The popular Quick Response (QR) codes are becoming a useful instrument for many businesses. As Adam Toren mentions, in his blog “What’s the Deal with QR Codes?”, QR codes are “versatile, easy to use, and they have an element of fun that not many marketing tools provide.” Toren implies that any marketer would benefit from using a QR code as a promotional tool.

However, Toren does not mention the possible risks associated with QR codes. People frequently scan QR codes that do not explicitly have any branding on them; this is potentially dangerous as they may be sent to a site containing inappropriate content or even a site that installs a virus on their mobile device. The easy fix would then be to make sure you have your brand name on the poster or picture that contains the code. Although this may seem desirable, it could lead to competition sabotage; companies may create QR codes, with the brand name of a competitor, that leads to a dangerous site. Due to the risk, one misused QR code could label all QR codes as hazardous.

If you are anything like me, Tim Hortons’ commercials (like the one above) make you well up. This is understandable especially because this one is based on a true story. However, after reading The Globe And Mail article “Tim Hortons ad not quite ‘based on a true story” I found out the true facts: the commercial was staged with paid actors and actresses. The commercial was not actually based on a true story but rather fabricated from a story of getting Tim Horton’s coffee before going to the airport.

Is this not false advertising? Where is the line that separates fraudulent marketing and strategic marketing? Knowing this fact agitates me because I think of those people who speculated about the family, wondering where they came from and where they currently are. Furthermore, every subsequent Tim Hortons’ commercial I see, I will be thinking of how the commercial is actually distorted from the truth. Consequently I will be less likely to get as emotional attached to the story, similar to many people who know the truth.

Overall, misleading the audience by displaying “Based on a True Story” may, in return, actually of hurt Tim Hortons through the bad media surrounding the issue.

Everyone knows of google’s recent success, but does everyone know why? Personally, I think the unique culture that exists within Googleplex is one of the key reasons, if not the biggest. As fellow classmate, Aaron Chan, touched upon
in “Global Top 50: The World’s Most Attractive Employer“, Google creates an environment that allows its employees to always be comfortable and sociable. The success of the employees is causally related to this environment. Who wouldn’t work well after a relaxing message or a swim in a pool with an automatic current? Some more of Google’s perks and benefits can be found here.

Should this reason signal other companies to adopt similar organizational behaviour? It depends.  The reason this strategy works so well for Google is because this environment allows the ‘creative juices’ to always be flowing. Creativity is a necessary quality for employees of an innovative company, such as Google. Because innovation is strongly valued at Googleplex, there are whiteboards beside each foosball table, air hockey table, and every other game table on campus. This allows ‘spark of the moment’ ideas to be recorded.

For each unique company, there is an environment that best suits its goals; Google found its early on, which greatly contributed to its success.

What exactly is H.U.M.A.N? H.U.M.A.N is an innovative company that stands for Helping Unite Man And Nutrition. The CEO of the company, Sean Kelly, is an entrepreneurial figure in the business world. Kelly started his career as the founder of FitFuel, but because of the high risk involved he failed with this product. However, his perseverance continued to fuel his ambitions and he soon started on the H.U.M.A.N project, which has been doing well recently. Reading about Kelly and his dedication to this innovative business inspires me. Knowing the risks involved with starting the business and how he potentially could have failed twice shows his dedication to creating innovative products.

What amazes me most is Kelly’s ability in materializing his ideas, especially when facing adversity. It’s one thing to come up with a great idea in the business world, but to follow through and bring it to life is a path not many dare to take. I can only hope that if I ever come up with an original idea I may be as ambitious as Kelly is.