Anybody who accessed their Facebook account this past week probably noticed a strange box at the top of their screen. Upon careful examination, any user would have seen that this box was a plea from Facebook asking for any donations to help stop the spread of Ebola in third world countries. In Nathaniel Mott’s blog for PandoDaily, he explores the importance of this fight and Facebook’s stance in it.

This is an excellent example of a company exhibiting social responsibility. With a social media site as popular as Facebook, there is no better platform to rally people globally. By working with organizations such as Red Cross, and Save the Children, Facebook is showing how Government, NGO’s and corporations can come together to reach a common goal.  It’s also important to highlight that this campaign is effective, because it redirects the public attention to where it needs to be: West Africa.

Mott also makes a good point in stating that although we may be unable to remedy a problem, there is no reason why we cannot do everything in our ability to lesson the burden on others. Many of us get into the mindset that if we can’t fix something, there isn’t a point in trying. With all the funds that Facebook has helped generate, clearly, there is a point.

Image Sources:

https://www.facebook.com/fightebola

We all know how important first impressions are. Even today, I remember my old elementary school classmates as they were ten years ago. I still remember the girl that picked on me, and made fun of my shoes. Regardless of how much they may have changed, it’s hard to alter the cemented image I have of them already. This is the same issue Neysa talks about in her blog, in regards to Burger King’s fries.

While the company tried to reposition their product as healthier with 40% less fat and 30% less calories, as Neysa explained, “it is difficult to change consumers’ perspectives of a brand once it is formed”. The new fries did not produce high profit margins, because those who already frequent fast food restaurants had no reason to to make the switch, and those who don’t frequent fast food restaurants would not be persuaded to, because of the negative perception of unhealthy foods. Society is becoming more health-conscious and it’s taking a toll on several companies.

Kraft has been attempting to re-brand Jell-O for the same reason. Unfortunately, repositioning it as a snack instead of a dessert has had little effect on sales. Society’s view of fries and Jell-O is already too cemented, and no amount of repositioning with make these products profitable once again.

Image Sources:

http://blog.fooducate.com/2009/06/19/inside-the-label-jell-o-strawberry-acai-raspberry-goji-sugar-free-gelatin-with-antioxidants/

http://www.healthassist.net/food/fmd/food-md-full.shtml

The class prep for Social Enterprise and the Arc Initiative has arguably been the most thought-provoking and inspiring. I gained a new perspective on the importance of Social Enterprise, and how it may be more effective than the United Nations.

Social Enterprise has become more appealing to me is because unlike the UN, it is not surrounded by politics, procedures and policies. The UN is such a powerful organization that it’s sometimes inefficient. Decisions take an extensive amount of time, because everyone has their own agenda. For example, it took 30 years for the UN to directly intervene in the Bosnian War. It’s difficult to wait that long to take action, when the issues we see today need to be dealt with now.

This is where Social Enterprise is different. Everyday people can be involved directly in the issues they are passionate about without needing a two-thirds vote. Programs like the Arc Initiative provide a hands-on experience and allow people to witness first-hand the immediate impact of their actions. Most people will never be involved in the UN, but it’s in everyone’s capacity to create social change. Arc and Social Enterprise encourage this way of thinking.

The thing that resonated most with me in the video was that social entrepreneurs don’t have to see to believe. They believe, and then they see. We need Social Enterprise and Arc because of their contagious vision of what the world can be.

Image Sources

http://www.forimpact.org/home

The end of October saw tricks, treats, and exciting news from Starbucks. The company recently announced that they will be launching a delivery service mid-2015, as reported by Vancity Buzz. While this has got many people  thrilled -the coffee-lover in me included- I cannot help but be skeptical. Under no circumstances do I see this being profitable. Here are two scenarios:

Starbucks charges $10 for delivery

While I adore Starbucks, I’m also a broke university student. On the off chance I treat myself to a painful $5 latte, I’m not paying another $10 for delivery. I wouldn’t even utilize the service, and Starbucks wouldn’t make any money off me, or likeminded individuals. For large corporations and bulk orders, of course it would be worth it.

Starbucks offers free delivery

In an ideal world, delivery would be free, with no trade-offs. Unfortunately, this would either cause the company to lose money and is therefore not a plausible option, or it would force them to increase prices, which would infuriate the populace.

Keeping in mind that the goal is to increase profit, free delivery or not, this would not create incentive to buy: either way, I still only need one coffee.

Image Sources:

http://www.thedishh.com/starbucks-will-deliver-to-your-door-get-your-coffee-without-putting-on-your-pants

One of the biggest fears amongst university students, myself included, is lack of employment following completion of our undergraduate degrees. It used to be that a post-secondary education created job security. However, nowadays, it has become the norm, almost an expectation of employers.

Like Cecile said in her blog, there are still many benefits that universities provide, such as co-op and internships. I agree that it is ultimately up to  students to pursue opportunities and make connections, however vague that may be. I wish there were more concrete guidelines to follow, a clear path that insures employment.

While this article in the Vancouver Sun assures that BC university graduates actually have a lower unemployment rate compared to BC’s overall jobless rate, this is only true five years after graduation. This provides little comfort as I imagine my future self, jobless and drowning in debt, after finally completing my degree.

The way I look it, we are all products. We are the inputs in the process of university, and as graduates, we are the outputs, transformed. However, our post-secondary education has become a point-of-parity and we are easily substituted. In order to compete and generate demand for ourselves, we must adopt a differentiation strategy. Our experiences make us unique and we must actively create opportunities for ourselves. Be it work experience or volunteerism, every minute matters.

Photo Sources:

http://dreamfilm.ca/film/generation-jobless/

http://marshallsternonline.com/dare-to-stand-out/#!prettyPhoto

While most companies are transitioning into eCommerce, Amazon is doing the opposite. Known for being the largest internet-based company, Amazon now plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar site. Upon reading this, I’m left on the fence.

For starters, Amazon’s success is largely due to the fact that they provide such a wide variety of products. Even the most obscure item can be found. A retail Amazon store would have to carry a variety of products equal to its online counterpart for its brand image to remain unaltered. To do this, the company would tie up working capital in an unimaginable amount of inventory, in addition to expenses in leases and retailing. Opening a store would only seem to incur costs.

However, the current plan does not seems much better. The location is said to act as a mini warehouse, allowing customers to pick up products instead of waiting for items to be shipped. Although there are benefits, the high-traffic location -directly opposite the Empire State Building and within walking distance of Penn Station- argues that a retail store would be highly profitable despite the costs.

To me, it seems like a waste to merely open a warehouse in a location with so much potential. Nevertheless, only time will tell if Amazon’s experiment will be a success.

Image Sources:

http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-open-first-store-1412879124

http://theopinionatedyouth.blogspot.ca/2013/07/new-york-is-exactly-like-movies.html

While BC Hydro’s Site C megaproject poses problems for First Nations, the unresolved partner issue goes beyond these two opposing sides. In an article found in the Vancouver Sun, First Nation Chief Roland Willson states that if the project is approved, it will be challenged by Aboriginal groups in the Federal Court of Canada. The impending megaproject is predicted not only to destroy farmland and wildlife habitat, but to impair fishing, hunting, and use of the Peace River Valley land by First Nations. 

These issues sound all too familiar. The Northern Gateway pipeline has been facing similar issues with land claims, with the Harper government caught in the middle yet again. The pipeline already faces resistance due to environmental factors, as well as it being approved without First Nation consultation. If Site C is approved, this would reflect negatively on the government again, as well as companies attempting to build on First Nation land. The approval of BC Hydro’s project will surely affect the progress of the Northern Gateway pipeline as it would only fuel more resistance by Aboriginals and strain relationships between both parties. If the government keeps allowing companies to exploit First Nation land without consent, I find it hard to believe that Aboriginals would support future and existing projects such as the Northern Gateway pipeline. 

Image Source:

http://www.energybc.ca/cache/northerngateway/www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/northern-gateway-pipeline-unnecessary-study/article2278174/index.html

Retail clothing store Abercrombie and Fitch is once again under fire, this time for religious discrimination in their hiring process. This article brought up a lot of controversial issues that made me question the company’s image, marketing, and positioning.

For starters, Abercrombie and Fitch CEO is famously known for stating that he only wants thin and beautiful people to shop at his stores. While this is an absurd and pretentious statement to make, it’s unsurprising when one considers the strict “look policy” employees abide by.

In addition, I was shocked when I read that potential “models” (sales associates) are scored on appearance during interview processes. While I understand that the company has a certain image it wishes to uphold and market, they should seriously reconsider their methods if wish to retain customers. While they have maintained their image of exclusivity and “beauty”, the damage they have done to their brand in the long run is far greater than any short-lived gains acquired.

The idea that one has to be “attractive” in order to shop or work somewhere contributes to self-esteem issues of many young people. In discriminating against its own customers and employees, the company has only pushed buyers away. It is hardly the kind of place I would want to do business.

Image Sources:

http://www.highschoogle.com/abercrombie-fitch-want-only-thin-cool-people-wearing-the-brand/

http://www.waldenbehavioralcare.com/abercrombie-fitchs-controversial-view-on-cool/

Independence is one thing we’re suppose to acquire as we get older. The US housing market, however, is impeding Americans from becoming financially self-sufficient.

This article found on Bloomberg states that in the past year, 27% of first-time home buyers received money from parents in order to place a down payment. This is disheartening, strangely interesting, and relevant for several reasons:

1. The market moves towards equilibrium. I found this to be a really interesting example. As annual incomes decrease and housing prices increase, people come up with the money with the help of their parents, especially when rental rates go up.
2. The market doesn’t adjust for everyone. While parental contributions abate the issue for non-minorities, it is improbable that parents of minorities are homeowners who have cash reserves built-up. This solution unfortunately isn’t equitable.
3. Life is full of Catch 22’s. We go to university to get a higher education and a job to support ourselves. But first, we need money to pay for that education. Similarly, it’s easier to buy a house when you already own a house, because down payment rates substantially are lower.

And thus we are back to square one. I can only hope that our future as first-time home buyers is somehow less arduous.

Photo Sources:

http://www.multiplemayhemmamma.com/2013/01/kids-do-chores-ear-allowance.html#sthash.x3sdWmAj.dpbs

http://www.quickenloans.com/blog/saving-for-a-house

Most of us have contributed to a charity at some point in time. Although it may be naïve to romanticize that our three dollar donation can truly end poverty or bring about equality, it’s inspiring to believe that we can be a part of something greater than ourselves and impact our society in a positive way. This is why so many people contribute to charitable organizations.

That being said, I have been disappointed several times when I discovered that donations aren’t going where I had assumed. Sadly enough, this has been the case for several so-called “charitable” organizations. Take the Kony 2012 campaign for example. Forty-three percent of the money Invisible Children spent went towards awareness campaigns, while thirty-seven percent was used on African-related programs. While bringing awareness to people is important, it seems a little ridiculous that such a small amount actually made it to the country where it was needed, especially considering the large salaries executives raked in.

What’s most disheartening is that these organizations take advantage of very worth and valid causes, because they know that it is profitable. This is manipulative, misleading, and unethical. If you haven’t seen the viral Kony 2012 video, it’s worth watching. It’s easy to see how viewers are compelled to “help make a difference”.

Image Source:

http://blogs.uoregon.edu/teamkonyj350/1-2/