Monday, March 2, 2009
Reporter Interaction
My attempt to form a positive relationship with a "Retriever Weekly" journalist is still underway. I looked at all the staff members and viewed their facebook profiles if possible. Many of the writers had privacy settings that limited the viewing of personal information. I was not able to touch base with anybody at the 214 University Center address this week. My daytime schedule is very filled between class and softball practice. When I went by later at night nobody was there. I then resorted to looking at facebook profiles to get AIM screen names. Two members offered this information, Magan Zlock (production) and Andrea Thomson (news). I sent both writers instant messages and Andrea responded. She was hesitant to talk to me because she did not recognize my screen name. I then explained that I was contacting her for academic purposes and although I blew my cover, I think we had a positive conversation. I know that an online conversation eliminates some of the principles in HTWFIP, but I tried to make up for these losses wherever possible. My initial message read "Hi Andrea :-)". This was my attempt to smile. We had a very in depth conversation and I sent her my UMBC softball biography so she could get to know a little about me. My picture was also included so that we will recognize each other on campus. Even if we are not yet friends, I think I have laid a good foundation for a positive personal interaction.
Additional Traffic
The ways in which I will increase the volume and quality of traffic to my blog include:
-creating a link to my blog on my facebook page
-linking the most popular google search terms of 2007 to my blog. These terms include baby names, weather, maps and directions. I “googled” each term and linked the first page listed to my blog.
The links are:
http://www.babynames.com/
http://www.weather.com/
http://www.mapquest.com/beta
http://maps.google.com/
-creating a link to my blog on my facebook page
-linking the most popular google search terms of 2007 to my blog. These terms include baby names, weather, maps and directions. I “googled” each term and linked the first page listed to my blog.
The links are:
http://www.babynames.com/
http://www.weather.com/
http://www.mapquest.com/beta
http://maps.google.com/
Monday, February 23, 2009
Social Interactions
This week I was involved in five social interactions with an employee at Starbucks, my conditioning coach, my head softball coach, a Dunkin Donoughts employee and a man at blockbuster. These week I experienced more positive interactions. The two let downs were my head coach, and the Starbucks employee. The woman at Dunkin Donoughts actually gave me an extra bagel. Im pretty sure this was a mistake however it could be an apology for last weeks inedible burnt bagel. Either way, it was during my interaction experiment and so I will chalk it up to the six principles.
At blockbuster, I successfully attempted to return some movies that were overdue. I had received the call one day prior saying that my account was going to be charged. I went in, smiled and asked how David's Monday was treating him. I found out that Monday was his most hated day of the week. I offered some sympathy and joked that tomorrow Monday is the furthest day away. I then asked the young man if there was anything that he could do about my late movies to make my Monday a bit brighter. He was happy to help.
My conditioning coach was my more formal interaction. It went about like a regular conversation and I asked what he had gotten his wife for her birthday (which he mentioned was coming up a few days earlier.) It was a very positive interaction and I think he was pleased that I took an interest. I then asked if he could help me with my homework by answering some questions regarding his cell phone. He was happy to help and after analyzing his information I would identify him as an early majority consumer. He owns the Motorola Razor with Verizon service. The interesting thing is that he bought his first cell phone in 1992, but never really used it until 1995. He infrequently used it from 1995-1998 and switched to Verizon in 2003. (He doesn't remember who his first provider was.) In 2003 he frequently used his phone as primarily a camera. His usage has increased to include phone calls, alarm clock, and picture messaging. Knowing his history he is difficult to identify on the technology adaptation life cycle. Today I would put him in with the early majority due to his limited use and phone type.
At blockbuster, I successfully attempted to return some movies that were overdue. I had received the call one day prior saying that my account was going to be charged. I went in, smiled and asked how David's Monday was treating him. I found out that Monday was his most hated day of the week. I offered some sympathy and joked that tomorrow Monday is the furthest day away. I then asked the young man if there was anything that he could do about my late movies to make my Monday a bit brighter. He was happy to help.
My conditioning coach was my more formal interaction. It went about like a regular conversation and I asked what he had gotten his wife for her birthday (which he mentioned was coming up a few days earlier.) It was a very positive interaction and I think he was pleased that I took an interest. I then asked if he could help me with my homework by answering some questions regarding his cell phone. He was happy to help and after analyzing his information I would identify him as an early majority consumer. He owns the Motorola Razor with Verizon service. The interesting thing is that he bought his first cell phone in 1992, but never really used it until 1995. He infrequently used it from 1995-1998 and switched to Verizon in 2003. (He doesn't remember who his first provider was.) In 2003 he frequently used his phone as primarily a camera. His usage has increased to include phone calls, alarm clock, and picture messaging. Knowing his history he is difficult to identify on the technology adaptation life cycle. Today I would put him in with the early majority due to his limited use and phone type.
Enterprise Value
At 4:00pm on Feb 23, 2009 Yahoo Finance estimated the enterprise value of Microsoft to be:
141.73 Billion (8.89 Billion x 17.21)
Comparative Percentage= -4.39%
At 4:00pm on Feb 23, 2009, Yahoo Finance estimated the enterprise value of Applee to be:
55.57 Billion ( 890.55 Million x 86.95)
Comparative Percentage= -4.66%
141.73 Billion (8.89 Billion x 17.21)
Comparative Percentage= -4.39%
At 4:00pm on Feb 23, 2009, Yahoo Finance estimated the enterprise value of Applee to be:
55.57 Billion ( 890.55 Million x 86.95)
Comparative Percentage= -4.66%
Monday, February 16, 2009
Employee interaction
This week I interacted with employees at chic-fil-a, the dining hall, and Dunkin Donoughts. I had very different interactions with each employee. I returned to chic-fil-a last Tuesday afternoon and ordered the grilled chicken sandwich for the second time. I talked to Sandia and I discovered that before she worked at the administration building she worked at the air port. Apparently the students at UMBC are much more pleasant compared to the business men/women that travel at BWI. The interaction was neutral, I did not benefit or lose anything from the interaction.
My second attempt was at the dining hall on Tuesday night. This was a rather disturbing interaction. The abbreviation TMI stands for Too Much Information, and that is exactly what Maria contributed. I approached the register, smiled and told the woman that I could not read her name tag. She then responded by telling me that her name was Maria, she is eighty-one years old and still having sex. WOW. That was not a response that I was expecting. She proceeded to tell me about herself and I was pleasant, however I will never think of Maria the same way again.
My last interaction took place at Dunkin Donoughts on Friday morning. I spoke with Bamil, smiled, asked how her day was and she proceeded to tell me about her morning. In that time she unfortunately burned my bagel and thought nothing of it. This was a negative interaction because that bagel was disgusting and I paid full price.
Overall this was not the greatest week for employee interaction. I am typically pleasant and I did this experiment a number of times however I never benefited greatly. I now know more names of employees on campus, maybe one day that will be helpful.
My second attempt was at the dining hall on Tuesday night. This was a rather disturbing interaction. The abbreviation TMI stands for Too Much Information, and that is exactly what Maria contributed. I approached the register, smiled and told the woman that I could not read her name tag. She then responded by telling me that her name was Maria, she is eighty-one years old and still having sex. WOW. That was not a response that I was expecting. She proceeded to tell me about herself and I was pleasant, however I will never think of Maria the same way again.
My last interaction took place at Dunkin Donoughts on Friday morning. I spoke with Bamil, smiled, asked how her day was and she proceeded to tell me about her morning. In that time she unfortunately burned my bagel and thought nothing of it. This was a negative interaction because that bagel was disgusting and I paid full price.
Overall this was not the greatest week for employee interaction. I am typically pleasant and I did this experiment a number of times however I never benefited greatly. I now know more names of employees on campus, maybe one day that will be helpful.
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