The link to the website: http://business.blogs.cnn.com/2012/11/09/starbucks-versus-tea-in-india/

Along with this is a video that further explains this conquest.

This blog is in response to the CNN blog over Starbuck opening in India; a country where people are chai and not coffee drinkers. As the first outlet was open, it received quite a welcoming open with people entering for chats and coffee. It is true that India is not a coffee country compared to the U.S and Canada but consumption per person is slowly increasing.

It can be further noted how a place like India prefers Starbucks to be a place where informal meetings and hang outs can happen. The blog states “it is coincidental that the place sells coffee and even if Starbucks sold lemonade people would still go”.

The company aims to open several stores in India till 2014, increasing employment and allowing these companies to expand in south-east Asia. India is a great country to expand a market as it is full of opportunities.

This is a response to Chris Williamsons blog the effects of Globalization on the economies worldwide.  I had also recently visited Spain and Italy in the summer and noticed the same forms of riots and high rates of unemployment. All these markets are interconnected to other markets worldwide and that is through the beauty of globalization.

The crash of the U.S economy marked the as second crash of the economy after the great depression. While the current European crisis is the same. A thought was given whether to kick Greece out of the Union but it would have caused further internal problems as other might want to leave too. This includes Spain and Italy, both dear members to the European Union.

Continuous trade and the benefits of globalization are the key for the recession to convert to a boom. China is the only country so far who has managed to pull itself of the recession the world currently faces.

This is in response to Aron Chitsaz’s blog business meets pleasure. I clearly agree to the point Aron has stated. It is surely possible that business and pleasure can both be combined together. The results of this are extraordinary.

Tom Dobrzanski, a Sauder School of Business alumni managed to combine his interest of music in his field of study. During his time at University of British Columbia, he wrote his first songs. As his dream came to life, Tom started to manage his band, using what all he had been learning during his time at Sauder.

Initially the start up costs were high but Tom had been saving up for a trip to Europe but rather chose to spend it on his dream. Tom has only been followed by success from his decision.

It is truly an inspiring story, as I also I have an interest in play music and never knew I could apply it all from what I learn everyday at this prestigious university.

Innovation has taken the world to a new sphere that now a satellite rotates around world taking in life feeds and showing it to the public. The urthcast initiative, aims to give us the view that astronauts only see. It is the first of its kind to do so is high definition and gives the viewer a real impression of the platform of the earth.

It may seem that the urthcast initiative may causes harm to the people, as its information might get into the wrong hands but the company itself works on principles that may lead them to jail if information is given to the certain party’s. This new idea further works with smart phones.

We can view almost anything from hurricane to thunder storms anywhere around the  but the only I see is that it the satellite does not point to an exact location of your request if not in range but we only see what the camera crosses by. I would give it a few more years till that changes and we can see anything at any given time.

Here is a link to the website: http://www.urthecast.com/

A brief view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wVZA1V4Ttc0

What criteria do we need to be called a Social Enterprise? The Social Enterprise of Canada states that “Social enterprises are businesses owned by nonprofit organizations, that are directly involved in the production and/or selling of goods and services for the blended purpose of generating income and achieving social, cultural, and/or environmental aims. Social enterprises are one more tool for non-profits to use to meet their mission to contribute to healthy communities.”[i]

An example would be Salem’s Ethiopia, an enterprise that focuses towards giving back to the community by having “fair returns for employees and co-op partners”[ii]. While providing these fair returns Salem’s Ethiopia is maintaining Ethiopian culture by preserving their fine jewelry and accessories. I find the idea of preservation quite appealing as it encourages the craftspeople to work effectively and work towards a change in Ethiopia.

To view the website click on the following link: http://salemsethiopia.com/

While pre-reading for class 12 on social entrepreneurship, I was curious if my country was involved in this prestigious venture for change. I stumbled upon YES (Youth Engagement Service) Pakistan, which is a registered non-profit association which focuses towards making a difference with the help of the youth. As they are considered to the key for change and one of their motives that caught my eye was the Youth Social Entrepreneurship competition. The aim was to have the youth to create and launch new initiatives that can change society.[i]  This program encourages those who are determined to make a difference.

In 5 years the Iphone by apple has dominated the smart phone market. Now since the Iphone 5 is released the price of the Iphone 4 will decrease relatively. The biggest competition the Iphone 5 faces today is probably the Samsung GlaxcyS3 which cheaper hence having a lower opportunity cost. Some feel that the iphone 5 is not a revolutionary product but just a slimmer, longer and faster version of the Iphone 4 but with the service apple has provided over the years this not affect sales in general.

Apple possesses the finance and the resources to advertise the Iphone 5 extensively, trying to attract new customers.  Those who are loyal to Apple will definitely buy the iphone 5 as soon as they possibly can. The question though arises whether the Iphone 5 is actually worth it? Here is a link to full Iphone 5 commercial; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhPhUBjNRzw

Why would Apple choose to make it slimmer and longer when they could’ve created something revolutionary involving  maybe 3D graphics.

Would you buy the Iphone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S3? Here is the Samsung Galaxy commercial; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nf5-Prx19ZM

Does Apple need another Steve Jobs?

Nike, a major sports wear brand aired this advertisement to tell us to “find your greatness”; http://nikeinc.com/news/nike-launches-find-your-greatness-campaign-celebrating-inspiration-for-the-everyday-athlete . A link to the video; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JnYcuRW_qo

We are all capable of finding greatness no matter what challenge we are put under. The advertisement shows how Nike is helping this boy to show him how greatness is not beyond his reach. This advertisement is truly inspirational. An interview of the boy can also be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfoYIiPhtbg&feature=youtu.be

This commercial stands out as it is different and is not a typical Nike advertisement. Nike stresses how the brand is here to serve everyone and to show the people that Nike is here to make a difference.

This campaign will benefit Nike in the long run, as it will boost up sales and will definitely make its rivals feel threatened as a new market has been tapped.

What do you think about this campaign Nike has launched?

Do you think this advertisement has inspired you?

In 2011, Kraft Foods introduced Mio, A liquid enhancer which contains no artificial coloring or preservatives. MiO makes water into a custom sweet drink that everyone can enjoy.  It’s a calorie free enhancer that is 600 times sweeter than sugar and contains no caffeine (i). Why would someone want to buy MiO when they can have Coke or Pepsi?  The point of parity we notice is that MiO, Coke and Pepsi  are all beverages and the bottles are recyclable but the point of difference that MiO has is that is not as harmful compared to Coke and Pepsi, contains no caffeine and contains vitamin B in certain flavors .

MiO has gone to the extent that after consulting  from your doctors, it can consumed by diabetic patients . An advertisement presented recently shows how MiO “changes everything”. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXG0PACMUOo

MiO even has its own website which it helps in market the product and gives an insight on the product itself; http://www.kraftbrands.com/mio/about_mio.html

Works Cited

“i.” About MiO March 2011. http://www.kraftbrands.com/mio/.

GREENSTAR- TOUCH CONDOMS

In a country where a  weak  family planning structure led to over population, gave birth to Greenstar social marketing Pakistan in 1985. A non-profit and non-government organization that aimed to improve quality of life within the lower income earners. In 2005 Greenstar launched a condom program to help control this ever rising population. There was massive advertising done all over the country and to the extent that a song was even recorded for a product known as ‘Touch Condoms’. A link has been attached: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vB6z6WqayZ0.

Greenstar maybe an NGO (non-government organization), to me it is still a business. As they still aim to look for great sponsor deals and have an annual budget of 1.3 billion. An ethical issue I found in this business was the unethical practice relating to the market. A pack of three touch condoms included with tax, as set by Greenstar would cost a Pakistani citizen 35 rupees (37 Canadian cents). The purpose of this low price was to encourage lower income earners to practice safe sex and keep a steady population but in many markets these same condoms were being sold at 100 rupees (1.04 dollars) hence discouraging many from buying the product.

Do these markets have the right to increase prices for a product that is actually going to help the society?

Is it really all about making profit for these markets?

What can be done to stop these markets from using price discrimination?