Talk It Out Thursday: Mobile Marketing in India

 

Recently read an article that talked about how India is critical to mass mobile marketing. Big technology industry leaders such as Apple and Samsung have turned their attention to the vast country of India.

Interested in mobile marketing? Wanting to create an app that will be successful? Then look towards the east.

India is one of the fastest growing stages in the whole world, and not only for mobile phones! However, it is predicted that Apple could see $1 Billion worth of sales because of this market–as if Apple wasn’t already a huge conglomerate.

What do you think?

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Get to Know Some Insiders

I recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune, about the future of landing your first job. “It’s hard to job hunt alone. A study be economics at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found that referred candidates were twice as likely to get interviews and 40 percent more likely to be hired than candidates without inside advocates” (Stafford).

Some tips to get the inside scoop? Once your time in college starts to dwindle it is never too early to start job hunting. Here are some tips from the Chicago Tribune article that you may find helpful:

1. Use LinkedIn

2. Use professional association meetings to find people in target areas

3. Use resources in available job clubs

4. Use family resources….there will be some!

Now it may look intimidating, but I really do like this article and you might too! Click here to check out how to get a job by taking the initiative.

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Futuristic Homes

I read an article in Family Circle, that talked about the future homes. This article literally blew my mind away due to awesomeness of the new technology.

Not having to use keys anymore because our house can recognize who we are and let us in? Knowing what foods are going bad in the fridge because it scans every few minutes and gives detailed information regarding the freshness of the products. For example, if you are at the grocery store and want to make a filet, but need to know if your lettuce is still fresh for a side salad, you can look to your phone to check the freshness of your lettuce! wow!

So….what does this mean? Humans are using the same technology of our iphones and ipads to place in our homes, in order to jump start our future. What do you think?

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Facebook Retail

I recently just read an article in the New York Times, that talked about the success rate of businesses online, specifically Facebook. Smaller companies have better success rates on Facebook than larger companies.

So, why are consumers more likely to buy online from smaller companies than larger ones? Well, to put simply the supply of the smaller companies’ products better fits the demand on Facebook and through the internet. For example, a very successful and niche market product of bow ties from Combatant Gentlemen, does extremely well on Facebook. They have such success because people cannot get their bow ties easily in store.

In comparison to, people can go out and buy clothing or bow ties from big retailers such as: Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, and Macy’s. For this reason, people simply ‘Like’ the company on Facebook, instead of purchasing from it. So, what do you think? Will you buy online?

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Women on the Front line

Recently, there have been many articles regarding the new overturn of women not being able to serve on the front lines of battle. I read a New York Times article that talked about how the military has changed since Vietnam, and how fighting on the front line is not necessarily the most threatening thing to women in the military.

Women have been serving in the military since Vietnam. One veteran, Gen. Wilma Vaught, fought in the Vietnam War. She remembers that she was not trained with using weapons because ‘that wasn’t necessary’ for her training. She also remembers her uniform: a skirt. So, in comparison to today’s standards of women in the military, it has changed quite dramatically.

However, the women on the front line situation is not the biggest threat to women in the military. There have been numerous reports of sexual assault on women in the military–about 3,000 last year. This didn’t even account for the cases that were not reported. So why is everyone afraid of change in the military? Well, it calls for a change of women’s roles in society, which scares many people.

Tells me what you think!

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: The Tiger’s Wife

Recently, my grandpa took me to a book store and said pick one, any one! Now being the most indecisive person on the planet, this was the most challenging decision I have had to make in a while. Which book should I read day after day on the public transportation of Chicago, escaping reality that I may be on my way to work, school, or a workout class. Well, I picked The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht. 

This book is set in Balkan country after the destruction of World War II. Natalia, a young doctor, has gone out of her way to help vaccinate dying children. However, she recently finds the village she is helping is filled with secrets, secrets that are kept form Natalia while she stays there. Natalia’s grandfather, who has recently passed, is also another mystery in her life. Everything revolves around her interaction with her grandfather pre World War and before his death. This book was a great read, and at some times was just as confusing as Inception, but in the end once you know all–you’ll love it.

Tea Obreht, is a serbian-born American novelist, that has written many pieces for The New Yorker; however, this book is her first real success with a novel. In 2011, it was named ’10 Best Books’ by The New York Times. Tea moved to the United States in 1997, and received her undergrad from Southern California University.

So at the end of the day, yes please read this book if you haven’t already.

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Forever an Intern?

Recently there has been an influx of articles about the life of an intern, and how it is a step up from slavery or indentured servant. The idea is that interns are over worked and under paid. However, what is the real problem with the internship? Speaking from personal experience, I have held two internships since August; therefore, have been working as an intern my whole senior year–wow! That sounds like a long time, however, it has been some of the best experience of my life compared to my college classes. But, it has been a long process of being unpaid and working 20 hours a week. This has been such an issue lately that Hollywood even caught on

So, are we destined to be interns forever? At a career fair just weeks ago, I was prepared and ready to face any questions or intimidation– I found neither. Instead, I found that my post graduate life will again be as an intern. There is no entry-level job position anymore, without having an internship. One woman even said “…just see it as your 3 month interview”. 3 month interview! I understand the job market is competitive and even getting an internship is a great accomplishment, but recently this has been the headlines about an intern:

So the real question is, are young people destined to be interns forever?

Yours Truly

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: Balenciaga Book Review

Mary Blume, a Pairs-based journalist, has dived into the private life of Cristobal Balenciaga. The book, “The Master of Us All: Balenciaga, His Workrooms, His World” gives a first hand account of the master himself from a very trusted saleswoman, Ms. Chelot.

The story intertwines these three people: Balenciaga, Chelot, and Mary Blume herself. Blume landed a job at the Herald Tribune in Paris, a job that most women would die to have. Soon after skipping the streets of Paris, Blume had her encounter with Chelot.

Balenciaga is know for his haute couture, which he was making as a teen for the Spanish royalty. Many argue that Balenciaga’s death was the end of couture, for women were no longer wearing girdles or couture dresses anymore.

Today, the brand has been transformed by a new designer, Nicola Ghesquiere, who has been a key to embracing the contemporary style and pace of fashion. However, Ghesquiere recently just left the company in November of last year, but below are some of his designs hitting the modern runway.

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: The Land of the Binge

I recently read an article in The New York Times about everyone’s over consumption. Do You binge eat on the weekend? Or buy food you never eat and eventually throw out? We all do it–myself included! However, this article was interesting because it talked about the reasoning behind our binges.

Ever since the introduction of the internet social media there have been multiple channels for us to use to express ourselves. This over-consumption of social media and the hyper connectivity of the internet is driving our habits outside and inside the home.

“The verb binge applies as never before to television viewing, ” stated Frank Bruni, the author of the article. He believes that our lifestyles have been geared towards extreme spending and extreme consumption of not just food but TV and the internet.

So the next time you hit the mall don’t over spend! The next time you hit the grocery store don’t buy too much food! The next time you watch TV, turn it off after one house! Remember that everything must be used in moderation, and right now America is addicted to the drug that is consuming.

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Talk It Out Thursday: The Downside of Sales

Recently I read an interesting article about the shopper who is constantly on the look out for the cheapest stuff but still great quality…and ladies, that is me in a nutshell. I enjoy a finely made garment, but go ecstatic if Topshop, Tory Burch, or even H&M are having a sale! But, there is a downside to sales…yes I know I said it.

Diana Vreeland once said, “Give ‘em what they never knew they wanted”. This iconic woman knew well before her time the idea of mass marketing of clothing to women of all ages, and sometimes men. Shopaholics always looking to buy something, that we never knew we needed until the opportunity presented itself in a nicely laid out store with colors and smells one couldn’t say no to.

The article also talked about how we are wasteful with out clothing decisions. You want that cute geometric shirt for this current trend of black and white, but when it is over you will probably never wear it again–so why not buy it cheap?! This over-buying and consuming every trend that comes along with cheaply made clothing, does not make the fashion industry very ‘green’. There is a new concept of slow fashion. This is similar to the slow food movement. To explain in simple terms, it means that we should cherish high quality clothing that will last longer than those finds at Forever 21.

So ladies, do you think you can stop the hunt for cheap fashion and instead start the newest trend of slow fashion?

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

How to Network Online

I recently read an article online about ‘How to Say Look at Me! To an Online Recruiter‘. The fact of the matter is that if you are looking for jobs soon or already are, you need to market yourself on the internet more than ever. What does this mean exactly? Well, to start the old fashioned way of applying for jobs was the search online and put out 1,000 resumes and maybe get a few responses back–hopefully! However, that process never seemed to work, so don’t keep doing it.

This interesting article from The New York Times, had a simpler approach to finding a job. Most recruiters aren’t even posting jobs on the internet anymore due to the high volume of responses. Instead, they are just searching the internet for candidates. So, apply for a job? No! Make yourself searchable on the internet is way more productive than mind-numbingly sending out your resume.

You made yourself unsearchable on Facebook and Twitter so future employers can’t see your weekend behavior—you are only hurting yourself. The more presence you have online the better. So clean up your Facebook and Twitter but still keep it public! Make a blog, start a Tumblr, or create a Wix (an online portfolio site, very easy to use). Most importantly, if you are entering the business world–MAKE A LINKEDIN! I actually enjoy my LinkedIn account and find it useful for connecting with employers in a setting that is not as scary as showing off your Facebook.

Good Luck Ladies!

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

Women CEOs

In the United States, only 17% of Fortune 500 board seats were held by women. So why is it that women aren’t running the world by now? Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, has an answer to that question.

Sandberg talks about how the gender gap in the corporate world has not really changed in the past twenty years. Sandberg published a book called Lean In, that talks about her experience of trying to move up the corporate ladder being a lady. “We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in,” states Sandberg from her book.

The concept is that women take all the negative messages they get throughout their lives, and equate that to their role in society. A McKinsey survey published in April found that 36 percent of male employees at major companies wished to move up to executive roles, while a measly 18 percent of women had the same aspirations. Another example comes from the classroom, majority of questions asked are by men. While some women will eventually raise their hands to assert opinions or ask questions, the main point is that they are not normally first to do so.

The fact of the matter is, we need more women presence in leadership position not only in corporate America, but other industries as well. So in order to make this happen we will have to make small changes, I challenge you to be the first to raise your hand without being embarrassed, or disagree with opinions of both sexes. I challenge you to one day have a card that says “I am CEO….b*tch”.

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane

The End of Courtship

Recently, I read an interesting article in the New York Times, about the End of Courtship! My mother sent me this article in a care package I received a few days ago! I was so interested in the article because I have felt this way many times before. The concept is simple, people do not go on dates anymore! Men are so concerned about rejection that they do not have guts to go up to a girl and ask her out anymore. Today, the typical “courting” that goes on is nothing like the romantic era. Now, it is much more “hey wanna hang out with my friends and I at a bar”, and the worst part is that this is VIA text.

So like most of the lovely ladies that are unfortunate enough to be born in the age of dating via the internet or text, there is still hope that not all romance is lost! Yes, I believe online dating site work; however, I feel that older 20s are the only ones that use it and actually have luck with it. So for those of us who are still younger than 25, there may hope, but we may also have to wait! Remember men do not mature as quickly as us women (clearly the superior race). Here are some ways that I have met guys:

1. The gym (yes its corny but true!)

2. Friends of Friends (THIS one I believe is the best way!)

3. Already your friend and possibly something MORE! Hey, you never know?

4. Tinder. Yes I know creepy and it is through your cell phone, however this App that was created somewhere on the west coast, has actually been successful for a few of my girlfriends! Try it! Its simple and fun! Check it out here.

5. Bar, but ugh I feel like this never lasts, who meets in a bar and falls in love? BUT there are some cute stories out there of lust at first site turned into love!

6. Public Transit! If you are a city gal like me, many of the cute men can be seen riding the public bus or train, if they talk to you don’t think its weird creepy stalker status, TALK back, strangers can be creepy and scary, but most of the time they are just regular people!

7. Outdoors– yes, my parents met because they were both runners that did similar routes! So, as weird as it may be, find someone that has similar hobby as you and that way you already know you have something to talk about.

8. A man walking his dog—nothing is more cute than a man walking a little puppy, plus if you go up to him the chances are you get to see the cute canine too!

Good Luck Ladies, hope these are some helpful hints! Maybe with these you will be looking like this in no time….

Yours Truly,

Rachel Jane