Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Interaction with employee
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Debbi Fields Revised Essay (INDS Assignment #2)
The entrepreneurial venture in itself is inspirational because it allows individuals the freedom to capitalize on their personal dreams and aspirations. Many Americans define success as the accumulation of monetary wealth. This desire for financial prosperity can be achieved through various means. Entrepreneurship offers the possibility for immense personal fulfillment, and success, in the face of financial risk. There have been many great entrepreneurs that have shaped American society. One in particular, Debbi Fields, built a successful business through passion and dedication. Her relentless desire for personal fulfillment drove her to establish Mrs. Fields Bakeries in 1977, a company that today has over 2,300 locations around the world.
Debbi Fields is one of my favorite entrepreneurs because she built a thriving business from a simple idea. She faced many obstacles including an non supportive husband and family, lack of business experience and a need for financial backing. She was married to Randy Fields at the age of nineteen and took on the role of a housewife. Baking cookies was a hobby that she passionately enjoyed. Social gatherings were not of particular interest to Fields because she felt her role as a housewife was met with condescension. One particular eye-opening experience occurred at such a gathering. Fields found herself in the library with a successful man who inquired as to what she wanted to do with her life. Her response was that she “wanted to get orientated.” He walked over to the bookshelf, threw the dictionary at her and said “if you cannot speak the English language, then just don’t. The word is not orientated it’s oriented.” Fields felt humiliated and went about changing her status within society. She knew her talent was baking and became determined to achieve personal success doing something she enjoyed.
Life is an emotional roller coaster. One day we are invincible and the next we feel insignificant and worthless. The key to success is not accepting defeat. According to Debbi Fields, “the greatest failure is not to try.” Her family felt that she would not succeed and that she “had no business in the cookie business.” Financial backing was very difficult to secure. Many banks were not willing to support Fields based on market research. Statistics found that consumers had a strong preference toward crispy cookies. Fields’ cookies were unique in that they were soft and larger then average size. After searching the yellow pages and being repeatedly turned down, she found an investor. Fields agreed to pay 21% interest on a loan for the chance to open her own business. When Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chippery opened on August 16, 1977 it was not an immediate success. Fields faced further discouragement from her husband when he bet that she would not make $50 in sales by the end of the day. Toward mid-afternoon, Fields was losing the bet so she decided to go into the streets, handing out free samples and personally promoting the business. By the end of the night she reached $75 in sales.
Mrs. Fields expanded during the next six years, operating 160 cookie outlets by 1984. The growth of the company demonstrates the insignificance of “real” numbers when identifying a marketing segment. Fields’ product was incompatible with the established data however the continuous innovation of soft cookies were a large success. She did not make an attempt to create a target market but instead used informed intuition to target each customer individually. Image characterizations were useful in identifying market behavior to further the growth of the company. Debbi Fields sold to residents within a few mile radius of Palo Alto CA. Her customers were very similar to those in the existing market of bakery consumers. Age, income, race and sex were not limited because the product was inexpensive and available. She referred to her customers as “cookie people,” which is a very ambiguous description. Debbi Fields would sell her cookies on an individual basis, which created “bowling pin potential.” Her cookies would infiltrate different niches through word of mouth promotions and free samples.
There were many factors that made expansion possible for the business. Within the first few years, Mrs Fields’ Chocolate Chippery changed its name to Mrs. Fields’ Cookies. This was done in an effort to diversify products beyond the traditional chocolate chip cookie. The initial success of Mrs. Fields Inc. was the product and service provided by the business. The cookies were affordable, which was beneficial to consumers because price and time are two main constraints when making a purchase. The residents in the area firmly supported the business and would drive miles to acquire the product. Eventually, Fields decided that it was necessary to open up additional stores in adjacent counties. This expansion was under the financial advisement of husband and economist, Randy Fields. The success of Mrs. Fields Inc. deteriorated his initial skepticism and he became an instrumental part of the business. A major breakthrough for the company occurred in 1989 when Debbi Fields decided to use state-of-the-art technology to streamline production schedules and operations. This technology was unmatched in the food industry and allowed the company to surpass the competition of local bakeries and snack vendors. Today, Harvard uses Mrs. Fields’ Inc. as an example of the successful integration of technology into business. Fields’ was an early adapter in the technology adaptation life cycle. She found a breakthrough technology that provided a leap forward for the company. Operating in this window made Mrs. Fields Inc. the success that it is today. The following year, in 1990 Fields decided to franchise the company. Six years later, Mrs. Fields’ was bought by Capricorn Holdings a company that additionally owns TCBY, The Great American Cookie and Pretzel Time. The main competitor at this time is Antie Anns Pretzels. Debbi Fields has worked in sales, management, product development, brand name management, and public relations. Today, she is a consultant and spokes woman for Mrs. Fields Original Cookies. She gives seminars around the country and sits on the board for the Outback Steakhouse and The Orpheum Theater.
Debbi Fields did not have a college education or any business experience when her venture began. She decided to capitalize on the thing she knew best, cookies. The technical skills required to bake cookies are very limited. Human skills and the insistent desire to achieve success were the primary components to Mrs. Fields. Debbi Fields had a unique way of hiring employees. Her hiring strategy included, making the applicant sing Happy Birthday in the middle of a crowded store. She wanted to ensure that her employees were personable “cookie people.” Fields unknowingly utilized many management practices that are studied today. The bottom line is that she made millions of dollars selling cookies. Debbi Fields is the embodiment of entrepreneurship at its best. America is a symbol of freedom and opportunity. Even those without formal education and elaborate technical skills can develop into a national icon and achieve personal success.
WORKS CITED:
Carmichael, Evan. 2008. Debbi Fields: The Cookie Connoisseur. Famous Entrepreneurs. http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/1558/summary.php
Moore, Geoffrey A. 1991. Crossing The Chasm. HarperCollins Publishers. New York, New York.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Debbi Fields (INDS Assignment #1)
Debbi Fields is one of my favorite entrepreneurs because she built a thriving business from a simple idea. She faced many obstacles including an unsupportive husband and family, lack of business experience and a need for financial backing. She was married to Randy Fields at the age of nineteen and took on the role of a housewife. Baking cookies was a hobby that she passionately enjoyed. Social gatherings were not of particular interest to Fields because she felt her role as a housewife was met with condescension. One particular eye-opening experience occurred at such a gathering. Fields found herself in the library with a successful man who inquired as to what she wanted to do with her life. Her response was that she “wanted to get orientated.” He walked over to the bookshelf, threw the dictionary at her and said “if you cannot speak the English language, then just don’t. The word is not orientated it’s oriented.” Fields felt humiliated and went about changing her status within society. She knew her talent was baking and became determined to achieve personal success doing something she enjoyed.
Life is an emotional roller coaster. One day we are invincible and the next we feel insignificant and worthless. The key to success is not accepting defeat. According to Debbi Fields, “the greatest failure is not to try.” Her family felt that she would not succeed and that she “had no business in the cookie business.” Financial backing was very difficult to secure. After searching the yellow pages and being repeatedly turned down, she found an investor. Fields agreed to pay 21% interest on a loan for the chance to open her own business. When Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chippery opened on
Debbi Fields did not have a college education or any business experience when her venture began. She decided to capitalize on the thing she knew best, cookies. The technical skills required to bake cookies are very limited. Human skills and the insistent desire to achieve success were the primary components to Mrs. Fields. Debbi Fields had a unique way of hiring employees. Her hiring strategy included, making the applicant sing Happy Birthday in the middle of a crowded store. She wanted to ensure that her employees were personable “cookie people.” Fields unknowingly utilized many management practices that are studied today. The bottom line is that she made millions of dollars selling cookies. Debbi Fields is the embodiment of entrepreneurship at its best.
WORKS CITED:
Monday, December 1, 2008
Media Deprevation (MCS Assignment #5)
Well that was not as easy as I thought it would be. I originally began the assignment at 10am. I went to work at 10:30am and was supposed to work until 4pm. Pizza Time is a family business therefore requiring my siblings and I to be a bit more responsible. During the lunch hour, my sister called in to say she could not work the night shift. I therefore was to stay at Pizza Time until 8pm. There is an internet signal in the building, and I had brought along my laptop because my dad asked to use it. At 11:30 he was having trouble connecting and oral instructions were not sufficient in solving this problem. It was either help him, or listen to him curse at my laptop (which was not the problem.) I went over, got him started, and restarted this assignment again. I successfully completed the next attempt, however there was room for error. While working at the pizzeria it is necessary to answer the phone. I thought I would be fine until I remembered the “no land-line” rule. When the phone rang, I ran it over to my dad. This became an annoyance but enabled my escape from the device. There were a few instances in which I lucked out. My dad used the bathroom throughout the day, and ran a delivery later at night. If the phone had rang during either of these periods I would have been forced to answer it. It did not, I was lucky. The extended shift made the lack of technology very noticeable. Typically, when I have a free moment at work I text a friend or look at pictures on my cell phone. It passes time. I did not have that break, and therefore decided to catch up on some reading during the down time. When I read I get sleepy. I don’t know why but it is a problem that I have been dealing with for many years. After reading a few pages I would look around for something to distract me. I noticed that my cell phone acted as a welcome distraction while doing homework. Without it, I was forced to focus for a longer period. I mentioned earlier that I typically play music in the store. This was probably the most difficult device to sacrifice. There was no background noise, nothing to mediate my lack of productivity and silence. This was missed.
Using technology has become so natural that I hardly notice when I am using it. Losing these devices however, led to the recognition of each and every subtraction. With this recognition, I was able to keep an account of my thoughts and actions. About a half hour into the assignment I stood up from my seat and pat the outside of my pants pocket. This was to ensure that I had my cell phone on me. Right after this happened I thought to myself, “well that was dumb, you turned your phone off and put it in your room.” It was a force of habit. I had lost so many phones that I always make sure I have it on me. While at the store, I was opening and getting everything in order. I had stopped by Tim Horton’s before work to get a coffee and bagel. (Tim Horton’s is a Canadian coffee chain that is prominent in the Northern region and makes phenomenal coffee.) I drank my coffee, light the fryer, walked over to my bagel and paused before taking a bight. I ACTUALLY had to think about what I was doing. For some reason as I picked up my bagel there was a thought in the back of my mind asking if I was allowed to eat it. It was the same thought I have during lent when I’m not allowed to eat meat. There is a reoccurring thought whenever there is food around asking if what I’m about to eat is meat. This was the same feeling, however a completely different situation. I was able to get more reading done and had less distractions. With the radio off, it was obviously quieter. This had advantages and disadvantages. On the “pros” side my dad and I talked more. During the semester I am busy with softball and school, while he runs the store. Any down time that I have typically occurs during the late morning, early afternoon. This is the lunch hour at the store, and I know better then to call. Our conversation is therefore limited by interruptions and time constraints. It was nice to just talk and hang out, even if we were working. Conversation was also dictated by what we felt like talking about. When the radio is on I realized that we often elaborate on what the announcer is talking about. We also talk about the music that is being played or the artist. Instead, it was a day of undirected conversation. A nice change of pace. Plus, I did not have to worry about changing the station when a song came on that I knew would not be approved. I enjoy some rap/hip hop songs while my dad and (according to him) our customers, do not.
My experiences were very similar to those reported by the students at American University. I was more engaged in my surroundings and enjoyed the random silences. This enjoyment ceased however, after about the first twelve hours of the assignment. It turned into acceptance but toward the ending hours evolved into annoyance. The truth of the matter is that our society is extremely saturated with the digital media. This unending cycle of media continues in the background of our lives whether we are aware of it or not. Our generation has embraced this saturation because it is more efficient. Without my phone or laptop I was unaware for most of Saturday about the trampling and shootings on Black Friday. Cell phones and computers make communication quicker and easier. Our society has evolved so that the digital media is an intricate part of everyday functioning. While working at Pizza Time, I had no choice but to answer the phone. If I went to the mall (which I declined for the assignment) then I would have been exposed to the radio and television. Our society has become more efficient with changing technology. It is an individual responsibility to tune out what is unimportant and utilize what makes us more informed. As for entertainment…an ipod never killed anybody, although I’m sure Hollywood is working on that.
WORKS CITED
Walker, Danna. 2007. "The Longest Day." Washingpost.com
http://blackboard.umbc.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_37304_1
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Blog #4
A large criticism of Postman was the discontinuity of reality in television, and how it affected emotional responses. He felt that television breaks the habits of logic and thinking. Paglia however, felt that this “madness” was the same madness that is experienced everyday, therefore making television a better reflection of reality. This is the stronger argument because life is uncontrollable and random. We may plan ahead, however unexpected events often arise, revising our plans. The success of the “sitcom,” or situational comedy, is in the humorous portrayal of the unexpected. It takes the random events of everyday life and emphasizes their absurdity and often irony. In one episode of Seinfeld, a regular game of “risk” escalates into an intense competition between two characters. It ends when a Ukrainian man assaults the two on a subway because Kramer taunted Newman by saying “the
The remainder of this argument was how discontinuity affected a viewer’s emotional response. Postman argued that during a news report a viewer is told of a tragic earthquake, and then, five seconds later, the viewer is watching an add for soap. He felt this emotional transition was dangerous to development. Paglia however, believed that this shift required maturity. Sympathizing with every disaster would leave a person emotionally crippled. Everyday we are reminded that there is death and destruction in the world. Detachment is a necessary tool to prevent insanity and promote learning. Paglia defined wisdom as, “philosophical detachment from life’s disasters.” This detachment is the foundation for knowledge, even if it does take the form of a soap ad.
Postman argued that reading was a method of conditioning children to sit still. This would prove beneficial in the classroom by enhance learning, particularly in the areas of science and engineering. The opposing argument emphasized the changing sensory responses of children. Those who grew up with television have been programmed to access different parts of the brain when required. There are different levels to which people are naturally disposed to a sedentary lifestyle. Some are more active then others, physically, and cognitively. Those born in later generations are more cognitively active then those born prior to WWII. They exhibit “multi-layered thinking,” or the ability to apply a certain emphasis on one task while passively doing others. I am engaging in this practice currently, listening to the Goo Goo Dolls while I am writing this blog.
Both Paglia and Postman had presented their views on the way we process knowledge. It is important however, to also examine the most efficient means for presenting this knowledge. Among all the conflicting perspectives there was one point of agreement. Both thinkers felt that there is a need to, “reinforce logo centric and Apollonian sides of our culture in the schools. It is time for enlightened repression of the children.” Essentially, schools must emphasize the features of ancient Greek mythology, and the systems of thought produced by the enlightenment. Truth is currently repressed rather then objectified through logic.
The educational system of today hardly reflects the teachings of early philosophers. Higher education is far too narrowly focused in the disciplines. The standards of society have risen so that a college diploma is the equivalence of the high school diploma ten years ago. In order to excel in a field a master’s diploma is almost required. As we are more educated however, I think we lose sight of life’s discontinuity. The more specific knowledge is, the lesser the chance of encountering a different disciplinary perspective. I agree in that society should emphasize the cognitive structure of history’s greatest thinkers, and reproduce it. I fear that as society’s standards increase, the more we are simply reading a book from left to right, and going through the motions. The box that we are supposed to think outside of is simply getting bigger. Innovation and critical thinking are compromised with specialization. It is the unexpected obstacle that teaches us most efficiently.
WORKS CITED:
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Political Blog #3
When CNN was first founded its large success grew from the 24 hour news cycle. Continuous information was being brought into the home. The network’s ability to bring the most up-to-date information appealed to the masses. Competition then developed between stations to bring breaking stories to viewers first, before all other networks. This competition has infiltrated recent elections by encouraging networks to be the first to project a winner. An early decision can create positive and negative possibilities for the network. A network’s image and prestige could be easily compromised by calling the wrong candidate. While at the same time, they could appear to have the most updated information. In the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, networks incorrectly projected the state of Florida to be awarded to Gore. A large controversy then ensued that resulted in a presidential victory for Bush. The networks were therefore wrong and have since taken steps to ensure accuracy in projecting a winner.
An article in the New York Times analyzed when network producers felt it was appropriate to share projection information with the public. All networks were having debates about how relying too heavily on exit polls could be costly. The senior vice president of CBS news stated that, “meeting the minimum threshold of electoral votes could be clear as soon as 8 p.m. At such a moment, the network could share its preliminary projection with viewers” (Steinberg 2008). ABC felt that the network might have an indication early however there is a difference between feeling and reporting that indication. NBC stated very clearly that, “When a candidate gets 270 electoral votes, they’re the next president” (Steinberg 2008). It is clear that Networks wanted to make a projection off facts, rather then assumptions, and that is just what happened.
Barack Obama obtained a commanding lead in electoral votes by gaining key states such as Pennsylvania and especially Ohio. No Republican president has ever won the office without winning Ohio, and the 2008 election was no exception (CNN 2008). The 20 electoral votes gained from this state were an important push toward the 270 required for victory. This was crucial because Ohio was a republican state that turned democratic this election, while no democratic states had turned over to McCain. The Obama victory in Ohio was projected at 9:38pm however the official winner was not announced until 11:00pm, when the 270 electoral votes were officially in. Networks displayed more responsibility in 2008 with winner/state projections. The distinction between “too close to call,” and “too early to call” was made on NBC. This allowed viewers to stay informed with many state’s numbers and make individual assumptions, without the networks providing misinformation.
There are similarities and differences that exist between the elections of today and those of our founding fathers. Election Day is in November because in rural times, crops were already harvested. Also, Tuesday was the chosen day to vote because people needed time to travel to the polls. Sunday was reserved for worship, therefore Monday was the travel day and elections took place on Tuesday. This election date has remained constant for hundreds of years. The way in which we vote however has dramatically changed. Hand written ballots have been replaced with punch cards, which were then replaced by touch screens. Technology allowed for projections to be calculated much earlier in the 2008 election. There are often “kinks” that result from using new technology. The Networks seem to have worked them out in past elections, and are now more cautious. Thankfully, this can only benefit the legislative process.
WORKS CITED:
CNN. 2008. Election Center. CNNPolitics. http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/ (accessed November 4, 2008).
Steinberg, Jacques. 2008. Networks May Call Race Before Voting Is Complete. The New York Times, November 3, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/04/us/politics/04network.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss (accessed November 4, 2008).
