Aleksandar Novakovic's Blog

    What truly motivated employees? Is it as simple as material goods, or perhaps an underlying trace of intrinsic motivation that pushes the common worker to their best? A Human Resources Article I found distributes motivation into 8 diverse categories which I interprated may be generalized into two basic classifications: Extrinsic and Intrinsic. I refer to intrinsic as an employee’s internal desire to do something arising from interest, satisfaction, or pleasure. This topic arouses my attention for it covers both the matters covered in the Oct 14 class for Comm 101 about people,culture and teams as well as interconnecting to many Organization Behaviour theories we learnt along the year.

   Ideally, from an executive’s perspective all employees would be intrinsically directed placing valence on compliments and verbal recognition rather than shares in company stock or fat paychecks – after all it’s cheaper! However, this is not the case, employee motivation ranges from specific cases ranging from both extremes of the spectrum. It is therefor important to consider both varieties of potential workers and specify managerial techniques to match each employee’s expectations specifically. In return higher employee productivity, loyalty, emotional identification will result, while decreasing turnover. A win-win.

    Business organizations around the world are now more than ever adapting to increasing Corporate Responsibility Standards in regards to sustainability. Our CSR and Sustainability class covered October 12 covered many interesting topics concerning our changing views on environmental issues and how businesses are beginning to further associating themselves within this area of interest.

    I researched the local efforts made by our community in sustainability and was surprised of the amount of effort and resources dedicated to reinforce the sustainable cause. The city of Vancouver’s Governmental Website provides an astonishing analysis on Vancouver’s environmental efforts. It may surprise most readers to know that Vancouver has the Strictest Energy Efficiency Requirements in Canada, is a dedicated member of the EcoDensity initiative and in recent 2009 has also launched the Greenest City Initiative. Altogether what does this leave Vancouver with??? The title of Canada’s most sustainable city by the Corporate Knights Survey and a sense of pride, to be held by all residents of our socially responsible community. Vancouver will serve as a role model for both governmental and business powers alike to pursue sustainable methods of practice within their command. Please refer to video above, a very interesting light revealed about our city.

   Newspaper companies across the nation are being forced into bankruptcy, which according to the Silicon Valley Watcher, have reported rates of falling revenue not seen since the great depression. The greatest impact on the undustry was felt last Febuary when Colorado’s giant, “Rocky Mountain News,” published its final paper, titled “Goodbye, Colorado.” Other corporate giants share the same financial struggle, even the 144 year old veteren producer of the, “San Francisco Chronicle,” has had to cut a third of its newsroom in the past two years in response to financial pressures. The CEO’s of  Chicago Tribune are also distressed due to a $13 billion debt, filing for bankruptcy protection Monday.

    It is relatively clear the widespread failure of newpaper companies is reasonably connected with the drastic development of the internet’s popularity. The social media revolution has undeniable potential in our modern world. However we musn’t overlook the negative impact this places upon the newspaper industry, thousands of jobs have been lost within only a few years and thousands hanging by a thread. Looking back at our class lecture regarding Management information systems (MIS,) my research shows we overloooked this important economic standpoint. The upbeat music from video shown in class shared this problem.

     Still a Virgin? If you havn’t already seen the billboard above, you should know that advertisements like these have been spread internationally across both Canada and America. The provocative question is gaurenteed to catch the attention of people passing by, so what’s this billboard about? A movie!

     Starring Will Ferrel, “The Virginity Hit,” is essentially about three guys who try to get their virgin pal get “laid” and memorialize it on camera. Though many people may believe this form of advertising is controversial or unethical, there is no argueing it’s affective. The most ingenious point about this advertisement is the amount of FREE additional commercialization it recieves. Google the billboard, theres hundreds of articles from media, ranging from Huffington Post to the Vancouver Sun itself. The story even made televized news on many local tv stations. Whether these stories criticize the add itself or not, they still spread the word of the upcoming film, and as we often hear, “all publicity is good publicity.” We were taught in class, the average consumer is bombarded with thousands of marketing of marketing displays a day, but it’s safe to say this one stick out, whether you like it or not.

Video

      The class covered on September 23rd focused on “Intro to business Plans,” using Burger King’s new outlet in the Russian capital of Moscow as a primary example, (related article found here.) As burger king begins its new international venture, the company must review several key elements. Firstly, Mcdonald’s experience within the Russian market, as they have already been profiting from Russian customers for several years. In addition to this, the firm must acknowledge language barriers which, if not properly handled, will lead to communication problems in future business.

      An article about Russian social networking company known as “Kontakte,” or contacts, is a Russian social networking company with wishes to go global and enter North American markets. In this endeavor Russia’s networking company faces many of the same concepts as Burger King. Kontakte must look to facebook as a guideline of how expansion may take place, just as Burger King will consider Mcdonald’s results. Russia’s social network also faces the language barrier Burger King had to overcome, as the site must include constant english uptades to please N. American customers. My analysis shows the common obstacles company’s must overcome whether expanding from America to Russia or vice-versa, and relation to class.

    I am writing in response of our third class regarding ethics and decision making, held on September 16. During the introduction of the class Mr. Paul Cubbon shortly mentioned an article he read earlier in the morning titled, “Sexy Dress Code Spurs Complaint.” A short summary of the article is offered: Metro-Vancouver. The formal complaint concerning gender-based discrimination recieved generous media attention and a human rights hearing is taking place on April 19 to 21st of this year.

    Only a few days after the lecture I found a popular link shared over facebook involving Armani’s new “face” Megan Fox advertising the international company’s product in a commercial teaser called, “The Tip,” found Here. After only 4 days the youtube video has recieved over 1.5 million hits proving the amazing marketing advantages of employing the beautiful actress/model to represent ones brand. This video, though successful in many ways, directly relates to the class involving gender-based discrimination. The way Ms. Fox represents herself in the commercial provides levarage for employers to further expect female workers to induce the class and sex appeal during work in certain clubs, restaurants, boutiques, etc. Should this marketing continue to exist in our modern society?