For this assignment I chose the technological advances taking place on the film industry. Digital film is becoming more and more popular today. American moviemakers are following the lead of independent filmmakers, which has lead to digital filming taking over and changing the film industry as we know it (physorg.com, n.d.).
Digital film making, in this day and age, is the logical step because of technology advances. People who enjoy film entertainment are starting to stay home either because they have a home theater setup with surround sound or because they can download a movie at the touch of a button. Movie theaters are becoming digital cinemas and will continue with this transition for years to come (physorg.com, n.d.).
The movie industry will continue, in my opinion, to keep up with times and changes in technology. The question is if today’s technology makes is so easy to make a movie, watch it, or download it, what could make current advances easier? Sometimes technology makes things easy that did not necessarily called for a boost to make them easier. What can be faster and more time efficient than downloading a movie in a matter of seconds?
I believe that as a college graduate one of the important things that you learn is that learning never stops; that embracing change is a sought after quality; that opening the doors to the new and exciting can pay off even though it may seem like one is navigating uncharted waters. As a college student I think that a great part of your training includes lectures on how to handle technological advances, even if he or she does not have the technical training to directly handle them. The key college student have over people without that college education is that college students are trained to adapt to different environments and are given the tools to do so.
Physorg. (2011). Physorg.com. Retrieved July 26, 2011,
http://www.physorg.com/news63371606.html
This blog represents a career goal and the beginning of a journey.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Financing Resources
EEvery business owner will need funding in one way or another. When I looked at the websites provided on our assignment it was no surprise to me that so many options exist today to fit nearly every business owner’s needs. The first website I looked into was opportunity finance. The one thing that captured my attention is that this website is not going to provide direct funding but a network to learn and possibly find financing options. These options are not limited to small business but housing, community facilities and such. The website provides links to the possible resources a business owner can make use of including trade associations and government resources (opportunityfinance.net, n.d.).
The website does have certain requirements that need fulfilling before a member qualifies during the application process. Some requirements include (a) be a member in good standing, (b) demonstrate that the use of capital is consistent with OFN’s mission, (c) demonstrate the capacity to use capital productively, and (e) demonstrate at least two years of operating surpluses in the last three years (opportunityfinance.net, n.d.). Additional information includes an overview on the CDFI Bond Program overview that was enacted by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 as a transformational tool that will provide a new source of long-term/low-cost capital to disadvantaged communities (opportunityfinance.net, n.d.).
The next website I decided to cover is cdvca.org. This website is also a network where business owners can also find funding options such as CDVC funds which basically makes equity investments on businesses in economically distressed areas in the United States. So this type of funding would apply to current business owners whose business is already up and running (cdvca.org, n.d.).
In order to start the process, one requirement is to fill out an application and questionnaire where you have to provide information about (a) your organization's mission statement, (b) a description of the organization, (c) a description of the investment strategy of your funds, and more. Some additional information includes local conferences and events, public policy, and other federal initiatives (cdvca.org, n.d.).
CDVCA. (N.d). Cdvca.org. Retrieved July 12, 2011,
From http://www.cdvca.org/index.php? option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=90&Itemid=104
Opportunity Finance. (2011). Opportunityfinance.net. Retrieved July 12, 2011,
From http://www.opportunityfinance.net/
The website does have certain requirements that need fulfilling before a member qualifies during the application process. Some requirements include (a) be a member in good standing, (b) demonstrate that the use of capital is consistent with OFN’s mission, (c) demonstrate the capacity to use capital productively, and (e) demonstrate at least two years of operating surpluses in the last three years (opportunityfinance.net, n.d.). Additional information includes an overview on the CDFI Bond Program overview that was enacted by the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 as a transformational tool that will provide a new source of long-term/low-cost capital to disadvantaged communities (opportunityfinance.net, n.d.).
The next website I decided to cover is cdvca.org. This website is also a network where business owners can also find funding options such as CDVC funds which basically makes equity investments on businesses in economically distressed areas in the United States. So this type of funding would apply to current business owners whose business is already up and running (cdvca.org, n.d.).
In order to start the process, one requirement is to fill out an application and questionnaire where you have to provide information about (a) your organization's mission statement, (b) a description of the organization, (c) a description of the investment strategy of your funds, and more. Some additional information includes local conferences and events, public policy, and other federal initiatives (cdvca.org, n.d.).
CDVCA. (N.d). Cdvca.org. Retrieved July 12, 2011,
From http://www.cdvca.org/index.php? option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=90&Itemid=104
Opportunity Finance. (2011). Opportunityfinance.net. Retrieved July 12, 2011,
From http://www.opportunityfinance.net/
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Expert Views on Business Plans
The views on business from the experts below did bring a lot of insight on how to successfully handle a business. To begin with, America’s Top Chef Bobby Flay owns several high-end restaurants, and casual dining burger places. Together these establishments gross million of dollars a year (bpexpertviews.com, 2011). The one thing I thing is important to highlight in this expert’s vision is that he diversifies. I believe that diversification would be a great tool to make use of in my business plan. For instance, this businessman did not limit himself to restaurants; he became a spokesman and an author but managed to keep his vision within the original industry.
The next successful businesswoman I admire the most is Oprah Winfrey. To try and number all of Oprah’s accomplishments would take book. She started out as a broadcasting pioneer, and went on to become a titan in the entertainment industry (Allen, n.d.). Oprah’s vision is and always has been of particular interest to me. Oprah is the perfect example of how one can be successful in any business when one works for a community’s best interests. With all her success, Oprah has always found the time to do her fair share of charity work, community involvement and much more. I think a part of a business plan should always include giving something back to the customer’s that keep the business profitable. For instance, a lot of businesses contribute to charities and encourage employees to do so by offering to match a percentage of their donations to the charity of their choice.
Another businessman who has left his mark in the business world is Donald Trump. He is the New York real state magnate. His vision has always been to lock the best business deals he can. Donald Trump has countless properties and has become a true entertainment personality having host a business show (Investingvalue.com, n.d.). The one quality Donald Trump has is his people skills. Although this term has become meaningless overtime it is an asset on the business world. A key to running a business is learning how to read people and what they do. Today many businesses even train their employees on reading body language in the workplace. This to me would be the take away I would incorporate into my business plan.
In closing, when starting a business one has a lot to learn from those ahead of us. Their ups and downs are something we should always study carefully and learn from.
Allen, S. (N.d). Reader’s most admired entrepreneur. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
Fromhttp://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/oprahwinfrey.htm
BP Experts Views. (2011). Bpexpertsviews.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
From http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/
Investing Value. (2011). Investingvalue.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
From http://www.investingvalue.com/investment-leaders/donald-trump/index.htm
The next successful businesswoman I admire the most is Oprah Winfrey. To try and number all of Oprah’s accomplishments would take book. She started out as a broadcasting pioneer, and went on to become a titan in the entertainment industry (Allen, n.d.). Oprah’s vision is and always has been of particular interest to me. Oprah is the perfect example of how one can be successful in any business when one works for a community’s best interests. With all her success, Oprah has always found the time to do her fair share of charity work, community involvement and much more. I think a part of a business plan should always include giving something back to the customer’s that keep the business profitable. For instance, a lot of businesses contribute to charities and encourage employees to do so by offering to match a percentage of their donations to the charity of their choice.
Another businessman who has left his mark in the business world is Donald Trump. He is the New York real state magnate. His vision has always been to lock the best business deals he can. Donald Trump has countless properties and has become a true entertainment personality having host a business show (Investingvalue.com, n.d.). The one quality Donald Trump has is his people skills. Although this term has become meaningless overtime it is an asset on the business world. A key to running a business is learning how to read people and what they do. Today many businesses even train their employees on reading body language in the workplace. This to me would be the take away I would incorporate into my business plan.
In closing, when starting a business one has a lot to learn from those ahead of us. Their ups and downs are something we should always study carefully and learn from.
Allen, S. (N.d). Reader’s most admired entrepreneur. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
Fromhttp://entrepreneurs.about.com/od/famousentrepreneurs/p/oprahwinfrey.htm
BP Experts Views. (2011). Bpexpertsviews.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
From http://bpexpertviews.blogspot.com/
Investing Value. (2011). Investingvalue.com. Retrieved June 22, 2011,
From http://www.investingvalue.com/investment-leaders/donald-trump/index.htm
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Expert Views on Business Plans
Kevin Taylor
Kevin Tailor is an experienced public relations (PR) consultant. His area of expertise includes company positioning, and messaging. In addition, Kevin Taylor is an accomplished writer and commentator on PR issues. He is also a strategist who specializes on mobile IPTV and IT companies (Taylor, n.d.).
I found an article on Taylor’s views about a business plan that stated that a business plan couldn’t be in verbal form only, particularly when it involves a partnership. According to Taylor a verbal agreement could never substitute a contract, and specified exclusivity clauses. Another key element of a business plan is IP protection.
In addition to protecting a company’s innovative ideas IP also opens the door to the global market. Specifically, Taylor suggests that a company should prepare an IP portfolio to make sure it has valid registrations in the countries it will either operate or manufacture in. Taylor final comment on the business plan concept was that innovative companies should always make sure to turn their innovative ideas into a competitive advantage (telegraph.co.uk, 2010).
Michael Dean
For the next section of my blog I decide to elaborate on Michael Dean’s views on the Stockshifters’ business plan. To begin with, Michael Dean is a Marketing Specialist with a director level experience in both marketing and business development. Among other areas of expertise, he has tapped in to sales, IT management, and new service development. He is currently the head of marketing at the National Computer Centre (Dean, n.d.).
The key elements that Dean has brought up about this business plan include communication, a target market, and a work force. Dean’s position on this business plan is to communicate to the consumer the benefits of the new technology Stockshifters is bringing to the table. This will allow the consumer the opportunity to break from the old and embrace the new. The main reason for this strategy is the fact that with new technology, as with anything new from drugs, food, and more, there will be resistance from those who stand to make a profit from the present product or service. In addition, the workforce will play key role, as the company will need a competent sales staff to better sell their new product to the consumer. A sales staff can go from front-of-the-line associates to phone representatives.
Michael Dean truly has a goo point regarding the communication to the consumer. Delozier (n.d.) said:
The best definition of marketing communication is the process of presenting an integrated set of stimuli (promotion mix) to a target market with the extent to evolve a desired set of responses within that target market. (Para. 1)
In closing, a business plan has many elements that need to be considered to make sure the venture is a success. Business owners will continue to strive to make a profit and the changing needs on the market they operate will continue to be of great importance no matter the nature or ultimate goal the plan established.
Dean, M. (N.d). LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-dean/5/a69/304
Delozier. (N.d). Marketing communication process. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.best-information.eu/international-marketing-strategies
Taylor, K. (N.d). LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-taylor/0/5b/3b0
Telegraph (2010). Telegraph.com.uk. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/7504112/
Kevin Tailor is an experienced public relations (PR) consultant. His area of expertise includes company positioning, and messaging. In addition, Kevin Taylor is an accomplished writer and commentator on PR issues. He is also a strategist who specializes on mobile IPTV and IT companies (Taylor, n.d.).
I found an article on Taylor’s views about a business plan that stated that a business plan couldn’t be in verbal form only, particularly when it involves a partnership. According to Taylor a verbal agreement could never substitute a contract, and specified exclusivity clauses. Another key element of a business plan is IP protection.
In addition to protecting a company’s innovative ideas IP also opens the door to the global market. Specifically, Taylor suggests that a company should prepare an IP portfolio to make sure it has valid registrations in the countries it will either operate or manufacture in. Taylor final comment on the business plan concept was that innovative companies should always make sure to turn their innovative ideas into a competitive advantage (telegraph.co.uk, 2010).
Michael Dean
For the next section of my blog I decide to elaborate on Michael Dean’s views on the Stockshifters’ business plan. To begin with, Michael Dean is a Marketing Specialist with a director level experience in both marketing and business development. Among other areas of expertise, he has tapped in to sales, IT management, and new service development. He is currently the head of marketing at the National Computer Centre (Dean, n.d.).
The key elements that Dean has brought up about this business plan include communication, a target market, and a work force. Dean’s position on this business plan is to communicate to the consumer the benefits of the new technology Stockshifters is bringing to the table. This will allow the consumer the opportunity to break from the old and embrace the new. The main reason for this strategy is the fact that with new technology, as with anything new from drugs, food, and more, there will be resistance from those who stand to make a profit from the present product or service. In addition, the workforce will play key role, as the company will need a competent sales staff to better sell their new product to the consumer. A sales staff can go from front-of-the-line associates to phone representatives.
Michael Dean truly has a goo point regarding the communication to the consumer. Delozier (n.d.) said:
The best definition of marketing communication is the process of presenting an integrated set of stimuli (promotion mix) to a target market with the extent to evolve a desired set of responses within that target market. (Para. 1)
In closing, a business plan has many elements that need to be considered to make sure the venture is a success. Business owners will continue to strive to make a profit and the changing needs on the market they operate will continue to be of great importance no matter the nature or ultimate goal the plan established.
Dean, M. (N.d). LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.linkedin.com/pub/michael-dean/5/a69/304
Delozier. (N.d). Marketing communication process. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.best-information.eu/international-marketing-strategies
Taylor, K. (N.d). LinkedIn Profile. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.linkedin.com/pub/kevin-taylor/0/5b/3b0
Telegraph (2010). Telegraph.com.uk. Retrieved May 31, 2011,
From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/businessclub/7504112/
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Search Engine Optimization
The artist I chose for this particular assignment is Prince Cat-Eyez. One of the reasons I chose this particular artist is because he happens to be a great friend of mine, and because he is a self-made public figure. Prince Cat-Eyes has, in my opinion, successfully uses social media to promote his material, and give continuous updates on his tours, and new releases.
Some of the channels he utilizes include Face Book, and Twitter.
When any of his fans visit his profiles they will be able to read his biography, accomplishments, new material, and upcoming events. Prince Cat-Eyez has successfully used these channels to put his name out in the industry, and booked many gigs in different events.
It is very important to mention also that another social media channel he uses is YouTube. If any of his fans type his name they will find some of his most recent videos. He has created an image and a style that stand out. This particular channel is by far the most effective because this is the finalized product. This is what the public ultimately sees, and what gives him the name and reputations he made for himself. In addition, his My Space profile gives his fans access to pictures, bio, and free music.
Aside from social media, Prince Cat-Eyez also resorts to networking channels as part of his marketing efforts. He has different contacts with recording studios, and booking agents he has worked with in the past. Prince Cat-Eyes is on the right path by combining social media with a networking channel because this is crucial to any artist or business that want their name to be known. By creating a social media network you can reduce your social networking efforts significantly and still get the best results from it. By integrating the 2 you not only can monitor the outcome your efforts produced but also how others in the industry are achieving their goals and hitting target markets (virtualsocialmedia.com, 2010).
I would suggest that this artist run his own website with all his information from Bio, pictures, music, downloads and such. He can use his existing channels to promote it, for example he can include a Twitter or Face Book button on the website. He can also look into different SEO options to drive traffic to his website (i.e. pay-per-click, and such) and increase his brand awareness.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prince-Cat-Eyez/111361905542802
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfVAxSIKaRs
Some of the channels he utilizes include Face Book, and Twitter.
When any of his fans visit his profiles they will be able to read his biography, accomplishments, new material, and upcoming events. Prince Cat-Eyez has successfully used these channels to put his name out in the industry, and booked many gigs in different events.
It is very important to mention also that another social media channel he uses is YouTube. If any of his fans type his name they will find some of his most recent videos. He has created an image and a style that stand out. This particular channel is by far the most effective because this is the finalized product. This is what the public ultimately sees, and what gives him the name and reputations he made for himself. In addition, his My Space profile gives his fans access to pictures, bio, and free music.
Aside from social media, Prince Cat-Eyez also resorts to networking channels as part of his marketing efforts. He has different contacts with recording studios, and booking agents he has worked with in the past. Prince Cat-Eyes is on the right path by combining social media with a networking channel because this is crucial to any artist or business that want their name to be known. By creating a social media network you can reduce your social networking efforts significantly and still get the best results from it. By integrating the 2 you not only can monitor the outcome your efforts produced but also how others in the industry are achieving their goals and hitting target markets (virtualsocialmedia.com, 2010).
I would suggest that this artist run his own website with all his information from Bio, pictures, music, downloads and such. He can use his existing channels to promote it, for example he can include a Twitter or Face Book button on the website. He can also look into different SEO options to drive traffic to his website (i.e. pay-per-click, and such) and increase his brand awareness.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Prince-Cat-Eyez/111361905542802
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfVAxSIKaRs
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Saturday, May 7, 2011
the Fashion Industry and Digital Media
The fashion world has always interested me, ever since I was a child. I have some favorite designers and models, and sketch many looks including, ready-to-wear looks, costumes, different decades and eras, and more. This will be couple with my brushing up my sewing, and constructing skills. A head of costumes job for a major film company is on my list of possibilities.
This article shows us that the fashion industry has not only discovered digital media but has embraced it. I must admit that before I read this article I had no idea of how much the fashion industry has come to depend on digital channels. On reading the article you will find that top designers like Gucci sell tickets online for online viewing of runway shows (Kramer, 2011).
Another example is Ralph Lauren who created several apps around his products and audiences. According to the article its latest application is the RLX app. The application is name RLX because one can see athletes wearing RLX clothing. The app is meant to give the public a clear idea of what the product is about and what is meant to do (Kramer, 2011).
I strongly believe that today is easy to realize how digital media has taken over the fashion industry, entertainment industry, and many others. For example, every reality TV shows such, as Top Model, and Project Runway are available online. Many of this shows can even involve the public by allowing viewers to pick favorites and sometimes either text or visit a website to cast a vote for a favorite contestant in the show.
In the case of shows such as American Idol the final decision on a winner comes directly from the viewers of the show. In recent years, each contestant was assigned a code a viewer can use to vote for his or her favorite contestant by simply texting the code. I really believe the digital media will continue to play a part in how industries reach their target markets. The new generations have grown up to know nothing but digital media. This article has shown readers the even the must successful people realize the importance of digital media. Below is a link to the article. http://www.businessinsider.com/the-fashion-industry-embraces-and-becomes-digital-media-2011-2
Kramer, L. (2011). The fashion industry embraces and becomes digital media. Retrieved May 07, 2011, from http://www.businessinsider.com/the-fashion-industry-embraces-and-becomes-digital-media-2011-2
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)