The 5th P!

All students of marketing are well versed in the 4P's. I myself have deliberated over them in this blog in a previous post. Now i have a new P to propose- Payment! Now a days, in the consumer world of many options, where neither price nor product are a differentiating factor, Payment is often the differentiating factor. In retail business especially, it is expected the seller accept credit cards. No one likes to carry wards of cash any more when all that can be compressed into a single thin piece of plastic. Online purchases necessarily function on the premises of credit card payments. In such online transactions where the customer has the option of paying at the retail outlet or to a representative who comes to the customer, it is beneficial to the business if it offers the customer the option of payment by card swiping.
A tip for those just starting a business, best to install a few pin pads and credit card swipe terminals. You can check out your options online. Happy payments!

The world of "Free" stuff

It began with free e-mail services, then came free music and movies. Soon, free became a keyword for all online marketing strategies. The services invariably are free to start with but once the consumer likes the product and wants to upgrade, he has to pay. This payment model keeps the consumer satisfaction high as well since consumers will only pay for those services they are satisfied with.
So in all this "free" clutter, how does a service stand out? By proclaiming "Free" isn't always free and "If its too good to be true, it isn't!" . This I noticed in certain online business card printing services websites. They claim free business cards are not actually free. They are being honest and i think that's a brilliant way to connect to a prospective consumer! Everyone trusts someone who is honest and straight forward. So, that is what the new age Internet marketers are leveraging.
Also, online business card printing services offer the consumers a great deal of customizability and ease. From the comfort of their computer terminal at work or home, the customer can choose exactly how his business card will look like. No wonder then there are so many takers for these services!

Gaming Mania

All of us in Gen Y were/are at some point in our lives been hooked to video games. The Nintendo's, PS's and Xbox's have become our substitute for outdoor games. Nintendo now has a version "Wii" which comes with a dualistic single player control. Just check out the features online and you'll be amazed. Wii Fit Console is so advanced that one not just uses your fingers like the traditional joy sticks, but entire body as well with sophisticated motion controllers in built.

Many websites are available online which promise to offer Nintendo Wii cheap. The young boys and girls of this generation are all lapping it up. Interestingly, the "young" bracket for this product include men well into their late 30's beginning from 10year old children on an average. That is quite a vast target group. Plus, this offers not only volumes but huge profit margins as well since video games and consoles are premium priced products. This is a dream business to be in for any one who has the resources to employ. Also, customer loyalty is one of the highest in this business. Gaming addicts play hard and dedicatedly- Advantage Marketing man!

Sleep- a biz opportunity

One of the fundamental activities of all living organisms- Sleeping. Centered around this activity are many business ideas such as mattress', bed steads, mosquito nets, mosquito repellents, bed bug solutions etc. The most rampant sleep disruptor in the average Americans life, after stress, are bed bugs! We are all perennially in the search of the best ways to get rid of a bed bugs infestation.
Many solutions are available online as well as in terms of service contracts that promise to get rid of the bugs within a few De-infestation sessions during the contract period. So don't loose sleep over beg bugs and such. Shake that laziness off and call a good bug exterminator service. In today's corporate rat race and high stress life style, sleep is little begotten. Value every minute and invest funds appropriately to ensure you have the soundest sleep.

Opticals at their best

Where do you find The #1 online Rx glasses store? It is so simple. Zenni Optical is a well known place to get all kinds of solutions regarding your eyes. They have variety and quality. Moreover you can read Eric’s Review of Zenni Optical for an in-depth detail of the shop. It provides online solutions as well. It is also known for its Lowest Price Progressive Glasses that you can find anywhere in your neighbourhood.

Technology For Business

Dad, an engineer by profession, runs his own business in Ventilating systems. Its a B2B business model. Of course, the company is present online and uses the Internet for efficient operations. web hosting allows him to do this. Receiving mails form clients, prospective clients and sending mails to employees are all facilitated by the new age tool of webhosting. Its inspiring to see dad run his business, the Independence he enjoys and the sense of accomplishment in being able to provide employment to his fellow men. That is something.
Another use of technology I've seen in his business is google ad words. So many who make a business out of google's business! Entrepreneurs must outsource the work which is redundant and not profit enhancing to 3rd parties. They should free themselves to continuously apply their minds towards improving the business model and to think of strategies to improve the top line or reduce the bottom line.
A Blackberry is ofcourse part and parcel of dad's being. Constany mailing and managing work from the little miracle!
The Blackberrys and Apples of the world have led to intrusion of work in the private life of business men and women but hey, this is the corporate rat race. Enter only if you are willing to go through the entire circus!

a product idea in - Danger!

A product can sell only when it can satisfy a need of the consumer. these needs can be of any form. one such need is safety! of course, when it comes to danger, women and children face the greatest threats in society. Working women not only have to balance a professional career along with domestic duties, but also guard themselves of harassment, molestation and rape!
Many products are available to assist women in guarding themselves- from the quintessential pepper spray to protection wear(don't ask me what these are!).
Thus we see that even danger is an opportunity to base a business. It can also be marketed in itself! Take the case of extreme sports like bungee jumping or mountain biking. Those who love to get an adrenaline rush flock towards such products. People want to experience near death but not death! safety in such cases is of the highest order. investments are highest in safety measures and quality of equipment but, the profit margins are high if one can maintain a reasonable level of takers over time.
so now, who among you wants danger for a business? while you figure out, let me go take a leap!

Sports the money spinner!

I love team games. Especially the outdoor ones. Its on the field that i learnt my first lesson on the importance of team work. Back in high school, Basket ball was my craze alongside hockey and sprinting. college saw me get involved with throw ball and Soccer. Soccer although i dint play for the college team, I'd indulge in betting! The thrill of winning a fast buck on sports betting is unlike no other. Gives an adrenalin rush as much as physical sport itself.
Countless American bet on their favourite baseball teams and NBA teams. Its is way of conforming one's faith in the team one is faithful to. Those for whom sport is a religion and their favourite team god, betting can be equated to donating to the dumb box!
But this fervour should not exceed limits as they can not just deplete savings but ruin lives and careers. One has to have principles in everything for it to be respectable and meaningful occupation and so it is true of betting too.

Paintball

One of the whacky entertainments we have seen in the recent times is the paint ball. Though it is colourful and fun, it does pain a lot! Ouch! Saturday is really a tough day to go for a paint ball with friends for the first time. The worst part is getting hurt one after another. If I am out, why am I hit again? The paintball gun was so inviting. I thought of taking revenge of my friends in the second game. Alas! That was even more pathetic. I being a newbie lost very badly. Never mind! There is always a next time. I am learning and I will be an expert in the 5th attempt at least.