Apple is a one of the biggest companies around, turning over $28.27billion in 2011. However, in the media they face alot of scrutiny and bad press, which may result in their profits being less this coming financial year. Articles have included threats to cut off support for a Chinese factory worker who suffered brain damage from an accident in the factory, and the problems they faced when the new update included a change in the maps, with much of the infomation being incorrect.
This kind of negative press reporting is never good for a company, especially when some articles seem so inhumane - such as the money cut off for the brain damaged worker. This could mean they lose a proportion of customers, those who would prefer to buy a Kindle, or Blackberry.
However, it seems that this negative press hasnt had a massive effect on the multi million pound company, with the demand for the iPhone 5 and the iPad mini being high. The iPhone had lines of people waiting for the 8am launch across Apple stores in London, and was sold out in most shops very quickly, with the company shifting 5 million phones in 3 days. This gives evidence that even though the company recieves lots of bad press, it still does not affect their sales.
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
Life in the information age - Education
Open University
Education and how people learn has changed dramatically over the years, with most only having the opportunity to participate in higher education straight out of leaving school at 16 or 18. However, now there is possibly more opportunity and resources available to those who want to study while being in a job, or at later point in life after they have had a change in career, or after they have a family of their own. Open university has made it more appealing for people to go forward in education, and persue careers they might not have been able to gain without the open university.
Open education has changed higher education dramatically; before it may have only been those who chose to go to university after a levels, or those who had financial stability to leave their jobs and persue a education. However, the open university has still had to change and adapt to modern society, with many courses being based on virtual learning sites, for example Bedford College's Moodle.
With many educational websites and courses being virtual, many may be subject to 'fake' websites; where the information is false and gives readers non factual information. Once subjected to this form of education, it can be hard for learners to find websites or information that they are certain is correct. An example of this is Wikipedia, where people have to take the information with caution, as its a website where the information put there can be changed or edited by anybody.
Education and how people learn has changed dramatically over the years, with most only having the opportunity to participate in higher education straight out of leaving school at 16 or 18. However, now there is possibly more opportunity and resources available to those who want to study while being in a job, or at later point in life after they have had a change in career, or after they have a family of their own. Open university has made it more appealing for people to go forward in education, and persue careers they might not have been able to gain without the open university.
Open education has changed higher education dramatically; before it may have only been those who chose to go to university after a levels, or those who had financial stability to leave their jobs and persue a education. However, the open university has still had to change and adapt to modern society, with many courses being based on virtual learning sites, for example Bedford College's Moodle.
With many educational websites and courses being virtual, many may be subject to 'fake' websites; where the information is false and gives readers non factual information. Once subjected to this form of education, it can be hard for learners to find websites or information that they are certain is correct. An example of this is Wikipedia, where people have to take the information with caution, as its a website where the information put there can be changed or edited by anybody.
E Commerce and Social Networking - UNIT 1
Social Networks have grown rapidly in recent years, and many companies have transferred information online to keep 'in touch' with their customer base, through popular networks such as Twitter and Facebook. Results have shown that customers would rather take advice from someone they know, rather than a complete stranger; allowing websites such as 'Snoox' to be created.
As well as being able to connect much more easily with their customers, there are also many other advantages, these include;
- A presence online constantly, and being able to update 'status' with relevant information
- Being on social networks does not cost the company a major amount of money, there may be a small marketing fee but nothing continuous
- Many of the social networks leave room for comments from their 'followers', this could help the company improve or fix occuring problems with customers
- You are also able to automate your postings, therefore you dont have to pay someone to be attached to the computer 24/7
- May put up special offers/deals which are only available online to the customers
All of these advantages to companies having an online presence means that (if they are not already) most companies will convert to having some kind of social network, through either Twitter, Facebook or something similar. Through the online social networks the companies will still face marketing competition with brands, trying to attract more 'Likes' or 'Followers' than the other. This could mean that more customers and a higher turnover for companies that are able to draw more numbers in.
As well as being able to connect much more easily with their customers, there are also many other advantages, these include;
- A presence online constantly, and being able to update 'status' with relevant information
- Being on social networks does not cost the company a major amount of money, there may be a small marketing fee but nothing continuous
- Many of the social networks leave room for comments from their 'followers', this could help the company improve or fix occuring problems with customers
- You are also able to automate your postings, therefore you dont have to pay someone to be attached to the computer 24/7
- May put up special offers/deals which are only available online to the customers
All of these advantages to companies having an online presence means that (if they are not already) most companies will convert to having some kind of social network, through either Twitter, Facebook or something similar. Through the online social networks the companies will still face marketing competition with brands, trying to attract more 'Likes' or 'Followers' than the other. This could mean that more customers and a higher turnover for companies that are able to draw more numbers in.
Thursday, 15 November 2012
Kindle
The Kindle has been a major invention to replace the use of books, however this could be devastating to libraries and major book companies such as Waterstones and WHSmiths. Instead of going to public libararies and taking books out, or using book shops, instead, (with a Kindle) can download and pay for the book they want. However, Kindles are only available to people who can afford one, whereas libraries are free to the public.
Libraries may be able to reverse the consequences of Kindle's 'take over' by improving services in the library, or making them more appealing to a wide range of audiences.
Libraries may be able to reverse the consequences of Kindle's 'take over' by improving services in the library, or making them more appealing to a wide range of audiences.
Online Marketing
Many companies that publish catalogues for their products have recently decided to scrap the catalogues and move online instead, for example Argos. This could be because of the increase in online shopping and retailers providing more for the shopper online. It may also be to save money on printing and delivering the catalogues, when now it can all be put straight onto the companies website. Some companies have both a catalogue and a online shop, e.g Next. However many companies are still insisting on selling products through catalogues with companies doing well, for example Avon and Kleeneze
Thursday, 8 November 2012
Using Phone in Public Places
There are many advantages and disadvantages to using a mobile in public places, these include;
+fast and conveniant means of communication
+you are able to check and compare prices for different items using smartphones
+are able to get voucher codes for different shops
-can be a distraction to those around you
-might be seen as rude
-could be a danger to pedestrians and car drivers if not paying attention
+fast and conveniant means of communication
+you are able to check and compare prices for different items using smartphones
+are able to get voucher codes for different shops
-can be a distraction to those around you
-might be seen as rude
-could be a danger to pedestrians and car drivers if not paying attention
Monday, 5 November 2012
Improving Work Style (Tool Man)
John currently takes a large diary, address book, a large road atlas, a calculator and a bulky sales catalogue. John could invest in a laptop, where the catalogue could be transferred to an online store, where it may also be easier as he wouldnt have to purchase a new catalogue every time there is a new product line, he could also complete the order form online. He could also save the 2 hours he spends every day completing his administration by inputting the information into the laptop after every client. Due to him investing in a laptop, he may be able to spend friday (usually spent in the office ensuring all administration and sales are handled) being more flexible and seeing more clients or working from home.
He would also benefit from buying a GPS, where he would be able to input the clients addresses, so could make sure he was on time, and wouldnt need a large diary. This would also be time saving, as would show the quickest route, and would make sure he was on time for new clients, and might be able to steer him away from the busiest route.
John could buy a PDA (personal digital assistant), where John could input all his information and replace with his large diary. It is much smaller and more conveniant than a bulky diary, and he wouldnt have to take a calculator with him. He could also keep track on what clients are ordering, and when they are going to be in stock.
John investing in a mobile phone means he would not need to carry an address book around with him and wouldnt have to make sure he had numerous small coins for pay phones. He could also give it to all clients as a business number for if they ever had any enquiries. If John wanted to upgrade to a smartphone, he could do numerous things on there to save him carrying around lots of technology, such as GPS, calculator, phone book, etc.
The possible disadvantages to John employing lots of technology is that it could be very costly, especially if he had to replace any of it, or if anything got damaged. Due to John not using technology along with his work for 20 years, he could have problems with setting up all the ICT, or understanding how to use it to its best ability and benefit his working style. If John does not have the right software on his laptop when inputting the clients personal infomation, he could be attacked by hackers, so to protect the clients he has to make sure he tries to prevent this, and use the apporopriate software.
He would also benefit from buying a GPS, where he would be able to input the clients addresses, so could make sure he was on time, and wouldnt need a large diary. This would also be time saving, as would show the quickest route, and would make sure he was on time for new clients, and might be able to steer him away from the busiest route.
John could buy a PDA (personal digital assistant), where John could input all his information and replace with his large diary. It is much smaller and more conveniant than a bulky diary, and he wouldnt have to take a calculator with him. He could also keep track on what clients are ordering, and when they are going to be in stock.
John investing in a mobile phone means he would not need to carry an address book around with him and wouldnt have to make sure he had numerous small coins for pay phones. He could also give it to all clients as a business number for if they ever had any enquiries. If John wanted to upgrade to a smartphone, he could do numerous things on there to save him carrying around lots of technology, such as GPS, calculator, phone book, etc.
The possible disadvantages to John employing lots of technology is that it could be very costly, especially if he had to replace any of it, or if anything got damaged. Due to John not using technology along with his work for 20 years, he could have problems with setting up all the ICT, or understanding how to use it to its best ability and benefit his working style. If John does not have the right software on his laptop when inputting the clients personal infomation, he could be attacked by hackers, so to protect the clients he has to make sure he tries to prevent this, and use the apporopriate software.
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