Response to: http://www2.macleans.ca/2013/11/13/apple-vs-samsung-in-billion-dollar-patent-fight/

Recently Apple and Samsung the two technology giants has been undergoing legal action with billions of dollars in jeopardy concerning the copyrighted and patented products being copied. Over 26 Samsung products has been classified as violating several Apple patents and around 1.05 billion dollars are being compensated; however, the jury has then been notified that they have not counted over 13 products and half a billion dollars of fines.  This signifies that creativity and originality within a business is way more vital to success than the raw figures of revenue and profit. Samsung is trying to offer the same target market as Apple with essentially the “same feel” of products but with smaller costs and higher profits; this although is a reasonable business plan, it must be careful with its development of products.

 Response to: https://blogs.ubc.ca/colechristiansen/2013/11/17/snapchat-gives-facebook-the-cold-shoulder/

A very interesting article about the two rival social media giants: Snapchat and Facebook. The market power and size of Facebook is not as big as everyone makes it out to be. The three billion cash deal offered to Snapchat was turned down without a thought from the 23 year-old CEO, Evan Spiegel. Although this may seem irrational, Evan must think that Snapchat is worth significantly more, but what will be its main revenue stream? Knowing that the main revenue stream for all social media is advertising, there is only so much room on the screen of an iPhone until advertisements become pointless. Some recommendations hold have been pointed out. Snapchat must analyze and consider their business canvas and compare it to its market capital separate from the beliefs and optimism of a CEO.

Despite the rise of all living fees such as rent, food, clothing and all the other necessities in life, Canadians are said to be looking on “the bright side.” All the collective retail stores across Canada have reported a rise in revenue in the month of September compared to other previous years. Due to the advancements in technology and globalization in North America, these first-world countries are worrying less on their credit debts and focusing on purchasing the sea of new products introduced every fall. Vehicle and electronic sales have risen due to the release of the new Apple, Samsung, Google products – phones – and advancement in vehicle motors and safety regulations. The rise of revenue from retailers is the result from of these large companies marketing their products successfully and towards the right audience and that these high-end products are considered more of a necessity compared to other countries in the world due to the stable demand when living expenses are rising.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/canadian-retail-sales-rise-despite-climbing-consumer-debt/article15479251/

Krispy Kernels is a snack making company that originates from the province of Quebec, Canada. Recently they have reintroduced a brand of potato chips that are receiving a large amount of negative publicity; it is called Yum Yum Chips that possesses an argued stereotypical and racist packaging. It can be argued that a cartooned aboriginal boy in a feathered hat and a loincloth conveys a disrespectful caricature but is it truly unethical to release this advertisement? I will argue no. The reason as to why this product received much negative publicity is because Krispy Kernels did not notify consumers of their value proposition for this product. Yum Yum Chips were an active product in the 1960s and is  reintroduced in spirt of the Christmas season so reminisce the aboriginal roots and origins. The main reason; however, is in memory of the death of Paul Jalbert: the founder of the family business who passed away in October of 2013 at 94. After the understanding of this story, I believe the media will take back the negative comments towards this family business and also the importance of notifying consumers of the values and positions of a business.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/16/yum-yum-chips-logo_n_4288330.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business#slide=2240561