Fad? Or Functional?

Some odd looking footwear has made its way into our home, and at first glance, you can't help but scoff.  They look like something that Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk might have uncovered on one of the planets they visited.

 They come in a variety of colors and soles, and the ones I checked out range in price from $75 to $120.

After speaking with a few devotees, I am starting to understand the attraction.  Apparently they help support your feet, perform mini-yoga classes on your toes, and runners swear they fight shin splints.  Here, let me save you a trip to the store 

If we're getting 'back to nature' with our shoes, then let's go all the way.

Sorry, but I'd rather risk life and limb wearing something cute.

 I won't be jumping on this bandwagon...will you?  Or have you already taken the leap...

Babes in boots

No, it's not a post on cute girls wearing cute boots....

A few years ago, Tony Lama Boots produced a calendar for their customers, and the image still brings a smile to my face.  Not sure if it bends the 'child labor' laws, but it presents both a clever photo and a message that you're never too young...

 

There's a lot of discussion about marketing that is directed at children, but I am pretty sure this one was purely for enjoyment.  What do you think?

Smart shopping...

With the increased use of the internet and search sites, consumers are much more informed before making their purchases, and the 'buyer beware' phrase rings less and less true.

A single negative comment on any one of the many social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, etc.) can go viral, and a this is a lot harder to bounce back from than a comment muttered under the breath of a disgruntled customer as they storm out of the store.

 Customers are the reason we are in business...they are not an interruption to our day.  They don't come in 'just to bother you', or to delay you in getting your assigned tasks done.  They matter, and what they say matters...

How will you market yourself?

As graduation looms for many, it's time to think about joining the real world.  With that comes resumes, references and job interviews.  Marketing yourself is a critical part of the process.

Will you take advantage of existing opportunities such as private businesses, maybe the family business, or a big corporations?

Or will you dive head-first into your own business as an entrepreneur? 

And you can color my world...

Our eyes and brains process so much information in a minute amount of time, and yet it's interesting when we consider the different outputs...

When considering our target market, we can use eight different descriptive names for a color that's not quite white...yet guys are okay with just 'off-white'.

You say tomato, I say tomahto.  You say red, I say appetite stimulant (it's true - just ask the restaurant marketers!).

Hugo said you go....

It's amazing how hearing an old jingle or seeing an old ad can bring back memories (be they good or bad).  This ad was around when I was very young, and even now, many (MANY) years later, I sung along like it was just yesterday.  What a blast from the past.

How many things would be considered 'wrong' in today's marketing? No seatbelts, overweight kids eating fast food, talking about getting 'thinner' due to no dinner...

What ads are embedded in your memory?

The eyes of March...

No, not a typo....shopping with someone on her first visit to the USA helped me see our local shops through a new set of eyes, and gave me a new perspective to familiar sights.  As we did our part to stimulate the economy, seeing her excitement at the window displays, merchandising efforts, and unfamiliar brand names reminded me why marketing is the ideal career choice for me.

Thankfully, there weren't any customers opening bottles...