Hey before I know it we are finishing the course very soon! As we have talked so much about the trillion potentials of internet throughout the couse, I saw this interesting debate on BBC "Have you say" section: "Is the internet making us stupid?"
Heavy internet use is replacing thinking according to a group of researchers. Is the web replacing serious thinking?Experts including Professor David Nicholas of University College London say that this leaves people unable to concentrate, learn and read books in the same way as previous generations. There are also fears that younger people are failing to learn the skills of deep reading and instead are too ready just to skip on to another web page. However, others including the Canadian researcher Don Tapscott claim that internet use enables people to exercise their brains.
Read the full article here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/analysis/7935725.stm
So you feel dumber or smarter, having just closed the Facebook page after checking out a few videos on YouTube??
Thursday, 12 March 2009
Sunday, 8 March 2009
Internet Marketing: Not just LBS MBAs, now even politicians are serious about it!
Thanks to Obama, now "political web campaign" is the polular choice for politicians.
After watching Obama running a successful campaign using technology to reach the masses, now Indian politicians are trying the tactic at home!
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2009/gb2009036_883317.htm?chan=globalbiz_asia+index+page_top+stories
It would be very interesting to see how well the new-edge web campaign gonna fetch in the world's biggest democracy.
But since internet and emails etc have been around for a while, what intrigued me is what took the politicians so long to realize the power of internet marketing.
After watching Obama running a successful campaign using technology to reach the masses, now Indian politicians are trying the tactic at home!
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/mar2009/gb2009036_883317.htm?chan=globalbiz_asia+index+page_top+stories
It would be very interesting to see how well the new-edge web campaign gonna fetch in the world's biggest democracy.
But since internet and emails etc have been around for a while, what intrigued me is what took the politicians so long to realize the power of internet marketing.
Saturday, 28 February 2009
How to advertise LBS as No.1 B-School on the net
Our school has been ranked by FT as joint-world no.1 B-school but as we all know, the popularity of our school (especially outside Europe) is much behind many of the top US schools.
In this digital edge, I feel that the school could have done much more in marketing itself more promonently on the internet (I am sure there are some forms of internet marketing being undertaken by LBS). Many prospective students would search the net as the first step of researching which B-school to go for, and it will be a huge mistake for LBS not to capitalize on this. As not many famous or top B-schools have started to aggresively market themselves in the net, this is an area where LBS could catch up or even lead!
Perhaps the school could start building up an online-marketing specialist team?? Tapping from what we have learned and discussed in the class, there are so many things that LBS can do. Start with more targeted pay search in Google, using the latest graphic ad offered by Yahoo, then build up profile in social websites like Facebook, Linked-In etc, brush up its profile on wikipedia, advertised through featured articles (like what IBM did lately), offer virtual tour on campus (and Windsor) and give virtual lecture for trial by prospective students??
In this digital edge, I feel that the school could have done much more in marketing itself more promonently on the internet (I am sure there are some forms of internet marketing being undertaken by LBS). Many prospective students would search the net as the first step of researching which B-school to go for, and it will be a huge mistake for LBS not to capitalize on this. As not many famous or top B-schools have started to aggresively market themselves in the net, this is an area where LBS could catch up or even lead!
Perhaps the school could start building up an online-marketing specialist team?? Tapping from what we have learned and discussed in the class, there are so many things that LBS can do. Start with more targeted pay search in Google, using the latest graphic ad offered by Yahoo, then build up profile in social websites like Facebook, Linked-In etc, brush up its profile on wikipedia, advertised through featured articles (like what IBM did lately), offer virtual tour on campus (and Windsor) and give virtual lecture for trial by prospective students??
Sunday, 22 February 2009
Internet Marketing DIY: ebay
Many of us have bought things from ebay. It is a great place for internet shoppers for almost anythings, more so there are many "power sellers" that literally depend on ebay channels. However, not until you have sold something on ebay you could appreciate the many challenges that make your product sold. In my view, ebay is a very good place (and most convenient too) to practice what we learn in the class. To sell in ebay is similar to the Google challange, the key words that you choose, how attractive is the ad and the description of the products play a big part in the sale success.
Recently I listed 3 similar items for sale in ebay. 1st with low bid price and minimal description, 2nd with medium starting bid with standard description and the 3rd with high buy-now price but with very detailed description and more pictures etc. Guess what, the 3rd item was quickest sold!
Recently I listed 3 similar items for sale in ebay. 1st with low bid price and minimal description, 2nd with medium starting bid with standard description and the 3rd with high buy-now price but with very detailed description and more pictures etc. Guess what, the 3rd item was quickest sold!
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Online Marketing: Check out some of the Pro!
Online marketing is not easy. You have to attract the traffic, entice surfers to stay on your page and hopefully they will read on whatever you put up there. Like we discussed in class, marketers resort to various tactics in prolonging the surfing on their sites by using attractive banner, interactive displays etc.
After taking up this course and learning more about the internet marketing, I start to appreciate the amount of efforts put in by online marketers. I am especially impressed by those marketers that try to sell you the "secret" solution, either for an interview, workout, or earn more money etc! Their sites are one of the most attractively constructed in my opinion and full with lively testimonies and convincing stories. Best of all, just when you want to move away from the site, a window pops up and offering you discount or clearly disguised live chat etc.
Check out the construction of this site: http://www.carboncopypro.com/
It is one of the better one I have seen. Their slogan is even more attractive: "At the end of the day, helping people grow and reach their potential is this company's mission. And PRO's goal: to create a group of at least 100 millionaires by 2012".
May be we don't have to look so hard for the full time job, just sign up with the site.......
After taking up this course and learning more about the internet marketing, I start to appreciate the amount of efforts put in by online marketers. I am especially impressed by those marketers that try to sell you the "secret" solution, either for an interview, workout, or earn more money etc! Their sites are one of the most attractively constructed in my opinion and full with lively testimonies and convincing stories. Best of all, just when you want to move away from the site, a window pops up and offering you discount or clearly disguised live chat etc.
Check out the construction of this site: http://www.carboncopypro.com/
It is one of the better one I have seen. Their slogan is even more attractive: "At the end of the day, helping people grow and reach their potential is this company's mission. And PRO's goal: to create a group of at least 100 millionaires by 2012".
May be we don't have to look so hard for the full time job, just sign up with the site.......
Saturday, 31 January 2009
'Human error' hits Google search: We have a "black swan"
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7862840.stm
Despite all the safeguards and most advanced algorithems, unexpected simple human error jeopardized Google service for 40 minutes!
Classic Black Swan event!
Despite all the safeguards and most advanced algorithems, unexpected simple human error jeopardized Google service for 40 minutes!
Classic Black Swan event!
Wednesday, 28 January 2009
Has Yahoo’s initial success bred Google’s subsequent legacy?
Google’s phenomenal success in the search and ad business is widely acknowledged and talked about. Personally I enjoyed very much in the last class listening the many interesting topics that were delivered by Simon of Google.
Although Google is undisputedly the #1 search engine and perhaps the most profitable net business , I wonder to what extent the success of Google is due to Yahoo? We know that there are major differences in the search methodology between Yahoo and Google. Yahoo basically organizes the generic search results where Google optimizes the search relevance. But the question is: Would Google see the importance of search relevance had Yahoo not succeeded in the initial search business? Had Google be the first to popularize the search business, may be Yahoo is the one today that optimizing the search results like what Google does??
That raises an interesting question: In the net business models at least, is it good to be the pioneer or follower? Obviously there are many arguments in favor of either one and it is hard to say which one is actually better. Personally I more inclined to become the follower. The reason is simple: in the increasingly competitive web space, thousands of new ideas flourish and disappear everyday. It is very difficult to hit the right start-up idea but it is relatively easier to follow, and to optimize the idea of the pioneer. Of course you may argue that the successful pioneer would have already accumulated certain mass traffic etc and it would be too late to follow, granted. But yet again we see many successful examples such as eBay, Dell model and arguably Google.
So between pioneer or follower, what’s your choice?
Although Google is undisputedly the #1 search engine and perhaps the most profitable net business , I wonder to what extent the success of Google is due to Yahoo? We know that there are major differences in the search methodology between Yahoo and Google. Yahoo basically organizes the generic search results where Google optimizes the search relevance. But the question is: Would Google see the importance of search relevance had Yahoo not succeeded in the initial search business? Had Google be the first to popularize the search business, may be Yahoo is the one today that optimizing the search results like what Google does??
That raises an interesting question: In the net business models at least, is it good to be the pioneer or follower? Obviously there are many arguments in favor of either one and it is hard to say which one is actually better. Personally I more inclined to become the follower. The reason is simple: in the increasingly competitive web space, thousands of new ideas flourish and disappear everyday. It is very difficult to hit the right start-up idea but it is relatively easier to follow, and to optimize the idea of the pioneer. Of course you may argue that the successful pioneer would have already accumulated certain mass traffic etc and it would be too late to follow, granted. But yet again we see many successful examples such as eBay, Dell model and arguably Google.
So between pioneer or follower, what’s your choice?
Friday, 23 January 2009
China Becomes Biggest Net Nation: So what?
China surpassed US to become the biggest net nation sometime last year, and the internet users are on the rise still. Despite that, China still has one of the lowest internet penetration rate and the 3G services only start rolling out sometimes this year. On top of that, its internet-related revenue remains a fraction of the US.
There is no doubt massive potential in terms of the future volume growth in China internet use. But to those hardworking LBS students that curiously taking the first-ever-experimental Internet Marketing class: so what? Really it doesn't matter which country is the biggest net nation as everyone will be hooked to the same web community anyway once you are connected.
Nonetheless, I think the case of China would provide interesting study on net culture especially from the perspective of people in emerging / developing world. Many studies we have today focus on American experience. While it is insightful, it may be less relevant in application to users outside developed world given massive difference in credit card usage, infrastructure in-place, trust and confidence etc. Therefore Chinese experience may give a good benchmark to further examine how net users behave differently in those context.
There is no doubt massive potential in terms of the future volume growth in China internet use. But to those hardworking LBS students that curiously taking the first-ever-experimental Internet Marketing class: so what? Really it doesn't matter which country is the biggest net nation as everyone will be hooked to the same web community anyway once you are connected.
Nonetheless, I think the case of China would provide interesting study on net culture especially from the perspective of people in emerging / developing world. Many studies we have today focus on American experience. While it is insightful, it may be less relevant in application to users outside developed world given massive difference in credit card usage, infrastructure in-place, trust and confidence etc. Therefore Chinese experience may give a good benchmark to further examine how net users behave differently in those context.
Friday, 16 January 2009
Facebook is forever!!
This gonna be debatable. I reckon that Facebook will last forever (eh… defined as “longer than foreseeable future”)! One of the great web phenomenons after Google should deservedly be Facebook. The speed and scale of its rise surprised many and it is still growing strong. Chapter 3 of the text book talks at length the power of the network and Facebook certainly exemplifies that (although I am still not entirely sure how to quantify such value).
The internet is an ever changing landscape. New products or solutions emerge from time to time and replaced the olds, reflecting not only the evolution of the technology but also the latest web culture and consumer habits. People network sites are not new, but My Space, Friendster etc etc have now all overtaken by Facebook. Question now is, if (and that’s a big if) Facebook would be overtaken by another application….
My bet is Facebook will be there at least in the foreseeable future. Its key advantage is the open application that spurs innovation and spread that makes Facebook practically encompasses all the latest, relevant applications (blogging, photos, IM, email, games etc), and more importantly, render Facebook self-adjusting to whatever latest needs and trends are.
Not too sure how this relates to Internet Marketing but surely people have started using Facebook as a mean of marketing and promotions (Oh yes Obama is up there too!). Perhaps the success of Facebook gives us a hint of how the next trend in internet development would look like: Successful application will have more comprehensive integrated functions than ever and marketing through internet, because of the availability all these social applications, will be more individually catered and targeted??!
The internet is an ever changing landscape. New products or solutions emerge from time to time and replaced the olds, reflecting not only the evolution of the technology but also the latest web culture and consumer habits. People network sites are not new, but My Space, Friendster etc etc have now all overtaken by Facebook. Question now is, if (and that’s a big if) Facebook would be overtaken by another application….
My bet is Facebook will be there at least in the foreseeable future. Its key advantage is the open application that spurs innovation and spread that makes Facebook practically encompasses all the latest, relevant applications (blogging, photos, IM, email, games etc), and more importantly, render Facebook self-adjusting to whatever latest needs and trends are.
Not too sure how this relates to Internet Marketing but surely people have started using Facebook as a mean of marketing and promotions (Oh yes Obama is up there too!). Perhaps the success of Facebook gives us a hint of how the next trend in internet development would look like: Successful application will have more comprehensive integrated functions than ever and marketing through internet, because of the availability all these social applications, will be more individually catered and targeted??!
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
This is challenging!
Installing all the required programs and ensuring they are running smoothly for the class are much trickier than it seems. I guess same goes for effective marketing in internet where putting the ads are easy but attracting the mass is gonna be a challenging!
Monday, 12 January 2009
Hey this is gonna be fun!!
This blog will be the cool and core place for internet marketing discussions~!
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