Many television companies such as Time Warner Cable suffer quarterly losses of TV subscribers to internet live streaming. The internet is a threat to the company which renders that TIme Warner Cable needs a new strategy.

According to Porter’s generic strategy, Time Warner Cable target scope is industry wide while trying to differentiate their cable company from their competition. Similar to the problems discussed in class about Netflix, Time Warner Cable needs to find a new strategy that would generate more profit. An option could be that they have their own online streaming website for their subscribers that display shows exclusive to Time Warner Cable.

In this scenario, Time Warner Cable decided to purchase content, hence reaching an agreement to distribute Al Jazeera America. New York Times state that this is a “win-win proposition” for both companies, but to me it seems like Al Jazeera America gains more from this agreement. For Al Jazeera America, the company will have more exposure in their geographically targeted areas (New York and Los Angeles) and will increase the number of viewers ratings.

Despite the likelihood of increased viewer ratings for Al Jazeera America, this does not necessarily guarantee that Time Warner Cable will be able to increase their number of subscriptions. In the long run, Time Warner Cable might suffer a loss from signing this contract as they might not break-even.

Sources

http://cdn.theatlantic.com/static/mt/assets/business/Screen%20Shot%202013-01-07%20at%2010.48.25%20AM.png

Recently, Samsung released their anticipated product – the galaxy gear. The Samsung galaxy gear acts as an accessory to their “market-leading Galaxy smartphone with a small screen offering basic functions such as photos, hands-free calls and instant messaging.”

In their new commercial titled as “Evolution” which can be viewed here, Samsung uses effective tools to help differentiate their product and convince consumers that it’s the “next big thing.”

This commercial begins with pictures of previous gadgets used in popular TV shows such as Star Wars and Power Rangers. This is effective because the target market for the galaxy gear would have watched those shows as Children, and at one point, would have wanted those cool devices to be real. For a lot of people, their childhood memories would have stirred up emotions such as nostalgia, tempting the consumers fulfill their childhood dreams; hence purchasing the galaxy gear. Additionally, this commercial was quite simple and did not have unnecessary information, if anything, it left the consumer wanting to know more. This effective marketing scheme would have the consumer hooked on the product, therefore going out to purchase it.

According to Harvard Business Review, a brand would need compelling points of difference in market of parity. Samsung is known for their innovative products which sets them apart from Apple. By releasing the galaxy gear, Samsung has a competitive advantage in the market, and many other companies would follow suit to try to enter this new market of “wearable, hands free device.” Watches are fashionable, and the galaxy gear might become “the next big thing.”

Work Cited
http://fcis.vdu.lt/~n.klebanskaja@evf.vdu.lt/fov1-00098617/FOV1-0009D4C0/KEVIN-~1.PDF

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/gadgets/samsung-reveals-galaxy-gear-smartwatch/article14109091/
http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA5LzA1Lzc5L3NhbXN1bmdnYWxhLjNjNmZjLmpwZwpwCXRodW1iCTk1MHg1MzQjCmUJanBn/e7022582/dd3/samsung-galaxy-gear-big-bold.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2AjPfHTIS4

It is hard to imagine that the entire population of Singapore is larger than British Columbia, yet has a smaller landmass than New York City. The overcrowding in Singapore is a ever growing concern for society and the government; the solution, to build an underground city. Singapore is known for building a lot of the shopping malls underground like “ION Orchard.”

According to New York Times, in a recent blog post, Khaw Boon Wan, Singapore’s minister for national development, pointed to extensive pedestrian passageways and shopping malls in Japan and Canada. He cited the possibilities in Singapore “of creating underground transport hubs, pedestrian links, cycling lanes, utility plants, storage and research facilities, industrial uses, shopping areas and other public spaces here.”

Economically, this would be ideal for Singapore since land expansion is not possible. From a business management prospective, this would be a costly high-risk project. The risks are unknown and there is not enough research done to see the psychological effects of humans being without daylight for a numerous period of time. There is no doubt that sustaining life underground is possible, but it would take a lot of marketing to convince the citizens to migrate underground.

Over the summer, I had the pleasure to spend a few days in Singapore to visit my family. Despite the MRT system being sufficiently better than Translink, I rather be outside enjoying the scenery, than be in a crowded and stuffy MRT subway station.

In the short run, this project may not be appealing, but in the long run, I believe that it will become a sustainable way of living. Humans will learn to adapt to their surroundings.

http://www.sunscreen.com.sg/backgrounds/Aerial_View_of_Singapore.jpg
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/26/business/international/crowded-singapore-looks-below-for-room-to-grow.html?ref=business&_r=0