Problem Picture

Does anyone see a problem from this Chevrolet print advertistement?

Brewing a Cup of Problems

A memo written by Starbucks chairman Howard Schultz wondered about the possible loss of the Starbucks essence. Yes, machines make the coffee brewing process more efficient. Schultz concedes that Starbucks may have given up effectiveness, or value, to gain efficiency, or reduction in cost. In turn, customers no longer get the true Starbucks experience.

Customers Wanted IV: Eating the General’s Buffalo

Marvin Washington drew analogies between the hunting tactics of the animals living in the wilds of Africa and management. His presentation was effective thanks to a smooth and engaging delivery. I thought about Marvin’s analogies while watching a nature show with my son.

The show followed a pride of lions that were trying to the stave off death. Late in the hour-long program, the head lioness injured a water buffalo but was too weak to bring it down. The injured water buffalo laid in a water hole. A pack of hyenas began eating the still living buffalo from behind. This marked the start of a grand feast because hyenas cannot kill a water buffalo themselves. Instead, the hyenas eat the scraps left by the pride. When the pride has its fill, the hyenas get a turn.

Customers Wanted III: Life of the Franchisee

In the franchisor-franchisee relationship, the franchisor provides marketing support in the form of promotions, brand identity, and back office functions. In return, the franchisee pays a kickback fee to the franchisor. Some franchisors like McDonald’s make their money off the rent of the land. Yes, McDonald’s Corporate is a landlord for all intents and purpose. Some franchisors like Subway make their money off the expansion fee. Nearly every franchisor requires its franchisees to purchase the ingredients from the franchisor either directly or from an approved provider.

Lubbock’s Living Wage

As mayor, I want to keep my people happy because happy people do not go the polls. Those happy people who do go to the polls, vote for the incumbent [me ]. Remember, I do not have any Hugo Chavez type powers.

To keep my people happy, I have thought about increasing their wages. I read about other mayors who pass living wage requirements. I also thought about raising the minimum wage. According to the Poverty in America web site, the federal minimum wage is below the poverty line for most family types in Lubbock.

Updated Points

Your course points have been updated. Your total includes chapters 11 and 12 quizzes, the recall reflection essay, and the conjoint exercise. I treated the conjoint exercise as 4 bonus points.

Including the chapter quizzes, you have an opportunity to collect 27 bonus points out of 280 total points for the course.

Please look for your exam 3 score and case 2 score on Thursday.

Customers Wanted III: Flight of the Customer

When an ultimate customer purchases a ticket from the airline, the airline makes an explicit promise. The airline promises to fly between city A and city B at a specified time and date. On occasion, the airline breaks that promise. How the airline responds to a broken promise says a lot about how the airline feels about a relational partner, which is the ultimate customer. Let’s look at three examples.

Customers Wanted II: I Don’t Want My MTV

When we discussed Appendix A, I mentioned that MTV’s popularity appears to be on the decline. I asked how many of you watch it, and roughly, half to two-thirds went up in the air. During the Spring 2003 semester, I asked the same question, and all the hands went up. It would appear that you guys are part of a larger trend.

Customers Wanted I

When is Chrysler is for sale? When it is not. Dieter Zetsche, leader of Daimler Chrysler (hereafter DCX), says DCX remains committed to its 1998 acquisition of Chrysler Corp. For a company that is not up for sale, it is generating a lot interest. People speculate daily who will buy Chrysler; however, Chrysler is not for sale. For a company not for sale, many sharks including General Motors, Hyundai, and Toyota are circling the water.

What could these companies possibly want with Chrysler? The company boasts aging factories, a pension problem, healthcare issues, potential labor strife, few, if any, discernable brands, and mediocre engine technology? What possibly does Chrysler have to offer?

Lubbock Hearts the Car

Very few signs exist that Lubbock’s love affair with the automobile will end soon. Work continues on the new freeway that exists to move effectively people from the growing southwest Lubbock and Wolfforth areas to campus and downtown Lubbock. New housing and retail developments spring up along 98th Street like weeds. All three proposed plans for downtown Lubbock’s redevelopment show few commitments to transportation beyond the personal automobile. For drivers in Lubbock, it really is 1967.

Too bad the calendar displays 2007.