Beard Time for Valentine: Cupid should have had a Goatee

Embrace you inner Man 

Step one: Grow a beard with confidence.

Gentleman, prior to contrary belief, having a beard is not just facial hair. In fact, having a beard is a lifestyle associated with undoubted leadership, true manliness, and fidelity. This along with self-confidence is key. I can't say enough about how important it is to have a bold assurance about yourself. Women are very visual beings,  "they consider such men 'macho' and can protect them in case of danger. In the natural order of things, women are known to want men who can take care of them. Since a beard is often associated with strength by such women, they are automatically attracted to them"(WiseBeards). 

Ragnar Lodbrok

However, you could have the beard of Ragnar Lothbrok (badass fictional Viking warrior) but without exuding the proper confidence you're better off naked face. Ask yourself, does your facial hair align with your charisma? Are you exuding the confidence of a noble man or a fickle boy?  Next time you introduce yourself to a woman make sure your present yourself as her bearded knight in shining armor.

Think like a King

Step two: Walk as a King and your Queen shall follow.

King Hailie Selassie

You ever notice how in most fairy tale movies the king "ironically" has such a rich and flowing beard but the prince has about as much facial hair as a pealed potato. Although a naked face does add to the physical description of a young boy, it also has some psychological  attachments as well. From a young age, society allows girls to believe that they must find a worthy prince to fall in love with. But, are today's princes actually worthy and could this particular childhood teaching be the singular reason as to why more women today are single than ever before?

Statics show that even though there are significantly more women (huge number) than men in this world, women are still not settling for just any old prince charming. For some men this would mean that it's more favorable for a man to settle down but for others its actually quite the opposite. "When faced with an oversupply of women, guys are more likely to delay marriage and play the field. Or, in other words, to act like guys"(Tucker). Sorry ladies, your prince is under construction, most men don't settle down until later in life. Its no surprise as to why so many women are attracted to men with beards. It give the appearance of not only great maturity but also keen mental development and relationship readiness.

 

Quick MR tip #72: Keep your head high and shoulders back,  good posture is a good sign of physical strength.

Looking through her eye's

            Step three: Vitality makes her very very...

It is instinctive not only for women but society to be drawn to men with beards. From the dawn on time, the world has glorified men with beards for their undeniable symbolism of power and wisdom. Another glorified association that might go unnoticed is that subconsciously, women  associate facial hair with fertility "Women’s preferences for masculine traits are reported to be greater among young reproductively capable women, particularly just prior to ovulation"(Dixson). Testosterone is the driving factor for this great genetic seduction. From puberty to adulthood our bodies are subjected to a series of raging hormones, for men testosterone is one of the most important hormone to our genetic existence.High testosterone levels along with a healthy diet, working out, and proper beard grooming can enhancing follicle growth.  

"While the mysteries of the beloved beard may never fully be told 

Its engraved on our hearts, as it is our souls

For those that are bearded Til we meet again 

A  beard is what separates the boys from the men."

-The Masculine Renaissance 

Quicktip MR #17: It is important to keep a proper bearded decorum.  appropriate "manscaping" should be done as needed. This includes washing, conditioning, trimming and proper oiling.

References

http://www.semaj3.com/projects/#/mratx/

http://wisebeards.com/blog/how-do-women-see-a-mans-beard-a-girls-perspective-on-facial-hair/

http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2012/12/11/beheco.ars211.full

http://nypost.com/2015/08/25/hey-ladies-here-are-8-reasons-youre-single/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_sex_ratio

The Power of Proper Promotion:The Marlboro Giant

Industry Success
The success of a company or an organization is dependent upon several factors. The business model created by a company is essential to its position in the market place, overall growth, and general profits. A business without a customer following has little to offer in competitive markets. Organizations that create real value for its customers are at the apex of their respective industries and continue to adapt in spite of constant shifts in the marketplace. How exactly do some companies increase, target, and attain customer acquisition? One of the greatest companies to do this might be one packet away from your very own fingertips.   Promotion

       Cigarettes kill! We all know. But, in spite of the increasing death, leading companies such as Marlboro can be considered as one of the most loyal brands in the world. Marlboro gets the award for promotion in this weeks 4 P's Marketing Academy Awards(not a real Awards). Exactly how did Marlboro take these torches of tobacco filled decay and turn them into torches of loyalty sparked all around the globe. Promotion can be identified as providing information to different parties about the product. In promotion,  advertising and public relation play a huge part in customer acquisition. When it comes to sitting at the table of promotion, Marlboro can be considered a veteran in the league of extraordinary Giants.

        The perceived value of cigarettes can vary from person to person. Some people abhorrence to smoking can arise at the onset of a nightly outing here on 6th street (Austin, Texas urban nightlife).

     While others might be in mid puff as their reading this. The value Marlboro has created outweighs the cost associated with cigarettes. The promotion of these values have been creatively and strategically implemented over the years casting a bleak shadow of social benefits over health related risk. Many today can recall how successful The Marlboro Man was to Marlboro.

      The most powerful -- and in some quarters, most hated -- brand image of the century, the Marlboro Man stands worldwide as the ultimate American cowboy and masculine trademark, helping establish Marlboro as the best-selling cigarette in the world (Burnett) . This idea of promoting Marlboro as the John Wayne(western legend) of cigarettes dramatically increased the numbers of smoking among men. Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggest that above food, water and safety (basic life essentials) is our need to be socially excepted. Marlboro was able to capitalize on the psychologically pressure and allure millions of men to conform to an environment of smokers and social acceptance.

 Perceived Benefits    
      The Marlboro Man phenomenon can be admired as one of the greatest marketing strategies ever promoted. The subconscious attachment that comes with this iconic fictional charter has created a strong brand beyond recognition. If you think Marlboro became to be number one in cigarettes by offering slightly healthier alternatives to smoking then you're mistaken(filters). Marlboro contradicted our societal laws by promoting a product who perceived benefits is much greater than its actually benefit...if there are any. Perception and promotion are like interchangeable parts of this marketing machine and companies such as Marlboro are fine tuned into creating perceived value.

        While scientist and other anti-smoking propaganda have proved smoking to be quite addictive, they have still yet to disprove that maybe it's not the cigarettes alone that people are addicted to. Maybe, just maybe, customer acquisition is due to strategic marketing and the need for people to conform. I don't believe Marlboro could have executed any better. Overcoming the negative stigmas in selling such a controversial and taboo product is a skill they have clearly mastered. One thing's for sure, Marlboro has dominated the market place once one smoke at a time.

 References

Burnett, Leo. "The Marlboro Man." Advertising Age Special Report The Advertising Century RSS. AdvertisingAge, n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2016