Month: November 2012

A Third World Dimension

The use of 3D printing (which I had not known existed) is amazing. University of Washington’s engineering department designed and built a boat out of melted milk cartons by printing it in 3D. Using this method is brilliant. However, the costs of using 3D printing is high. Apparently, despite how cheap the actual printer and ink is itself, the printers can only withstand creating small products like a coffee cup. So in turn, this piece of technology doesn’t truly benefit a company since the company cannot utilize it to it’s fullest potential. I don’t know how, but if there was some way to create a 3D printer to print larger and more versatile, usable objects, I think this piece of technology could truly benefit companies and generate enough profit to cover the costs of the machine and building. I think an advance in this technology would be well worth it.

Photo via: the Economist

What is Good Teaching?

Good teaching, like most things, is all based on perception. A seemingly good teacher to me may not be the same to another student in the classroom. I’ve noticed though, it’s based on the effort of the teacher to make up for it. It’s all about trying to engage students and ensure they have the most interactive and fun class they can, in order to give students the teaching environment they need. If a student hates their teacher, they won’t care to listen or learn, it’s a fact. If the teacher does not put the effort in to communicate or reach out to their students, the likelihood of students reaching out to the teacher instead, is slim. The education system has been flawed for years now, as teachers continue to be uncaring for their students and not put the proper effort in order to help their students excel, rather than hinder them. From a business standpoint, such teachers should be replaced. It would allow for schools to have better reputations and smarter students.

Photo via: digitopoly

Drizzle and Drought

The drought in Spain will undoubtedly hurt their sales. They were the largest producer for olive oil throughout the world but with the drought, their selling price has been inflated 50% more than last year. This introduces a huge barrier to entry for surrounding European countries. Since Spain will be charging a price so high for their olive oil, countries like Italy and Greece, the next largest producers, will reap all of the profits and benefits instead.

Not to mention the ongoing need for olive oil, or extra virgin olive oil. We use this oil in our every day cooking, everywhere throughout the world. The product is universal, despite the different qualities you may be able to find. Since it’s such a normal good, a rise in price will force consumers to stray away from the use of it. Which is why more producers will intervene, and sell the oil for less.

Photo via: the Economist

Defenestration

The loss of Steven Sinofsky seems as though it would hurt Microsoft sales significantly. He was head of a division that contributed about a quarter of the company’s $74 billion in revenue which means if Microsoft doesn’t choose their new head carefully, their sales could definitely suffer. As to why he left the company? It’s still a mystery. But why does anyone quit their job? Maybe it was his work environment and he wasn’t satisfied at the job anymore, after 20+ years of working there. Maybe it was his team of workers, or something more personal like family. Whichever it may be, the loss of Steven Sinofsky will hurt the Microsoft team greatly.

Furthermore, I tend to agree that the use of tiles may confuse consumers, while using Microsoft 8. It’s an interesting concept, albeit, and maybe more efficient as well, but it’s something far beyond what the typical Microsoft consumer would know how to use. It can really sway their popularity either way.

Photo via: the Economist

Taxing Times

I think that this tactic is a sneaky way to make some money. The companies wouldn’t make enough from passing this law because in order to have a successful newspaper they’d have to restructure their whole system instead. It’s like they want to take all the money they can from Google and that’s it. However, it is even stated in the article that these profits will hardly aid their company’s financial problems.

They also say that they want to charge readers for reading more of the article, after the first two sentences. I think this is foolish because it would act as a direct deterrence for readers and potential consumers instead. No one wants to pay for an article when you should be able to read it for free, online.

Photo via: the Economist

Look What They’ve Done to my Brands

 
Photo via: The Economist

Despite the significant health risks associated with smoking, people continue to knowingly choose to do so. I believe that Australia’s new plain-packaging law will not make not make as much as a dent in reducing the number of packs sold.  The generic dark brown identical packaging if anything will not discourage people to buy it but rather will allow the companies to save money on packaging and instead invest into another area; for example increasing production of cigarettes. Getting rid of the regular packaging will also get rid of the large warnings and graphic images that usually get printed on it informing smokers the dangers of smoking and risk of lung cancer. This could result in actually increasing demand, because the consumer is not so disinclined to buy it or quit smoking– doing the complete opposite of what was intended by the Australian government.   Identical packaging will hurt tobacco companies in the sense that consumers will most likely only purchase cigarettes from the one or two brand names that they are familiar with, reluctant to try any other ones especially if they are all in identical boxes with no differentiation.  However, in the grand scheme of things, this does not necessarily mean demand for tobacco as a whole will decrease; people will still smoke regardless.