Is Gmail Buzz, Buzzing around you!!!!!

Google's answer to compete the market of social networking against FB and Twitter- Launch of Gmail Buzz!!! No need to login to twitter or Facebook separately to share or post There is a trend in my institute (ICFAI Business School- Bangalore). My friends sit whole day n nite online on FB and side by side keep checking gmail for any mail from 3i cell (placement cell in our institute). So, this headache is also removed of sitting online on both- Gmail as well as FB. As is said in hindi (our mother tongue, not our regional tongue like punjabi, marathi, kanada) "Naam hi kaafi hai" (English translation necessary as we have been taught that no hindi words in interviews- Name is enough). Google's brand name is strong enough to attract youngsters. Gmail Buzz, built right into Gmail, is simple. I hope Gmail Buzz has already created a Buzzzzzzzzz amongst my friends like Timir, Vinesh and Shaleen who don't like FB because of its complexity. Liked Buzzing? Comment 

on Gmail Buzz below...

Launch of X-Box 360 in China

Target Segment The target population for X-Box 360 is under the age of 25 which forms to be around 35% of the total Chinese population. China is one of the largest economies in the world and its purchasing parity is already second to the United States. The average disposable income of Chinese population is Y 9,061 or 1095 USD. The 1% of China’s total population, i.e., 13 million, has an average income of 12,500 USD or Y100,000. Thus Chinese market has a huge potential in terms of Gaming console market.

Suitable Entry Strategy- Endorsement For Microsoft’s (for jobs in Microsoft click here) X-Box 360, the question isn't really "should we go to China?" The question is "can we afford not to go to CHINA?" To enter the market, Microsoft needs to relate the contents of the games with education and also promote Chinese culture. Chinese government has curbed strict laws against the entertainment industry which also include the gaming industry. Thus, Microsoft has to get the games regularly cleared from the government authorities before launching them. As the games launched will be totally oriented towards the education and the Chinese culture, Microsoft can get it introduced in the curriculum in major Schools in China. Marketing Mix- 4P’s Product: Microsoft has become a major player in gaming industry because of its advanced technological which features as a seventh generation gaming console. The major advantage Microsoft enjoyed in its launch was its first mover advantage. Price: The initial prices of the console can be kept a bit high as compared to the prices in other countries (now lowered) as this will be China’s first gaming console of its kind and the enthusiasm about this will attract the customers without much focusing on the price. Also, the games to be launched will be specially designed keeping the Chinese culture and the educational content in mind. Thus, the major part of profit can be gained from the specially designed games. Promotion: To attract the youth of China towards X-Box 360, Microsoft needs to get it endorsed with the known celebrity in China. China’s youth icon is Jackie Chen and association of his name with X-Box will attract the youth as well as the other people of different age group who are die-hard fans of Jackie Chen. Place: This includes the distribution channel for X-Box 360. To establish the initial launch pad for X-Box in China, Microsoft needs to start accepting the online orders for their product and also establish a single level channel for instance a retail chain in the major cities of China- Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, Tianjin, Wuhan, Harbin, Shengyang, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Nanjing, Changchun etc.

Innovations in Marketing

This is the latest trend being followed by marketers to market their products. Last year's economic downturn was the reason that forced marketers to imbibe innovations in their strategies which will reduce the marketing BUDGETS. Take the example of Hyundai (for jobs in Hyundai click here) in US. During recession period, Hyundai setup a new campaign giving option to their potential customers- You lose your job in one year, return the new car you bought during recession. This acted as a peace of mind for the customers and shows that Hyundai thinks for their customers. It’s not the first time they’ve marketed a creative offer strategy. Hyundai was the first company that to give 10 year, 10,000 mile warranty. It proved to be a brilliant strategy during economic downturn. This had a great impact on Hyundai sales, an increased of 14% in January during recession, whereas the other automakers in the market moved downwards with single digit negative numbers.

Marketing- Basics

What is marketing? It includes all activities involved in transferring the product/service from the organization to the customer. Let it be-

- Lead Generation

- Understanding the customer's buying behavior

- Customer's Needs/wants

- Pricing

- Promotion/Advertising/PR

- Strategy for launch of products- SDP strategy

- Distribution

- Selling

- Managing sales force

- Channels- retailing/wholesaling

- After sales service

- Competitor's Analysis and whole bunch of activities.

In Bookish Language:

American Marketing Association defines Marketing as "The process of planning and executing the conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organizational goals".