Customer Relationship Management

   Netflix and Hulu 

Netflix and Hulu both have strong Customer Relationship Management in terms of building relationships with their customers. Both companies have their strong points to them that the other seems to be lacking. However, one similar way these companies build relationships with their customers is offering free trials to new customers and free upgrades to existing customers. On Netflix's side they offer their lowest services commercial free, while Hulu has limited commercials for their lowest package.  On the other hand, Hulu has High Definition shows available in their basic package while Netflix does not. 

    Personally, Netflix has the better customer building strategy to me because of their better customer service and optimized packages that allow all paying customers to receive the same shows, which if you are a regular TV addict, this is key. Hulu only offers a limited amount to its customers unless they pay for the bigger package. To me, if I'm paying for any extra service on top of my regular cable provider, I'd like to be able to skip commercials and watch the full length of shows. 

    Both costumers personalize their services for its customers by offering it with a no contract, no haggle payment plan. Unlike cell phone providers, these companies offer a pay as you go meaning if you are going to be on vacation for a month or school is starting up for the kids, you can cancel your service for that next month and pick it right back up with no penalty or haggle. 

    A strategy that both of these companies could implement to try and retain customers would be to offer

Ebay vs. Amazon Affiliate Programs

Ebay vs. Amazon  

     Both Ebay and Amazon have a strong affiliate program offered to loyal users. A positive outlook for partnering with either of these two companies is that consumers are able to recognize and are more likely to be already using their services. Partnering with an affiliate program will help to earn more revenue on the side.

Ebay's affiliate program has a simple easy to use program that once signed up, will offer you with numerous analytical tools and widgets to help track your consumer traffic as well as points earned. Ebay has competitive rates as well as a bonus program for reactivating old ebay accounts integrated into their program.. Ebay's tracking helps let them know where your traffic is heading after clicking on the link, this lets them know afterwards how effective you're being and better accounts for you being commissioned.

Amazon's program offers a little more incentive with their percentage rate that pays more based on what your costumers go to specifically, making advertising more customizable on your part. If you know what type of consumers you are marketing your services to with your website or blog you can better cater to their needs. Amazon also sends you detailed reports 24/7 to help you track your progress and lets you know what your customers are interested in most to better cater your program. Their report provides you with revenue, commission ratings, and turnover ratios 

Who Will Remain on Top? Nintendo or Microsoft?

Since the dawn of technology and entertainment, video game makers have fought each other for the top spot in market share. Video game industries hasn't been all that successful in the past few years, with the economy where it resides. With the introduction of other digital multimedia, such as the iPhone, can be more portable and practical.

The dawn of Nintendo's success comes from it's kid friendly games and family oriented experience. Nintendo wants to market to the traditional American family game night. Families have always strived to create activities to bring them together, this is what Nintendo thrives on. If a family wishes to come together to have fun and enjoy each others company over thrilling games, than they can accomplish it with a Nintendo game console. 

Nintendo made this clear to other video game industries with their introduction of the Nintendo Wii game system. Utilizing it's motion sensitive controllers Nintendo was able to rise to the top of the market share over Microsoft. 

Microsoft lost a lot of sales that year by not expanding their marketing segment. Nintendo includes not just the gamer target market but families too; mom, dad, sister, they can all partake in the fun on easy to learn games. Microsoft's console, the Xbox 360, catered to the original gamer used to first person shooters and other thrill seeking installments. 

Nintendo was able to cater their marketing mix to better suit a broader community and thus made their product more appealing to more consumers. 

Dunkin' Donuts or Krispy Kreme? Which Do You Prefer?

To the ordinary everyday person, Dunkin' Donuts and Krispy Kreme are apart of almost anyones morning. They both sell coffee and donuts, and all in a timely manner for you to make that 8:00 AM meeting. Having a place that can supply you coffee and a morning treat for your coworkers, all on your way to work, is no easy task, but for some it is a lifesaver.

Now, if you ask someone which they prefer, it would take them a quick minute to realize which sounds sweeter to them, in most people's minds, it's Dunkin. Both companies, however, have realized  it is hard to get into the customers mind in order to create the most product awareness. Coming it as close second between the two is Krispy Kreme.

Krispy Kreme, since 1937, has been thought to been the old American tradition. However, their one main tradition has been focused around selling donuts, which isn't typically in the consumers minds when they first wake up. The answer, however, is coffee. 

Dunkin Donuts has since been in the consumers mind as a coffee distributor ever since business in 1950. Coming into the market place as a world famous coffee supplier has since gained Dunkin Donuts their main market share. 

Dunkin donuts has entered the market as a coffee supplier that pulls customers in to where they also purchase donuts. Krispy Kreme has entered the market as a donut supplier that also sells coffee. This is what truly separates the two businesses, and thus, creates the market share Dunkin' Donuts has been fighting for all along.

Bose vs. Beats

       In the music world, headphones of the highest quality are always in demand. Because of this, customers often turn to Beats or Bose sound quality products. Often to not, with either product, you get what you pay for, however, it is typically the name some users prefer.

Over the past few years Beats has gotten a lot a lot of publicity over Bose due to major NFL players wearing their preferred headphones while on air. Seeing that the NFL is endorsed by Sony, these have resulted in major fines to the players. Luckily for Beats, offering to pay the fines incurred by some of the most well known athletes on the planet has produced the best publicity possible.

Beats has since been on top of the market shares in popularity with just their Youtube views and subscribers, absolutely demolishing that of Bose in the rankings. Product Recognition has sky rocketed just the past year because of this. 

Gatorade Vs. Powerade

Gatorade and Powerade have been rival companies ever since Powerade's entrance into the market in 1988. With market recognition since the early 1960's, Gatorade has demanded market share for the majority of the drink market. It was only until the early 2000's that Powerade answered back with their own sports drink lineup that competed with Gatorade's for taste and electrolytes. 

As years went by for both powerhouse companies, Powerade started to pull away in 2009 after accusing Gatorade of coming up short in a taste test. Powerade containing more sugars than Gatorade was enough to win back some market share as more regular customers started to purchase it as a leisure beverage rather than a sports drink

The allegations that Gatorade did not contain near as many electrolytes as Powerade were also brought up, hitting the major drink consumer with a minuscule number of market share points in 2010 from 2009. 

Since then, Gatorade has made an enormous lead on the sports drink with major deal endorsements and sponsorships all over the world. With their majority of drink choices now ranging to recovery drinks and fruity flavors, Gatorade has since been dominating the market ever since.

The Summer Sell-Off

Everyone remembers a time in their life when they're walking through the mall, looking at all the different stores, and suddenly, out of nowhere, they see millions of bright colors and abstractly dressed teens. More than likely, you were looking into a modern day skate shop, known for its fashion in summer wear and tight fitting clothing. Now, to compare and contrast some of the most popular names in sun wear, Pac Sun and Zumiez. 

Zumiez marketing strategy mainly focuses on latest trends by so-called Indie artists that they believe their target market to be most interested in. Artists like Mac Miller and G Eazy have featured in some of Zumiez clothing lines. 

Pac Sun likes to focus more on package deals that allow their customers to think that they are getting more for the money they spend. In a marketing sense it allows them to have an edge on competition by complimenting products together that some people may find attractive. 

Closer to the Victory

Nike and Adidas have been rivals ever since the dawn of sports. Whether you choose to be outfitted by either one is your choice. However, both have fought equally as hard to make its way onto your extremities with either a pair of shoes, athletic wear, or sporting equipment.

In the fight to end up on athletes shoulders, both Nike and Adidas have stepped up their marketing game to reach anyone and everyone out there aspiring to greatness in their field of expertise. One thing major that Nike does over Adidas that is pretty evident is their ability to customize most of their footwear that they offer. Being able to cater to people's desires help for a more easier way to market. Allowing consumers to be in charge of their own product.

Adidas was able to answer back with a similar program, offering more of their product line up for customization, however, not as in-depth as Nike. With Nike's ability to change every aspect of the shoe down to the inside soul to glow in the dark laces, to 3 different color variations on the shoe itself, Adidas is only able to change out 1 exterior aspect and different color laces. 

When German Engineering Just Isn't Enough

Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have been battling it out to enter the hearts of Westerners. Now a days, simply modeling cars in their showrooms just isn't enough to really tie someone into spending a year's paycheck on one of their bavarian motor vehicles. This day and age, Mercedes and BMW have turned to a more heartfelt approach to people. Personal stories. 

Now while everyone loves a good tv paid actor, real personal stories from customers seem to hit the heart so much deeper. So much, that both german brands partook in the festivities. Now as to which car company did the customer engagement process better, the trophy would have to go to BMW. BMW was able to be more effective by grabbing the readers attention with more realistic stories coming from common American families. Not necessarily coming from the wealthier customers as these brands seem to market more towards. Having families tell their story about their BMW lasting them for years with just regular maintenance inspires people to trust and spend more.

In doing so, BMW and Mercedes are able to use customer experience as their marketing tool to be appeal to families. Both companies are able to be engaging, effective, and trustworthy through these marketing techniques.