Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Understanding the Business

Direct marketing is a fairly simple concept to grasp - it doesn't involve traditional advertising techniques, but instead communicates directly with customers through the use of direct mail: emails, e-newsletters, fliers, catalogues, business letters, or coupons, to name a few. Several modern tools are used to beef up one's direct marketing campaign, including address validation, use of database on neighborhood demographics, and many more. But here are the basic things you need to know about direct marketing, and how to get on the road to success.
The benefits of direct marketing are wide-ranging. Its success is easier to gauge than conventional advertising forms, because you can get data on response and sales rate and compare the cost of advertising with total sales incurred. It also goes directly to your existing customers, along with potential ones who can be converted given a better understanding of your products or services.
Direct marketing can be done in various ways, including direct mail. It can be unaddressed and widely delivered, for instance fliers distributed inside a supermarket. There are also catalogues, fliers, and brochures on new stocks, promos, and special deals, which are sent to customer addresses and may require optimized tools like programmable Web services on zip code, demographics data, and related information.
Email is another extensive mode of direct marketing, with customers spending more time online nowadays. E-newsletters are sent out daily, monthly, or quarterly, keeping customers updated on new company offerings, after-sales services and product care, industry news, or simply company feedback for product or service improvement. It's low-cost to do, enabling you to touch base with subscribers with good planning, layout and design, content, and efficient mail delivery system.
To build a customer database means to know your customers' contact details, and if you want to target potential ones, you'll need to build a profile of the typical customer you have in mind. Your resource can be from a simple spreadsheet to a more targeted database software or service, which you have to pay attention to because it is a valuable business asset.
Target certain demographics by zip code, for example. There are Web-based tools these days that offer fundamental demographic data at the block level, with each profile containing complied information like area distribution by race, age, ethnicity, income, and education. Eight million unique neighborhoods in the United States can also be covered by a neighborhood demographics service like this. Block-level demographics provide better customer insight, help determine new markets, and segment your target markets and identify fraud through like-region comparisons.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Career Options With a Computer Science Degree

When was the last time you bought an air ticket from an actual physical airline counter or looked up the meaning of a word in a printed dictionary? How many of us have, time and again, chosen the convenience of online shopping over standing in line at the mall?
Have you ever caught yourself wondering what life would be like without all the smart computer software applications that make your work so much more streamlined and simple?
At a time when computers and technology have become a part of everything we do in our personal, professional, and academic lives, can there be any doubt that a career in information technology could be anything but fulfilling?
Flourishing Careers in IT
If you are considering a computer science degree, then now is the right time to go for it, as computing and technology careers are flourishing.
There are a number of IT jobs to pursue; four of those career options were included in the best 25 jobs of 2012 list compiled by U.S. News and World Report.*
These professions were ranked according to their projected growth through 2020, average salary, predicted job prospects, and how they score on the job satisfaction front.
Software Developer
Software developers are the brains behind the computer programs that allow us to complete specific tasks. Software developers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, understand user needs and then develop software programs or applications to meet those needs. They are also responsible for software maintenance and testing; recommending upgrades and improvements to existing programs; and fixing bugs in the software when they arise.
Software developers usually work for software companies; IT services firms, and computer and other electronic manufacturers. One of the perks of this career is that many employers are now offering the flexibility to telecommute, or work from home.
Software developers usually have a computer science degree, but they can also complete degree programs in software engineering or mathematics to enter this profession.
Computer Programmer
Computer programmers are the whizzes who turn the design created by software developers into a logical series of instructions that a computer is able to follow. Programmers use many programming languages, such as C, C++, C#, Python, Java, etc. to write this code. They also have the task of updating, expanding, and debugging existing programs.
A computer programmer, depending on his work setting, may be involved in developing software for mobile apps, business, video games, education, healthcare, video or image editing, device drivers, operating systems, etc.
The completion of a bachelor's degree program in computer science or related field is usually required for this job, though some entry-level positions can be pursued by graduates who have graduated from an associate's computer degree program.
Web Developer
Web developers, as the term suggests, design, create, maintain, and modify websites or web applications according to client needs. Part of their job is to understand a client's requirements and then create a visually appealing and informative website using text, graphics, animations, videos, and even audio content. While designing a website, they have to keep in mind things like user friendliness, ease of navigation, and the performance and capacity of the website. Degree programs in computer science or web design and development are usually required for this job, as it entails knowledge of software applications, programming languages, and design principles.
Database Administrator
Database administrators store, organize, and manage computer databases. They analyze user needs to create databases and administer these databases to ensure they operate properly. They also protect the data from unauthorized access and create backups to prevent data loss in situations like power outages or other emergencies. Also known as DBAs, their duties include modifying database structures and testing them.
Database administrators work in a variety of industries ranging from IT and IT-enabled services to retail and finance.
Among the credentials usually required for this job is a computer degree in a field such as information systems or computer science.
Sources:
* money.usnews.com/money/careers/articles/2012/02/27/the-best-25-jobs-of-2012-rankings
CollegeAmerica was established in 1964. It has six campuses with comfortable facilities in Colorado, Wyoming and Arizona. It has trained generations of graduates for new careers in high demand jobs through its high-value degree programs.