So we talked about word of mouth and social trends on monday. I think word of mouth is one of the most interesting ways to advertise something. It's cheap but very effective or at least can be.
I'm interested to learn more about how corporate people try to get something going word of mouth though. I don't really understand why the average person would listen to a corporate person who is boosting their own product. I'm not saying I'm against it at all. I just don't really understand it.
The story about those hush puppy shoes was really interesting. What a lucky break. It reminded me of another story about shoes though circumstances were different. The converse chuck taylors were dying out several years ago. You could buy them for like 20 bucks. Then nike swooped in and saved them. Now chuck taylor are everywhere in many different collors and patterns. Nike is really popular in Japan and over there they sell shoes in tons of patterns and designs. I guess they realized they could sell more chucks by applying that idea to here in the states. Suddenly chucks are now 40 dollars or more. I own two pairs myself. Recently the one stars started disappearing from everywhere too. I bought a pair for 20 bux and it was the last one in a shoe star. This year I noticed they signed some kind of deal with target and now you can buy them again for 30 bucks at Target. It's not word of mouth, but it was taking advantage of a social trend. Everyone I know lately has been wearing converse. A lot of young people wear them. Some like those interesting colors since a lot of the wearers are: punks, goths, indie etc.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
doing what's right...
Well it is really hard to do what's right sometimes especially when it involves your job. It's very tempting to just turn a blind eye to the dishonesty in your company and just not deal with it. Your boss can make things sound like they have to be lied about in order to accomplish bigger company goals even going so far as to promise bigger things for you if you comply.
In reality honesty as corny as it sounds is definitely the best policy. Your clients and your fellow coworkers will respect you for being honest. It's not easy to be a whistleblower and I do think that sometimes its ok not to blow the whole scandal out in the open depending on the situation. Quieltly walking away is better than nothing.
our guest speaker had an experience to share with us. He told us what the company he worked for was doing and how he found it unethical. I think anyone who listened to his story would have to agree. It's just plain wrong to decieve people for profit or recognition...in fact I think it's wrong to decieve people for any reason at all.
I had a friend who applied to work at a well known gym in california. He was very excited to work there. He would be helping the company gain memmberships and they would pay him pretty decently to do that. He found out there was a catch. His employer wanted him to lie to customers and tell them he was a personal trainer to try and seal the deal. My friend is not a personal trainer he has no liscense or certificate saying that he is. Insulted my friend didn't come back the next day.
My guess is that his new employer knows that most customers will never get personal training. Most customers will buy the package deal but never even start working out. In all likely hood, these kinds of customers are not going to ask for proof or even take him up on the offer. Still it's wrong and ultimately he would be to blame for lying about his position.
We all have to protect ourselves and we have an obligation to protect our profession.
In reality honesty as corny as it sounds is definitely the best policy. Your clients and your fellow coworkers will respect you for being honest. It's not easy to be a whistleblower and I do think that sometimes its ok not to blow the whole scandal out in the open depending on the situation. Quieltly walking away is better than nothing.
our guest speaker had an experience to share with us. He told us what the company he worked for was doing and how he found it unethical. I think anyone who listened to his story would have to agree. It's just plain wrong to decieve people for profit or recognition...in fact I think it's wrong to decieve people for any reason at all.
I had a friend who applied to work at a well known gym in california. He was very excited to work there. He would be helping the company gain memmberships and they would pay him pretty decently to do that. He found out there was a catch. His employer wanted him to lie to customers and tell them he was a personal trainer to try and seal the deal. My friend is not a personal trainer he has no liscense or certificate saying that he is. Insulted my friend didn't come back the next day.
My guess is that his new employer knows that most customers will never get personal training. Most customers will buy the package deal but never even start working out. In all likely hood, these kinds of customers are not going to ask for proof or even take him up on the offer. Still it's wrong and ultimately he would be to blame for lying about his position.
We all have to protect ourselves and we have an obligation to protect our profession.
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