McFiciancy

Some of the toughest challenges aside getting all ingredients and supplies to a location at the correct time, efficiency and consistency are the names of the game in fast food. One may wonder how major 'restaurants' are able to offer food so cheap and make it the same every time. It makes me wonder why some fast food locations have the steps down pat, and others in the same category are serving soggy cold everything.
McDonalds has been the case study of efficiency, consistency and success when serving people on a large scale. Although much less power and creativity is given to each employee, it is shown that this process works. Other establishments have set their model very close to McDonalds but just can't match up for some reason. For example, Dunkin Donuts around the northeast doesn't offer the consistency McDonalds or Wendy's seems to have. Also, you'll find yourself waiting longer for the order to be ready for you. Part of this is you don't want a sausage, egg and cheese on a croissant made hours before your arrival. With enough planning, thought and the correct employees any business could get down the efficiency McDonalds has to offer. If only the food tasted a little better!

"I want to go to Friendly's"

At first, it seems like a waste to advertise while the customer is already engaged in a sale. At Friendly's, they play their own advertisements over their speaker system between songs. Even though the establishment is failing as a business, it may not be a bad idea. The jingle is terrible, and seems to play at least ten times before you leave. However, that darn jingle is very catchy and could do a number with young kids. Although pretty annoying to adults, kids could pick that up and sing it over and over again. Is it worth it to have something annoying to adults, who transport and pay, but gets in the younger customers' heads and drives them back?

The case study would probably say the tactic wasn't successful, but at a different time in the business's history I think it could have been a great idea. There are plenty of successful businesses that rely on cheesy and annoying advertising. Whatever sticks with possible customers is what will be able to drive business to certain establishments. The opposite however can happen and there are ads that deter possible customers from purchasing the product. The “I want to go to Friendly’s” chant in the restaurant may have been that little bit to help the company go out of business, despite their delicious food.

They'll even get you when you're skiing

They'll even get you when you're skiing.
 The other day, while I was skiing at Smuggler's Notch, and then again at Bolton Valley, I realized there are advertisements on the mountain. At the bottom and top of the ski resorts, there is commercial space to be had. The two main kinds I saw were stationed right beside the lift at the bottom, and near where the trail starts at the top. I can't think of these locations to be very successful in their marketing efforts. Like a watermark or beach, I'd think that most people skiing wouldn't carry much cash on them. Or, if someone saw the advertisement on the mountain, I doubt they'd be paying attention to it. For example, I was looking for them second time around and I could only remember two of the four. One was for "Powderbank.com" and the other was for "Kleenex."

I clearly recognized the Kleenex advertisement, and can see its relevance. At the bottom of the ads are a shelf where you can grab tissues and toss them out. What a perfect opportunity to reach people with such a universal product. However, it doesn't provoke me to buy their tissues verses any other brand. They are very helpful and much appreciated though, it makes me want to be the sales rep. that goes skiing all over and gets to refill the Kleenex!

Public Speaking

On Monday, January 30th we had our first E-pitch presentation. Public speaking has never been a strong point or activity I'm fond of. Actually, I try to avoid it as much as possible. The E-pitch is a different kind of animal however, a sort of one on one public speaking, without the script. Just by not having the E-pitch in the public speaking category makes it less intimidating, although neither are easy. Watching the replay of myself stumbling at times, and doing better in others really makes me want to prefect the art. The power of being persuasive to a marketer's career has to be crucial. That time in the "elevator" could really change a career for the better and that moment could come at any time. I wish I had known about the concept in general when working at a small bank. It could have made my ideas for their loan marketing program much more persuasive and concrete. I can remember leaving out parts of my ideas for a classic car loan option that I really wanted to include when meeting with executive staff. Had I known about E-pitches, it could have gone better.
Doing the exercise in class I believe was more beneficial to the idea of selling an idea and being confident about it than memorizing and delivering. Although under pressure I had trouble with both, the later attempt seemed to be much better in body language. I hope that means I'm getting better, although saying to myself, "it's not a huge deal" may help with the anxiety. I could see this actually helping out in real life, and that's why I have no problem putting myself through the misery. I've got to get comfortable at it sometime!