Commuter bicycle trends

Here is an interesting article about commuter bicycling http://mysite.verizon.net/res6sdo1/commuter_bicycles.htm It is quite indepth and I will need to read and reread it to get the important information.
Basically the author is saying that bike shops have been slow in stocking commuter style bicycles, and then he proceeds to tell in great detail what comprises a good commuter bicycle. He does agree that it is a current trend for more people to bike to work or for chores in town. So how it affects the consumer is that we have to shop around, possibly purchase on line, know what we need and want.
This seems like a great opportunity for marketers to jump on this trend and focus on the consumers needs in this area. There are commuter bicycles available and I can't imagine it will take long for the market to catch up to the demand. We shall see

Trend paper

http://www.cyclelicio.us/2008/05/in-news-bike-shops-report-strong-sales.html. Here is the link to one article about the continuing trends in bicycle sales. The current trend in the bicycle business, is for commuters to use bicycles instead of cars because of high gasoline prices. I think this is only the current trend, because physical fitness and the emergence of specialized bicycles for mountain biking, racing, etc has created growth in this industry for decades. If you want to learn more about bicycles industry trends, well you will just have to wait a few weeks until I have written and presented my trend paper.

Marketing to Boomers

A lot of what I read in the first four chapters of Advertising to Baby Boomers, sounds familiar. It is true that the era of the 60s and 70s made an impact on the world and it will never be the same again. To a certain degree this is true of many generation, but I feel that the political activism of those times created a headset of "question authority" and marketers and advertising are a form of authority.
So Boomers as a group are generally suspicious, and don't believe everything they read. For this reason and just because it seems reasonable, I think the author Chuck Nyren is right on when he says the creatives need to be from the group that is being marketed to.

Corporate Social Responsibility?

Corporate Social Responsibility in marketing has become popular. But this popularity began because of public outcry first, and then government regulations. Remember the banning of hard liquor and cigarette advertisements on television?
The public continues to put pressure on corporations to be socially responsibility. The public prefers to see a corporation donating some of its profits to social needs of society, rather than increasing CEO's salaries, so it is in the ultimate best interest of business to be socially responsible.
The current question is whether constant bombardment with advertising in universities, municipalities, subtle product placement in movies, telemarketing, etc is socially responsible or is it degrading our culture?
What do you think?
I think it is degrading our culture, and I will make my buying choices according quality, pricing, and from companies that do not get in my face too often.

Relationship marketing

Social networking, interactive marketing, happiness marketing are all about relationships. It seems to me that the general trend in marketing is some form of relationship marketing. Then their is networking as in adding links on ones website to others websites. But of course what is inherent in good relationships is respect, honesty, courtesy, competency. So I personally am glad to see the prevalence of this new and technologically supported form of marketing.

Happiness as a business model

I read a really interesting blog on using happiness as a business model. I will post the link in the side bar. Basically what is being said is that people are willing to pay for happiness, that it is a need as well as a want. The pillars of happiness according to the PowerPoint slide show you will see if you follow the link are Autonomy, Competence, Relatedness and Self esteem.
I personally value happiness in my life and life of those I know. So consider, how your will product help create happiness and market from that perspective.

Rhodiola Rosea

I have started some Rhodiola Rosea. The plants are quite small still with 3 sets of leaves. I don't really know how to treat them from here on out. Any helpful information would be appreciated.