Convienence or Stupidity?

     Currently I am doing a service learning project for a Feasibility class and an E-Commerce class.  The venue I am working with is called The Muse and happens to be located across the bridge here in Lafayette.  I have been studying this business and the challenges it has with bringing its target market (college students) to its venue.  It has made me a lot more aware of the consumer behavior of Purdue students.  The 21+ age group is really kinda funny.  As students, we will buy "drink specials" (that are usually watered down versions of the actual drink), ignore the cleanliness of the building and deal with poor service.  Why do we do this?  Location and popularity are definitely helpful.  For some reason or another we as students have it ingrained in our minds that anything on the other side of the bridge is just "too far".  Some of the venues on the other side have way better deals, better drinks, better cleanliness, and excellent service.  Because of this, I have personally come to the conclusion that as college students operate off of convenience.  They will continuously take their business to the same place, with bad deals, and poor cleanliness because its close or convenient. 

Triple Tradition

  This past weekend I stopped at a very well-known food establishment on campus, Triple XXX.  Just some background information, this restaurant was featured on some kind of food t.v. show for its uniqueness.  I sat there while waiting for my food and thought about the whole idea of the restaurant.  As a business owner, I believe this owner has it made.  People pay to (most of the time) seat themselves, sit next to about fifty other people, get average food and average service.  Did I mention that it has a pretty great location and that people pay for logo t-shirts (can you say free advertising)?  This place is truly a tradition.  Whether you're a freshman or a visitor you shouldn't be surprised if someone asks you if you've been to Triple XXX yet.  The funny thing is, no one asks if you've had their burgers or breakfast, because it isn't about the service or the food but more about the tradition.

Air Advertisement

  This past Saturday I was able to have the opportunity to enjoy Purdue's football festivities with my parents.  While out on the fields my mother pointed out the plane flying by with a Geico Car Insurance advertisement attached.  Quickly looking around I noticed how many other people at tailgates had noticed as well.  I believe if one was to do a study of the brand recognition of Geico among consumers that the numbers would be great.  I also believe that a main reason why so many people know Geico has to do with the many commercials the have and the association with the famous lizard.  The fact that they already have such brand recognition among consumers is great, having a plane flying across a Purdue football tailgate is just another way to keep Geico in the minds of these consumers.  Although I think it would have been more effective if the sign said something witty and memorable, it was enough to make everyone look up to read what it said.  By doing this, refreshing the company name in the consumers brain so that when they make a decision on car insurance, this will be the first place they think.