So I thought I would start by relating the readings to my own life.. as they do.. ALOT. As I work for my parents, there is no barrier between work and personal life, they are just one massive thing I have to deal with. Technology also plays a massive part in our business. Most of the staff have iPhones and we can use 'apps' including the OakleyView to show customers how Sunglass lenses vary rather than taken glasses out of the cabinet, or showing them the surf on the HurleySurf application.
Even though I believe these apps help in our shop, customers also need the feel of the product before they buy it rather than see it through a phone application. Did the customers ever think, 'Hey, this application may actually be lying to me?'
A point that Bradwell and Reeves make is that social networking platforms blur the boundary between work and personal life. This is correst, but the increase of the use of social network in both work and personal life help maintain our social interation.
At my parents work, we use Facebook to communication with customers. The use of Facebook has definatley increased business, and we have several comments, wall posts, messages and friend requests per day.
Bradwell emphasises the point of the importance of business embracing social networks statubg that they should take advantage of the connections they facilitate.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_D_Z-D2tzi14/S8TRIo4br3I/AAAAAAAACv4/Zh7_GcMlRKo/s1600/ALOT.png
ReplyDeleteIt is incredible how technology plays such a big part in everyones lives, including those who run businesses. Many businesses now have there own apps or integrate the use of other apps into the running of a businesses. The apps used at your parents store seem like a great way to interact with customers as well as an easy way to provide customers with information.
ReplyDeleteSarah, you will have to show me this OakleyView app as I am confused as to how successful it could be. When buying items such as sunglasses which are usually quiet expensive, I’m not sure if I could base my purchase decision on what an app shows me without actually trying on the physical product. ..Although it is scary to think how much we have become accustomed to the use of technology in every facet of our lives as often we do purchase something online based simply on what is shown in a pixelated image of the product.
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