The Influence of Suppliers on Marketing & Business Strategies

The Influence of Suppliers on Marketing & Business Strategies

What’s the role of suppliers in marketing? How much influence do suppliers have over pricing? In Competitive Strategy, Michael Porter explains that suppliers with substantial influence can dictate pricing, product quality, and availability. For example, in the diamond industry, a few large diamond mining companies exert significant influence over jewelry manufacturers and vendors by dictating prices, setting quality standards, and restricting sales. Let’s look at the number of conditions that enhance supplier influence over a market.

Why Beta Testing Video Games Is a Must for Studios

Why Beta Testing Video Games Is a Must for Studios

Why is beta testing video games important? How could better beta testing have helped Diablo 3? Beta testing is when individuals are hired to play video games before they’re released. This is a crucial aspect of the game development process because the players may find bugs and glitches that developers missed. Continue reading to learn more about why beta testing is essential for a good game.

How McCurdy Handled the Death of an Abusive Parent

How McCurdy Handled the Death of an Abusive Parent

How do children deal with the death of an abusive parent? What can you learn from Jennette McCurdy’s own experience with her abusive mother, Debra? In her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy describes how she coped with her mother’s death when she was younger. Despite her mother being emotionally and physically abusive toward her, McCurdy found it difficult to accept that Debra ever harmed her. Let’s look at how McCurdy dealt with such a big loss, and how you can learn from her experience.

The Science of Habits: The 2 Models of Habit Formation

The Science of Habits: The 2 Models of Habit Formation

What does the science of habits tell us about our brains? What are the different models of habit formation? There are two primary models for understanding habits and how they form. With minor variations, most authors describe habits in the same way, which we’ll call the Standard Model. Meanwhile, in Tiny Habits, Stanford behavioral scientist BJ Fogg presents the Fogg Behavior Model, a different approach to understanding habits. Let’s look at the two models of habits that are often in conflict with one another.

Evaluating Relationships: How’s Your Social Fitness?

Evaluating Relationships: How’s Your Social Fitness?

Are your relationships healthy? Who needs more of your time? Does anyone need to go? In The Good Life, Robert Waldinger and Marc Schulz provide a methodology for evaluating your “social fitness”—the current health of your relationships. This will give you an idea of who you need to focus on more and who you need to cut from your life. Find out how to evaluate relationships in your life in order to move forward in a positive direction.

The Impact of Debra McCurdy’s Death on Jennette’s Life

The Impact of Debra McCurdy’s Death on Jennette’s Life

How did Debra McCurdy’s death happen? What was Jennette McCurdy’s reaction to her mother’s death? Debra McCurdy died when Jennette McCurdy was 21, leaving her feeling lost and unsure of who she was. In I’m Glad My Mom Died, McCurdy discusses her initial reaction to Debra’s death, as well as the effect of Debra’s death on McCurdy’s acting career. Keep reading to learn more about the effects of this tremendous death on McCurdy’s life.

The Importance of Consumers & How They Shape the Market

The Importance of Consumers & How They Shape the Market

Why is the importance of consumers for a business strategy? What influence do consumers have over a market? According to Competitive Strategy by Michael Porter, influential buyers can impact what businesses offer, their pricing strategies, as well as overall market demand for products and services. For example, in the smartphone market, buyers exert significant influence due to their ability to readily switch brands. Here are the multiple conditions that increase buyer influence over a market.