White Paper: Cameron's Coffee

In the final section, we will cover technology and communication.

Big Data is gaining momentum due to emerging technologies such as Cloud Computing, analytics engines, and social networks. Big Data refers to volumes of data, which are so massive that a conventional database system cannot process it. Analyzing Big Data can reveal hidden insights such as what influences customers to purchase. When Facebook offers a recommendation to you, it comes from analyzing Big Data. Big Data is associated with Cloud Computing because analyzing the data must be done instantly from many sources and requires the distributed processing capability of the Internet. Big Data and Cloud Computing, as with most trends, have pros and cons (strengths and weaknesses).

Social media is one of the fastest growing areas in marketing. Experts affirm the importance of a strong social media presence in building an organization's reputation and customer base. The "Big Three" social media networks are: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Other growing social media platforms and services include Flickr, Pinterest, Instagram, and Yelp, among others.

According to Jacquelyn Smith at Forbes.com, two of the fastest growing careers from 2014 through 2020 are market research analysts and marketing specialists, second in growth only to software developers. As cited in Smith's (2012) article, "According to the BLS, these professionals "study market conditions in local, regional, or national areas to examine potential sales of a product or service" (para. 9). They also help companies understand and identify the products people want, who will buy them, and at what price. Additionally, the BLS notes that top research positions often require a master's degree. This profession is expected to grow by 41 percent between 2010 and 2020.

We will address technology by way of Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Social Media. Your assignment will be to provide recommendations to a busy executive.

For this assignment, assume that you have been hired as an intern by the president of Cameron's Coffee (https://www.cameronscoffee.com/), a $40 million dollar premium coffee manufacturer located in Shakopee Minnesota (Petersen, n.d.).

As the president's executive assistant, you will be assigned special projects. The president has been busy with the opening of a new roasting plant in Shakopee and has been unable to keep up with recent trends regarding the ways in which businesses use Social Media, Cloud Computing, and Big Data. He would like to know if Cameron's Coffee could benefit from any of these recent trends.

Research these subjects, and then prepare a white paper in which you provide the following:

• Summarize the perceived technology needs of Cameron's Coffee.
• Provide recommendations that Cameron's Coffee could use for each of the following:

1. Social Media

a. Briefly define social media and how businesses use it.
b. Provide two recommendations on how Cameron's Coffee can use and/or improve the use of Social Media.
c. Explain how each recommendation will resolve any issues and fulfill Cameron's Coffee's needs.

2. Big Data

a. Briefly define big data and how businesses use it.
b. Provide two recommendations on how Cameron's Coffee can use Big Data.
c. Explain how each recommendation will resolve any issues and fulfill Cameron's Coffee's needs.

3. Cloud Computing

a. Briefly define cloud computing and how businesses use it.
b. Provide two recommendations on how Cameron's Coffee can use Cloud Computing.
c. Explain how each recommendation will resolve any issues and fulfill Cameron's Coffee's needs.

Length: 4-6 pages not including assignment cover sheet, title page, and references page. Begin your assignment with a title page, and then prepare the white paper for the president. Be sure to present your white paper in a way that the president can quickly scan through it by using headings and bullet points liberally. Be as specific as possible and make sure you explain and support your ideas with cited material and a references page.

Your response should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts presented in the course by providing new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect professional business writing and current APA standards.

References

Films on Demand. (2014). Social media for business marketing [Video file].

http://proxy1.ncu.edu/login?url=http://digital.films.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/PortalPlaylists.aspx?aid=6281&xtid=53459

Smith, J. (December 12, 2012). The top jobs for 2014.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/12/12/the-top-jobs-for-2014/

SearchCloudComputingTechTarget.com (2014). Big Data.

http://searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/big-data-Big-Data

Petersen, C. (n.d.) Cameron's Coffee.

http://www.fooddrink-magazine.com/index.php/articles/producers/1393-camerons-coffee

North Social. (2009). Nine ways your business could be using social media, but probably isn't.

http://www.slideshare.net/NorthVenturePartners/9-ways-your-business-could-be-using-social-media-but-probably-isnt

Lynn, S. (2012, December 11). 20 top cloud services for small businesses.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2361500,00.asp

Griffith, E. (2013, March 13). What is cloud computing?

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0%2c2817%2c2372163%2c00.asp

Big Data Analytics: What it is and why it matters?

http://www.sas.com/en_us/insights/analytics/big-data-analytics.html