Another unusual first have graced the streets of Vancouver, with the addition of  “blue box recycled plastics as asphalt mix on the city’s roads. “ Vancouver is now adding “old plastic milk jugs, yogurt containers, and other post-consumer recyclable material”  which will be ground up into wax and added into asphalt mix, which eventually ends up in the road.

http://www.vancouversun.com/7556257.bin

This addition will not only allow the city to apply asphalt in cool days (days that are truly uncommon in a city like Vancouver), but it will also result in significant savings. 20% less fuel will be used to operate asphalt plants because of the decrease in need. This material is also as as strong and durable as the current mix, which reduces any safety complaints that may be raised.

Vancouver truly is a leading city in environmental sustainability. With yet another innovative way to both reduce cost and decrease fuel consumption, Vancouver’s economic footprint is slowly declining. These methods should definitely be supported and more innovative ideas must be implemented for Vancouver to continue its trek towards a greener future.

Article: http://www.whatsonthorold.com/sites/default/files/field/image/bluebox.jpg

Some argue that they key to success is knowing the right people because they open doors that were previous padlocked. The only way to expand your contact list is by meeting new people, a method otherwise known as networking. For future young entrepreneurs, Young Entrepreneur is definitely the blog to follow. Young Entrepreneur allows young people to connect and share their ideas and opinions with others who share the same passion.

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Young Entrepreneur offers advice and tips that equip hopefuls with the tools necessary to start their own business. To name a few, there are 20 Must Have Tools for Young Treps, 3 Critical Elements of an Investor Pitch, and How to Never Miss a Chance to Start a Hype. There is also a forum available where there are discussions in which other entrepreneurs attempt to aid their peers. It is a supportive group in which young entrepreneurs can thrive.

A quick perusal of the website quick revealed how useful the blog is for anyone new who plans to create a business. With insights that would not have even been considered, otherwise, visiting this blog will allow you to bring yourself one step closer to a successful business venture.

Blog site: http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/

http://www.urthecast.com/#

“Everything is about to change”

Yet again, a revolutionary contraption will grace our daily lives. UrtheCast is “launching the world’s first high-definition video platform of Earth, streamed from space.” This video can be used to observe the daily events and lives of people on Earth. This video streaming will also be incredibly useful to humanitarian efforts during natural disasters while “educators will be able to harness rich videos for their lesson plans.”

The concept itself is incredibly abstract in that people who go about their lives will only be mildly interested in viewing the Earth as time passes by. However, the potential advancements humanity can take has increased exponentially with his new technology. Starting from being able to monitor environmental changes to seeing how activities vary in every culture in other countries, we will be able to see how this technology will further impact our lives.

This entrepreneurial quest shows how a team with an innovative idea with the right type of technology will be able to change society, while making the big bucks.

Website: http://www.urthecast.com/

Further Reading: http://www.urthecast.com/blog/camera/how-it-works-urthecast/ 

Our world is slowly being revolutionized by innovative technology that seeks to make our lives more efficient and a lot easier. Most of these technological advances have been born to be used in our cellphones, those little pieces of technology that most of us can’t function without.

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Smart phones are a form of management information systems and become a form of business technology management with the way they have implemented another method for paying for purchases. Canadians will now be able to use their cellphones as a “mobile credit card”. This idea is welcomed by almost 47% of Canadians spanning every age. This will allow faster transactions and another thing that Canadians can add to the ever increasing functions of their cellphones.

However, there is still some skepticism regarding the system’s accuracy and accessibility. This form of payment will only be available with a certain type of software and during the system’s test runs, it only had an accuracy rating of 19/20.

Despite these minor problems, this new piece of technology seems to be the future. It won’t be long before even credit cards and debit cards become obsolete.

As CIBC’s David Williamson said, “making the first mobile credit card payment means that we are one step closer to allowing Canadians to store everything they need, securely, in their smartphone.”

Article:  http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/personal-tech/Canadians+ready+smartphones+like+credit+cards/7489598/story.html#ixzz2BCN5ViBo

Class Notes: What are management information systems? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Management_information_systems 

What is business technology management? http://ccict.ca/ccict-strategy/btm 

Addition to Joanna Huang’s Blog Post.

“The best way to find yourself it to lose yourself in the service of others.” – Mahatma Ghandi

Every year, We Day attracts thousands of students to Rogers Arena to take part in one fo the most inspiring and  hyped events in Vancouver. On October 18, 2012, the Arena became a nest for budding Social Entrepreneurs or in Joanna’s words, a place where “Craig and Marc Kielburger, as social entrepreneurs, have left a legacy- a movement for change”.

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With stars like Demi Lovato, Shawn Desmond and One Republic coming in to advoate for change in the world, many are listening. And with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Spencer West, many are finding out HOW (class link).  Staring with how Craig and Marc Kielburger founded Free the Children, students around the lower mainland are taught that anything is possible if they are determined and passionate enough for their cause. Here, people are taught that even the smallest actions can change the lives of those less fortunate than us.

After attending We Day, many students can’t help but start something new in their communites. Many start a club, hold fundraisers, and even travel to third-countries because they believe they can make a change. These students , just like Craig and Marc Keilburger, are on the right track to becoming Social Entrepreneurs.

Response to Ashley Belzil’s Blog Post.

The first step to improving the rights of Foxconn workers is admitting to the crimes Foxconn committed. Adding to the already extensive list of atrocities they have done, “underage hiring” joins Foxconn’s indelible record.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/data?pid=avimage&iid=iXqzM6pT8UZE

Foxconn has admitted to hiring underage interns, effectively violating both China’s Labour Laws as well as Foxconn’s own policies. This company has already been under much scrutiny and criticism resulting from the discovery of it’s poor working conditions and underpaid employees.

The minors hired where directly sent from schools with Foxconn making no confirmations of their ages. These interns were with Foxconn for over three weeks and were subjected to the same working conditions as the other employees . A bit much for children who are below the age of sixteen.

Foxconn seems to have a continually growing list of crimes to add to their list. Although they have already begun to mend their reputation by slowly improving the quality of the workplace of it’s employees with properly adjusted wages, we seem to have only touched the tip of the iceberg with their many cries that are slowly coming to light.

Article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2411004,00.asp

Target has approached product placement from an entirely different angle.  Target’s new advertising gig features a series of short films that showcases products from it’s stores. To put it simply, everything -except perhaps the people, the real estate, and the cars- are available for purchase at Target.

Their aim? See the things you want to buy in action. It places these items in a short films, staring Kristen Bell, and allows its audience to view a living catalogue.

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In our media filled society, one of the best ways to reach the average consumer is through the media. With sites like YouTube and Facebook becoming more popular, customers have become easier to access by advertising in sites they visit the most. Furthermore, seeing a few stars sitting on the same couch or buying the same mug you already like would further convince you to buy the product you want.

This is definitely a unique way of advertising. Perhaps this will begin the trend of creating living catalogues that people can just watch and be entertained by instead of having to flip through the pages of a magazine.

Watch the trailer at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWuMOKkMQSQ&feature=BFa&list=UUralvBh1hSGRf4SrjS-mY7Q

Watch the videos at: http://fallingforyou.target.com/

Article: http://www.torontosun.com/2012/10/04/kristen-bell-falls-for-target

It seemed like just a few months ago, the ongoing social debate about which electronic device was better was ubiquitous in our daily lives. Which is better? An iPhone or a Blackberry?

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Well, that debate has now ended. Blackberry no longer holds the title as one of the top brands in the world. In fact, it is now at the bottom of the latest Interbrand Rankings. The Blackberry brand no longer hold as much influence over the public as it used just a few months ago. Consumers have moved on to the next big thing.

The iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy Battle.

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The quick switch just goes to show how quickly our society changes its taste and opinions. The latest trends is the at forefront of our minds in order to retain our image. However, you may notice that there is one common link between the two trends. The iPhone. The key to success in today’s technologically revolutionary times is the continuous innovation of new products or the significant improvements of old ones. Apple has done just that, continually releasing new Apple products, building on the hype of its previous ones.

This new Samsung Galaxy had better tread its ground carefully lest it become just like the Blackberry.

Should I buy another DQ Blizzard? A cone perhaps? Maybe even a McFlurry? Or should I not buy it at all? Is it worth the several hundred calories?

We’ve all been there, debating whether or not we should be buying this delectable dessert or whether we should pass on the few extra grams of fat. Well, our decisions have just been made that much easier by Qoola.

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Frozen yogurt has become the next best thing next to ice cream. As one of the few frozen yogurt stores in Vancouver, Qoola’s increasing popularity has been fueled by its point of difference and THE new trend : eating heathy. With the consumer marker quickly trying to stick to healthier products, this “kosher, gluten-free, non-fat”¹, low calorie, fruit-filled, while still tasting amazing dessert could not have arrived at a better time.

Quoola’s unique service involves the customer creating one’s own dish. Stating off with selecting a flavor of frozen yogurt (chocolate, taro, acai, and more!), then moving on to choosing which toppings are the most desired, all the choices are made by the consumer themselves.

By catering to the healthy desires of it’s customers, Qoola has successfully established itself as one of the leading frozen yogurt stores in the Vancouver area.

So, next time you’re craving for ice cream, try something new and healthier by trying Qoola instead!

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The Amazon Rainforest, with its majestic river, lush jungles, and perpetual diversity, has been the epitome of natural grandeur. Now, imagine this symbol tainted. Its blue rivers turn black, it’s lush forests dying and diversity plummeting. This has been the new reality the Amazon has been faced with since 1972 when Texaco, a company that merged with Chevron, dumped 17 million gallons of crude oil in unlined pits. The result? A polluted river that is the water source of many plants, livestock and humans who inhabit the rainforest.

http://maggiemcgeegoesgreen.blogspot.ca/2011/02/pollution-in-amazon.html

Chevron was accused of these crimes for over two decades and this whole debacle has yet to settle. Although Chevron has already been fined repeatedly, many are still calling to have their actions brought to justice. Environmentalist and people who were affected are unsatisfied with the way Chevron has been dealt with. They believe a harsher punishment is appropriate for the way their lives and natural habitat has been disrupted. Many bathe, drink water, and depend on the river Chevron has polluted. All this, for a cheaper way to get rid of waste.

With the scarcity of unchanged and untouched natural places in our world it is imperative that we preserve whatever is left. The previously pristine Amazon Rainforest should be protected for as long as possible. Chevron should be willing to pay the extra buck to avoid pollution. There are many ways to properly dispose of oil and this is definitely not one of them.

Is it worth it to flood the Amazon River with oil to increase the profits of a company? Definitely not.