Half Price Books haul: The X and Y of Buy by Elizabeth Pace
First impression: Wonder if it focuses solely on product marketing or also includes insight into marketing services? Should be interesting.
Psst: Fund my education and further your knowledge! Click the image to purchase this book on Amazon!
“…people are repulsed by the idea that ‘image’ affects their purchase decisions.” —p.26
“As long as it’s your choice and exercised authentically and with moderation, it’s harmless, amusing pop culture sport at the very least.” —p. 27
“Consumerism subverts any social agenda that features stern homogeneity as an objective…” —p. 27
“These losses will hit the business twice: once in sales it doesn’t make, and a second time when it eventually has to buy back that goodwill with marketing dollars.” —p.33
I recently read an interesting article that examined the different ways that an economic crisis can fundamentally shape the way individuals react to and interact with different elements of their life– family life, in the workplace, in social settings, and so forth. In an extended crisis period, economic mindset can even start to mold an individual’s way of thinking about his or her own responsibilities and preferences in a primary role (parent, employee, spouse, etc.). In my mind, there is evidence to suggest that these people also begin to adapt and change within their secondary roles–namely the role of consumer.
Apparently, social theorist John Gerzema gets my drift. In a 2009 TED talk, Gerzema offered a detailed look at four major shifts that consumers experience in the aftermath of a major financial crisis. Each type of shift is complex and remarkable, so I plan to discuss each one in its own post; the category titles are Gerzema’s, but the accompanying analyses offers my own take on the concept.
