Dissertation Support Requested

BEGGING - I AM UNDER DEADLINE
(I know you know what that's like!)

IRB Protocol number 10303

Study: Business Coursework &/or other preparation for an Applied Arts career in Marketing

Hello!

        I am begging for a total of 40 minutes of your time! Openly asking if you or anyone you know would be willing to contact me to do

·         a survey (17 questions in 2 parts),

·         an interview (conversationally about 15 to 20 questions),

·         and to share some images (as you deem significant) …

… as part of my dissertation.

            Criteria is that they graduated from one of 42 AICAD accredited schools (http://www.aicad.org/) as an illustration major. There would be an informed consent form (all individual results are confidential) and your total commitment, all inclusive, is –planned for under 50 minutes. Respondents will receive aggregate level results (confidentiality assured).

            I am a doctoral candidate at Argosy University School of Business, with a BFA from UArts in Illustration, and as an educator of 30+ years, a university professor for much of that, I sense something of a potential  gap in curriculum.  The research seeks to confirm suspicions that may exist, further the conversation about what constitutes success, and otherwise shed light on the relationship between right and left brain paradigms, applied arts and business. This is intended as foundational research.

            Research is later intended as regards this consideration and other applied arts.  Further research may also venture what business can learn from the arts and vice versa.  What inherent default boundaries of thinking and behavior occur based on these right / left-brain considerations.  Cultures generally and specific to business, to the arts, and any role education plays in exacerbating such divisions, pro or con (and more).

   Thank you,

   Frank Davis

professorfrankdavis@gmail.com, 727 527 4623

*It does not matter what year you went or which AICAD school it was, which include:

Alberta College of Art and Design Art Academy of Cincinnati Art Center College of Design Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University California College of the Arts California Institute of the Arts Cleveland Institute of Art College for Creative Studies Columbus College of Art and Design Corcoran College of Art and Design Cornish College of the Arts Cranbrook Academy of Art Emily Carr University of Art and Design Kansas City Art Institute Laguna College of Art and Design Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts Maine College of Art Maryland Institute College of Art Massachusetts College of Art and Design Memphis College of Art Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Montserrat College of Art Moore College of Art and Design New Hampshire Institute of Art NSCAD University (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) OCAD University Oregon College of Art and Craft Otis College of Art and Design Pacific Northwest College of Art Parsons The New School for Design Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts Pennsylvania College of Art and Design Pratt Institute Rhode Island School of Design Ringling College of Art and Design San Francisco Art Institute School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of the Museum of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts The Cooper Union The University of the Arts Watkins College of Art Design & Film

Business Nightmares, by the grace of Sara Z

There's a new strip in town, and I'm delighted to share this related business item: comics with more vitality than Dilbert! Sara Zimmerman has an "all in" attitude balanced with a light and airy posture. Great stuff to add to your "business menu".

............Enjoy ! ..............

http://unearthedcomics.com/comics/business-nightmares/

Michael Porter; a hero disappoints.

or, the danger of the disingenuous subject matter expert (would YOU have caught this lie?)

6/3/2012 2:05:20 PM

I just took pause from my all-day work in front of the computer to have lunch … and as is my habit set myself up in front of the TV and turned on some news. Fareed Zakaria was on (I really like Fareed’s show), and Michael Porter was about to speak. As a student of business, imagine my joy (Porter’s hardly if ever on TV … first time I’d ever see him on TV)!

For the uninitiated, amongst contemporary business literature Porter’s caliber would rank analogously with, say, the Rolling Stones (were business academics rock and roll). He has essentially helped Harvard Business School maintain its vaulted pantheon position, as faculty, as serial author, etc. And I must confess, I cite him regularly (as I variously am either learning or agreeing him.).

When he and Fareed began speaking, it was on the topic of where American business was headed (certainly fascinating). Unfortunately, it appears that Porter may have taken too much grant money from corporate sources (my conjecture)! More than once he cited Americans as not being productive enough!!! Just go to Google images and put in “American productivity chart” (https://www.google.com/search?tbm=isch&hl=en&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=614&q=american+productivity+chart&gbv=2&oq=American+productivity&aq=5S&aqi=g1g-S9&aql=&gs_l=img.1.5.0j0i24l9.1547.7094.0.11250.21.13.0.8.8.0.78.842.13.13.0...0.0.aEFu6vXy1Yo). While I didn’t check each and every chart you can readily see that most if not all say, as they should, the same thing. What that same thing tends to be, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Bureau of Economic Analysis and others, is SO the contrary as to make one ill! Americans are setting records for productivity!

Now, does Michael mean productivity compared to wages elsewhere? Something like that is all I can think of. But honestly, that was the one silver lining of all the off shoring, I don’t want us to lose our minimum wage (it isn’t high enough as it is!). To make matters worse, he hardly looked Fareed in the eye, looking mostly down and to the right … generally a sign of being disingenuous.

What, it begs the question, would prompt such “marketing” (possibly propaganda)? He spoke of a study ... I'll have to keep an eye out for this study!!! If corporations could suppress wages more, somehow extract even greater ROI, then America becomes that much more attractive. Well, that's the simplistic easy thing, isn't it? Corporations have broken the middle class back - there IS no more low hanging fruit!!! How about corporations fulfilling the promise of America shifting from a manufacturing economy to a knowledge economy? Come on, Michael, you’re an old academic – don’t you want to champion corporations promoting, underwriting, etc. our knowledge economy? Why would you help "them" try to squeeze blood from a stone? Is it not time to reinvest? "Americans not being productive enough"? Have you gone mad? This so very much erodes your leadership credibility.

For those in academia you may recognize the old saw about how public schools do not “abuse” the financial aid system the way private institutions do. I am a Professor of Business of some years and actively teach for both kinds of Universities. There may or may not be an imbalance here, and both advantage monies every way they can (they, after all, each “have a business to run”). One thing is very certain, however, the public “research” schools (some, not all ... but as much their public blemish as the private schools have theirs) … are increasingly showing their stripes as paid for and bought.
I am happy to report, I can assure you, I do not teach for any schools that are bought : )

Can you think of a business alternative to fast food? Maybe a healthier alternative?




How about instead of little boxie type restaurants where there's an abandoned mini mall or a warehouse at the edge of town creating a temperature controlled atmosphere to have a picnic in, and sell (healthy) picnic foods? People would have to walk to get to wherever they might sit at least.

business idea 11.07.14 - Independent Ethics Firm

In large corporations there's always the chance that someone may attempt to corrupt whatever is positioned in plac to address corporate social responsibility and ethics. If payment for third-party system is made into a pool based on metrics and organizational size,and indeed this could even be decoupled,then there seems to be an excellent opportunity to offer custom consulting services that begin with alignment to given mission and vision statements, codes of ethics (and any other established symbology in this direction, any other documentation of this nature) ... and the team working from there offers an independent appeal process, delineates much like SOP's any other missing structures and periodically reviews all elements of a given specific (that location, a regional operations, the company as a whole, etcetera). This could be coupled as well with the grade (that can be use in marketing).
Such a firm would naturally work with all the established professional associations and any appropriate academic research.

P is for Marketing [2of2]

Real World adaptation explained


The real world adaptation in both the broad-brush stroke and in the design itself now turns to a passage considering the nuances. The Chinese have a propensity toward red, gold and black. In India, (where color is not of as much significance) we would drop the black, but would consider red, yellow, green or blue. In Russia, any consideration of color would defer to a case-by-case aesthetic. With these givens in mind, red becomes the primary background color (for all the marketing expressions, as does…), a yellow gold becomes an accent color with a determination to use a dark blue for type (“Executive Planet“, 2010).

Given the translation in the objects themselves is minimal, any good-faith effort could be made, checked, and then likely ran with. However, marketing communications would likely want to advantage both parallel as well as back translation (Usunier & Lee, 2005).

Standing on the global strength of the product itself it appears that may constitute the sum total of real world and adaptations.


Recommended adaptations

Under the heading of recommended adaptations, this writer would call in the separate issue of sustainability. Equally global, while not a primary marketing consideration, certainly a strong secondary consideration would be to focus on natural objects that are plentiful. Here is an opportunity for a marketing tie in with organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund, PETA and their global sibling organizations. Regardless whether such affiliations are established, every conscious effort need always avoid any natural object that could ever, even vaguely, be considered endangered. Given the rugged as well as beautiful entity nature of this amusement/object lesson, environmentally friendly packaging (minimal packaging) is entirely possible.



References

Chowdry, D., Prof. (2007, September 17). 4 marketing P’s; Marketing Mix 7 p’s - Everything You Need To Know [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://4marketingps.blogspot.com/2009/09/marketing-mix-7-ps-what-are-7-ps-of.html

Comm, J. (2009). Twitter Power 2.0: How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time. Hoboken, NJ 07030: John Wiley & Sons.

Executive Planet. (2010). Retrieved August 20, 2010, from http://www.executiveplanet.com/index.php?title=Main_Page

Learn Marketing.net. (2011). Service Marketing Mix/Extended Marketing Mix (reference). Retrieved from Learn Marketing.net: http://www.learnmarketing.net/servicemarketingmix.htm

Tracy, B. (2004, May 17). The 7 Ps of Marketing; Take charge of your marketing efforts and beat the competition with this simple formula. . Entrepreneur. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/marketing/article70824.html

Usunier, J., & Lee, J. A. (2005). Marketing Across Cultures (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson Education Limited. []. doi: Retrieved from

netMBA. (). The Marketing Mix (the 4 P’s of Marketing) (reference). Retrieved from netMBA.com: http://www.netmba.com/marketing/mix/

P is for Marketing [1of2]

Abstract


The point (not one of the P’s) of this paper (still not yet) is to extrapolate on one of the P’s of marketing. Classically, there are four: Product, Price, Place and Promotion. Developed, reaching back as far as the 1940s, by Neil H. Borden (published in 1964, in his work the Concept of the Marketing Mix)(netMBA). However, the P’s have doubled since then, and now include People, Process, Physical evidence and Permission (Chowdry, Prof., 2007, Comm, 2009, Learn Marketing.net, 2011, Tracy, 2004). The newest “P”, permission, is advanced by Joel Comm and other thought leaders currently writing on e-commerce in particular.

For the purposes of this paper, the author will create an entirely new product, and focus on “product” for 2 to 3 markets.



Introduction

For simplicity, we will call the product “ice cubes”. Ice cubes are literally cubes (with rounded edges and corners), made of completely clear Lucite. Suspended in each cube would be a leaf, seed, insect, flower, rock/mineral, etc. along with a clearly legible black on clear ribbon indicating the following: the common name, scientific name, and where on the planet the item comes from. The uniform sizes would be cubes of one, one and a half and 2 inches.

The product targets the scientific curiosity of the 5 to 10-year-old set. They would be sold in sets, both by genre (moths and butterflies) and by global region (Islands of Oceania), as collectibles. Natural marketing channels include publishers of scholastic materials, scientific resources, toy stores and more.




Adaptation of a P for a foreign market

This author contends that on occasion an item can be truly global, from the start. While this hardly ever happens, it is entirely possible when speaking directly to the human condition and nothing more. The Tom and Jerry cartoons of the 1950s do this beautifully, in large measure because of the absence of any dialogue. The creation of this product has exactly this intention in mind, to speak to the scientific curiosity all grade school children have.

The product itself, having rounded edges, is as safe as any small toy. Large enough to elude being placed in a small mouth, a caution not to do so would be imprinted on the packaging nonetheless (it is imagined that licking Lucite is likely not a part of the FDA or USDA daily requirements). Being a simple object, a cube, lends itself to a myriad of building block type applications. Being a clear object, (with an embedded "treasure") plays into a natural and universal fascination, akin to shiny and or sparkling things.

One may imagine that with repeated and excited marketing, these objects would become a fad. However, being such a relatively low price point item, counterfeiting would be inevitable and swift. Consequently, the branding would necessarily have to include statements such as "official", or something of the like. As soon as the "ice cubes" are established, the possibility of offering a parallel line of premade microscope slides could be considered. Moreover, once the presumed fad has clearly peaked, iterations would then follow. Such iterations could include 8.5 x 11 three-hole punched laminated (clear) sheets with leaves from around the world, pressed flowers and so forth. Other versions could be larger versions, hanging medallions, etc.

The major differentiator from market to market would be the language translations embedded on the clear ribbon for reference as to what the object is. With the exception of nuance, (translation issues, various cultural propensities for one color over another, etc.), all of the marketing (from broadcast commercial to packaging design) would seek to be as straightforward and uniform as possible.

Given the nature of this paper is to focus on one marketing “P” for 2 to 3 markets, and given that this offering strives to be “pan-market”, let us imagine two or three just to see. Like Legos, one can see ready acceptance for such a product as long as there is a baseline of consumerism for such an item. For example, this product would not work in the Breidjing refugee camp in Chad. As inexpensive as it is (admittedly, price point has yet to be determined), it may not work in the Shingkhey Village in Bhutan. Nevertheless, in a location such as Cairo Egypt, where an intergenerational family of a dozen people eats on less than $80 US per week, one may presume the occasional purchase of an “ice cube”. With that said, this author would readily apply this product to Russia, China and India.

business idea project - OR [online recovery] 10of10

business idea project - OR [online recovery] 9of10

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It is hoped the viewer will bear out the next eight clips as well before passing judgement.

The proposed business is not summed in any given clip.

business idea project - OR [online recovery] 1of10

I thought I'd go ahead and start the new year with something more engaging than I'm accustomed to offering. I had the thought to invite the audience into a project.

For the next two weeks I will post daily a relatively brief video clip (for nine days) that together constitute a fairly comprehensively developed service/business.

As always, you are invited to comment, and now in particular you are encouraged to engage back.

From time to time in the past I have offered up business ideas for the taking. This is not one of those. I personally have a lot invested in this idea and I would like to see it come to life. However, despite being fully committed and very passionate about this idea I need to share the responsibility for bringing it to life.

Given the current breakthroughs in gesture technology, established paradigms such as the Sims, ongoing advances in machine translation and the culturally accepted phenomenon of making avatars of oneself (and obviously so much more), one will readily see the 2.0 and a 3.0 and other subsequent versions will only become significantly more wonderful to experience. Still, there is enough established that if other minds of business expertise and Web creation mastery were to join this endeavor we could likely produce a muscular phenomenon in a relatively brief span of time.

If you truly can contribute in a meaningful way, and are looking to become a partner in this project beyond commenting here there is an e-mail link in my profile (in case you are not aware).

~Enjoy!

Another business opportunity up for grabs

Rarely is the post on an art other than applied art, and this performance notion is too interesting not to mention.

On September 24 (at 7:17pm), one of my all time best buds from High School (now a Professor of Theater somewhere in Schenectady, NY) posted the following on Facebook: “Said "yes" to directing one more high school musical – suggestions”?

I’m unclear what became of it, the post garnered 67 comments! For my part, however, I offered something that, to the best of my knowledge has not been done … and someone really should do it:

Frank Davis I finally have a suggestion: an anthology of eighties music videos! it could blossom into a series and would eventually have the kind of legs to get updated (by decade, medium, etc.). Acted theatrically, of course ... spare, quickly changed sets ... see this example: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V83JR2IoI8k&ob=av3e ... of COURSE i can see you directing and or acting in this. But if you use my idea I'll need a video copy, assuming you can't fly me up for opening night : ) MTV the Play!
September 30 at 8:44pm • LikeUnlike

Frank Davis Oh, and yas Gots to choreograph this (!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCadcBR95oU&ob=av2e
September 30 at 9:55pm • LikeUnlike

The point of this suggestion is to open up a whole new genre of theatrical performance (much the way ice follies have echoed off previously established works). Blue Ocean Strategy anyone?

Business Idea for the taking - Another Win Win Win for the community

   I hereby copy write this idea and I freely intend to give it away.
   I went to the fifth year reunion of my first grad school (University of Phoenix, MBA/GMT) yesterday. There were significant and varied notable considerations, and this one, in particular, is blog post worthy.
   The theme was a series of threads that will nicely together: getting back, making a difference, participating and the like.
   Among the first people I met, on my way to the homecoming meeting, was a kind woman named Janet, who took my daughters and my picture. About five hours later, I ran into her again. Insofar as she seemed to have a direct connection to the woman who was looking to call forth this consideration of contribution, I gave Janet the following idea:
   Coordination could occur directly through whatever the organization was, or through a network of occupational therapists with association with seniors. There is no scarcity of nursing homes in Florida, and a significant number (perhaps even a majority) are populated with relatively able and sharp seniors. They may not be terribly aerobic, but they love to remain mentally, emotionally and psychically engaged.
   I imagine there's a few of these settings that have flat-panel TVs in the commons room that could be hooked up to a WiFi laptop and a WebCam. Database? Sure, you could, or you could just open the phonebook and start dialin’.
   Elsewhere, there are probably a ton of grammar schools out there that would love to adopt an honorary grandparent. Many grammar schools today have projectors in the classroom. Many of those projectors have the capacity to be hooked up to any net enabled computer. Skip the school board, but don’t interrupt the principal. I suggest the phone book again, grammar schools and asking for the assistant principal.
   The questions with the schools and the seniors are basically the same: are you interested in a free activity that will contribute to your population, do you have web access (and cams) and in the case of the seniors, do you have a large screen tv that can become a monitor. (It’s not rocket science).
   So far we have both components that have to do with the human element. Here are the two components that are missing; at least from this narrative so far. There's at least a half a dozen free, digital, online children's book sites; that's one component. The other component is Skype; which is also free.
   At this point, all one has to do is coordinate the same children's book being open on half the monitor, and open Skype on the other half.
   In this way, we have engaged two populations that need, or would appreciate, engagement. It costs nothing. And it would increase reading levels for the children, a sense of connectedness for everyone and a sense of difference making for the seniors. It's a win for the seniors, it's a win for the kids, and in the long run it's a win for the community as a whole.
   With everything else about it free, well, just credit me, and let me know which schools are benefitting. I hope University of Phoenix takes me up on my contribution to difference making. Heck, I hope anybody who reads this passes it along - such a difference should get a move on!