What others say DOES matter! Consumer Purchasing

There are so many products and services all around the globe. Businesses put their best foot forward when marketing and advertising and their efforts do drive revenue; however is it just marketing that brings people to purchase a service or product? This isn't always the case. Consumers like to know the experience of other consumers. It makes perfect sense. I can advertise that Apple makes the best products. The only way to validate this is to have the opinion of Apple users. 

We also have to keep in mind that not every product or service our favorite brands put out will be great. People use certain things for different reasons. If you look at smartphones and laptops for example, depending on what you are using the device for will determine the type you get. If you are using your gadgets for business then you need a device capable of handling the job you wish to perform. Again, this is only half of it. Some people prefer to work with simpler platforms than others. Something very easy to navigate, while others enjoy figuring out great complicated apps that will make their daily tasks simpler. It depends on the consumers preference.

Bottom line, consumers like to know what other consumers are doing. What they are purchasing and why? If we decide that the Samsung Galaxy looks like something we want to buy we will look into what Galaxy users have to say. Everyone will have a different opinion but we will be able to read a few to kind of get a sense of how the product works and the satisfaction of the customers.

Some may argue that customer reviews now a days are mostly fake. This is also true, but when you read a product or service review you can tell if it is questionable. Looking for reviews that go into detail is also key. If the review says "It sucks!" and nothing else, that will make you wonder. Why does it suck? We need reviews that will give detail. If the product is great, then why is it great. Consumers will like a product or service for one main reason or a few. The truth is consumers prefer customer reviews more than critics. They prefer this because the consumers are going to say if a product isn't what it is hyped up to be.

Even with everyday products we look to others for their opinion. This is also word of mouth marketing. People share information with other people. If something is great we want to praise it to someone else. If it is horrific we want to complain about it to someone. This is just how humans are. 

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This article was inspired by Forbes.com, author Bradford Williams article "Five rules for building engagement with product reviews. Visit Forbes.com to read full article

What makes Business Great?

Article inspired by Julia Pimsleur Forbes.com 
"5 Seeds to Sprout Success: growing a business that does well and does good" (Liz Neumark)


There are many things that make business great. Knowing that you are providing a product or service that the people (consumers) need and want is a great reward. But how do you build your businesses into a great one? There are many ways to accomplish this but hard work and dedication will always be at the top of the list.

Mistakes are good. Some may feel when you make mistakes you are failing. This isn't the case. Mistakes help us grow as individuals as well as provide experience. The only way you will know if something works or doesn't is by trying it out. You have to be willing to try and tweak when needed. Mistakes are probably the best teachers. Just like children, when starting out you are not aware of many things. Your parents may say not to touch the stove and prevent you from doing it. It will not be until your hand gets burned that you truly understand. 

Networking is also a key task. When done correctly you build loyalty while exposing your brand (business) to others. Taking time to develop your professional network is very important. This allows you to have options when seeking business advice as well as word of mouth marketing. It also puts you in line to meet some of the key players in your industry along with others. A strong network can assist any business small or large when used properly. Investing in your professional network is always a plus.

Nurture, Mentor, and Invest in your team. As business owners we are only as good as the people we have working with us. Investing in your business also includes investing in your team. Make sure they have all the resources they need to become better. One thing that Akutagawa International team members do is attend conferences and trade shows around the world. This allows my team members to teach what they know and learn new things from some of the front runners. Similar to a Continuing Education Unit. The world is changing so business will change along with it. It is important to stay in the loop of things. As an owner or executive of your business you have to be ready to assit when needed, offer advice, get involved, implement, and execute. 

Risk taking is a big part of starting a new business. You may offer a product or service that is already popular and have a lot of competition. No matter what the risk is, be willing to take it. Just remember to be smart about it. Like poker business uses strategy. Do not bet your entire business on a bluff if you can not afford to do so. A gambler will gamble differently depending on the money being used. If he can afford to loose it all he make take chances he normally wouldn't. If he can't afford to loose he will not risk a bluff that can cost him everything. It is hard to gamble with scared money. A scared business will not see the opportunities right infront of them.

Deciding what is truly important to you. The time and effort you will invest with the time and effort you expect your followers to invest will be large. You can not expect to make it if you do not believe in yourself or the purpose and mission you are trying to accomplish. Luck also plays a huge factor in this big game of business. You have to make an offer your clients can't afford to refuse and deliver.

Akutagawa International makes offers our clients can't refuse. Visit http://akutagawainternational.com to see how we can save your business money this year. Go to Forbes.com and read the best in business news

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What is a Leader?

We often hear the word Leader but what is a Leader really? We can give a very basic answer to this question which would be:

A leader is someone who leads.

There is a little more to it then just that. Forbes.com had an article written by Mike Myatt "Why you are not a leader", and it hit a few great points. Myatt gives a lists of reasons why people are not leaders. There are quite a few individuals that believe they are leaders; however this is not the case. Leaders do not just lead. There is a lot more to the job description. 

A leader has a vision. Leaders see problems that need fixing and goals that need to be achieved. This can be things that others do not see, choose to ignore, or just don't have what it takes to tackle. This will also bring me to the point of responsibility. When there are challenging tasks many will pass them up in fear that they might fail. The difference between a leader and a "Wanna Be" leader is that a true leader will take on any task that is needed. If their first approach fails they will only regroup and tackle the problem again and again until the results are successful. Leaders will also take responsibility for their actions and the actions of their team. A leader will not view failing the same way others do. They will see it as an opportunity to create a better strategy. 

Some of the points Myatt mentions in his article are:

* Not caring
* Getting results the wrong way
* Taking credit instead of giving it

These are excellent points. You have to care, get results the right way, and remember you didn't complete the mission on your own. You need people to lead to be a leader. It is not enough for the leader to just have a vision. 

"Is it a passion for the idea, an inner sense of drive, or some sense of commitment? Whatever it is, it is the strength that lets leaders move their vision forward despite all the obstacles, despite all the people saying it can't be done, it's too costly, we tried that before, or a dozen other excuses. The true leader perseveres and moves forward."

Some may argue if leaders are born or made. The truth is a leader can be either. No one was born a world class surgeon, the surgeon just studied hard and practiced countless years to become the best in his field. Anyone can learn to be a leader if they truly want to be one. Basic leadership skills include effective communication, motivation, and thoroughly planning. 

"Leaders dream dreams. They refuse to let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving those dreams. They are realistic, but unrelenting. They are polite, but insistent."

At the end of the day the drive of a leader is different from the rest of the team. As a leader you want to have a vision, a good plan, a motivated team, and a goal. You want your vision to come to light, you want your team members to succeed and praise the effort of everyone as a unit. If even one person on the team fails the leader has failed, that is why leaders will continue to strive for excellence for themselves and the people that follow them on their journey. 

To review the full article by Mike Myatt visit Forbes.com. Visit http://akutagawainternational.com to leave a message on our blog board about leadership. Remember to check our website for special promotional offers on your business services.

Follow us on Twitter @AkutagawaUSA for mor articles from Forbes

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COM*RE: Social Media, Cheese Cake, & Keeping in touch....

COM*RE: Social Media, Cheese Cake, & Keeping in touch....: So yesterday I went to this luncheon hosted by friend David Grant owner of LVM (a PR company) that had about 5 speakers in it's lineup. It w...

Money or Mission?

It is not surprising that there are many entrepreneurs around the world today. There are so many ideas for products and services and with the advancement of technology individuals stand to make a lot of money if they have good strategies. As professionals we just have to keep in mind that even the most well executed strategy can fail.

There was an article on Forbes.com written by Erica Swallow about a topic I recently had with some of my team members. The article "Are start up employees motivated by money", makes people think about the real reasons that drive team members in New Business Start-ups.

Money is a very important factor and we all love it; however businesses in the early stages of development may have little or limited finances. Swallow goes to explain that employees for start-ups may be motivated by sense of purpose and mission. It is exciting that you are apart of creating something that may take the world by storm. Swallow also goes to say that most employees in start ups do not have six figure bank accounts. So what truly drives them? I still believe that money is the main motivator.


 Akutagawa International is a firm that offers low cost business services in areas such as Marketing, Commercial Real-State, Investments, Advertising, International Business, and more. As professionals we came together to provide quality services for all businesses around the world at substantially low rates. We all have experience in our fields and we extend our resources to our clients; however Akutagawa International has a few junior staff members that are not established in their fields. So, even though the executives have a steady income from our primary jobs the junior staff are still a little wet behind the ears. They also want to make enough money to be financially stable with the changing economies.

Junior staff seem to get excited over new projects especially when I decide I do not want a lot of people knowing what's going on in the beginning. I choose several new things, hand the work to a team, give a deadline, and then see what they have come up with. They may not be making millions of dollars now but you can believe in the back of their minds they are saying "If we can pull this off $$$$". Swallow also mentions how these employees are driven by praise and commendation. This is very gratifying but I also believe they are motivated by the money they stand to make if they do an excellent job.

Akutagawa International has made a decision to take on enterns from around the world. These individuals are driven by praise and commendation because they are still learning. they are either students in the various fields of business or graduates looking to gain some international business experience.

There is an Akutagawa Electronics junior team member that came to us about 6 months ago. This individual didn't have much experience or education under his belt but he did have a skill. I decided to give this guy a chance. I told him the basic things he needed to learn, paired him with our Chief Technology Officer, and then gave him a task. He worked hard on that task and at times tried to give up. I didn't let him. I eventually handed him a job that involved recovery of a system. He did about three hours of work and made $1,500. He was motivated in the beginning, ran into some trouble, kept at it and made a huge profit in the end. The money he received drove him to want to learn more. He has also assisted with the development of the Akutagawa Electronics marketing plan. He understands that he has a skill with computers, speaks four languages, and works with a firm that will help him succeed. We will nurture his gift. This opportunity stands to bring him MONEY! This is what is driving him right now.

Swallow's article is very true when saying employees are motived by more than just money. But I still believe it is the thought of the money they stand to make that drives them to be excited in Start-ups.

Visit Forbes.com to view Erica Swallows full article.

Remember to visit http://akutagawainternational.com to see how we can assist you with saving money in 2013. Followus on Twitter @AkutagawaUSA for special promotional offers

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Business Tumblring (TUMBLR)

When we think about social media marketing and advertising we think about the most common sites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+ and so forth; however there are a few excellent sites that are overlooked.

I must admit when I heard about Tumblr I immediately thought of kids and teenagers. I have a 14 year old daughter and that is one of her favorite sites. The truth is there are more adults and business professionals on this social media site.

I came across a guest post by Hayes Davis on Forbes.com that sparked my interest. Davis basically speaks about this social platform that is missed by many businesses. When companies think about marketing we should want to utilize all of the resources possible. There are many free sites that offer excellent marketing exposure when used correctly. Davis mentions how most businesses have the typical Facebook and Twitter account. Most of the businesses on Twitter and Facebook do not have Tumblr. The truth is Tumblr can allow a company to do a few things. Davis says that Tumblr is the site to watch in 2013 and gave some really good points to back this up.

Davis states that the consumer in the 18 to 34 year old demographic are hooked on Tumblr. It is also no surprising that a lot of business professionals are younger these days. I recently found out today that my Director of Public Relations is on Tumblr. When I asked him what he does on the site he simply answered "Tumble". I couldn't help but laugh at that answer but it also allowed me to understand Davis' article a little better. My Director of PR is 29 years old. He is a young college graduate with an executive position but at the end of the day he is like any other individual. He showed me is Tumblr account and it isn't business oriented although he follows quiet a few businesses on the site. This made me think of how many potential clients are floating around on Tumblr?

Davis also goes on to mention how Tumblr is one of the top 10 most popular websites in the U.S. Because of this many business and brands are beginning to utilize this site for marketing efforts. He also states how brands can now tell a story when advertising, post engaging photos, etc. Akutagawa International is on just about every social website there is and Tumblr is one of them. I was just amazed at how much I wasn't aware of. I am not my companies marketing specialist but I like to stay in the loop of things. I decided to do my own little research and Hayes Davis article came in handy.

"Tumblr is a highly visual experience, so brands can appeal to us on a visceral level through stunning images or animated GIFs that capture brief, emotional moments."

This is a perfect way to view Tumblr. Davis also mentions that companies should treat their Tumblr like an extension of their brands. Remember to visit http://akutagawainternational.com to see how our firm can help save you business money in 2013.

Visit Forbes.com to view Hayes Davis full article about a marketing site that has been overlooked.


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Eye Catcher! The New Commercial Real-Estate in 2013

What's attractive to your eye?

Business in 2013 is very similar to our personal lives. If we like what we see we tend to want to know more. The same goes with service and products. If we like something we buy it or find a way to buy it if possible. It is the same for technology, real-estate, and anything else that can be sold to a consumer or customer.

There was an interesting article on the New York Times website about commercial real-estate and the new techniques that they are using to get clients. The article was authored by C.J. Hughes and it brought up a few great points. One of these points was the turn in marketing efforts. Brokers are using more detailed websites to promote property. From a business perspective we can understand why this change is effective. When the human eye sees something that catches our attention we will research it a little more. If the owners of a company are looking for a place to call home and their broker shows them a few options that are plain they may buy it or they may not, but Hughes makes a great point. If the same individuals see spectacular photos of locations, and animated websites that give virtual tours and so forth, they will then ask the question "Why didn't you show me this?"

The real-estate world can be a little low key. This means that brokers tend to stay in a small community. Some agencies and real-estate companies do not have a website or online presence. In 2013 the web is the place to be. Hughes addresses this issue as well. Some feel a building that is at a well known address doesn't need much marketing efforts because the address and location can market all on it's own. What happens when you employ these new techniques?

 Can brokers and real-estate agents stand to make a lot more then what they do? Can they acquire more clients than usual just by reconstructing their websites or enhancing marketing tools? The answer to these questions are all yes.

Dynamic marketing efforts can be used and also stay low cost. Akutagawa International offers great low cost solutions for agencies looking for eye catching websites and marketing efforts. http://akutagawainternational.com also assists businesses like real-estate agencies in targeting the right audience that way all of the people who are possibly interested stay notified. We can help you become an eye catcher.

Visit the New York Times website to read the full article " New York’s Office Builders Raise Their Online Voices" by C.J. Hughes

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