November.

Don’t Just Volunteer. Educate.

photo credit: pinimg.com

For the most part, the United Nations is known for improving human rights, developing economical and social programs, and peacekeeping. But even if it were fully funded, programs like the Arc and social enterprises will always be needed. 

The United Nations can be seen helping countries recover from natural disasters, but afterwards in order for countries (especially third-world countries) to sustain themselves, this is where social enterprises are needed and step in.

Social enterprises pave the way for people to solve issues as a community in order to create social, economic, or environmental change while seeing a generation of income. In other words, social enterprises provide education where there is little, and the ideas generated are what create sustainable change.

Educating others creates economic opportunities, and because of this, they can build a better future.

References

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/u/united-nations-un.asp

http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/

http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/

Photo Reference

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/20/17/7c/20177cc6fda22d25398af79fd23e2d4e.jpg

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November.

How Do Three-Day Weekends Sound?

Image Source: Forbes

Last year, I had a teacher who I fondly remember as someone who firmly believed these days, people are being overworked and that it is harming individuals’ identities and happiness. Now what in the world is my point?

Well, one thing I’ll never forget him saying is what if one day everyone just decided to not show up to work on a Monday? What would the government do about that?

This was the first time I had thought about the idea of three-day weekends.

Danielle van Jaarsveld’s visit to class really evoked a belief in me. I might not believe that three-day weekends are viable in the society we currently live, but I believe a lot can be done to alter how workers are currently being treated.

What does every business want? A productive workforce, both in efficiency and innovation. But hearing “TGIF” every week at my part-time job in an office setting is the perfect example of why the nine to five schedule is not the way to maintain a productive workforce.

Back when I wrote about Virgin Mobile’s transformation of becoming a company where employees can take unlimited vacation time, I was still a little hesitant about such an unorthodox idea. But now I believe more than ever more companies need to focus on their employees just as much as their customers. I see one of my future goals a lot clearer now: I want to work on my own schedule, whether that be for someone else or for myself.

After all, people are organizations.

 

Photo Reference:

http://blogs-images.forbes.com/jacobmorgan/files/2014/09/The_evolution_of_the_employee.jpg

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November.

Re: Cassandra Cannon – Online Shopping Threatens Malls

Photo: SoundbeatMedia

In Cassandra’s blog post regarding online shopping becoming a threat to retail stores, she highlights the problem malls are facing and what they should do to compete with online shopping. Although the growth in popularity of online shopping is prevalent, I believe the reinvention to maintain consistent retail sales lies in the hands of retailers, not malls. Cassandra suggests malls should focus on the overall shopping experience for a customer by providing more venues for movies and dining, and although this does create a more friendly and sociable environment for us, most malls already do offer these features.

Online shopping has become a norm, and I notice myself also shopping through the click of a few buttons from time to time. But my main reason is not due to how comfortable it is to stay at home. It’s because I end up ordering products online due to the lack of, or different inventory offered in stores. When I visit a store hoping to buy something I saw on its website, I’m often disappointed by the fact that this item can’t even be found. Companies are seeing a decline in sales in retail stores because more and more of them do not keep their in-store inventory up to date with their online catalog. 

Expanding store inventory to precisely match online catalogs would most definitely hike up a company’s costs to maintain its retail stores, but I can understand why many retailers are concerned. If its online sales do not make up or surpass the success of its retail stores, then it might be wise for companies to take a look into their operations, and see whether the wide variety of items offered online are helping or hurting their success.

 

 

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November.

Seth Godin – Ideas in the Digital Age

Image Source: sethgodin.typepad.com

After scanning several business blogs these past few days, I stumbled across one by entrepreneur and marketer Seth Godin. His short yet insightful daily posts, a vast majority of which are on ideas worth spreading in the digital age drew me in right away (I’ll be honest, he does also look a little like Paul Cubbon, doesn’t he?).

Unlike other bloggers, Seth understands the Information Age. You can tell through his ideas he sees the changes it has brought upon the idea of marketing, and how marketing strategies cannot remain the same as the days of television popularity. Along with helpful content, many of Seth’s blogs are also very motivating. Whether that be him highlighting the tiny cost of failure we may face from the cost of not trying, or our stubbornness to sometimes change, the few posts I’ve read have all left me a little more inspired to always let my ideas grow.

Many other blogs I have recently looked up all highlight the same ideas we’ve covered in class. But what’s different about Seth Godin’s blog is that he often covers concepts we have yet to reach in class- a step deeper into many I do have knowledge of.

If you’re looking to dive a little deeper into concepts of marketing in today’s age or just for some quirky and motivational content, Seth’s blog is definitely one worth checking out.

You can find his blog here.

A few of my favourites:

1. Decoding Apple as a luxury tools company

2. The sophistication of truth

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October.

Re: Aiken Lao – Gender Balancing the Toy Industry

photo credit: NY Times

In my classmate Aiken’s blog post about gender balancing the toy industry, she mentions the benefits of promoting gender neutrality in both the workforce and toy industry. Although I strongly agree with the pros that come with having a gender balanced company, the strong evidence from a marketing perspective shows creating gender neutral products is not the way to maximize profits.

When I walk down the toiletries aisle of any drugstore, the course material from Comm 101 has allowed something to stand out to me now that never did before: market segmentation. More specifically, gendered marketing.

Many if not all brands in this aisle have done it. They have created both a male and female version of deodorants, razors, shaving cream and eye gel just to name a few. But why do they do this when we both know gender neutrality brings all genders closer and promotes a product’s points of parity? The answer is to overcome gender contamination. By creating a more masculine version of a feminine appearing shampoo by making the packaging more rigid for example, men become less discouraged to purchase the product while women don’t feel as if their product has become more masculine. Their original shampoo still exists… just for women!

Is the idea of gendered market segmentation morally wrong? I think so, as it splits buyers into two categories when the products in both categories perform equally. But from a business perspective, this clever market segmentation has become a game-changer. Or in other words, an easy way to increase sales.

Check out this great video on Gendered Marketing! 

References:

Nobel, Carmen. “Gender Contamination: Why Men Prefer Products Untouched By Women.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 13 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.

Photo Source:

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/12/23/sunday-review/23GRAY/23GRAY-articleLarge.jpg

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October.

First Nations: Blockade at BC Mine

Village of Iskut, Tahltan Territory. Photo: Tad McIlwraith

Not long ago, a group of elders under the name of Klabona Keepers from the Tahltan Nation blocked entry to Imperial Metals’ Red Chris mine near Iskut in response to the company’s serious mining waste spill at their Mount Polley location.

With the action impeding Imperial Metals from continuing on with their $500 million dollar copper‐gold mine, external factors relating to regulatory trends and stakeholders are inevitably impacting the company’s business model.

Although the Keepers are not opposed to economic development, Imperial Metals’ failure to possess all required permits violates the regulatory trends necessary to operate on the Tahltan Nation’s land.The Aboriginal community of the Tahltan Nation are all stakeholders of Imperial Metals’ operations that occur on their land, which means any action Imperial Metals carries out will in a way impact its stakeholders.

While Imperial Palace is looking to expand its mines on land precious to the First Nations, it is important to keep in mind in order for it to operate successfully, it must not cause irreversible damage to the land its stakeholders value. In return, Imperial Palace will generate employment and economic development, positively impacting the Aboriginal reserves around.

Read the full article here.

References:

Secher, Kristian. “First Nation Announces Blockade at New Imperial Metals Mine | The Hook, A Tyee Blog.” The Tyee. 8 Aug. 2014. Web. 06 Oct. 2014.

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October.

Airbnb: Finding a Unique Place to Stay

 

Airbnb's Website

Image from Airbnb

The first time I used Airbnb, an online marketplace for people to list and book accommodations,  I was not only surprised at how easy it was to find a place to stay in Montreal, but also how quickly I could learn about my host on Airbnb and feel a sense of assurance about the place I was staying.

Airbnb’s value proposition is huge. With its plethora of user reviews and requirement for users to log in using social media, Airbnb is able to easily establish a platform of trust between hosts and customers. Its easy-to-use platform also attracts users from vacation goers to frequent business travelers, allowing Airbnb to target a very diverse customer segment.

Because buyers must showcase their identity and producers continuously develop their reputation on Airbnb through reviews, a stronger relationship between consumer and producer is always being built. This sense of community is definitely new to the 21st century, but I believe it’s exactly what is building Airbnb’s success.

Have you ever tried Airbnb? If so, what was your experience like? Share your thoughts with me below.

Check out Airbnb here.

References:

Friedman, Thomas L. “And Now for a Bit of Good News . . .” The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 July 2014. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.

Photo Reference:

www.airbnb.com

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September.

The Rebranding of MEC

photo credit: Mountain Equipment Co-opyou looking for camping gear? Shoes for hiking? A new bike?

Are you looking for camping gear? Shoes for hiking? A new bike?

Questions like these have always been ones I find myself hearing around Mountain Equipment Co-op. But MEC’s recent logo redesign and effort to reposition the store to a “go-to store for outdoor enthusiasts of different active profiles” (Strategy Online) shows the store’s latest rebranding effort.

If there is such a thing as the correct way for a company to rebrand, I believe MEC is doing just that. Their strategy to appeal to customers’ motivations as opposed to specific activities allows customers to sense a “me first” initiative from MEC instead of the feeling they are only around to sell active wear and equipment. With the new bright green logo and expansion of urban scenery in the store, I see the store now as much more approachable, and somewhere I would likely to visit when in need of an atmosphere that encourages me to stay active.

In the upcoming years, MEC may very well establish leadership in the active wear and equipment category if this latest rebranding effort proves to be successful.

Read more about the store here.

Reference:

Horn, Jennifer. “MEC Uses Consumer Motivations to Inspire a Rebrand.” » Strategy. 19 Sept. 2013. Web. 30 Sept. 2014.

Photo Reference:

http://www.mec.ca/AST/ContentPrimary/Services/Stores/Toronto.jsp?utm_source=mec.ca&utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=toronto&bmLocale=en

 

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September.

More Vacations for a Boost in Productivity?

photo credit: Thinkstock

Founder and chairman of Virgin Group Richard Branson has announced today private staff will be able to take as much holiday as desired, believing this will result in an increase of productivity.

With stress as a leading factor to work inefficiency, everyone needs a day off once in a while to re-energize, gain perspective and boost creativity. When most employees are clocked in nine to five everyday, tasks and responsibilities can easily become tiresome and essentially feel like a nagging chore. With self assigned work and vacation hours, employees have the chance to be their own boss, and the power of self-motivation should never be underestimated.

But what are the upsides of this for an employer?

Wouldn’t employees just begin to work less and thus cause inefficiency? 

Well, maybe. But trends over time could be very useful for employers. If staff is rarely taking vacations, the company may be overworked and understaffed. But if all staff is continuously taking vacation days, this could be a good sign the company is overstaffed.

Most companies currently still use the conventional office system, but in the near future many more companies could test this non-policy Branson and companies like Netflix have already embraced. If clear guidelines are imposed, employees should be able to recognize this does not condone a free-for all policy, and companies will then very likely see an increase in overall productivity.

 

Read more about the story here.

 

References:

Weiss, Geoff. “Richard Branson Announces Unlimited Vacation Policy for Virgin Staffers.” Entrepreneur. 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237783>.

Hamlett, Christina. “How Stress Affects Your Work Performance.” Small Business. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. <http://smallbusiness.chron.com/stress-affects-work-performance-18040.html>.

Photo Credits:

Vacation. Thinkstock. Web. 24 Sept. 2014.

 

 

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September.

Asian-Manufactured Clothing: An Ethical Approach

Panchachuli Women Weavers

Weavers of clothing by Arthur & Henry (image from www.theguardian.com)

With the occurrence of events like the building collapse at Rana Plaza in Bangladesh in 2013, questions have arisen relating to the safety and business ethics of clothing companies manufacturing in Asia. But with companies like Arthur & Henry existing who aim to produce clothing ethically, it must not be presumed all Asian clothing factories are unethical.

Like the Stakeholder Theory suggests, Arthur & Henry’s business creates value not only for financiers, but for the customers, suppliers, employees and communities around. Production is done near cotton fields in India where locals need employment, and suppliers are treated well and given decent wages. This may all sound too good to be true, but Arthur & Henry’s business proves to be one that is maximizing benefit to workers and most importantly producing profit for financiers.

Although the majority of us desire to purchase low cost clothing, it is important to evaluate the possibility that many low cost clothing is produced where workers are being exploited and businesses are not profiting in ways which can support locals in poverty-stricken countries. Maximizing profit will always be inevitable for a business, but in the long run, an approach that is more ethical may prove to be more sustainable while creating value for all its stakeholders.

Reference:

Coorporateethics. “What is Stakeholder Theory? – R. Edward Freeman.” Online video clip. Youtube, 1 October 2009. Web. 10 September 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/embed/bIRUaLcvPe8>.

Evans, David. “Not all Asian clothing factories are unethical.” The Guardian. Guardian News and Media, 10 March 2014. <http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/grey-fox/2014/mar/10/ethical-asian-clothing-factories-arthur-henry>.

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