Situation or SWOT Analysis

Before considering to put any kind of product on the market, a company should definitely perform a S.W.O.T. analysis. "The marketer should conduct a SWOT analysis, by which it evaluates the company’s overall strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T). Strengths include internal capabilities, resources, positive situational factors that may help the company to serve its customers and achieve its objectives."(Marketing: An Introduction; Armstrong/Kotler; 2 Company and Marketing Strategy Partnering to ... pg. 31) One our biggest strengths at Andes Vodka is that not only does it have the smoothness from our filtration process with the Andes Mountain water, but the luscious taste of the grapes as well.

"Weaknesses include internal limitations and negative situational factors that may interfere with the company’s performance." (Marketing: An Introduction; Armstrong/Kotler; 2 Company and Marketing Strategy Partnering to ... pg. 31) There aren’t too many flaws with our product. The only downfall I could think of it that the price might be too high for the general public.

"Opportunities are favorable factors or trends in the external environment that the company may be able to exploit to its advantage." (Marketing: An Introduction; Armstrong/Kotler; 2 Company and Marketing Strategy Partnering to ... pg. 31) Since we do consider ourselves a luxury brand of vodka, the opportunities may seem endless, especially in this town. There are multiple luxury casinos, bars, and restaurants that may want to consider endorsing our brand of vodka. "And threats are unfavorable external factors or trends that may present challenges to performance."(Marketing: An Introduction; Armstrong/Kotler; 2 Company and Marketing Strategy Partnering to ... pg. 31) I guess you could say our only threat would be our competition of luxury brand vodkas, or possibly maybe our price point.

Objectives

One of our main goals at Andes Vodka is to genuinely provide our consumers with one of the classiest, unique blends of Vodka. We believe in building strong customer relationships by developing a truly incomparable brand of Vodka. We strongly believe that true success comes from within the customers so we try to make the customer happy at our utmost priority. Not only is our vodka distilled from the fine waters running through the Andes Mountains but we refine it with White-Riesling grapes that from country of Chile. We want to give our customers a truly remarkable experience – one like they have never had before. We believe that we are only successful if the customer comes back for me so we try to give our consumers the best experience they’ve had – whether it’s their first sip or their last.  "Within individual business units, marketing designs strategies for reaching the unit’s objectives. Once the unit’s objectives are set, marketing’s task is to help carry them out profitably." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, page 17) Our strategy is to keep our customer coming back for me so we made our vodka very unique in the distilling process which leaves the vodka smoother than no other. "Each broad marketing strategy must then be defined in greater detail." (Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, page 9) The marketing strategy is a very vital piece of the puzzle that wholes everything together. One must know the strategy before implementing any kind of pitch at all. You should always know what exactly are you trying to get out of your product.

Business Mission Statement

" A mission statement is a statement of the organization's purpose-what it wants to accomplish in the larger environment. A clear mission statement acts as an "invisible hand" that guides people in the organization."(Marketing: An Introduction, Armstrong/Kotler, page 5)

Our mission at Andes Vodka is to provide our consumers with the finest, smoothest tasting vodka so they can experience what real quality tastes like. What sets us apart is that our vodka is distilled through the waters of the Andes mountains so they can taste the clarity and smoothness of our product. Also, our product is refined through white Riesling-grapes from Chile- and with their light, luscious, fruity flavors, we can assure that the consumer will not only have a smooth, great tasting experience, but an incomparable one as well.

EOC - Week 7 Vodka Pitch

So I’m thinking of a new kind of grain alcohol (vodka) that is distilled 5-6 times and is made from real mountain waters coming from the Andes Mountains (in between Chile and Argentina), infused with the bittersweet taste of real Chilean orchard grapes. The Andes consist of a vast series of extremely high plateaus surmounted by even higher peaks that form an unbroken rampart over a distance of some 5,500 miles from the southern tip of South America to the continent's northernmost coast on the Caribbean. They separate a narrow western coastal area from the rest of the continent, affecting deeply the conditions of life within the ranges themselves and in surrounding areas. The Andes contain the highest peaks in the Western Hemisphere. The highest of them is Mount Aconcagua, on the border of Argentina and Chile. Chile is also mainly known for their vast lands dedicated to grape orchards. In this case I will be using the white Riesling- grape for its light, luscious, fruity flavors. Being one of the most important primary grape varieties worldwide, the white Riesling-grape coming from Germany achieves the best results in cooler areas. In Chile, Riesling is cultivated predominantly in cooler regions in the valleys south of Santiago: Rapel, Curicó, and Maule. Innovative wine-growers who are looking for ways to differentiate their wines, committed themselves to Riesling in the past few years; however, in this case it will be an excellent option for cultivating it for vodka. In terms of quantity, it plays a minor role in Chile as being a warm and sunny country. Lush green to golden yellow in color, Riesling has a light and fresh taste, from time to time a mineral one. Various citrus flavors are evident (grapefruit, lemon, apple, passion fruit), underlining the distinctive features of its location.

EOC - Week 6

Everyone is different and has their own specific needs whether it comes to hygiene, food, clothes, etc. When it comes to certain products and why people rely on that specific item, it’s a little different for everybody. If there were three products I could name that I absolutely need, it would be my deodorant, lotion, and maybe my face wash. When it comes to my deodorant, I have tried multiple brands, scents, models, etc.  It wasn’t until I found the specific one I currently use, that I have remained loyal for years now. The deodorant brand I always stick with is Old Spice. I think the main reason I have used it for so long is because my dad has been using it since I was a young child. When I grew to be a teenager, I messed around with other brands but I still managed to stick with Old Spice – Pure Sport (or Fiji). Another product I am always using on the daily is my Curel (Fragrance Free) lotion. Since I was a little child, I was always using lotion because my skin would tend to dry up fast and I would use it mainly for my elbows and knees; however, since I got my first tattoo (years ago), I have been using fragrance free lotion for years. I like it because I can also use it on my face, so I get out of the shower, put it on my body and face, and I’m good to go. The final product I use all the time is my Clearasil face wash. I have used it for years and it seems like it’s the only face wash that has been getting the job done and being affective. I experimented with all kinds of different brands and models, but this one has been the best with results so far, and I’ve been using it for years

Week 4 EOC - There's an App for that

In a world like today, technology surrounds us everywhere we go. A perfect example is the rise of smart phones occurring today. The movement of smart phones has revolutionized the way we think and act. There's practically an app for everything in the smart phone world. There are new apps being developed on the daily, and it seems like there is something new, practically every minute. I think an excellent idea for a new app would be a "Happy Hour Locater" app. It would be awesome to have an app that shows you the nearest happy hour specials to you. It would also be a benefit to know what kind of different happy hours occur on certain days of the week. It would definitely come in handy for anyone who enjoys the nightlife (let's face it - in this town, who doesn't?). Another idea for a new app is a portable, digital recorder within your phone. They have a few apps that are similar but they only record a raw, microphone signal, with no access for manipulation. I think a digital vocal recorder would be an excellent idea for a new app; however, not just a basic recorder. I would also apply features such as flanger, delay, reverb, and maybe even a button that will allow you to access a song on your phone so you can even "sing" with it. It would be a cool and fun way to put some creative input on your favorite songs, or just a fun tool to have when you’re with your friends. I think another cool idea for an app is one that would be very convenient for those who like to bargain shop and compare prices. I think it’s a cool idea to have an app that will allow you to scan the barcode on a certain item in a grocery store, but will also tell you the comparing prices of any other grocery store around the area. It would make comparative shopping a lot easier and more convenient.

EOC Week 3 - My demographics

According to experts, the generation I grew up in would be considered in the "millenials" generation. There was a lot of truth in what they had to say about us. For the most part, we all grew up with the digital revolution so a lot of us are very "tech-savvy" with technology. It's safe to say that a lot of us grew up with computers and cell phones while growing up, giving us a bit of an advantage in the world. Members of this generation are called Echo Boomers, due to the significant increase in birth rates through the 1980s and into the 1990s, and because many of them are children of baby boomers. Characteristics of the generation vary by region, depending on social and economic conditions. However, it is generally marked by an increased use and familiarity with communications, media, and digital technologies. In most parts of the world its upbringing was marked by an increase in a neoliberal approach to politics and economics.

“One thing that all of the Millennials have in common is their utter fluency and comfort with digital technology. They don’t just embrace technology, it’s a way of life. The Millennials were the first generation to grow up in a world filled with computers, cellphones, satellite TV, iPods, and online social networks. A recent study found that 91 percent of Millennials are on the Web, making up 32 percent of all U.S. Internet users. According to another study, 77 percent of Millennials frequent social networking sites and 71 percent use instant messaging. “All generations are comfortable with technology, but this is the generation that’s been formed by technology,” says a Yahoo! executive. For them, “it’s not something separate. It’s just something they do.” (Kotler,2011)

I completely agree with that quote. I couldn't agree more with what he said when he stated, we don't just embrace our technology, its our way of life. If you go to any college campus, you will see that it's flooded with laptops, tablets, ipads, etc. Technology is a booming industry with our generation because we are one of the generations that is never content with what we currently have. We are always striving to have "the next big thing." We're always asking the question of, "How can we make this faster?" or "How can I make this more reliable." We are always pushing for the next big thing.