Hooray for Being Up-to-Date

Today I made my last Wikipedia edit due before Spring break! Even though I'll be working for all of it, it'll be lovely to have a little break from school.

I just made another edit to my entry on the Triple Bottom Line. This time I had a lot to say. I took almost all the information from an article I have from my BUAD472 class last semester. This time I added something really important that I found missing...a detailed description of each of the bottom lines. I added what they included and also gave a brief overview of what each of those mean for a business. I also did some cleaning up in the definition section.

VALS Survey

It's been alittle while since we've talked about this one in class, but I came across the link to the VALS survey as I was studying for the midterm tomorrow and figured I'd write a quick blog to help me catch up.

First off, I was really surprised that the survey was comprised of so few questions! And most of them seemed to rate you on one of four dimensions. I was expecting something much different. But I guess, overall, as consumers...we're not too complex.

My primary type was an 'Experiencer'. I'm actually really shocked. It states:

'Experiencers are motivated by self-expression. As young, enthusiastic, and impulsive consumers, Experiencers quickly become enthusiastic about new possibilities but are equally quick to cool. They seek variety and excitement, savoring the new, the offbeat, and the risky. Their energy finds an outlet in exercise, sports, outdoor recreation, and social activities. Experiencers are avid consumers and spend a comparatively high proportion of their income on fashion, entertainment, and socializing. Their purchases reflect the emphasis they place on looking good and having "cool" stuff.'

Looking at the descriptions for all the other types, I would've positioned myself in the Makers category. I guess the characteristic that separated me from that group was the fact that I place some value on material possessions. However, the first half of the 'Maker' type was me to a tee.

Or maybe it's just how I see myself in the next few years. Until then, looks like I'll be spending a high portion of my income buying clothes and having fun :-P What a shame!

Effects in the Long-Run

I was just checking up on what all my group members were up to and I came across Patrick’s post about sea creatures and electronics. In order to get a better understanding of the article I went, not to Slashdot’s discussion, but rather the original source. Reading the article is a little confusing because I don’t have a strong understanding of the chemicals and processes involved. However, what I did take away from it is that scientists are using the shells of tiny ocean creatures in order to create products such as gas sensors which more efficiently detect pollution.

What I found particular interesting is that although they mention that over 100,000 species in the ocean have the characteristics appropriate for this conversion, it mentions nothing about what would happen to these species after having undergone these processes. Because the conversion requires the outer shell of the creatures, one can only assume that the creature itself will die in the process. “The Aulacoseira diatoms used in the research reported by Nature were millions of years old, obtained from samples mined and distributed as diatomaceous earth”. The benefits from these processes don’t address at all the effect of losing these 100,000+ somewhat species to science. It seems to me, at least, that nature seems to know what it’s doing until humans decide to mess with it. Unless we consider the effects of using everything in nature for solely our own (humans’) benefits, we might be in for some unpleasant surprises in the future.

Wikipedia Edit

Today I made another Wikipedia edit, this time on the article for the Triple Bottom Line. I added a few key things that I have from articles for my BUAD472 class from last semester. I added the fact that the triple bottom line demands that businesses respond to the needs of stakeholders rather than shareholders. I also added an argument against the concept, which states that TBL is difficult in application, because it does not provide a means to sum all three bottom lines: profit, environment, and society. I was alittle disappointed I forgot to add a description of my edit, but I can't seem to find a way to go back and change that. Other than that, it's looking good.

You're So Vain...

you probably think this post is about you?

Carly Simon aside, today I decided to do a Google vanity search.

I'm not going to lie, I've done it many times before, but since we talked about it in class last week I realized it had been awhile. Also, since I've been doing that whole 'real-world job search fun' lately, I figured it certainly wouldn't hurt to check out the online scene.

It was somewhat exciting to see what things were actually there. The WFHS directory and Latino students of distinction had been there for awhile but it brought up a new lot of sites, mostly those related to classes. This blog came up, as well as the links to one of my other class' website.

What I didn't like is that that particulary website lists my cell number. Alas, until the class is over or I speak directly to that professor, I guess I'll deal with it. It's interesting to try and interpret what someone would determine about you based on your Google search. But since, so far, we just know I graduated from high school and have been awarded through UD for good grades, I hopefully shouldn't have to be concerned.

Catch Up

You'll probably see a lot of me the next few days, as I make some attempts to beat the clock to Spring Break.

Today I was poking around the required blogs, looking desperately for something to write about. It took awhile but luckily I stumbled upon an article on Modern Marketing entitled 'If you're not interested, stop listening'. The article talks about Dell's recent foray into idea collection via their customers. They've recently created IdeaStorm, which is a company-run website that allows customers to post ideas and comments about Dell and their products.

There are several main aspects in this site and what it could do for Dell. These aspects are independent of the article itself, as I came up with them after some analysis.

1. Creating a Dell community - Love of a product is even more unique and special when you can share that love with other people. Communities designed to support products by the people who enjoy them are not uncommon, and are certainly helpful to the companies. Examples would be Harley Davidson and their Harley Owner's Group, or online-based with the Treo Smartphone and Andrew Carton's blog.

2. Giving customers a direct link to the company, and providing them with feedback - An issue with companies, especially in a growing economy, is the increasingly large distance between the company and the consumers, themselves. Resentment is often present with consumers who can not communicate directly to a company with their own comments and ideas. The site allows a direct forum for consumers to put their two cents in, which may lead them to eventually put their $1,000 worth in when they get to the cash register or online checkout page. With this growing use of technology as of late, businesses should be doing everything in their power to create any sort of relationship possible with their customers.

3. Allowing new ideas into the Dell mainstream - Dell is going through a period that necessitates change. While still doing quite well, it is hard to forsee how things will remain in the future. They were extremely popular in being able to specialize computers to the needs of each individual customer, but this once core competency has become much easier to replicate. The company's long-time CEO Michael Dell has recently turned over the position to Kevin Rollins, which has larger been discussed in the news. Dell needs new ideas and a new edge in order to remain competitive in an industry which is being quickly commoditized. Not to mention, it's free ideas!!

4. Giving Dell a competitive advantage - This one's a little less complex. Building a relationship, promoting ideas, and differentiating themselves will give Dell a competitive advantage to catapult them into an equally profitable future.


But, if they don't listen and respond to the needs of their customers, which the article states is currently the case...it'll be a long time before we'll be 'getting a Dell!'

New Edit

I just finished another Wikipedia edit! This time it was on Brookhaven National Laboratory, which is a goverment lab near my hometown on Long Island. I added some information about the town in which it is located and about its summer program (bought of which I know from being a resident). I also expanded on the areas of research listed since it was missing about 4 key areas. Lastly, I explained why it is named Brookhaven, and also how large of an area it actually spans.

It should be interesting to see if anyone alters my edits, since this is the first time I've changed a pre-existing entry.

Wikipedia Edit

I made another edit to my The Children's Place Wikipedia entry, since I didn't want to leave it so blank. Of course I made the mistake Professor Brown had warned about and saved it not realizing that I was no longer signed in. However, I reverted it back to my past edit and made the changes again, which will hopefully suffice.

This time I added some pretty interesting things. First was the company infobox which was created using a Wikipedia template. It shows the basic information of the company within the box, as a quick reference. Also exciting was the addition of a picture (one of a TCP storefront). It took me a while to figure out how to deal with the picture as far as licensing was concerned, but hopefully this is correct. Though brief, I also added another section about TCP's competitors. There are also noticeable changes in the content of the background, as I went and filled some information in.