8/27: First Day of Class
Today was the first day of class and as hard as I tried to arrive on time I just couldn’t manage to make it. I got in late, snuck my way to the back of the class room and proceeded to settle in.
The class focused on the class overview and what the professor expects from us students. One of these expectations interestingly enough is…..you guessed it…..a bi-weekly blog hopefully written after each classroom. Since I just recently got the blog set up, I’m going to have to play catch up within a single post, please bare with me.
Class 2: 09/03/08
The class started how it usually does with an open discussion. The teacher will ask something to the effect of, “whats new today?” The topic went strait to the fact that google has recently released a new open source browser. We discussed the possible reasons for google to develop its own browser. One main reason is, if granted permission, google could track user’s browsing patterns (sites visited, how long spent on each site, etc.) and use that information for developing advertising strategies.
Getting leads on the Internet: Names, research, and some form of segmentation
Internet Marketing: Customer Acquisition, Customer Conversion, Customer Retention, Customer Value Growth
Class 3: 09/08/08
On this day we were greeted by Mr. Waltzer and he showed us how to set up this very blog in which I am typing. I arrived late again, didn’t receive a handout and once again, felt like an ass. However, my intutitive nature was keen enough to trouble shoot the process and BAM! here I am.
Class discussion focused around certain parts of Dell’s business model and more specifically, its value chain in internet space. According to Roberts, “The flexible manufacturing approach allows Dell to customize a computer for an individual customer. It allows to ship directly to its customers, increase inventory turns, decreasing inverory obsolescence, and decreasing the number of hands that touch each machine.”
This kind of efficiency has helped dell rise to the very top of customized PC’s
Class 4: 09/10/08
Which business model’s are successful? We first turned to iPod’s and discussed the value propositions for this extremely popular mp3 player: (1) The First: other companies had released mp3 players but they were the first to do it well (2) It’s easy to use interface and sleek design (3) for existing apple customers it had an instant relationship with itunes (4) the image of being hip and cutting edge.
We concluded with RFID and discussed how its precision tracking system is a great benefit in a business’ value chain.