inputs on the back are pretty cool too, very simple for those people that want to play a game/ use a speaker but don’t really know much about hooking them up. I actually like instruction manuals, but then, I’m a little weird…

Since I do not have a game console, I hooked it up to my TV, where it adds some great sound when I have time to watch it, or play my iPod when I am studying.

-Sara Paige
MBA Class of 2010


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The Power of Web 2.0

August 28, 2009 in Uncategorized by sep225 | No comments

Last year, in IT class (and you first years will get there!), we talked alot about the power of Web 2.0 and the influence it could bear for businesses.  For the last week or so, I have been following a fascinating story on the Internet involving blogging and Twitter and the power of both to influence companies and consumers.  I would like to share it here in order to facilitate discussion as to what it means for the future of marketing and business in general.

Heather Armstrong is probably one of the most read people on the Internet.  Her website, dooce.com, sees enough traffic that she can afford to support herself and her family on it through the ad revenue it generates.  Her Twitter following is over a million people and growing, and she is particularly popular with women and stay at home mothers.  I have seen firsthand that when she recommends a product, it can sell out very quickly, and when she doesn’t like something, she has a platform of millions.

Over the last week or so, Heather started having problems with her Maytag washing machine, which was new and cost $1300. She was getting nowhere with customer service. With two small children, her laundry was becoming a nightmare.  So she Twittered her frustration, and implored her million followers to not buy Maytag washing machines.

From a marketing and business perspective, one person told a million people right in the middle of Maytag’s segment not to buy the product.  Repeatedly.  Both Whirlpool and Home Depot jumped in very quickly to mitigate the damage, but realistically, that damage was done.

Here’s where the issue comes into play.  She is not a celebrity we think of in a normal sense.  If it was Oprah calling customer service, the issue would have been a priority. But she does have some of that same clout.  Now, with Web 2.0, any otherwise random customer could have a following of hundreds or a million followers, and the marketing department wouldn’t have any warning that something big was happening until it had already blown up.  As a future business manager, what would you do?

- Sara Paige
MBA Class of 2010


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International Potluck: Seconds, anyone?

April 20, 2009 in Association Nights, Uncategorized by sep225 | No comments

On Thursday, April 16, the WMBA in association with the MMBA and the MBAA hosted the first International Potluck at Smeal.  The students certainly showed that, even as we know business, we sure know how to cook as well!  We had food from all over the world, from Shanghaiese beef to Bulgarian Salad and Mexican Chili.

What I really liked was the sense of community and diversity at this event.  There is oftentimes so much talk about how diverse Smeal is, but that diversity is sometimes obscured by the stress, the course load and even cross-culture difficulties.  It was great to see everyone relaxed and having a good time as they shared their culture with stories and food.  And best of all, we were all full by the end!

-Sara Paige
MBA Class of 2010


Market Sharing

January 27, 2009 in Presentations by sep225 | Permalink

On Friday morning, the WMBA and the Marketing Association welcomed Rich Pilston from DuPont for a case study and lunch.  Rich talked for some time about business to business marketing, and the challenges that come for marketers in that field.

My favorite takeaway was that because the economy is so bad, we future marketers have the opportunity to take all the credit when business improves. What a great silver lining!

As the people filtered out of the classroom, I had the opportunity to speak with many of the other students.  What struck the largest chord with the audience was Rich’s emphasis on finding out the needs of the market and creating products that fill those needs.  As business to business marketers, we need to look at the big picture of our customer’s customers, and should strive to fulfill everyone’s needs.  Very few marketers in the industry think this way, and this policy is what has helped DuPont create products like Corian and Kevlar, which are known by consumers at all purchasing levels.

I think I can speak for the MBAs at the session when I say we are all so grateful for him coming out and imparting his expertise on Friday.

-Sara Paige
MBA Class of 2010


… And we’re back!

January 14, 2009 in Uncategorized by sep225 | Permalink

I’ve said for some time now that when we are in the midst of this program, time starts to slow down to the point where it only passes in the smallest of increments.  That was certainly not true of the holidays, which seem to have flown by at the speed of light.  As fleeting as they were, it does seem to have done the trick:  the reset button has been pressed and in the MBA Commons there is a certain relaxed quality to everyone.  The cynic in me knows it won’t last, but I am enjoying it just the same.

Careers and internships are starting to percolate through conversations more and more.  Everyone is getting excited about which internships they are applying to and whether or not they will get an interview or offer.  We all know that the economy is not optimal for this, but the thing about Smeal is that we are all in this together, and we will get through it.  I know I want to help everyone get their dream job or internship and I am sure many of my classmates will help me in turn.

I wish all of the first and second years good luck!  Hopefully this mod will be successful for all of us.

Sara Paige
MBA Class of 2010