In today's modern world, everyone should be a part of a social network to get a better grasp of what is going on. Whether you're a student goofing off in class using Facebook, or a high-profile celebrity on Twitter, most of society is connected to social media.
Companies have been cashing in on this trend with this social media craze, creating pages where users can "like" or "follow" these pages. This is how they advertise promotions and exclusive deals for those following them. Just the other day I was at Smoothie King in front of FIU's Modesto Modique Campus when I read a sign saying that if I post my location on Facebook, I would receive a free enhancer with my smoothie. This type of publicity helps the company and rewards the consumer. But that's not always the case.
There's been other times where I've shared my location or mentioned a company's name on my social networks and received nothing in return. A simple "thank you"would have done the trick. Consumers want to feel appreciated for their commitment; makes us feel special inside. The fact that a company took the time to reply to our post, whether thanking or welcoming us back, really shows that they care.
Maybe this is the reason why consumers are showing less interaction with these social networks. All they do is post about their promotions and sales, but they don't pay attention to what the consumer has to say. This is what drives consumers away. They feel like they're not being heard.
http://www.bizreport.com/2010/02/social_media_-_its_about_listening_as_well_as_selling.html
http://www.one.com/en/web-hosting-news/website/social-media-not-connecting-with-consumers$800384982.htm
Friday, February 18, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Implementation of Geotagging
According to the movie, "Back To The Future II," in 2015 there should be flying cars and dehydrated Pizza Hut that takes less than 10 seconds to prepare. Well, none of that is going to happen by then. But with the way how technology is advancing, things might turn out to be different the way we all thought the future was going to be panned out.
About two years ago, an Android phone that had a barcode scanner app was the newest sensation going around the market (name of my blog). By taking a picture of a product's barcode, you can compare different prices for the best value around the area. This theory has created new ideas, one of which is the Starbucks Card Mobile App. Through the consumer's smartphone (iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry), they make their purchase and the barista at the register scans the generated barcode on the screen of the phone.
According to Starbucks, the new app is looking to enhance the speed, ease, and convenience of customers paying with their mobile phone. Wait a minute. Don't you still have to wait for your order? Isn't that what always takes long?
Personally, I don't like coffee, so I'm rarely at Starbucks. However, the few times I've been there, I find myself waiting about 3-5 minutes (depending on the traffic of customers) for my Vanilla Bean Frap. So this new app would eliminate me waiting in line, but I still have to wait?
Nonetheless, there is one idea I do have that can make this app more successful and efficient: Geotagging. Through geotagging, the app can detect the closest Starbucks from where you're located. This way if you're in a rush, the user can choose the Starbucks where they're going (because in some places there's 5 Starbucks in one block) and a simple transaction can be done. Barcode for coffee. No lines, no waiting, quick pick up.
Another idea I have in relation to the geotagging is to share the location of the customer through social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. Although there's apps like Loopt and FourSquare that share your location to social media, the Starbucks app can be link your purchase to these outlets to share your recent experience to your friends and followers. This works for Starbucks because are always craving it. Especially when they read a post, "Melany ordered a Grande Cafe Mocha at GL FIU Starbucks," as her recent tweet.
Although my ideas are great, I don't like where this app is going. It takes away from the experience a consumer has with Starbucks. When someone thinks of Starbucks, they picture an urban, lounge-environment place to drink coffee, read a newspaper or surf the web through the free Wi-Fi they provide.
This new app and evolution of technology reduces human interaction. From buying clothes, to getting a traffic ticket in the mail. People are talking to each other less and less on a personal basis. From social media, texting, e-mail, etc. I can go on about this forever, but I end here.
http://www.appolicious.com/shine/articles/4969-starbucks-rolls-out-payments-nationwide-with-starbucks-card-mobile-iphone-app
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/10/20/smartphone.location/index.html?iref=allsearch
About two years ago, an Android phone that had a barcode scanner app was the newest sensation going around the market (name of my blog). By taking a picture of a product's barcode, you can compare different prices for the best value around the area. This theory has created new ideas, one of which is the Starbucks Card Mobile App. Through the consumer's smartphone (iPhone, Android, or BlackBerry), they make their purchase and the barista at the register scans the generated barcode on the screen of the phone.
According to Starbucks, the new app is looking to enhance the speed, ease, and convenience of customers paying with their mobile phone. Wait a minute. Don't you still have to wait for your order? Isn't that what always takes long?
Personally, I don't like coffee, so I'm rarely at Starbucks. However, the few times I've been there, I find myself waiting about 3-5 minutes (depending on the traffic of customers) for my Vanilla Bean Frap. So this new app would eliminate me waiting in line, but I still have to wait?
Nonetheless, there is one idea I do have that can make this app more successful and efficient: Geotagging. Through geotagging, the app can detect the closest Starbucks from where you're located. This way if you're in a rush, the user can choose the Starbucks where they're going (because in some places there's 5 Starbucks in one block) and a simple transaction can be done. Barcode for coffee. No lines, no waiting, quick pick up.
Another idea I have in relation to the geotagging is to share the location of the customer through social media outlets, such as Facebook and Twitter. Although there's apps like Loopt and FourSquare that share your location to social media, the Starbucks app can be link your purchase to these outlets to share your recent experience to your friends and followers. This works for Starbucks because are always craving it. Especially when they read a post, "Melany ordered a Grande Cafe Mocha at GL FIU Starbucks," as her recent tweet.
Although my ideas are great, I don't like where this app is going. It takes away from the experience a consumer has with Starbucks. When someone thinks of Starbucks, they picture an urban, lounge-environment place to drink coffee, read a newspaper or surf the web through the free Wi-Fi they provide.
This new app and evolution of technology reduces human interaction. From buying clothes, to getting a traffic ticket in the mail. People are talking to each other less and less on a personal basis. From social media, texting, e-mail, etc. I can go on about this forever, but I end here.
http://www.appolicious.com/shine/articles/4969-starbucks-rolls-out-payments-nationwide-with-starbucks-card-mobile-iphone-app
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/10/20/smartphone.location/index.html?iref=allsearch
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