Factors in deciding location

            In this weeks information the focus was on location of a business. I didn't realize how many factors go into really opening a business.There was even included a math model that helped factor things such as traffic and proximity to highways. These are things I had no clue about but once studying about it, it made perfectly good sense. So I learned that a business doesn't just open. Especially a huge business like a Walmart.  They must look at these business plans. They take into consideration local economy, electricity prices, tax breaks, wages, workforce readiness, and technology. This explains to me why a local Walmart has been placed where it is in our community. In what I first thought was s stupid location. But after studying all the information its a genius location. They built on land that was for sale and vacant for many years. Its right off of an interstate and a mix of homes and restaurants are located in the area. There was enough room for them to add their gas station, and their gas prices are always the lowest in town. They then leased locations around them and made it an outlet mall. Business boomed because everyone knows people are going to shop at Walmart. So shortly after a movie theater went up, a hair cutting salon, and other restaurants. This place is now booming! And its all because they first had a business plan. They saw the big picture, unlike me.

Doing it right

            In this weeks blog post idea one great topic was a car service company. Similar to the example provided we have a local repair shop that has under-priced all nearby service companies. Their oil changes are $19.99, brake service is $69.99 and they do free diagnostics( to name a few services). I think they are successful in their business they are always so busy. Of course I cant see into their books they have been around for over 10 years. They began cutting prices when the economy started to go bad. They did this as a relief to their customers and they were so successful, with new business that the idea and prices stuck. They gained loyal customers and customer appreciation. Even though I have free oil changes for life on my vehicle I still occasionally go here. They are local and $19.99, plus a fast service cant be beat. I have spent 4-5 hours waiting on my free oil change at the dealership. So its worth it. The workers are professional and the shop operates like a well oiled machine. 
              Not only do they change your oil they top your other fluids off for free and look around and recommend any future repairs. I think even if they were to go up on their prices that their customers would stay and remain loyal. They have been so successful that they have opened up two other nearby shops. So even if they raise their price to the price of competitors, such as Walmart and Express, I personally will continue to give them my business. Because they did something that no other local shops did which is help the local community out. They support their community and we support them. Their name is scattered everywhere from our ballparks to ad space in out local yearbooks. 

BRANDING!

             In this weeks blog entry idea we were given many examples of celebrity branding. All these brands I have heard of before. After playing the branding game I was actually surprised at how many brands I knew even though I have never used or purchased their products before. If I had a product I would definitely try to use a celebrity to market it. It seems in today's world people are obsessed with celebrities and anything they touch turns to gold. Many celebrities have a second career off of branding that is more lucrative than their actual career. Just like George Foreman, I can name a few others like Michael Jordan with his shoes, Susanne Summers with the thigh master (and many other inventions), Paula Deen and family actually have many restaurant chains around the United States. One in particular is in the Tunica, Mississippi hotels and casinos. Her and each of her boys, and her husband each have a restaurant inside a huge area. The are each individually named (even though I cant remember the names). Her's is down home southern cooking, her husbands is fresh fish and seafood (cause that's what he likes), one son has a BBQ style restaurant, and the other healthy type food. But without the branding of Paula none of these restaurants would exist. So even the branding of a particular celebrity can lead to branch off ideas. Although she is off of Food Network, and Walmart dropped her. I still see her on other networks and on HSN or home shopping channels still selling her products. So celebrity endorsed branding is the way to go for me.