Is blogging for me?

As the semester comes to an end, and trying to fulfill the requirements for all classes, when I came upon Consumer Behavior, I can't decide if I will continue to blog after this semester.  Covering some of the issues that we have, such as our extended selves, brand loyalty, rituals, reference groups, and social powers, I have learned that sitting down, integrating these ideas into my daily life, and blogging about them has made me understand more in detail what we have been taught and what we have been reading about. Most of the ideas taught in this course relate to everyday life and life practices. A few of my friends have decide to start blogs, just as a hobby and a fun past time, and some friends choose to write their ideas in a diary, either way, getting your thoughts out and on paper is a healthy practice. Overall, I'm satisfied with this assignment. :)

I've stuck it out.

I have never been really good at school, and unfortunately, college wasn't any exception.  My first couple of years at Montana State University were really difficult for me.  Stats got the best of me, economics was wayyyy over my head and all the other classes just seemed like fillers.  I always enjoyed my business classes and seemed to do pretty well in them. I don't know how many times I thought about dropping out of college, thinking it just wasn't for me, but with the strong encouragement and support of my family, I am that much closer to surviving another semester.  Next semester will be my last, with a long awaited graduation May 4th.  This semester, I have to say, has made me realize that everything I have learned has not been a waste, and it is finally all coming together, all making sense, and I feel very blessed and confident in the education I have received. Market Research, Integrated Marketing Communications, Consumer Behavior, and Marketing Entrepreneurship have made my semester and interesting one, they all coincide with each other, which is so nice to see, and make me excited for the second half of my senior year.

More Rituals.

Not going to lie, when I was writing my rituals paper for Consumer Behavior, I wrote the first thing that came to mind. I wrote the paper over Thanksgiving break, therefore, I wrote about my family's Thanksgiving traditions and rituals.  After listening to my fellow classmates, and what they chose to write about, I started paying attention to my everyday rituals. The way I shower is the same repeated behavior everyday, along with my breakfast routine, and when my morning is switched up from the usual steps, it throws my day for a loop, and most likely will be a wrench in my machine all day. I have decided that one of the biggest things that I HAVE to do everyday is make my bed, I make it the same way everyday, and make it as soon as I wake up.  I don't know if it is superstition, or behavior that was engraved into my brain at a young age, but I am a firm believer that if you make your bed every morning, it will lead to a successful day, a day not scattered, and a put-together mentality. Rituals run our lives, its just a matter of recognizing them.

My heart goes out to the Chiefs.

The murder-suicide that occurred involving a Kansas City Chief football player and his girlfriend, and mother of their child, is devastating.  Bend it Like Beckham really made me realize how many people use a famous sports team or professional athlete as their reference group.  Reading an article today, the team owner, Clark Hunt made a statement that 'People are hurting.' A football team of that statute becomes a family, along with the teammate's extended families. Fans of the Kansas City Chiefs are in a way their consumers, of their brand, and their products. It is unfortunate that something so sad and devastating has to make people stop and realize how valuable life is, but it is also amazing to see the people that come out of the wood work, that honestly care.  The Chiefs' fans are very brand loyal. My heart goes out to his family, his daughter, the team, and their fans.

http://www.foxsportskansascity.com/12/02/12/Chiefs-situation-doesnt-leave-much-to-sa/msn_landingalt.html?blockID=829551&feedID=5128

$588 Milion Jackpot

Can you imagine after taxes, depositing a 136.5 million dollar check into your savings account? I sure as hell can't. Cindy and Mark Hill, the couple out of Missouri that are taking home half of the record breaking jackpot are set for life. I read an article today about how they want to "live normally." As much as I like to think that I wouldn't change my lifestyle, or even change as a person, I don't know if after winning that much money if you can really live normally. Their consumer behavior could completely change, they'll never have to worry about buying products that are cheaper or on sale.  I wonder if their brand loyalty will change? The lottery is an overwhelming idea to me, instant gratification, people go crazy with lots of money. I hope for Mark and Cindy that they will be able to "live normally," make smart financial decisions, for them and their children, and avoid the dreadful lottery curse.

http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019799043_apuspowerballjackpot.html

Consumer Behavior Confidence

Earlier today I was reading an article about two families that last Christmas season were not able to buy presents for their families, let alone indulge in tasty meals on the holidays.  This year, although, both families have been able to shop for loved ones, and both seem very confident is where the economy is going. The article stated that "Americans are feeling better about the economy than they have in four and a half years." This confidence is making families happy, and retailers as well.  I feel as if all I have been hearing about lately is how were jumping off of the "economic cliff." This article not only warmed my heart because some kids around the country are going to be more fortunate than last year, but also just some encouraging words, instead of doom and gloom. Reading these articles, walking around local shops, mall stores, and the frigid air reminds me, tis the season, so much to be thankful for, and so many cherished people to spend time with.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/28/business/two-families-show-an-uneven-rise-in-consumer-confidence.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&ref=consumerbehavior&adxnnlx=1354306002-wOE0iG8/qAE+kv/InuRe+w

Pieces of April

April's life in Pieces of April was pretty depressing in my opinion.  All families have their own issues, mine included, but theirs seemed to be out of control with unhappiness. Your family is a part of who you are and why you are that way.  This movie reiterated a life lesson that I learned a long time ago, love your family because time is short and all that really matters is the memories and happiness that you share with your loved ones.  Through April's mother's illness, and her grandmother's also, it is very pleasing to see them finally reunite and spend some quality time together as a family.  Everyone is different, and makes their own choices for one reason or another, which we have been learning in Consumer Behavior, the study of what drives people to do what they do will never fully be answered. Don't judge others for their choices, love them for who they are, and never be too quick to judge.

Richard E. Broome

On Wednesday, November 28th, Montana State University's College of Business sponsored a discussion by Richard E. Broome, a former member of the White House crisis management team, and he discussed “Managing Risk in the New Operating Reality." His talk made be think a lot about Consumer Behavior and the things that Graham has been teaching us, along with what Solomon writes in his consumer behavior text book. Social power has been a subject that has stood out greatly to me, Mr. Broome talking about the actions that people take when there is a crisis has a strong correlation to how the government acts when there is an emergency. Planning was a key issue that Broome touched on, when the people we reference, like the government are prepared and have planned most efficiently for all situation, ideally the country's people would do the same.  We live in a world and a society that is changing greatly everyday, we can be successful through change by our everyday choices, and understanding all of the options we have.

First Black Friday Shopping Experience

My sister, cousin and I were sitting at the kitchen table after Thanksgiving dinner, looking at all of the advertisements that had piled up over the last couple of days when we decided, hey, let's go shopping tonight. None of us had ever been before, and essentialy didn't have anything that we necessarily needed. We were all so baffled that this year certain stores had decided to open at 8pm, 9pm, 11pm, midnight, and into the early hours of black Friday morning. 7:30 rolled around and we decided to drive down to Wal-Mart, it was just a few blocks away and the doors were scheduled to open at 8.  There were people EVERYWHERE!! RV's were parked in the parking lot, hundreds were waiting outside in the cold, and there were people of all ages.

This is when it hit me ... CONSUMER BEHAVIOR ON THIS DAY IS OUT OF CONTROL.

We decided againt Wal-Mart and ventured to Target.  We had arrived after the doors had opened but there was still a line to get into the building. I had never seen anything like this before, people running through the isles, merchandise being thrown and sorted through, and carts were overflowing.  I had gone along for the ride and entertainment but my sister and cousin had actually picked out a few things that they would like to purchase.  They had even become disappointed when the products they were shopping for were all gone, I was more disappointed when I arrived at the check-out line to stand there for an hour.

We ended up venturing to 4 other stores and didn't get home until 3 in the morning.  The overall lesson was that people will do whatever for certain products once they have their mind set on it.

Rituals

Solomon defines a ritual as a set of multiple, symbolic behaviors that occur in a fixed sequence and that tend to be repeated periodically.  Learning about this idea in Consumer Behavior has made me really pay attention and recognize the rituals that my family has.  I am sure there are multiple practices that my family has that could be defined as a ritual that I don't even pick up on.  Over the last week, while being reunited with loved ones I cued in on some simple rituals, but behaviors that make my family truely how they are.
Ever since becoming of age to drink alcohol, my sister, father and I have made it a ritual that everytime we are gathered together after being apart for sometime, no matter where we are, we find a dive bar.  Keno machines are usually played, cocktails are drank, fond memories are shared, cathching up takes place, and most importantly endless giggles are shared between us. This time could be a short hour, or what turns into closing the dive bar down, but either way it is a ritual that is very near and dear to my heart.  I hope no matter where we all end up, the differences we may have, or the limited times we have, that this ritual never changes.

Celebrities and their Brands

When thinking about celebrities that have become a brand themselves, Kim Kardashian comes to mind.  I often find myself questioning how this family became so famous.  Robert Kardashian, O.J. Simpson's lawyer and a business entrepreneur created a name for himself that is a bit different than the name that his daughters carry.  Most of the time I become annoyed reading about Kim, Khloe, and Kourtney but I also choose to admire the work that they have done through creating a clothing line, a cosmetic line, and having numerous television shows.  They have marketed themselves in a successful manner, creating a huge fan base, holding social power and for many are a reference group.  Solomon defines a reference group as “an actual or imaginary individual or group conceived of having significant relevance upon an individual’s evaluations, aspirations, or behavior.”  He also says that the use of the word reference group more loosely is any external influence that provides social cues.  It is not very often that you can surf the internet or pick up a magazine without seeing something about the Kardashians, and people choose to idolize them, buying their products, wearing the labels they do, and overall having a desire to be just like them. The personality that the Kardashian brands resembles has created a strong relationship with their consumers.

      

Williston North Dakota

This weekend I have spent time with my sister who lives in Williston North Dakota. Like everyone else here, she is here to make money. I have avoided coming to visit her because the atmosphere that has been discribed to be about this place was overwhelming. I arrived Thursday night and leave tomorrow morning, in that short time I have observed numerous consumer behaviors. A lot that I have seen is not as bad as I thought it was going to be. I somewhat relate Williston to the article that we read "My Misspent Youth," it is almost as if the people living here are trying to fill a fantasy that they have had since driving tonka trunks as a young child. Everyone drives a big truck, with big tires, an 8 inch lift and all the bells and whistles.  I also see the desire of retailers to reach a person's extended self, I even question if there is some advertising that is striking people in a way that pushes them to participate in unhealthy habbits?  Coming here has really opened my eyes, I've always been a firm believer in "to each their own" and visiting this oil booming town supports my beliefs even more.