Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Case 1, question 1


Hi everyone,

To get started working on the first case (reading, taking notes, even writing) you can click here to access question 1 (of 2).

There are a lot of hints/tips/ideas for how to write your answers, but you're free to deviate from the models I provide if you have another idea of thinking about the answers...

Good luck!
Graham

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Odds and ends

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the lively discussion on "The Persuaders" this afternoon -- your thoughtful conversation bodes well for the rest of the semester!

And now, for a few follow-up items of business:
1) <--------- I've posted the case study grading rubric in the sidebar to your left.

2) On Monday (9/19), Lisa Daniels from the BBCC will be coming to class to help further explain the case study expectations, and to offer her professional services to help you dig into these assignments.

3) On Wednesday (9/21), I would like you all to come to class during class time (I won't be there), to form teams of 4-5 students and start brainstorming ideas for your final project for this class -- a big ol' multi-page consumer behavior wiki creation. While you don't have to decide on your topic this early in the semester, I want you to take notes and generate a list of options that you'll consider developing.

4) I'm going to populate the calendar at the bottom of the blog with the due dates for your assignments for the rest of the semester. They are, of course, available on the syllabus as well (which is available through D2L).

5) I did the math after class today, and realized that my son, who turns 1 in October, will have been on 4 round-trip plane rides (and to 2 academic conferences) before his first birthday. That just seems nuts to me!

6) Here's the Mean Joe Green Coke commercial that I talked about in class today. Thanks, Michael N.!




Photo source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0bUL8Fki9FM/TgyyzV4yQHI/AAAAAAAABSw/-ambh6b1t9Y/s400/baby_airplane.350w_263h.jpg

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Persuaders

Hi everyone,

Here's the link to the website if you want or need to re-watch any/all of "The Persuaders."

There are also transcripts, full-length interviews, food-for-thought questions, and more -- check it out!

Photo source: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/press/art/2303small.jpg

Friday, September 9, 2011

Light weekend reading


Here's a funny take on blog comments...

I promise I'll write about other topics this semester!

Happy weekend :-)

Image source: http://ursispaltenstein.ch/blog/images/uploads_img/god_computer.jpg

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

On human choice

I find it fascinating that my son, age 11 months (and change), already has distinct consumer preferences. It really opens a philosophical window to consider that this child, who can't speak, or walk, can still browse around on his high chair tray and pick out only certain foods, while leaving the others behind.

Blueberries -- yes.
Watermelon -- yes.
Cell phones -- yes, but only if they work. (He's wise to the one we've given him with the battery removed.)
Baths -- yes.
Dogs -- yes.

Bibs -- no.
Hats -- no.
Green peas -- no.
Face washing -- no.
Naps -- no.

Photo source: Me :-)

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

"My Misspent Youth"

Hello all,

There seems to be some confusion about the assignment that's due tomorrow, so I'll just post the instructions here (copied from D2L), and hope it clears things up!
***

“My Misspent Youth” instructions

1. Read "My Misspent Youth" by Meghan Daum.

2. Write a reaction paper (~2 pages, double spaced) about this essay, thinking about these types of questions:

  • What motivated the author to make the consumption decisions that she did?
  • Does she remind you of anyone you know (including yourself)? How?
  • Do her decisions seem rational? Why/why not?
  • Do you think she could have predicted/averted her financial crisis? Why/why not?
  • Did you enjoy reading this story?

3. Bring paper to class and be ready to discuss your answers.

4. Turn it in to me at the end of class.

***

Good luck!

Photo source: http://img1.blockshopper.com/story_images/20199/4/master.jpg

Thursday, September 1, 2011

Your amazing classmates

Hi everyone,

It's Thursday! It's almost the long weekend! Hooray!

Some of your peers have hit the ground running and already set up their blogs for this class. Not only are these brand-spanking-new websites exciting, they're gorgeous and funny and interesting.

Take a look for yourselves, and get inspired! (And don't forget to feed Danielle's fish while you're reading her posts...)

http://c-noceti.blogspot.com/

http://consumingbehave.blogspot.com/
http://danielleblogstoday.blogspot.com/

If someone sets up a blog that you think is particularly great, you can choose to follow it -- the link is in the upper-left corner of the screen. You can also follow this blog, which will give you a feed in your own Google dashboard, for easy access to the class material.

Photo source: http://windsormedia.blogs.com/photos/uncategorized/cartoon_blogging2.gif