Thursday, 19 March 2009

Tuesday, 17 March 2009

Cashflow Slides

Sunday, 15 March 2009

Sunday, 8 March 2009

Celebrity endorsement works for Nestle....


The celebrity endorsement of George Clooney has helped Nestle achieve worldwide sales of its Nespresso coffee machine hit £1.2bn in 2008, up 30% on 2007. This was the 8th consecutive year that the product's annual sales have risen by 30% or more. 

So what is the secret of it's success? First launched in 1986, the process produces a decent espresso with no spillages to clean up and there are a variety of blends to choose from. Some analysts believe it is this simplicity which is the brand's popularity. 

Advertising analysts say this is only half the story - they say Nestle's marketing has been "first class".
  • Huge marketing centred on the celebrity endorsement of George Clooney.
  • Data capture - consumers are automatically enrolled in a loyalty programme, receiving magazines and the feeling that they are part of an exclusive club.
  • Minimising the places you can buy the pods from to just the company itself.
  • Creating machines that only work with the capsules, ensuring repeat purchasing.
  • Nestle work with manufacturers to keep the costs of the machines down. 
Overall, a great example of marketing and advertising at work.

Example exercises for you to use at home if you wish....


Trading Account & Profit & Loss Account Exercises



Balance Sheet Exercises

Sunday, 1 March 2009

Top 10 Most Embarrassing Celebrity Endorsements?

The Observer Sports magazine published what they thought to be the Top 10 Most Embarrasing Sporting Celebrity Endorsements today. I have chosen a few for your viewing "pleasure." Do you think the benefits of paying these celebrities outweighs the negatives? Let me know what you think:

Ashley Cole & Cheryl Tweedy and the lottery


Ian Wright and the cooking sauce



Tiger, Thierry and Roger and the shaving foam



Hulk Hogan's Ultimate Grill