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Iran Hostage Release
January 21st, the remaining Iran hostages were released. With the inauguration of a new president and growing tensions in the Middle East over oil and American meddling in Iranian politics, communication was of the utmost importance in regards to the safe return of our citizens. The oil industry is just the first in a large trickle down of businesses that were affected by this historical event. (https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/short-history/iraniancrises & https://thenypost.files.wo) -
Royal Wedding
July 29th, Lady Diana Spencer marries Prince Charles. 3,500 people were in the congregation and another 750 million people watched worldwide. Princess Diana influenced many people and many markets. Women wanted to be like her and any organization who wanted to do business with her needed to present themselves as worth her time and worth her cause. (http://www.britishroyals.info/diana/biography4.html) -
Portable Technology
October 1st, the first CD player was released by Sony in Japan. With the advancements in technology and the new wave of portable electronics, many businesses changed the way they communicated internally and externally and many consumers began the never ending quest to have the “newest and best” tech. (http://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/CorporateInfo/History/SonyHistory/2-09.html) -
Mobile Phones
September 21st, the first mobile phone was released by Motorola. Mobile phones have changed our society forever. Everyone is always plugged in. Mobile devices offered a new medium in which to advertise to potential new customers. Travel has become easier, whether business related or personal, thanks to portable communications. Often people have two phones now, one for work and one for personal use. Mobile phones changed the way the world does business. (http://www.motorola.com/us/consumers/about -
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is launched as a word processor which was distributed as a free demo with the November 1983 issue of PC World, making it the first on-disk application to be distributed with a magazine. Previously having to use typewriters then mimeographs or carbon paper to make copies, Microsoft word made many office tasks simpler and more efficient. Its inventive distribution made Microsoft’s product easily accessible and easy to learn. This technology can be found on every computer to this day -
Ethiopian Drought
October 1984 brought international attention to the Ethiopian drought that was killing millions of Ethiopians when British Broadcasting Corporation correspondent Michael Buerk began covering it extensively. Following his coverage, people from around the world began to donate for relief efforts. People and companies all came together with a worthy cause to stand behind. (http://webra.cas.sc.edu/hvri/feature/oct2013_dom.aspx) -
Live Aid Concert
July13th, Princess Diana and Prince Charles opened the first in a series of Live Aid concerts that raised over $125 million for Ethiopian famine relief. With a common cause to support international tensions eased. This often happens when there is a natural disaster, consumers get to see what companies really care about, beyond profit, and there is an outpouring of support for those affected. (http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/live-aid-concert) -
Windows 1.0
November 20th, Windows 1.0 is released and changes the way computers users operate their desktops. Instead of typing codes, Windows 1.0 allows users to point and click, use drop downs, scroll bars, icons, switch among several programs without having to close out of each one; as well as tools such as paint, notepad, calculator, calendar, and windows writer thus making computers more users friendly and a better option for more businesses. (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/history#T1=er -
Osama Bin Laden Exiled
January 1st, Osama Bin Laden is expelled from Sudan under pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia and moves to Afghanistan. Bin Laden led multiple attacks on the United States, its soldiers, and even its unarmed citizens. With the world watching his moves, certain industries had to adjust to the effects his influence had on their businesses. The Middle East has been playing a primary role in our economy for many decades and continues to do so. (http://www.cnn.com/CNN/Programs/people/sho -
Internet Growth
January 1st, over 300 million people were internet users. That number is just a fraction of what the statistics are today. The growth of computers and the internet lead to booming businesses and an overproduction of advertisements. This has required companies to get creative and figure out new ways to reach their consumers and set themselves apart from competitors. The internet revolutionized the way the world does business internally, locally, and internationally. (http://royal.pingdom.com/2010
