Buying a Jeep

My husband and I were driving down the road recently, and suddenly, we heard a loud clunk coming from the rear of our 2004 Chevy Trailblazer.  We had been nursing the poor old girl along, but the time had come when we knew we had to send her into retirement.  We drove past a billboard advertising a Jeep Grand Cherokee—we looked at each other and simultaneously said, “how about a Jeep” for a replacement car.  While we were driving, I pulled up the Jeep Facebook page on my phone to see what others had to say about Jeep in general. 

The first few posts were from happy Jeep owners enjoying their vehicles, and scrolling down I came to Videos, demonstrating some of the incredible driving conditions the Jeep can tackle.  The music was rocking, the people were young, energetic and adventurous. They were snowboarding and skiing on a really steep, snowy mountain, a situation that I probably will never tackle in my lifetime, but hey, it looked cool.  And exciting.  Scrolling down further, there were posts from one happy Jeep owner after another.  Another thing I noticed was that no matter what the driving conditions were, people were thrilled with their vehicles. 

Facebook also lets you know which of your friends “Likes” Jeep—this is strong testimony for me.  If my friends like something, I know them and trust them, so, this product becomes trustworthy and believable.  Their “About” page gives me the information I need about the business and who to contact if need be.  Ok, so I’m hooked just from looking at their Facebook page.

The Jeep website gives you all the necessary specifications of the vehicles.  So far, so good.  My husband and I decided to go visit a showroom and take a test drive.  We were not disappointed.  Our sales rep had me drive into an old abandoned parking lot and had me drive over a curb and down an embankment.  Now I’m really hooked.  We continued to put the vehicle through the paces, and fell in love—not literally of course, but you know what I mean.

We are now the happy, satisfied owners of a Jeep Grand Cherokee and are looking forward to all the new adventures that lie ahead.  The question is, did social media help with our decision?  Yes.  I depend on other people’s opinions and reviews when I make purchases.  If there are numerous satisfied customers, then I figure the product is good enough for me to purchase—at least try it for myself.  It has become an integral part of the decision-making process that I have adopted when I shop.

Key Finder Tags

Ever misplace your keys? Add a key finder tag sensor to your key ring and you won't have to waste time trying to find them again!

A key finder tag is a form of clever technology that attaches to your keys or any other important items. When an item is lost, you can use the mobile app to trigger the sensor. Once triggered ,it will set off a beeping sound, or a melody that will help you find the item you are searching for. The best part is that the technology works both ways, in that you can use the chip sensor to find your missing phone. The tags use short-range signals like Bluetooth or in some cases GPS to send and receive signals to and from your mobile device via the app. So it’s pretty cool that you won't have one, without being able to find the other.  

There are similar brands on the market that pretty much function in the same matter, with variations on range/radius, loudness of the ring tones, size of the tag and price points. The average cost is about $25.00. Here is a list of tags currently on the market: -TrackR, -Chipolo -Duet -Lapa2 -Linquet -Mynt -XYtag. You can stick it to almost anything: wallet, in purse zipper pocket, leave in your car, even on pets!  

Perhaps the best use of this technology would be, to keep pets from being stolen out of pet stores. Thieves have been known to walk away with the pets during "playtime" when there are numerous amounts of customers and it’s hard for the employees to keep track of which customer is playing with which pet. The sensors can be set to go off if the pets are removed from the perimeter of the store. This is a quick way to keep inventory of the animals. Not to mention much less invasive and expensive like embedding a chip into the animals. 

This technology takes the term "keeping taGs on your stuff" to a whole new level. ~Maribel

FitBit Fitness Tracker

Thinking about getting a fitness tracker?  Think FitBit.

Let’s face it, being the lonesome warrior in the battle of the bulge is no fun.  Sure you can do it, but why go it alone when you can get friends and family to make things fun?  By using a FitBit tracking device you can join a community of family, friends and even people you don’t know while getting fit.

FitBit provides devices that are easy-to-use and easy-to-wear.  A quick internet search will take you to their homepage where you can compare their offerings and find which one will suit you best.  The latest design comes in the form of a watch, making your tracker easy to wear.  Still not sure which one is right for you?  Then check out their YouTube video for a visual.  But the fun doesn’t stop there. FitBit has followings on all your favorite social media sites such as, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.  And FitBit does social media right.  According to Dave Kerpen, author of “likeable social media” word of mouth is the most effective way to market a product.  By utilizing the media outlets listed above, FitBit connects with their customers by listening and responding quickly.  They provide a product and service that can be trusted; they know that when you need something, you will most likely turn to your friends via social media for answers and advice.

Ok, now that you’ve found your perfect FitBit, what will you do with it?  The first thing you’ll want to do is set it up and connect to all your family and friends.  You’ll also want to connect with other users through their community forum where you’ll be able to ask questions and even get user issues resolved if need be.  FitBit does a great job responding quickly to user issues through this forum, as well as other social media outlets.  Sometimes an issue doesn’t get resolved as quickly as people would like, but this company is honest and transparent about not being perfect and try to work at making everyone happy. 

Feeling competitive?  Again, FitBit engages family and friends in the form of challenges.  FitBit has an app where you can sign up for challenges, see each other’s photos, post messages and view the goal progress.  There’s even a way to invite friends who don’t have a FitBit—as long as they have the app on their mobile device, they can join the challenge.

FitBit has found a unique way to get fit, use social media to keep you motivated, as well as keep you connected to your device so that you know how to use it, and where to go with questions or advice.  With FitBit, it’s a win-win.  You get fit one step at a time, and they grow their business one Follower at a time.

Companies Using Social Media for Marketing Widgets/Clicks/Tweets (Post 2)

Companies Using Social Media for Marketing

Recruiting/Marketing by use of Social Media Sites

Before there were social media sites the way a potential applicant would apply for a position at a company. Is by going into each organization or company you want to work for and fill out an application. Then had in your resume to the Human Resource department so they can review your qualifications. Next a phone call to meet with a supervisor for an interview. Simple and right to point no internet or online technology used. Just you, your experiences and a lot of leg work. Now with the advances of technology and social media sites the hiring process has definitely broadened.

The way the new recruiting/marketing process is used is by social media sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. In a recent survey “79% of recruiters are signed in media sites to recruit candidates for a position within there company”. (Bennett 2013)By marketing the positions with certain images to make it appealing to the candidates. Posting comments on what the position entails and benefits the company provides. It is the same way Wheat Thins campaigned and marketed their product. But in this case the companies are marketing the positions of employment with in their organization or company.

One of these companies implementing the new age process of recruiting/marketing of a positions that is available is Marriot. It wants to find the right candidate for the position so it posts career pages on Facebooks with certain images, benefits available and employee discounts on rooms. By doing this many people on the social media site will either share it or like it getting a lot of buzz for the possible candidates to fulfill the position. Marriot will also answer to the potential candidates in “real time” so they can get quick feedback/responses. When using the social media sites when hiring it gives Marriot a unique way to search or find the best candidate for the position.

I personally like this new approach when looking for an employment within an organization. It is right at my finger tips with the social media sites, as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. If the recruiting/marketing posting of the positions looks like a potential employment for me. I will immediately begin to start a conversation through posts and feedback from the company. If their responses are genuine and provide me more insight into the company. Then I will apply for the position within that organization. Social Media Recruiting/Marketing process is a new way of hiring but I believe it is an incredible hiring resources for you to get the right person for the job.

Have a great week! :)

Best Regards,

Krystle Bartnicki

New Technology/Potential Business Widgets/Clicks/Tweets (Post 1)

Hello Class,

New Technology/Potential Business

It is amazing how technology has advanced over the years. The way you can retrieve information and communicate in many different ways by utilizing a device that can fit in your pocket or on a desk at work or at home. In this case the advancement of technology has come in the form of saving energy with Solar Powered Offices. Yes, I said it “Solar Powered Offices”! I immediately wanted to learn more about this new technology and most importantly being able to save money and energy. I know I have seen my own electric bill from home at times and said “Why so much?” “How can I save?” I am only using the light in two rooms only four hours a day. While my husband and I are at work. Our boys in school and after school activities.

Solar Powered Offices is such a cost effective way for companies and organizations to save money. How does the company do this for an office building? Initially they place several solar panels that covers the whole roof of the office building. Timers and lighting are kept in place to manage the power use to be low. It also keeps the companies electric bill at a low cost creating an opportunity to use the extra savings for company learning and computer seminars.  It is a win all the way around for the organization.

The cost of the Solar Powered Offices set up can be a little pricey. But the long term investment in savings over the years can be a benefit for the company/organization. The Solar Powered Offices also has the option of being able to rent out a Solar Powered Office buildings as well. In certain areas of the United States you can rent out these office spaces. Solar Powered Offices is a revolutionary way to take it easy on our planet, cost effective for saving money in utility bills and a long term investment for the organization. Maybe they will expand and there will be Solar Powered Homes. That would an excellent way for me to save money with my home utilities too!

Thank you,

Krystle Bartnicki