Week 1: MKTG 345- Surfing the Tsunami Chapter 2

If someone were to utter the words "self-driving cars" ten years ago everyone would turn and laugh. In 2018 it sounds much less ridiculous, and even realistic. With rapid growth cars went from manual transmission, to automatic, to being able to park themselves, and now they can drive by themselves. This just shows how fast AI is taking over the world. In the last couple years there has been a significant advance in machine learning, teaching a computer how to do something. This has lead to drastic advancements in technology.

The core of artificial intelligence and machine learning is math. Using statistics, algebra, and probability machines can be built to do virtually anything.

Drones are another area of AI that have advanced drastically. They can fly, take videos and pictures, and capture a birds like view all with one tiny machine. Just like cars, drones are starting to gain the ability to function on their own. They no longer need a human brain to run it, technology has grown so much that a machine can perform the tasks needed without a humans help. AI is not just effecting cars and drones, it has advanced the medical field and science as a whole. New advancements come out every day involving AI so being able to understand it is very important in today's world.

Week 2: MKTG 345- Introduction to Google Analytics Chapter 1

When I think of Web Analytics the first thought that pops into my head is numbers. Now I know that numbers can be intimidating but if you just take a step back and slowly start to learn the basic ins and outs of google analytics it will be much less intimidating.

To start off with, what is google analytics? Google analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Why is this important though? Google analytics helps companies to see how many people visit their websites. With this information they can analyze and change their campaigns to fully optimize their performance. Analytics helps companies to become as efficient as possible and build successful campaigns.

Thought these blog posts I will be giving simple and easy to understand points on Google Analytics. I will talk about the importance of understanding web analytics, as well as how to fully take advantage of the free tools that are offered by google.

Week 2: MKTG 348- Introduction to SEO Chapter 2

The foundation of Search Engine Optimization isn't the keywords you use or the number of clicks you receive. The foundation is your actual content. Like I've mentioned before if you want to get higher up the page, you want quality over content. The better your content the more viewers and the higher you will go up the page.

When creating content there are three different ways you can do it. The first is curation. All you have to do is go out and and find content, share it, review it, and comment on it. This technique is best if you are not creative at all. This blog post is an example of curation because I am commenting on the content of the book below. The second way of creating content is actual creation. This way is the best way. It takes more time and creativeness but if done right, it will have the highest impact on SEO. The last way is collaboration. This saves money, and helps give you a fresh perspective because you are working with other people. All of these techniques are effective, its about finding what is right for you.

A great starting point for developing content is a blog. Another technique that is a good starting point is making YouTube videos or creating a free website. Whatever way you choose should fit the content you are trying to portray the best. For example, blogging is great for someone who wants to blog about their traveling. YouTube is great for tutorials, and websites are great for businesses. Google can help you get started and provides many resources to ensure that SEO is an easy process.

Week 1: MKTG 345-Surfing the Tsunami Chapter 1

AI stands for Artificial Inteligence. It is using machinery to perform tasks that normally would require human intelligence. Things such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages are becoming more and more easier for robots to understand. As technology increases so does AI.

Why do we all need to know about it though? Who cares if robots can do tasks faster than humans. It helps companies and saves time and money. But what happens to all those humans who once were performing those tasks? Suddenly they're unemployed while a robot does their job with ease.

In recent years robots technology has been increasing drastically. Before they were a thing of fiction, but new robots are being brought to life everyday. There are physical robots, and there are software robots. With software automation these robots are able to perform tasks that humans only could do. AI is something that is quickly approaching, and soon will be engulfing our world. Even if you do not like, or support it, being able to understand and acknowledge it is key in the world today.

Week 1: MKTG 348-Surfing the Tsunami Introduction

Surfing the Tsunami details Artificial Intelligence and how workers need to prepare and adapt to the change in work. Artificial intelligence is the use of machinery to perform tasks that used to be done manually. Some people believe that it is a good thing. They think that while some jobs will be lost, some will change because of the creation of these robots, and other jobs will be created in the process. Not everyone believes that AI is a good thing though, a lot of people believe there will be a substantial loss of jobs.

Whatever you believe it is a good or a bad thing, it is important to learn how to change your perspective and take AI seriously. Surfing the Tsunami outlines three separate ways to change your perspective. The first is adapt, this involves just keeping yourself informed. The next is adopt, and the last is adept. As you continue reading my blog, you will learn in much more depth about Artificial Intelligence, why it applies to you, and how you can change your perspectives to it.

IDS 202: Module 1- Food Identity

One way to describe my food identity is a melting pot of all different cultures. This may be why my favorite meal I've ever had was a Christmas Eve Mexican feast. Ironically, I have never been to Mexico, but I have always loved trying to recreate their food. This meal was so special not only because it was delicious, but because I was able to spend it with family members who I loved.

A big part of my life consists of traveling and experiencing different cultures. One of my favorite parts of traveling is going to restaurants and experiencing the local foods that different countries have to offer. When I went to England I had a dish called a pasty, a pastry crust filled with vegetables. I also tried my first Indian dish while in Bath, England. It was kind of like a pancake filled with vegetables and served with a tomato and mango dipping sauce.

When I went to Sweden I had a vegetarian version of Swedish meatballs. It was served with mashed potatoes, a side salad, and some type of sweet berry.

These two dishes pictured above are one of many dishes I have tried in other countries and now try and create in my own kitchen. Traveling is a huge part of me, and with that comes me loving to try different kinds of foods. Making these dishes helps me to reflect back on all my trips, and reminds me of all the good times I have had exploring the world.

While I may not be able to match all of the flavors these authentic dishes have, I adapt them to my own tastes and preferences. One thing I have noticed while traveling is that in tourist areas restaurants are much less authentic to the culture. They try and create dishes that all different cultures will enjoy, even if this means sacrificing their cultural identity. 

For example, when I was in Stockholm I purchased a mocha at a chain restaurant called Espresso house. This coffee was not at all like normal Swedish coffee. Since we were in such a touristy area they added more sugar to appease the taste buds of travelers from different countries.

While this mocha was good, it got me thinking. Why do other countries feel the need to change their cultural identity for other cultures to enjoy their food? We should be embarrassing the culture we are in and enjoying their food as they cook it, not an Americanized version. When I look back at my favorite Mexican meal, I realize how different it is from authentic Mexican food. One day I hope I get the chance to travel to Mexico to enjoy their local cuisine. 

Week 1: MKTG 348- Introduction to SEO Chapter 1

When someone hears's the words "Search Engine Optimization" what do they think? Most people have no idea what this phrase means, but it affects them every day. Just simply typing phrases into the google search bar will cause the internet to start the search engine optimization process. SEO is maximizing the number of visitors to a website by trying to make the site appear high on the list of results returned by a search engine. The higher the website is on the search engine the more likely it is to get views. One thing that is important to take note of with SEO is it's about quality and not quantity. If you have a couple websites with great content they will get viewed over and over again. This will cause them to move up the rankings. If you have a high quality of websites but no one wants to view them they will stay at the bottom of the table.

While the most common search engine is Google, there are other search engines out there. The second most popular search engine is Youtube. People use Youtube not only for entertainment but also to become more informed on certain topics. Very similar to Google is the Bing search engine. It works just like Google and while it is not as popular, it is still an effective search engine.