Low Car Sales Blame Game

Automobile sale trends displaying loss based on Generation Y's new needs.

Yes, I do agree with the following statement:

"Brauer said one issue is economic: A combination of high unemployment among young people and economic troubles for their parents is making it harder for younger people to afford to drive."

From article.

However, the article also stated, "For one thing, many young consumers care more about new technologies, such as the latest phone, than about the latest car."

Although this could be a possibility, I think the reason behind decreases automobile trends is more on the financial hardships people are facing. Right now, I feel consumers would rather settle for a used inexpensive car than a luxurious one and be left with more money for more essential items. Consumer are making smarter buying decisions and really evaluating the value of purchases and how beneficial it will be.

Personally, I think through purchase decisions more now than I did in the past based on my economic standing. I evaluate pros and cons and whether I actually need items.

As far as younger consumers caring more about the latest phone...

Well, If they aren't car shopping the latest phone can help them do lots more. It's more valuable in terms of daily benefits. Weather, news, mail, texting and social media to name a few.

Moreover, I think its a lame excuse for low car sales.

Our Virtual Government

Are all issues being handled online now? Yes, for the most part.
We can quickly file our taxes online or handle government business via web cams. Although, easy access to online material that can help run our lives faster is accessible, is it really handling government issues?

If the government is using the Internet to better facilitate the process of anything, maybe things aren't really being thought through as much as they should. The faster we handle a situation and move on to the next. The less time we're spending on it or so I think.

Not only are things being handled at rapid speed to move onto the next issue but, privacy issues arise when everything is being recorded. Forever. Did you attend a city hall meeting? Well, we could find out. Are you a city official that didn't think before speaking at the meeting? Too bad. It's on record.

What about the lack of face-to-face time between government officials? Yes, you could send each other messages using the Internet but, you can't edit your thoughts again and again before clicking send. An email is forever.

There are a vast amount of pros and cons. I remember when going through the naturalization process meant people had to stand in line at an office for hard copy applications. Those individuals missed work without pay. Now, they can go to: http://http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis/menuitem.eb1d4c2a3e5b9ac89243c6a7543f6d1a/?vgnextchannel=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD&vgnextoid=d84d6811264a3210VgnVCM100000b92ca60aRCRD
Grab any form and fill it out at their own convenience, no need to miss work.


Below is an article written in 2000 speaking about e-Government. It has come a long way but, is it helping or not? Write your comments below.
http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/internet-e-commerce/675336-1.html

An Icon to Help You

Want to customize the advertising sent to your computer? Now you can. According to www.aboutads.info, you can opt out of advertising that is irrelevant to you. This is done based on sites you visit and products you like. However, having consumers become aware of this feature will be a battle. The way I have observed internet related trends such as "Like Buttons" on Facebook, something must spark a big interest in consumers to follow trends.

Will consumers click on an icon to read about their privacy options? Well, the feature would have to entice them. In other words, if the company makes it fun or uses a scare tactic to explain how their privacy is being used, then maybe the consumer will care enough to click and find out more.

One option would be to hire a creative marketing company to spark consumer interest for this feature. Something to get the consumers to think about their internet use and how companies view what is searched and the websites browsed.

The website, www.Networkadvertising.org , features a video explaining how consumers can opt out of advertising they don't want to view. It won't necessarily stop ads consumers receive but, allows for opting out of specific companies who are sending ads.

For companies to start using the icon feature, I feel there needs to be a benefit. It won't benefit companies until, there is a demand shown by consumers. On the other hand, why would companies want to warn consumers about their privacy when they want to know information in order to advertise. Companies with websites have their own "terms of use" and "privacy policy," therefore, adding a "consumer privacy" section/link would tangle their already existing policies.

Companies like http://www.truste.com/, already have their own icon displayed under "privacy statement" section of websites. TRUSTe, is already on board to support the use of the Advertising Option Icon. Read about it in this press release: http://www.truste.com/about_TRUSTe/press-room/news_truste_trustedads.html

The concept is attractive for consumer use. The "Advertising Option Icon" would help consumer's knowledge expand about their privacy and how it is being used. The idea that an "Education Campaign" is being created to enhance awareness of the program is great but, it needs to be more of a fun marketing plan to get consumers interested.

Would you click the icon?

Are you being watched?

In the UK, internet-eyes, is an online live-stream provider of cctv cameras that allows subscribers to help catch theft. It does seem creepy to give anyone the ability to subscribe and become a user of these cctv cameras and sit there and watch surveillance.

In this article, cctv cameras are portrayed to not be effective in the fight against crime.

Read article here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8159141.stm

The use of cctv cameras in britain is quite astonishing. It appears there is 14 cameras for every person. This article:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/david_aaronovitch/article5834725.ece

claims the average brit is caught on camera 300 times a day. Quite awkward to imagine being able to rewind or watch where a person went, what time and when.

Would installing these cameras make you feel safe at home? Is it legal?

click here to find out.

More over, the issues of privacy vary between companies using the cctv cameras. I read an article stating one of the ways to respect privacy was to have people wear "colored markers such as hats or vests," that would blur or hide faces. As expressed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/n1l0365n152u0807/

Using these cameras may not be as effective with the fight against crime but, maybe they can help a little and still be respectful of privacy.

We Have Arrived.

Are you stuck waiting at the doctor’s office? There’s an app for that! In fact, there are several apps that allow you to stream your favorite movie, shows and video clips. Hulu, and Netflix are two examples for mobile phones.

In addition, drum roll please… Google has now created Google TV, where you can search the entire Internet, every app and channel to find what you’re looking for and streams it to your television. Your mobile phone then serves as a remote control for the couch potato in everyone. “Google TV will come pre-loaded with apps like Netflix, Twitter, CNBC, Pandora, Napster, NBA Game Time, Amazon Video On Demand and Gallery.” http://www.google.com/tv/.

Yes, we will miss waiting in line at our local Blockbuster store to rent a movie Friday nights. Why did Netflix win? http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-20017501-261.html.

I know my local (now closed) Blockbuster’s space is up for grabs. Anyone care to build some more apartment buildings?

Read more about Google TV: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2370187,00.asp

Social Media Gives Boeing Corporation a Second Chance

Social media networks have become the forefront of opinion filled debates. In the case of Boeing vs. Hardy, Hardy sends his son’s airplane artwork to the Boeing corporation who then responses in a formal manner to an eight-year-old child. Hardy uses twitter to receive opinions on the matter.

Read article here: http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/03/boeings-social-media-lesson/

Firstly, Boeing was not expecting to receive mail from one of its young customers. Indeed, eight-year-old, Harry Winsor, is a frequent loyal customer. He travels with his father often. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that he would have adoration for airplanes.

Boeing hadn't previously needed to response to young customers. This opportunity came up and now have they may have a new way to communicate to a larger range of customers.

The Harry's father using this matter to publicize the issue via twitter does not seem like a publicity stunt to get headlines for his company. However, it was an interesting matter to share with his twitter followers and in fact it did became well spread quickly.

I would send my child’s artwork to the company because it may spark someone from their creative department to advance further ideas they might have not thought of. A child's imagination is extensive and it could possibly help an adult's mind think outside the box. Granted that they might have not used his idea in its entirety but it could have formed further ones.

It’s important that companies remain open minded. In this case, they evidently have a young loyal customer send them some ideas. Whether they were to use them or not, it was important for the company to acknowledge the customer and possibly response in an age appropriate manner for the situation at hand.

With this situation, if the company wants to begin using social media networks to communicate with their audiences they need to be more aware of who their audience is including demographics.

Boeing was able to make it right because of those giving opinions on twitter. Boeing emailing the father of the child was an appropriate response to aftermath.

Even more exciting, Harry's father's efforts allowed Harry to get great attention concerning his artwork, including the contest started based on his idea. Others were able to join in on the fun: http://www.iloveplanes.com/airplane-pictures/my-submissions-to-the-harry-winsor-design-your-own-aircraft-show/

photo credit: Aubrey Cohen/seattlepi.com