Implementation Evaluation Control

I have asked many people how they would feel about trying biltong. Many people gave me very positive feedback. Most of the people that i talked to said that they have never heard of biltong but that they were extremely interested in trying it. I think that with the right planning and marketing, biltong can become a great product with a huge potential market.

Price

The price should be no more than six dollars for a ten ounce bag of biltong, which gives the customer plenty of meat for a very reasonable price. "Price is the amount of money customers must pay to obtain the product. Ford calculates suggested retail prices that its dealers might charge for each Escape. But Ford dealers rarely charge the full sticker price." This quote shows that the price recommended by the manufacturer may not always be the right price, six dollars for a bag of biltong may seem like a steal in a luxury bar but it may seem like a total rip off in a dive bar. Traditionally, biltong is just dried, salted meat, which allows me to keep the ingredient cost very low because it does not require very many ingredients to be made. Biltong can also be stored for a long time and has a very long shelf life since the food was originally invented as a method of keeping meat from going bad.

Promotion

Promotion can be done in a number of ways. Billboards can be a very effective way to promote a product if the location is right. Thousands of cars will see the billboard every day when they drive by. Signs can also be given to the bars that carry Phileas Fogg biltong to help advertise to the customers in the bar. The signs will advertise a tasty snack that anyone can enjoy for a very modest price. The most powerful tool to promote a product the is the internet. Ads can be placed on almost any website for very cheap and they can be custom tailored to the exact demographic that would be ideal for this product. The internet can be used to reach out to many potential customers around the world who would not have access to Phileas Fogg snacks otherwise. "Many companies follow the selling concept, which holds that consumers will not buy enough of the firm’s products unless it undertakes a large-scale selling and promotion effort." With the right promotion this product can reach customers in every corner of the world.

Distribution

This product is very easy to distribute. It has an extremely long shelf life because it is salted and dried meat in a vacuum sealed bag. Refrigerated transport would not be needed because the biltong will stay fresh at room temperature. Since the shelf life is long it can easily be transported around the world without the worry of it becoming expired before it reaches it's destination. "Computer maker Lenovo dominates the highly competitive, price-sensitive Chinese PC market through low labor costs, high production efficiency, and mass distribution" This quote shows that a good product can be mass distributed to effectively reach millions of people around the world.

Product

I feel that there is a very good demand for this product. There is not a very big market for bar snacks that is already established, which means that there is plenty of room to grow. I feel that this product would do best in bars that are towards the middle of the spectrum, it may be too expensive for dive bars and the product may not appeal to customers of luxury bars. It would do the best in average, working class bars since the customers would have enough expendable income to afford the product, but they would not feel that the product is below them. "The product concept holds that consumers will favor products that offer the most in quality, performance, and innovative features." This product will do much better for a lower price than for a higher price because people will feel like they are getting more for their money.

Target Marketing Strategy

The target market for this product is adults between the ages of 21 and 35. Many people within this age range tend to be single and a lot of them may frequent local bars. This makes the 21 to 35 age range perfect for this snack. People can buy this snack to share with a friend or significant other while sitting at the bar. This snack is very easy to share and it can be a great conversation starter. "The marketing management philosophy that holds that achieving organizational goals depends on knowing the needs and wants of target markets and delivering the desired satisfactions better than competitors do." 

SWOT Analysis

"The main section of the plan presents a detailed SWOT analysis of the current marketing situation as well as potential threats and opportunities."

The main strength of this product comes from the fact that no other company is mass producing this food. Although many companies make beef jerky, no other company produces this style of jerky on a large scale. The biggest weakness of this product is that since no other companies mass produce this product, the demand for it is not very high. This product offers many opportunities because it is an untapped market. Since no other company produces this style of jerky, the growth has the potential to be huge. The biggest threat to this product is large beef jerky companies, such as Jack Links, that produce jerky on a huge scale. Many people may want to stick with what they know instead of trying weird, foreign jerky, if they have a choice.

Objectives

The main objective of this product is to bring people together. Bringing a food that is native to a single area of the world to everyone can really help to bring people together. It helps people understand how people in other parts of the world live and how their lifestyle differs from that of the rest of the world. It also helps to bring people together because this is a fun, shareable food. It can make a great conversation starter between people who have never met. The bag also has a fun, adventurous story printed on it which gives a little background about the food and can also act as a conversation starter.

Mission Statement

Here at Phileas Fogg, we aim to bring people experiences and memories from around the world while in the comfort of their own home, through natural ingredients and great flavors.

The Pitch

I will be using Biltong as my Phileas Fogg snack. Biltong is a form of jerky originating from South Africa and was originally a means of preserving meat by using salt and spices. It can be made from a variety of different meats, such as beef or game meats, and it can even be made from ostrich. Biltong would go very well with drinking in a bar because the salty and spicy nature of the snack encourages drinking. This exotic snack will show people another world from the comfort of the bar, no need to travel when you can just eat a Phileas Fogg snack and be transported wherever your heart desires.

EOC Week 10: Benefits vs Features

Biltong has many benefits that can be helpful to a huge variety of people. First, it can be made of various types of meat. If someone does not like beef, it can be made from deer or even ostrich. Next, being that the food is spicy and salty, it can dehydrate the person that eats it. This means that the person will need to drink more when they eat this food. In a bar this can lead to customers buying more drinks, which also increases the length of stay for that person. Last, biltong makes a very healthy snack because the main ingredient is meat. This makes it a very good source of protein and energy.

EOC: Three Great Mission Statements

"Every bag of Phileas Fogg's Fried Plantain Chips sold, a meal will be provided for every child and adult in Haiti, including any other Third World country."

     This mission statement is great because for every bag of chips sold, an entire meal is given to a family in Haiti. Haiti has been through a lot in the last few years so any help the families there can get is a great service. This shows that the company care about the people they are serving instead of just trying to make money.

"Our business aims to please the customers by creating social channels for our customers. The brands that we offer will keep our customers entertained and connected. We utilize feedback as a priority in order to keep our product on the competing edge of the snacking industry"

     This mission statement is great because it shows the customers that they actually matter. By listening to customer feedback it gives them a feeling that the company listens to their ideas and takes them into consideration when developing new products.

"Our company strives to unify the world through showcasing international foods and making them accessible for all to enjoy. All humans must eat and therefore, food is a perfect platform for sharing traditions of other cultures amongst each other. By using the finest product and ingredients, we help our customers travel far distances at their own convenience."

     This mission statement is great because fod is an amazing platform to share ideas. Since everyone needs to eat, anyone can enjoy this snack and feel as if they have traveled to a different part of the world just to enjoy it. And since they use the finest ingredients, the customer knows they they are getting their full money's worth from the product.      

EOC: Food Adventure

Phileas Fogg was the greatest explorer to ever live. One day he was out exploring in the wilderness of South Africa when he discovered a small village near the base of a gigantic mountain. He approached the village only to discover that it was abandoned. Fires were still burning and food was still cooking but there was no one in sight. Phileas eventually decided to keep moving on from the village but as he was walking away he noticed a strange rock formation. As he got closer he realized that it was actually a staircase that goes all the way up the mountain. After hours of walking he finally reached the top and discovered a giant temple at the summit of the mountain. Inside of the temple he met the Whitebeards, an ancient group of monks who are widely believed to be wizards. They presented him with biltong because he was hungry after the long journey up the mountain. When Phileas decided to part ways with the Whitebeards they gifted him with some biltong so he could share the food with the rest of the world.

Week 6 EOC: Me X 3

     The first item that I own that I feel defines me is my guitar. It is an Ibanez Prestige S- Series. This is the best guitar I have ever played and I almost feel like it is a part of me. I have changed out many of the stock parts for better components so the guitar both sounds and plays better than many others out there.

      The second item that i feel defines me is my ipod. I am always listening to music so it is really useful to be able to store all of my music on one tiny ipod. I have over 10,000 songs in my library and it really helps me to keep all of them organized. It is also useful because when I am working on a project I can move the current mixes to my ipod so i can listen to them from anywhere.

      The last item that I feel defines me is my computer. I use it to do all of my school work. I also use it for all of my recording projects. I spend more time on my computer than anything else. It would not be possible for me to go into the audio production field without it.

Week 5 EOC: Social Networks and Job Hunting

    Recently, many companies have been using Facebook as a means to find candidates to fill jobs.  "The company posts job openings on its Facebook page, but Mr. Vijungco said they have had more success finding employees through LinkedIn. Facebook hires account for less than 1% of the total hires companies are making, according to Jobs2Web, which helps companies track the sources of candidates and hires." According to the article "Recruiters Troll Facebook for Candidates They Like" from The Wall Street Journal, many job recruiters have tried using Facebook to try and fill job openings, but they have not had very much luck. Only 1% of jobs filled by most companies have been filled through Facebook. Although job hunting through social media has been a shaky endeavor in the past, that seems to be turning around according to the quote: "Candidates have been 50% more likely to apply to positions they found through Facebook than through other means." This shows that people are becoming more comfortable with merging their social and work lives. Many companies have been focusing more and more on finding job candidates through Facebook because there are more people on Facebook today than there has ever been before. Facebook seems to be becoming a much larger part of people's lives as time goes on.

EOC Week 4: New App

       There are hundreds of thousands of apps in the app store, so creating something that is totally original is a huge challenge but that does not mean that it is impossible. If I could create my own app, it would be a portable DAW. A DAW is a Digital Audio Workstation, which means that it is a program that records music. A Portable DAW would be a great help to many engineers because it would allow them to create music with nothing but their phone and a special microphone that can be plugged into their phone. This can also be a huge help for musicians because it means that an idea would never be lost due to not being at home. No more coming up with the perfect hook while in the middle of a busy work day and forgetting it before the end of the day! The app will also be perfect for collecting sound samples on the go, now there is no need to lug that bulky laptop around to record clock sounds for your next rock opera! All in all, a portable DAW would be extremely helpful for many people in the audio industry and it is something that we should be funding.

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

    I believe that I am a Millennial for many reasons. The first reason would be my age: "Born between 1977 and 2000, these children of the baby boomers number 83 million." (Pg 73 of textbook). As the quote from the online textbook states, I fall into the age range of the Millennials because I was born in 1996. "One thing that all of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology." (Pg 74 of textbook). I feel that I fall into the Millennial demographic because I am very fluent with technology. I grew up with computers and video games as many other Millennials did so I think that this quote is true for many people. Finally, many companies have begun to target Millennials differently than any other demographic group. "An example is Peapod, the nation’s leading Internet grocer. Using Peapod, instead of trekking to the grocery store, battling traffic, and waiting in line, busy working moms and dads can simply buy their groceries online." (Pg 75 of textbook). Companies like Peapod appeal to Millennials by allowing them to shop online instead of having to take time out of their day to physically get up and go to the store. I feel that I am a Millennial because I was born within the years that all other Millennials were born in and I follow many of the stereotypes that other Millennials follow.

Week 3 EOC: Making Money for Good

    Toms Shoes is an amazing example of a company that is making money for good, for every pair of shoes they sell, they give another pair to a person in need. "I did have one thing that came to me almost immediately: a name for my new company. I called it TOMS. I'd been playing around with the phrase "Shoes for a Better Tomorrow," which eventually became "Tomorrow's Shoes," then TOMS." (http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/220350). This quote very accurately describes the company's mission statement, which is to help people in need, not to make money. "As the fashion industry and consumers have embraced the many styles of TOMS Shoes, “shoe drops” organized by the company in Argentina, Ethiopia and South Africa have distributed 140,000 pairs of shoes to needy kids." (http://www.success.com/article/the-business-of-giving-toms-shoes#sthash.fGJzChAz.dpuf). This quote from the article "The Business of Giving" from Success.com shows that Toms has turned the simple idea of giving into a reality by giving 140,000 pairs of brand new shoes to children in need. Finally, this quote from fastcompany.com shows how much of a reach Toms has gained in the last few years: "Toms currently donates shoes in 59 countries and eye care in 13" (http://www.fastcompany.com/3012568/blake-mycoskie-toms). Toms has been a huge help for many people around the world and the company is doing nothing but growing.

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group - Video Games

    Every market has numerous ups and downs over time, the gaming industry is no different. Trends come and go and not all systems can keep up. Nintendo may end up being a rising star this year according to this quote from the guardian: "This could all lead to a steep rise in titles that seek to challenge and entertain both parents and children together – a sort of Pixar effect. Of course, Nintendo has operated in this space for years." (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/16-trends-that-will-change-the-games-industry). Nintendo may make a huge comeback this year with games that are fun for the entire family. Indie gaming also seems to be on the rise: " instead of producing niche titles for small audiences, indie teams are now working with console platform holders and Steam communities to create genuine crossover smashes." (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/16-trends-that-will-change-the-games-industry). This could become a huge cash cow for game developers to fund larger titles down the road. Finally, gaming companies is beginning to blur the lines between playing video games and social media: "a new generation of games is exploiting improvements in broadband connectivity and networking features to make more dynamic social experiences." (http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/23/16-trends-that-will-change-the-games-industry). Games seem to be bringing more and more people together every day, which is a huge plus for the gaming industry.

Week 1 EOC: Great Customer Experience

     I have had many great and some very horrible customer experiences in my life. My most memorable customer experience happened at Sam Ash, the music store. I was in the store one day browsing around the various guitars they had hanging on the walls and on the guitar stands all around the store. After playing well over half of the guitars on the floor I stumbled across a beautiful blue Ibanez Prestige RG. I played the guitar for hours and it felt like it was custom built for my hands. Everything that I played on it felt effortless and it sounded better than any other guitar that I have ever played. I knew that I had to have it. After what felt like an eternity of playing I finally decided to ask the manager what price he could do on it. After some small talk and debating about the price, he decided to knock over 800 dollars off of the list price of the guitar on top of throwing in a guitar case that was custom molded to fit the guitar perfectly. I really could not believe that he did that for me, it felt like he really cared about my happiness more than whether or not he could make money off of me. Not many stores offer that level of commitment to their customers, especially to one that has never bought anything more than guitar strings from them. I will never shop at another music store again. No other store has the amazing selection or the great prices that Sam Ash has. I left with the guitar that day and it has not left my hands since. Needless to say, this was the best customer experience I have ever had and I hope to have many more with them.

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

     My career as an audio professional started when I was about thirteen years old. I had a guitar teacher who also had a huge interest in audio production on top of playing guitar. He came over to my house one day with a copy of the DAW Reaper along with some plugins and a spare audio interface that he had laying around his house. That was the day that my life changed forever; I quickly became obsessed with audio production and recording music. I spent endless hours recording by myself in my room and writing music. Once I joined a band, we decided that we wanted to record an album and I was going to produce it. I was in way over my head and i had no idea where to start but eight months later Monarch was born. Once the album was released I had many local bands asking me to produce albums for them. I took on a couple projects outside of my own band and I quickly realized that I want to do this for the rest of my life. I applied for the Art Institute not long after because I want to learn everything that I can about audio production and become a professional. At this point I have multiple albums released both with my own band and with other bands that I have produced and I am having the time of my life. I feel like I am really starting to develop my own sound and I can not wait to see where life takes me next.