Week 4 EOC: There's an app for that

If only there was an app that translated languages, we could practically communicate with who ever we wanted to. We all know it’s a little hard to understand languages and to even speak them. Have you ever been in a situation where you have no idea what the person you’re talking to is saying? You just nod your head, smile, and agree. Or have you ever traveled to a foreign country and you need to figure out the directions to your hotel? If only you could simply press a button on your phone and hold the speaker up to their mouth as they speak, understanding and communication would be a lot easier and a lot more understanding between everyone in the world.

You could also learn languages on it.  It’s an app that would be so revolutionary every traveler would have one. I did some research and there actually is an app intended to translate by voice. The app is called Jibbigo. It’s available in the Android and Iphone market. “You simply speak a sentence, and it speaks the sentence aloud in the other language, much like a personal human interpreter would.” It makes sure what you spoke was correct and it is bi-directional, which makes it possible to have a full conversation with someone who speaks a completely different language. The app completely runs on your phone and doesn’t connect with remote servers, so there are no connections delayed, no disconnects and no roaming charges. This app really makes it easy for you if you’re traveling to a foreign country. I don’t know what this app wasn’t available sooner, but it is definitely considered a lifesaver. 

Week 3 EOC: My Demographics

I am a part of the Millennials Generation. I was born in 1993. The time frame is from 1977-2000. We are the product of Generation X. The Millennials generation is also known as Generation Y.  With over 70 million of us, we are the largest growing part of the workforce. Generation Y is tech-savvy, family-centric, achievement-oriented, team-oriented, and attention craving.  “The fast-track has lost much of its appeal for Generation Y who is willing to trade high pay for fewer billable hours, flexible schedules and a better work/life balance. While older generations may view this attitude as narcissistic or lacking commitment, discipline and drive”. Generation Y is the first generation that grew up with computers, cellphones, satellites, ipods, iphones, and social networking, “It goes beyond just smartphone obsession — Gen Y loves being digitally connected too. Two-thirds of respondents said they spend just as much or more time socializing with friend online than they do in person. Women seem to prefer online interaction compared to men, but not by much: 38% of men spend more time in-person than online, versus 29% of women”.  Some people view generation Y as the generation that destroyed all good. “They always want more… They’re not grateful… You offer something up and it becomes an expectation. There’s a real sense of—well, an entitlement.” Older generations, such as the Baby Boomers have a corrupt view on Generation Y. Generation Y was formed from the changing culture and ways of society, that the Baby Boomers don’t understand and are not reformed to. It’s so diverse.

http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practicetips/a/GenerationY.htm

http://mashable.com/2012/12/12/martphone-obsessed-generation-y/

http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/whats_good_about_generation_y

Week 3 EOC: Making money for good

Just like TOMS, there’s another company that gives back. This organization is called FEED. FEED began in 2006 when an activist Lauren Bush, granddaughter of George H.W. Bush designed a bag to help benefit the WFP (World Food Programme). FEED has helped give over 6 million dollars and 60 million meals to countries and children in need. FEED helps feed the world one bag at a time. “Over 350 million children go to bed hungry every night. About every five seconds a child dies of hunger. So those alone are just shocking and it’s sort of hard to believe. But after going and visiting countries where this persists, it’s true. Hunger kills more people than AIDS, TB, and malaria combined,” she told Farnack. The FEED bag is an ecofriendly reusable bag that ranges from $25 to $250. She first created the FEED 1 bag to help raise funds and awareness around these school-feeding operations. It was stamped with "FEED the children of the world" and the number ‘1’ to signify that each bag feeds one child in school for one year. “The bags are wonderfully greener alternative to paper and plastic. They also make an interesting fashion statement”. FEED also sells t-shirts, bears and other accessories. “We stand behind our brand and the organizations and humanitarian programs each FEED product supports. Ultimately, we believe that everyone has the right to basic human necessities, such as healthy and nutritious food. FEED is proud to help FEED the world, one bag at a time.”

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/03/18/lauren-bush-helps-the-hungry-with-feed-foundation/

www.feedprojects.com

http://voices.yahoo.com/lauren-bushs-feed-foundation-feeds-hungry-children-1685453.html

Week 2 EOC: Boston Consulting Group

The video game industry has recently started to decline due to the pricing and technology of their products. The consoles have been selling less, while the games have been selling more. People don’t want to buy expensive systems. Consoles such as the Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii aren’t expecting to reduce prices because they are Cash Cows. They are a low growth, high-share product because everyone has one, but the product hasn’t come out with any new innovation that wows the consumer. The video game market does have to compete with companies such as Apple which has many games that cost 99 cents or nothing at all.

            The Daily Wildcat believes that a new system called “The Steam Box” will take a turn for the video game market in a positive way. “Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft have enjoyed a solid decade of being the only three makers of good home video game consoles, but that might change with the emergence of these newcomers with plenty of potential” http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2013/01/new-consoles-could-change-landscape-of-video-game-industrysays Shield and Ouya.

            New games such as Tiger Woods PGA tour 10, Grand Theft Auto, The Beatles: Rock Band and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 will make video game executives positive about the industry and remain opitimistic but “it also doesn't help that the cost of producing top-tier games like Activision's "Call Of Duty" series or Take Two (TTWO +0.24%) subsidiary Rockstar Games' "Grand Theft Auto" franchise have soared into the multimillions as production of other games plummeted” http://money.msn.com/now/post.aspx?post=478009a6-cdf7-4707-800f-80ddf837ced0 says MSN writer Jason Notte. Video games would also be considered a Cash Cow.

            On the other hand, app store games have been rising in the industry.  They are much more convenient and cheaper than game consoles and software. “Nearly everywhere, it seems, people have been sharing Words With Friends, slinging Angry Birds at pigs or springing their creatures through a precarious Doodle universe. All those games, made for smartphones, sure are popular, and the financial picture improves when their sales are included. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/07/arts/video-games/video-game-retail-sales-decline-despite-new-hits.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0. Apps would be considered a star because they are high-growth, high share business products. It’s hard to compete with something so inventive. 

Week 1 EOC: My Voice

My name is Marissa Brooks I’m 19 and I am a fashion enthusiast. I was born in Denver Colorado and moved to San Francisco when I was 5 and then moved to Las Vegas when I was 8. I’ve been in Vegas ever since. On my free time I like to spend time with my family, and friends, shop, watch movies, party, DIY (do it yourself), and blog. I live and breathe color, texture and clothing. Ever since I can remember I’ve always been interested in the arts. I’ve grown a passion for drawing and photography, but nothing compares to the way I feel about clothing. I don’t necessarily want to design clothes with my future, but I would love to style and eventually own my own boutique.  I like taking control and being a leader and I feel like styling puts me in that place. People listen to my thoughts and it makes me feel powerful. I think that owning my own boutique would help me feel this way as well, since I like to be a leader and make important decisions. I know it’s a risk, but you can do anything you set your mind to and if your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.Attending the art Institute was the first step in making my dreams come true and I’m more than thrilled that I made the decision to enroll myself in it. It may be very expensive but I know all my hard work will pay off in the long run. I’ve had my family doubt me before, and it made me feel like nothing, but I’ve realized that’s a motivator. I want to make my family proud, but more importantly I want to make myself proud. I’ve never really done anything big to show my worth, but I have a yearning in myself to become something more and push myself to the stars, even the galaxy. I’ve worked in retail before, and it’s something I’d love to continue for the rest of my life. All colors, textures, patterns and shoes intrigued me and helped give me my keen sense in style. I still flip through magazines without reading the words just to look at the pictures. I’m a very visual and hands on person. On my free time I like to create things, such as jewelry. I like to make rings out of wire headbands out of chains. I also make some of my own clothing. Why pay $80 or more for a high-waisted pair of shorts when I can go to Goodwill and make a pair for myself for $5? I have over 20 pairs of shorts I’ve made. I like to cut them, dye them, bleach them and stud them. I like to make them my own and many people have encouraged me to see them. Maybe I could be an entrepreneur on the side as well. I believe I am multitalented. I love to draw. Everyone strives to become successful in his or her lifetime; it’s the American Dream. I wouldn’t be anywhere without my family though. Their support helps strive me to put 100% into my actions and I know they’re always by my side. Passion is something you follow and I intent to follow my dreams and passions for the rest of my life. 

EOC Week 1: Customer Service

I shop at Forever21 often. It is a huge well-known retail store for women. One day I decided to buy myself a nice white leather purse. They don’t have a very flexible return policy as stated “FINAL SALES: All sales of Gift cards, e-gift certificates, cosmetics, jewelry and items marked as Sale are final. FINAL SALE items cannot be returned for exchange, credit, or refunds” but I knew that when I purchased they bag/ I was done with my shopping and went home. I had the bag for a little less than a week and then the zipper on the bag started tearing away from the leather. I wasn’t happy at all since I spent a lot of my own money on it and I knew I couldn’t return it. I was going to the mall that following weekend and brought the bag and receipt and wanted to try to explain the situation and return it anyways. I walked up to the counter as soon as I entered the store and explained my situation. “Hi, I bought this bag about a week ago and the zipper is already ripping away from the seams, this shouldn’t be happening to a new product, so is there anything you can do for me?” I asked. The associate brought his manager out and explained the situation again. The manager told me that they don’t usually do this, with a smile on his face, but I was able to exchange my bag without any problems. I was so happy and the manager even gave me a $10 gift card. Although Forever21’s return policy says something different, I was more than happy the manager and associate could accept my return and I’m sure they appreciated a happy customer.