Monday, February 27, 2012

Blogger Review

Professional Blogger URL: http://www.copyblogger.com/


Copyblogger was founded in 2006 by Brian Clark. Brian is CEO of Copyblogger Media, a serial entrepreneur, and a recovering attorney. The blog provides blogging tips to help businesses succeed in their websites. Copyblogger is about helping businesses get traffic, attract links, increase subscribers, grow revenue and profits. Copyblogger gives tips on how to make business websites look appealing, professional, and gain followers.  Copyblogger is visually appealing and straightforward. It is very easy to follow, and allows web designers to gain helpful tips in order to attract consumers. Most of the blog posts are numbered in steps with straightforward comments. This is quick and easy for followers to read, and effective for followers. 

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Incorporating Cloud Computing & Photoshop

Entrepreneurial Idea Overview: 
Basically creating a self-serve frozen yogurt shop on Marshall Street: 12 different flavors (flavors will change every week or so), 70 toppings to choose from, and all at a reasonable price at $0.44 per ounce. It will provide non-dairy flavors, holiday specialities, and a variety of different toppings. A great addition to Marshall Street :)

Lecture Post:

Cloud computing is efficient and convenient, especially for the restaurant business. Cloud computing would allow me to access information anywhere at anytime. If the Frozen Orange continues to be a huge success, there will be no doubt in branching the business out to other college campus areas. Cloud computing will allow me to distribute and access information to other branches of the business. This will benefit me in saving and sending information without the frustration of where it's located.
Another technological use for my frozen yogurt shop is by using Photoshop. Photoshop will allow me to upgrade photos taken of the shop's interior and exterior. I will then post the upgraded pictures on social media websites such as Facebook and Twitter in order to attract customers around the Syracuse area. I would also use these pictures on display on the interior walls of the shop.
Cloud computing and Photoshop are two different technological advantages to my frozen yogurt business on Marshall Street. They will help me quickly access information and attract consumers at the same time. 

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Competitive Analysis

Entrepreneurial Idea Overview: 
Basically creating a self-serve frozen yogurt shop on Marshall Street: 12 different flavors (flavors will change every week or so), 70 toppings to choose from, and all at a reasonable price at $0.44 per ounce. It will provide non-dairy flavors, holiday specialities, and a variety of different toppings. A great addition to Marshall Street :)

Competitor #1:  http://www.orderrolypoly.com/code/menu/items.asp?CategoryID=36
Roly Poly serves frozen yogurt at their store, but it only comes in one flavor in four different sizes. It's a nice addition to the menu, but it lacks variety for the customer. Whereas my store will serve a variety of yogurt flavors and toppings for the customer's choosing. Roly Poly also has a set price on their yogurt, whereas my shop allows the customer to pay for the amount of yogurt they choose.


Competitor #2: http://syracuse.insomniacookies.com//index.php?route=product/categories
Another store that serves frozen yogurt is Insomnia Cookies. Likewise, they only serve one flavor in only two different sizes: pint and quart. This limits the customer from choosing from a variety of flavors, toppings, and sizes they want.  

Roly Poly and Insomnia Cookies have frozen yogurt on their menus, but only offer the same original tart flavor in set sizes. These are the only big competitors I have selling frozen yogurt. My shop is different because it has a variety of frozen yogurt flavors, toppings, and best of all, it allows the customer to choose how much they want in a serving.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Incorporating Computer Forensics

Entrepreneurial Idea Overview: 
Basically creating a self-serve frozen yogurt shop on Marshall Street: 12 different flavors (flavors will change every week or so), 70 toppings to choose from, and all at a reasonable price at $0.44 per ounce. It will provide non-dairy flavors, holiday specialities, and a variety of different toppings. A great addition to Marshall Street :) 


Lecture:
Pertaining to my self-serve frozen yogurt shop "The Frozen Orange", I need to be very careful on how I handle my assets. Knowing I will handle everything on my own computer, I will carry a laptop full of my personal information, and a desktop for my business information. I will need to make sure that I don't mix up my personal information with my business one. Just in case hackers won't pull up personal information on me in a crisis scenario.
I will most likely apply for a loan in order to start this business, so I will need to check up on my credit score in order to qualify for a loan. Banks use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan, at what interest rate, and what credit limits. They also use credit scores to determine which customers are likely to bring in the most revenue. Banks aren't the only ones who use credit score on their consumers. Mobile phone companies, insurance companies, landlords, and government departments employ the same techniques. So in order to make the most of my business, I need to keep track of my credit score.
Taking precaution on my computer and credit score will help me and my business. It will put me at a lesser risk of hacking or bad credit score. From this, I will take precaution with my computer when starting my frozen yogurt business. 



Sunday, February 5, 2012

Incorporating Social Media & Excel

Entrepreneurial Idea Overview: 
Basically creating a self-serve frozen yogurt shop on Marshall Street: 12 different flavors (flavors will change every week or so), 70 toppings to choose from, and all at a reasonable price. It will provide non-dairy flavors, holiday specialities, and a variety of different toppings. A great addition to Marshall Street :)



Lecture Post:
To begin with, the use of social media would help advertise to the Syracuse community. I would create Facebook and Twitter pages for The Frozen Orange to gain attention. I would create updates on new flavors (i.e. “gingerbread and eggnog flavors just in time for the holidays!”) , toppings, and special events (i.e. “buy one cup, get the second cup half-off going on today from 3-5pm”). Customers can also comment or tweet on the pages about their thoughts, questions, and suggestions for the shop.
In addition, the use of Microsoft Excel will help me keep track of earnings and store management. I would create one tab based on monthly earnings. This will include the amounts of yogurt dispensed, toppings used, and drinks purchased for each month. Here, I can determine which flavors, toppings, and drinks were popular and which were not. 
I would then create another tab based on monthly spending in inventory, store rental, utilities, employees’ earnings, etc. At the end of each month, I would check to see if the shop’s monthly earnings satisfy spending requirements in order to keep the shop running. This would help me keep track of earnings and spendings, and determine if my business will run smoothly in the future.