Business for a Better TOMorrow.

Photo taken by bark on flickr.com.  Found by creativecommons.com.

We are used to the typical businesses around us.  Go in, pick what you need, pay them the money they want.  Drive through, order up, give them whatever prices they announce over the intercom.  Get online, add to your cart, and hand over your credit card number.  Pretty much every business is obviously in it for the money, and that's all.  But surprisingly yet increasingly, we are beginning to find businesses that work a little differently.

These business have a goal of making the world a better place and making for a better future.  One of my favorite businesses like this is TOMS Shoes.  If you haven't heard of this sweeping trend already, TOMS is no ordinary shoe source.  For every pair of TOMS sold, TOMS Shoes gives back a pair to a child without any shoes for themselves.  But why shoes?  TOMS gives shoes to children often in third-world countries.  Those children are more prone to diseases that are in the soil.  These diseases can penetrate from the ground into bare feet.  Without shoes, these children are likely to get cuts and injuries on their feet, welcoming any germs or illnesses.  Not only does their health depend on something to cover their feet, but also their education.  Some children without shoes are not allowed to go to school because shoes are a required part of their uniform.  Shoes can make all the difference, and the founder of TOMS understands.  

I proudly own a pair of TOMS, myself, one of many more to come.  The fact that they are extremely comfortable, versatile and of course cute doesn’t even come close to knowing you helped a child in need just by purchasing something you can enjoy, too.  TOMS is a way that I turned a normal purchase into something even greater.  Hopefully, businesses like these will blossom, turning every-day purchases into things that can change the world.

For more on the TOMS movement and the full story, click here.

Works Cited

"Our Movement." Www.toms.com. TOMS Shoes. Web. 24 Feb. 2011.  

      <http://www.toms.com/ourmovement>.

"Greeting Card Holidays"

Valentine's Day Shop Window Photo

T'was the night before Valentine's Day and all through the town

Was the hustle and bustle of running around

The balloons were blown by the flowers with care

In hopes that last-minute romantics soon would be there

Mom with the cards and Dad with the chocolates

Give a good laugh to the big-building conglomerates

On spouses, on girlfriends, on boyfriends, on fiances

Make sure you have the best gift for your sweetheart this day!

Hallmark rejoiced and American Greetings in delight

Happy Valentine's to all, spend all your money tonight!

    I couldn't help but watch all the frantic customers run in and out of Wal-Mart last night as I waited at the crosswalk to leave the parking lot.  Every year I am more amazed at how crazy the last-minute crowds are in every store before the holidays, even Valentine's Day.  I always can't help but wish I was a greeting card company owner, probably rolling in the dough by this time of year.  That makes me wonder, do such companies hype up the holidays, tricking consumers into thinking they have to have their products to really make the holiday?

    I am in no way bashing the gift-giving and card-sending of the holidays.  In fact, I love to get a nice card in the mail, who doesn't?  But I'm afraid that for some of our society, holidays like Valentine's Day and Christmas have become contests of the biggest presents or the most money spent.  While it's always nice to give, and you want to see your loved ones happy (guilty).  I love giving surprises, and last Christmas, I had a Razorback hat signed by Ryan Mallett and the rest of the team to give to my little brother.  Sometimes we just can't help going over the top!  But sometimes, too far is too far. 

    While I'm sure no greeting card or paper company will ever admit it, they seem to really play up the holidays, whether through their advertisements or in their stores.  Looking through Wal-Mart just the other day, I noticed Justin Bieber Valentines, which is clear marketing to children.  It's hard to know you have to impress your children at school amongst all the other parents lavishing them in gifts and deliveries.  It's also hard knowing your child is growing up in a society that constantly wants.  I couldn't do it, that's for sure.  In fact, I'm probably one of them.  I just think that it's important, especially around the holidays, that we remember not to get wrapped up in all the buying and letting greeting card companies own us for a few weeks out of the year.  Let us love others around us with our hearts, not our pocketbooks.  

Molly McAfee

Black, Yellow, and Lots of Green

Super Bowl 2001 ads sneak peek, courtesy of CNN Money

www.money.cnn.com

     It's the long-awaited event every year for every NFL team and their loyal fans: the chance to compete for the title of Super Bowl Champions.  Teams vigorously practice all year round to sharpen their skills so that no other team stands a chance against them.  Millions of sports fans tune in to cheer on their favorite team.  But for the rest of us who aren't in it for the final score, there are the other components to the Super Bowl airing: the infamous Super Bowl commercials.  These advertisements bring not only the select few covered in face-paint and donning their favorite jerseys to the television, but the rest of us who don't care much about the game to the couch as well.  For years, these ads have been some of the hype to the whole event, as they continue to be more and more entertaining, but kind of expensive.

 The following link will take you to Aaron Smith's article for CNN, which will be used as the basis for my factual information:
Super Bowl ad time: Pricey but worth it?
  
     And by kind of, I kind of mean $3 million for every 30 seconds (Smith, CNN Money).  But why should companies go this distance just to be on TV for no less than a minute at a time?  Because, like Smith stated in his article, over 100 million viewers will probably tune in this year.  Paying those big bucks can mean big exposure.  Companies are fighting harder than ever for consumers' attention.  They're willing to pay the price to be fresh on a buyer's mind the next time at the grocery store.  Super Bowl commercials are an excellent example of the way the media effects consumers of this generation.  We see things on T.V. presented so wonderfully that we have to have them.  Not only are there two teams battling it out on the field, but a fight between companies to land a spot on your next grocery list.  They know millions of audiences will be captured this weekend with their humorous, witty, and expensive advertisments.  As Super Bowl XLV draws nearer, I wish the best of luck to both teams...and all the companies battling it out on Sunday.

Molly McAfee

Works Cited

Smith, Aaron. "Super Bowl Ad Time: Pricey but worth It - Feb. 3, 2011." Business, Financial, Personal Finance News - CNNMoney.com. CNN, 03 Feb. 2011. Web. 03 Feb. 2011. <http://money.cnn.com/2011/02/03/news/companies/super_bowl_ads/index.htm?hpt=C2>.