“Here’s our objective: We want to create more of a family atmosphere.”

Matt Friesen, co-owner and CEO of Wantering, wants to create a strong, cohesive culture across Vancouver, New York, and Los Angeles.  These are the three cities that his company has employees in.  With the recent acquisition of StyleCo, another online fashion website based out of L.A, Frisen wants to merge the two companies and have a uniform culture.

I think that Friesen’s idea to have lunch with the employees everyday is an excellent decision.  Friesen wants to create a family atmosphere, and breaking bread with his employees is a good way to do so.  I agree with Ryan Williams’ analysis, by focusing on similarities other than differences it puts people on the same page and gives them things to relate with each other.  Another suggestion I have to add on to Williams’ comments is to continue to have these workshops.  Having locations spread across the continent is definitely an issue in creating a uniform atmosphere and by continuing to have events like this it can remind employees of the company’s values.  Lastly, I suggest Mr. Frisen prompt his employees to continue inter-communication even after the workshop.  Since he has very few employees, only seven, it will be easy for the employees to keep in touch with each other and further strengthen that familial culture.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/the-challenge/vancouver-fashion-startup-moves-into-the-us-in-a-big-way/article21192886/

Taseko Mines Ltd.’s New Prosperity mine project’s progress could be hindered by the declaration of a large part of the Chilcotin area as a tribal park.  Dasiqox Tribal Park’s area does not extend into the zone that the mine would occupy, but nonetheless the First Nations People are declaring it as their land.  As such the mine, which would have environmental impacts, is being opposed by the Tsilhqot’in people.

Although the project has been criticized and shot down due to the environmental pressure that the project will have, Taseko persists that the review was flawed and that their ability to hold the pollution in the tailing ponds should not be discounted.  This declaration will eliminate the chance of this project happening, as well as the numerous jobs that this project would have produced.  The band’s decision to declare more land than has been allotted to them has received criticism, mostly due to the economic boost that the region desperately needs.

Recently, the mining company’s proposal has been denied by the federal government and is seeking compensation.  This turn of events could prove to be deadly for Taseko, in the eyes of their stakeholders this could show weakness and their profits could shrink.

Sources: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html

http://www.mining.com/taseko-launches-civil-suit-72263/

Stollerys, an iconic men’s clothing store situated in Toronto, is set to close its doors after 114 years.  The landmark has been unable to compete with other men’s clothing companys like Harry Rosen or Holt Renfrew & Co., along with the rising propensity of online stores.  Stollerys’ manager, Victor Edwards, said that some days business was so low he’d wonder why he had even come in that day.

Stollerys launched its own online store about a year ago but whether or not it has been successful has not changed the store’s fate.  Perhaps aside from Toronto, Harry Rosen’s name carries much more weight than that of Stollerys.  As online stores are not limited to location, Harry Rosen’s online store would be much more successful and thus have a larger market share.  Since men’s clothing takes up much less space compared to women’s fashion in the clothing market, Harry Rosen pulling ahead is even more detrimental to Stollerys.  As sad as it is to see a landmark go, this recycling of brands is normal according to Porter.  His view says that to stay on top one must be innovative, but in Stollerys case, they tried to keep the same business model and thus fell behind.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/iconic-upscale-mens-wear-store-to-close-in-toronto/article20932353/

Hewlett-Packard, a giant in the technological field, could split into two companies in order to focus more on the needs of the corporate sector.  The change will separate their computer and printer services from their computer hardware business.  This split has come about due to the transition of the market into mobile computing, HP’s market value of $66 billion is overshadowed by those of Apple and Microsoft, $596 and $380 billion respectively.

HP’s shareholders have put pressure on them to cause this move.  They said that HP should focus on the more-profitable server and data-storage operations that cater to businesses.  Although moving away from companies like Apple and Microsoft that currently dominate the market, his separation could be detrimental for the company.  This spinoff could show instability which would create uncertainty in the minds of investors when they think of the two possible companies.  Before this recent turn of events, HP’s quarterly reports showed company growth as older businesses were updating their current technology.  It is difficult to tell whether HP will be better off, this risky move could give HP the #1 market share in corporate technology, or it could spell certain doom if they cannot get the necessary support from stockholders.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/us-business/silicon-valley-giant-hewlett-packard-to-split-in-two-report/article20938032/

The first brand that comes to mind when someone says “coffee” is Starbucks.  This Seattle-based company has plans to increase their already massive market share by testing out new “express cafés”.  Set to launch in New York next year, these “express cafés” will attempt to cater to people that need something quick and to-go.  The menus in these stores will be reduced to the basics in order to keep wait times lower.

This differentiation of Starbucks’ is sure to increase their market share.  They will be able to cater to those that are in a hurry and otherwise would not be able to wait in line for a cup of coffee.  This could also provide another incentive for consumers to purchase Starbucks’ coffee.  Long lines have become an epidemic, even for Starbucks whose stores are seemingly everywhere.  From personal experience, I cannot remember a time when I did not have to wait in line to purchase coffee.  For those that just do not want to wait in line, the simplified menus of the new cafés could be the solution for those that don’t want to wait in line.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/starbucks-plans-to-test-smaller-express-cafes/article20370768/