Digital World

Finally, music is going digital. So, is there any need in having a major label? I say, yes and no. Yes, because of the funds and resources they have. No, because of there detriment to creativity. It is possible to have success without a major label. Though it may be harder to reach the masses. With iTunes becoming one of the most popular ways for consumers to purchase media, artist no longer have to worry about distribution. The Internet is a key source in promoting your music. Americans spend approximately 32.7 hours online according to IT Facts. Nearly double amount of time that is spent on T.V. The industry has yet to see an artist embark solely from the digital world. Perhaps it is time. The path is clearly showing that this will be the new formula for upcoming artist(s). However, the industry seems to still be in panic mode and is still scared to embrace the powers of new technology. Maybe its because they wont have lavish pay checks. Or, they could still be complacent. Whatever the cost, it is my belief that music wont only be distributed digitally but it will be marketed and promoted digitally as well. This is the new era of music and I hope that all music enthusiasts are ready for it.

Business Plan Vitals!!

It would be wise for all entrepreneurs to give detailed and descriptive analysis of the financial portion of a business plan. It is also obvious to give the aforementioned information on the company description. I say this because why would anyone invest in a company; if they cant see a profit? I know I wouldn’t. Also, if your company doesn’t have a clear vision on what it is, consumers wont either. I will say however, the financial section is vital to gaining potential investors. The Entrepreneurs Help Page agrees with me as well stating “The Financial model. Good plans share the company's cash burn rate, working capital and capital investment needs and timetable to breakeven on a cash flow and operating profit basis. In addition, investors seek information regarding projected revenue growth and sustainable operating and cash flow margins (Powers).”
Tim Berry has made business planning his number one focus and host a blog on how to start up new businesses. You can find his blog on timberry.bplans.com. On his blogs he introduces new ways to spice up your business plan. He also introduces new software that is helpful for the creation of business plans. With that information, he gives advice on what it takes for a new business. A recent blog post that really helped me out was: Why the bank won’t finance your business plan. I've always believed that solely having a business plan would help in getting future funds from banks, investors, etc. I had no idea that getting a loan off of a business plan was illegal. Sure, I knew that the bank would need some type of collateral, however; I believed if they saw the vision of your business, then that would grant loans. Tim Berry’s blog site is extremely informative for the naïve and novice. According to his blog he describes himself with the following passage:
I’m on Twitter a lot. Business Week included me as one of its top 20 entrepreneurs to follow on twitter in March of 2010. And the New York Times included me as number six in the top 11 companies to follow on twitter in June of 2010. Business Insider includes me in top 20 entrepreneurs to follow in December of 2010…I’ve spent a career in entrepreneurship and business planning. I teach planning with my own company, and for 11 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon, and in published books and software, and in speaking engagements for the likes of Apple Computer, Autodesk, Progress Software, USASBE, Academy of Management, and so on. In 2007 I won the USASBE (United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship) Corporate Entrepreneur of the Year award and a USASBE award for teaching (Berry, 2011).


Berry, Tim. (2011). Introducing myself. Retrieved from
http://timberry.bplans.com/introducing-myself


Powers, Mark. The five most important items to incorporate in
a business plan [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.tannedfeet.com/readers_lisaspringer.htm

Business Plan

Tim Berry is a master when it comes to the creation and formation of business plans. He has made business planning his number one focus and host a blog on how to start up new businesses. You can find his blog on timberry.bplans.com. On his blogs he introduces new ways to spice up your business plan. He also introduces new software that is helpful for the creation of business plans. With that information, he gives advice on what it takes for a new business. A recent blog post that really helped me out was: Why the bank won’t finance your business plan. I've always believed that solely having a business plan would help in getting future funds from banks, investors, etc. I had no idea that getting a loan off of a business plan was illegal. Sure, I knew that the bank would need some type of collateral, however; I believed if they saw the vision of your business, then that would grant loans. Tim Berry’s blog site is extremely informative for the naïve and novice. According to his blog he describes himself with the following passage:
I’m on Twitter a lot. Business Week included me as one of its top 20 entrepreneurs to follow on twitter in March of 2010. And the New York Times included me as number six in the top 11 companies to follow on twitter in June of 2010. Business Insider includes me in top 20 entrepreneurs to follow in December of 2010…I’ve spent a career in entrepreneurship and business planning. I teach planning with my own company, and for 11 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Oregon, and in published books and software, and in speaking engagements for the likes of Apple Computer, Autodesk, Progress Software, USASBE, Academy of Management, and so on. In 2007 I won the USASBE (United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship) Corporate Entrepreneur of the Year award and a USASBE award for teaching (Berry, 2011).


Reference:

Berry, Tim. (2011). Introducing myself. Retrieved from
http://timberry.bplans.com/introducing-myself

You gay...

When you listen to hip-hop one may find a common denominator. Hip-hop is fueled by masculinity. Yes, people may argue other factors that contribute to the aurora of hip-hop. You have sexism, violence, and materialism among other adjectives to describe the music. One underlying factor is its masculine nature. With this said, can a homosexual artist survive in a culture where being gay is deemed taboo? It is ironic for me to have doubts. I am a homosexual female who believes that a gay male in hip-hop will have battles being a musician based on his sexual interests than his music. I was recently asked to help in a marketing plan for an unknown artist. The music was sub par but the artist’s image is extremely sellable. However, he is gay. This factor immediately raised red flags. For one, I personally believed that the artist needs a lot of marketing dollars and a distinguished marketing team behind him. I also thought that a key figure in the music industry was needed to break his music (i.e. Lady Gaga). Without this, I thought there was little to no hope to get potential fans to pay attention to his music and not his sexuality. Being a gay male does not make you less masculine than any heterosexual male. I often joke with my straight friends who have a stereotypical view on gay men. I say, they have to be tougher because people are constantly challenging their man hood. Yet I still am unsure if a gay male artist can exist in hip-hop. I’m pretty sure there are a number of homosexual males within the culture. However, they put on a façade to relate. Maybe it is time to show that you don’t have to be the stereotypical “sissy” gay male. There are plenty of homosexual men with high masculinity that would have people in disbelief.

Please take my survey!

Ignorance is bliss?

Is it necessary to use a term so vile, but polish it off as a term of endearment? The latest hip-hop sensation, Kreayshawn is an Oakland, CA native. She is different from most female MC’s. Her sex appeal doesn’t drive record sales. She emerged onto the music scene with little to no help from well-known music camps. The “white girl mob” movement has been what keeps fans interested. However, members of Kreayshawn’s team have been known to use the N-word. Using the term would have gone unnoticed had her team been a few shades darker. Which is silly. It makes you wonder though. Is this how I sound when I talk to my friends casually? Do I sound as ignorant as them when I use the term? Yes! Kreayshawn explained that she does not use the term, but her sister does in a recent article:

"I never said that in my music," she says. But wasn't there a video on her YouTube channel where someone did? "It might have been my sister, V-Nasty," she says. "She says it all the time, and that's because she grew up all different. She goes in and out of jail for armed robbery all the time. Her mom calls her that. But personally, I don't say it in my music, because it's not my place."…"I told V-Nasty," says Kreayshawn, "I always get this question, and it's burning me! And she was like, 'I ain't gonna stop saying it, they ain't gonna change me.”(Abebe, 2011)

I am not going to act as if I never used the term myself. I’ve been taught the origins and meaning of the word. My grandfather told me stories of being tarred and feathered back in South Carolina. My grandmother explained that after her family moved from the south to the north, that word didn’t cease to exist. Knowing all this, I still find myself saying it. Now I see what I look like to those around me. A fool.

Abebe, Nitsuh. (2011, June 17). Kreayshawn is the latest controversial white rapper. Retrieved from http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/06/kreayshawn.html

More Dirk please

Recently the Dallas Mavericks has shocked the NBA world. Their championship win over the heavily favored Miami Heat has solidified their place in NBA History. Their rode to victory was challenging, but the Mavericks superstar player Dirk Nowitki pulled them through. Along with his first NBA championship, Dirk was awarded the NBA Finals MVP. The 33-year-old power forward is also considered one of the best players to ever play the game of basketball. However, is Dirk Nowitki marketable? Yes he has won a championship before the Heat and the big three got the chance to do so. Yes he was selected NBA Finals MVP. But, who will really sign an older NBA star to a lucrative endorsement deal? Flash in our culture can outweigh finesse at times. We all know that Dirk is not a highflying phenomenon. He depends on his mid range shot. He is mild mannered, while most highly profiled athletes are charismatic. He lets his game do the talking, while others (i.e. LeBron James) guarantee multiple championships before a first practice. Even though his team won the championship, many believe that they won’t be able to protect the title next year. With all that said, Dirk most likely has a good 3-4 years left in him. My question again, is he marketable? It’s hard to believe that I have to ask this question. It should be a sure yes. Today’s society is different. The Mavericks are the NBA champions, yet the media still debates on what went wrong with the Miami Heat. Dirk is the NBA Finals MVP, yet LeBron James receives more media attention on his lackluster performance. Our culture doesn’t appreciate the journey towards success. Our high speed, no patience mentality has left us with enjoying only the glamour’s of success. Dirk is not that. He is as blue collar as they come.