Tag Archives: market research

by | Wednesday, January 13, 2016 · 7:47 am

Facebook Top Events of 2015

Facebook

One of the best things about the end of the year is the opportunity it gives us to reflect on the past, while we prepare for the year ahead. In the spirit of reflection, Facebook has released its summary of the world’s top moments and events that generated the most buzz in 2015.

Among the events was the most shared event in Facebook’s history included the U.S. Presidential election, Nov. 13 attacks in Paris, Syrian civil war and refugee crisis, Nepal earthquakes, Greek debt crisis, marriage equality, and more.

Which events did you follow?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss the importance of market research. What are sources that can be used? Why is tracking trends important?
  2. Bring up the site and show the video: http://yearinreview.fb.com/
  3. Divide students into teams and have each team examine a different Facebook topic.
  4. What are the trends from that topic?
  5. How can these trends be used to develop new products?
  6. Debrief the exercise by listing the ideas from each team.

Source: Facebook

Leave a comment

Filed under Classroom Activities

Tagged as , , ,

by | Friday, January 8, 2016 · 8:18 am

2015 YouTube Videos Rewind

Video

No year-end review of social trends in 2015 would be complete without watching the top trending videos of 2015 on YouTube. Adding to the reflective spirit, YouTube’s year-end review includes the top trending views globally, top trending music videos, and the most popular videos across categories such as comedy, gaming, science, technology, beauty, fashion, sports, and more.

View these videos and consider the social trends that they started and the implications for marketing. Are these a preview of future trends, or have they already become passé? What will 2016 hold?

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Discuss YouTube’s appeal to viewers. Poll students: What do they watch, and why?
  2. Show Web site: https://www.youtube.com/user/theyearinreview
  3. Assign student teams to one of the categories of videos. Give each team 5 – 10 minutes to pick out what they consider to be the video that most influenced consumer trends in 2014.
  4. Next, have each team brainstorm on how to expand from the lifecycle of the trend.
  5. Debrief assignment by showing the top video from each category.

Source: YouTube

 

 

Leave a comment

Filed under Classroom Activities

Tagged as , , ,

by | Saturday, February 7, 2015 · 2:39 pm

Target Exits Canada

Target

A little over two years ago, Target Corp. entered the Canadian market at full force, opening 133 stores and employing more than 17,000 staff. Today, the company is withdrawing from its entire Canadian operation, shuttering stores, and declaring bankruptcy protection in Canada. Depending on which news source is reporting, the loss is estimated to be between $2 billion and $5.4 billion. As Target CEO Brian Cornell stated, “Simply put, we were losing money every day.”

Losses happen. Mistakes happen. Businesses shut-down all the time. But, Target making such a giant misstep? And at such a high level? What happened?

This will be an excellent case study for years to come as business analysts examine the operation and look for clues to the massive errors. Among the more obvious errors: differences in suppliers, pricing, stock-outs, distribution network, culture, loyalty, competition, and lack of differentiation.

Group Activities and Discussion Questions:

  1. Use this case to illustrate how a SWOT analysis grid can be used by businesses. Discuss how to build and use a SWOT analysis grid: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (internal and external factors).
  2. For entering a new market (such as Target entering Canada), break students into teams and have each team build a SWOT analysis grid. Strengths: what is company good at? Weaknesses: what needs work? Opportunities: what is going on in marketplace? Threats: what should company be wary of?
  3. Based on the analysis, what are the issues and risks that might occur?
  4. Debrief by building SWOT analysis grid on the white board.

Source: New York Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, other news sources

Leave a comment

Filed under Classroom Activities

Tagged as , , , , ,