Marketing Motorcycles to Women

Business are created to grow the investment of their principals and grow profits. It is quite common to see businesses to use various tactics to increase revenue by improving sales. The recent economic downturn in the US has made it highly difficult for lifestyle companies to peddle their products.

The manufacturer of the iconic motorcycle Harley Davidson experienced the brunt of the flagging economy in the form of downward spiral of their revenues. During and after the recent downturn multiple research reports pointed to the fact that most of the people who lost jobs and livelihoods were men. Some researchers went as far as to suggest that it was a "Man-cession" and not a "Recession".
 
Anyway,  Harley Davidson has now evolved a unique strategy to target those who kept their jobs and hence money during the downturn and are now ready to indulge in their desires - Women. Recently the motorcycle manufacturer commissioned a research study that quite expectedly proved that "Women who ride motorcycles are more confident, happier, and extremely satisfied with their appearance" when compared to their non-riding counterparts.
 
Indeed a nice sales pitch,  I would say to push the sales of the motorcycle and entice more women to join the groups of motorcycle riders that dot American highways.
 
Will it Succeed  ? Only time will tell!!!

Internal Affair = International Politics

Japan and China have been having a little tussle over a few pieces of rock in the ocean. Of course other countries including the US are either too scared to interfere or just want to watch the fun as two major economies fight. Anyway it is interesting to see how a small action from a Japanese Prime Minister can evoke reactions from everyone.
 
Recently Japanese Prime Minister visited a Shinto Shrine in Tokyo. The shrine honors Japan's War Heroes. The PM visited the shrine for 15 minutes and paid his respects to those who laid down lives in defense of their nation. A gesture that is extended by every head of state, like Indian leaders visit the Memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, American Presidents visit the Arlington Memorial Cemetery, etc. 
 
I don't know why such a tiny incident has evoked the ire of both China and Korea who are denouncing the visit. The fact is that some of those buried in the shrine are international war criminals too. It doesn't matter what outsiders think of them, the rest of the people buried there are war heroes and nobody should stop anyone from paying respects to them.
 
It is amazing how China is trying to flex its muscle and control the world. Today they have gotten together with their small neighbor Korea to denounce Japan's action. I wouldn't be surprised if tomorrow they get together with England and denounce the actions of Indian Prime Minister when he/ she visits the Jallianwala Bagh.
 
Times are getting tougher and tougher internationally. I wonder if it getting closer to the next World War??