Fashion Career Profile: Market Analyst

There is always a big emphasis put on the importance of having an idea of which career will be right for you, especially now in Grade 12. A new feature that I will be posting every now and then is the Fashion Career Profiles, which will give some information on possible careers I will be interested in. Since I am someone headed towards a business career in the fashion industry, I  thought this would be the best way to gather research and share it on my blog. The first career I decided to look into was being a Market Analyst. This job can be for any business which would be a good thing for me, because I would get a career in the fashion industry. If all of this isn't enough for you, check out this link here and read more about becoming a market analyst.

What is a Market Analyst?

A market analyst is responsible for providing information and insight regarding different customers and consumers, and competitors to make sure that the business is making good and effective decisions

Responsibilites:

Responsibilities include providing thorough ROI analyses of the marketing campaigns and sales; designing research projects that make sure the business’ questions are answered; conduct market research to analyze the market and understand more about the customers’ needs; develop focus groups and surveys; perform an annual customer satisfaction survey; complete competitive analysis to maintain the company’s competitive advantages; monitor and track competitors’ ads and websites.

Skills Required

Skill requirements include a university or college degree in business, marketing, or a related field; minimum of 2 years’ experience in marketing or a market research; strong knowledge of marketing, sales and business processes; strong management, business writing and reporting skills, ability to have a strong relationship and work with senior level executives; exceptional written and verbal communication skills; good business  acumen, management, analytical, and problem solving skills; strong computer skills; effective time management, organizational, and leadership skills.

Compensation and Advancement

The average salaray for a market analyst is about $60,000 but can reach well over $100,000.There are many advancements for this job, there will always be a need of market analysts because business will always want to see how they are doing in the market and how their competitors are doing, so that they can adjust their marketing techniques and do better as a company.

 

Education

 

There many universtieis that offer business programs for this job, and most Ontarion universities offer a business program.

University of Toronto – Mississauga Campus, 3359 Mississauga Road N., Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6  Management, Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business Administration Prerequisites include mid 80 average from top 6 university or M level courses, ENG4U and one 4U math. Program is 4 years long and allows students to get a hands on and in class experience about the business world, building skills in all areas of business including finance, marketing, human resources, and accounting.

Fashion Friday: Perfect Little Black Dress

  For this week's Fashion Friday, I wanted to look into the perfect little black dress that every woman should have in her wardrobe. No matter what lifestyle you choose to live, it's always key to have that black dress that can you can pull out for an event and that makes you feel confident no matter what. I've decided to take a look at a couple of different styles and what would like good on different body types. Get some inspiration and make sure that you find your black dress next time you're out shopping.

The Risque Girl

 If you're a girl that's all about taking risks, this dress is the perfect pick for you. The sheer middle will be the attention taker, and the peblum style skirt adds a flattering edge. People will be impressed you took the risk, and if you accessorize right then this dress will be a hit at any less formal event you attend. Add a simple pair of earrings and a bangle or two, but be sure to keep the attention on the dress. You can always add a blazer over top when it gets chilly, and experiment with some different shoe styles and find a pair that compliments the outfit.
   This dress choice is perfect for those who have a cone shape, and want to even out their hips with the top part of their body. The peblum style makes fills out your hips from the bottom, so that your balanced out.

 The Classic Girl

If you're all about the classic style, this pick is perfect fot you. The modest hemline and the lace sleeves are a perfect choice if you're attending a more formal event, and it makes anyone who wears it look a lot more professional and screams the word classy. Add some red lipstick and put your hair into an updo, and you'll be set for a night out. For a different look with the same dress, try a nude lip, nude heels, and keep your hair down in loose riglets, it adds just the right amount of flirtiness to this classic piece. This dress is perfect for girls who have more of an hourglass figure becaues the body hugging dress compliments your curves and the V-neckline adds the perfect touch.

 

The Glam Girl

This dress is perfect for the girl who wants to look like she just stepped off of the runway. The chic arm cut outs are a simple way to add glamour to this dress, and adding some bright coloured heels will pull the whole outfit together. This dress can be warn to several different occasions, just accessorizing it in the right way is what matters. Adding some black nylons and black pumps can make this dress wearable for an office event, or adding some pink heels and pink lipstick makes it perfect for a night out with your friends.

This style can be pulled off by many different body sizes, because it flatters and covers up any insecurities a girl may have about her body. It makes your face the focal point, which is what should always be most important.

The Sweet Girl

This is for the girls who are sweet and don't want to go too far out of their comfort zone, and this simple black dress is the perfect basic piece to add to any wardrobe. Worn by itself with some statement jewellary is a good way to go, and adding a little jacket or blazer and some heels can make it wearable for any event you are planning on going to.

This is perfect for girls with pear figures, because the skirt part of the dress disguises your hips and puts more of an emphasis on your waist, flattering your body all together.

To find your little black dress, click here to check out hundreds of styles and find the perfect one for you. Remember - it's all about confidence! Find a dress that you feel best in, and that flatters your body type the best. Happy Shopping!

New Fashion Friday Feature Every Week!

Ever feel like you never know what the new trends in fashion are? Feel a bit behind with your style? Have no fear, Fashion Fridays are here! Every Friday, I'll be posting a new Fashion Friday feature where I'll be discussing the latest trends in clothes, shoes, makeup, handbags and so much more. Get the latest news on what's trending, and get inspiration for the next time you go out shopping. Be sure to stay updated and check my blog on a reguar basis to make sure you're not missing out! 

Fashion In the Office

Fashion. Such a simple word, but can represent so much. We've been taught not to judge a book by it's cover, but what style one is wearing truly determines the kind of person they are. I decided for this blog post I would go into not only fashion, but more importantly business attire. Since I am  going into business as a career, why not take a look at what I would wear and how important attire is. It's important to not only look professional, but also be confident in what you're wearing. 
  When I think of business attire, I envision alot of suits and skirts, and alot of bland colours like navy, black and beige. Personally, I want to be able to be professional but still had that glamourous edge, so I found some outfits that I think can express not only professionalism, but make you look like you just stepped off of the runway. 

Here we have the classic business look, but with an edge. Every time the word business attire is mentioned, images of women with slick pony tails and navy blazers and pants come into mind. But who said this was the only way to dress? I really like the idea of mixing bright colours with neutrals, because it shows that even though you are professional, you're not a boring and bland person. In the picutre to the left, the red blazer adds a really nice finishing touch to the outfit because of the structure, and simple change of colour makes it pop. Opting for a coloured blazer also makes you look like you put more effort into your outfit and this gives off a really good impression to co-workers and employers, especially when you're trying to stand out as a business women. 

   Next I want to focus on pencil skirts. Just because these skirts are for work, doesn't mean they can't have some personality to them. This skirt that I've featured is the perfect pick, because of the modest length and the zipper in the back just adds a bit of flare to the plain black skirt. Some may say this is a bit too edgy, but since I want to get into the fashion industry while being a  business women, this would be the perfect outfit for a typical day at work. Like mentioned before, little details can really change an entire outfit and make it look like you spent hours making it perfect, but it's all about finding the right pieces for your work wardrobe.

Obviously, not all of a business woman's time is going to spent in the office, so it's important to keep up that professional yet classy style while out, since you never know who you'll run into. I decided to use the outfit on the left as an example because it puts comfort and class all into one outift. The skirt automatically makes the whole outfit a lot more professional looking, and the simple colour scheme with the statement jewellery is the perfect touch. Switching out the blazer for a cardigan automatically makes it alot more casual, so its perfect for keeping your professional persona while outside of the office.

No doubt about it, shoes are a girl's bestfriend, and finding the perfect pairs for the office can often be a struggle. The most important thing to keep in mind is comfort, because you want to be able to be as efficient as possible without having to think about how uncomfortabe your new heels are. The nude pump on the right is the perfect shoe for the office. The colour is perfect for adding to any outfit, and the height of the shoe is an added bonus, because you still have a heel but you won't be worrying about falling over. It's important to find shoes that you can last a day in without feeling uncomfortable, and doing enough searching around can get you the perfect shoe that doesn't comprise fashion for comfort.


Fashion really can define a person's personaity, so keeping these few tips in mind can help out any women strugging to find her perfect wardrobe. When out shopping, look for unique pieces that you can mix and match with different outfits, and be sure to have some basics too. The most important tip is just to stick with what you're comfortable with, and don't be scared to branch out and wear statement pieces, and always be sure to make every impression a good one.

Manipulation of The Media

We all know of the importance of media; no matter where we are or what we're doing, the media will always have some kind of influence on us. Often times, society is expected to follow the trends seen in the media. I wanted to go more into this, so I decided to search some articles on the importance of media in business in particular, and see how companies use the power of the media to their advantage. I found this article http://getshared.co/the-importance-of-social-media-marketing-for-businesses/ and I definitely agree with a lot of what the writer is talking about. I had been aware of the influence social media had on people, but I never really thought about how much effort and time businesses put into making their products advertised on social media sites. A part from this article talks about how Ford used Facebook to their advantage:

"So now it seems that culture and technology have met in a fortunate marriage for advertisers with the sense to learn this new market. Social networks have been around long before the internet began, but the interface that this technology enables has revolutionized the way companies and brands interact with the public. In a bold move, the Ford Motor Company, for example, decided to unveil its 2011 Ford Explorer on Facebook. Bypassing industry protocols and bucking years of established procedures, Ford presented the new model directly to the public instead of industry insiders and analysts. The direct relationship that Ford established and the feeling of ownership that customers felt as they were let ‘behind the curtain’ paid off. This type of innovative marketing campaign may signal to the ad execs of the past that times are changing."

When businesses keep in mind the power that the media truly has, they are able to make the proper decisions while advertising and reach a wider range of consumers. This new way of reaching consumers is not only helpful to the companies, but it makes things easier for people to learn about the companies and get new perspectives once they see these companies reaching out to them on Facebook. Even politics has been involved in the social media, a prime example being Barack Obama. He used his Twitter page to connect with people and this made him a lot more 'approachable' to voters, seeing their president using Twitter just like they do. The media was definitely one of his most used tools getting votes, and it led him to success in the end. After reading this article I really understood the way businesses use the media, and the conclusion of the article really ties it up perfectly:

"The landscape has changed; there is no doubt about it. Companies and individuals that wish to survive will be forced to adapt to the new environment or they will be forced out of the market altogether. The good news is: marketing in the new social media is often comparatively inexpensive and provides access to a vast global community. It also allows businesses to reach a more focused audience than ever before. For those with the imagination to exploit the opportunities that the internet offers, customers and fans are closer than ever. Like it or lump it, the network is here to stay."

Prom Season - Here we come, debt free!

Prom night – the one night that every teenage girl looks forward to throughout high school, finding the perfect dress, shoes, and taking millions of pictures during the night and capturing every memory made. But has anyone really put in perspective how much time and money girls put into their prom night? I took a step back after trying to find my own budget, and all I could think about was the cost. A few hundred there, a couple hundred over there, and a hundred or two over there and I’m already looking at spending at least $500 for this night. Obviously, the most important thing to any girl is the dress; us girls spend months discussing our dream dresses, spending hours searching online and picturing what we want our dress to look like. But when it really comes down to finding a dress, budget starts to become a major issue. I mean c’mon, we have university and college coming up, school trips, school events, and so much more that will have your(or if you’re lucky, your parents'!) wallet empty in a snap. I've gone ahead and put together a list of different ways girls can save up money in their prom piggy bank, because after all, who wants to be in debt and deal with all that stress after prom?

  

  1) What You Need vs. What You Don't

This is the first most general rule, make sure in the months leading up your prom day that you start keeping track of your money and deciding between purchasing items you want, and the items you need. This may seem like a little change that won't do any difference, but you’ll see a big difference when you start cutting back on purchasing that Bench shirt this month and those Guess jeans next month. Also start packing your lunch instead of buying from the school everyday, and try to cut back on going to Starbucks every morning, saving you not only some money but some calories too!

2) Find a job (or two!)

This may seem like an obvious tip, but for the ones that are unemployed, having a part time job really makes a big difference. Why make your parents pay for everything you want with a budget, when you could work a couple of hours a week and build your own prom fund? This way, you will not only be free of that guilty feeling, but you'll be able to expand your budget a lot more. Even for those girls with jobs, consider getting a small side job around the neighborhood shovelling snow, walking dogs, or fixing up gardens. Charge a small fee and advertise around your area-an easy way to make more moola for your big day!

 

3) Jarrin' it

Keep an eye out for those dimes, quarters, and nickels; although they don't seem like that much, they still can add up over the course of a few months. Get a jar and label it 'Prom Fund', and every time you have some spare change or an extra 5 dollar bill in your wallet, put it in your fund. Keep it somewhere where you won't be tempted to get money out of it or even ask your mom to keep a hold of it. Start a routine of putting away at least five dollars a week, it'll add up before you know it!

4) Spit up the Paycheck

Make it a habit to put aside 30% of your paycheck towards your prom fund. Put the money in a seperate savings account and make this a part of your routine.Using this tip will build your money savings skills that can be used later on in the future, and making this a habit is one of the best ways to manage your money. It'll leave you with more than half of your money to spend as you usually do, but making this cut back could widen your chances of getting your dream dress (and those sparkly heels you've been eyeing too).

5) Do Some Research

Just like with anything else, it's always important to do your research on what you're buying. Find average prices of dresses and make visits to dress stores to get an idea. Start planning your budget and goals ahead of time so you have a plan of how much you're saving and where it's going to. Find out the prices for things like getting your hair done, manicures and pedicures, accessories, makeup, limo, etc,. The better prepared and aware you are, the better your decisions are going to be.

This is a once in a life-time event and make it memorable without leaving you in debt - Happy Saving!

To get some more prom ideas on trends, visit here 

Teens and Tweens = Targets?

               Without even being aware of it, teenagers are the most targeted demographic when it comes to marketing. Every marketer is well aware that teenagers are an easy target, they have money with no bills to pay, wide ranges of interest, and are constantly being influenced by their environments and the things that they see and hear on an everyday basis. There are even websites out (www.ypulse.com) which have methods for researching youth and getting more insight on what the trends are now. Knowing what teens are into and what the interests are as of right now is something that businesses are constantly looking at, no matter what industry. Keeping an eye out for what is going to become very popular amongst teenagers is very key in becoming a successful business, because there are so many teens that will go and look for stores that carry that item that everyone has gotten into.

Another main reason as to why teenagers are so important is that they are constantly using social media websites where businesses can reach their target audience and spread the word about their products. Research has found that Tumblr and Facebook are the two most popular ways for business to interact, because Tumblr is used mainly by teens and it has become the latest trend among all teenagers, because it is a way for them to express themselves and are able to get away from the world of reality. Facebook is where a lot of teens spend their time communicating with their friends and family. Both of these social networks really allow for companies to post pictures of their products and gain attention from a large variety of people because of how quick it is for their posts to spread all over the website.

                I found a very interesting article online about the teen and tween market.
(http://mediasmarts.ca/marketing-consumerism/marketing-and-consumerism-special-issues-tweens-and-teens) is where the article can be found, and a lot of it makes sense as to what companies look for when they are advertising their products. This article also touches on tweens, which have now become an equally important target demographic. Nowadays, body image is one of the most important issues when it comes to both teens and tweens, so companies go after this and work with it in mind when they are getting the word out about their products. Marketers have gotten teens down to a science. They know everything about the average teen’ life, who they like to be with, what they like to eat, what they enjoy doing, and what they want out of a product. Keeping in mind the importance of the teenager is always going to be a vital part of running a successful ad campaign and more importantly, overall company.