“Why would I travel to another country and help build a school? I do not know how to build a school. I am not an engineering student. I am a business student. Would it not make sense for me to travel to another country and share my knowledge on business instead?” – Taylor Davis, second year student at Sauder School of Business.

Over the past few weeks, I have had the opportunity to work closely with Taylor Davis, and two other Sauder students as a member of the Arc Initiative home team organizing and planning events for Arc. When I first met Taylor she told me that she found passion in Arc when she was able to travel to Ethiopia to share her knowledge learned at Sauder with local entrepreneurs. It is with this idea that I feel that even with full financial funding of the United Nations, social enterprises such as the Arc would still be needed.

The UN provides relief on a broad basis, dealing with vast populations and major global issues concerning governments, militias, world health, and the global economy. Where as, Arc and other social enterprises provide the means for individual connections that have more potential to go further in the community of those people touched by the connection, than the large initiatives that the UN leads. For instance, Arc creates value in it’s endeavors, and it’s entrepreneurs by getting people involved. Arc gets people inspired, gives people hope that creates an astonishing ripple affect. This idea is reflected in Arielle’s story of how she connected her country and the Arc. Arielle saw an internal need and weakness in Rwanda, and matched it with an opportunity with Arc. Arielle was driven by this idea of the exchange in business skills and knowledge to empower entrepreneurs in developing countries such as her own. Social enterprises provides that drive for people to utilize their skills and share their passions in order to connect people world wide and efficiently contribute to their local economies.

Through my own experience with Arc, I can testify that even if the UN was fully funded and did not  need external donations, social enterprises would still be needed to make global connections, and fill the gaps that the UN can not. Even with not yet having traveled on an Arc trip, I feel  united on a personal level with global change than if I were to donate to the UN, or if it were to be funded completely. If the UN no longer needed funding, it would strip away any possible public interaction there is. 

Social enterprises give people practical tools to use at their free-will and right away. The UN is so large that it is difficult for local people such as entrepreneurs to utilize programs offered by the UN. Therefore, in my opinion, sometimes bigger, is not necessarily better.

Early last week, another student, Vanessa Lee, created a blog post surrounding the idea that women do not have respect in the business world today. Vanessa touches upon the notion that corporate America has not moved into the 21st century in the sense that men in business are not welcoming women as they should. However, I completely disagree with this. Being a woman myself, who has the desire to obtain a position of power in my later life, I feel it is about time that women themselves get caught up into the 21st century. It is crucial for us females to put an end to thinking in the past. For instance, the more time women spend whining and complaining about the fact that we are the minority in business, and as of right now we are, the less time we will spend on doing something about that issue.

Take Jessica Macht for example, an Audit partner at PwC, who graduated UBC with a BA in Economics. She recreated what it meant to be a woman in business by being confident. Men have shone over women for the sole reason that they have a history of being more confident than females. Jessica is one of the few women who is caught up in the 21st century in the sense that she did not linger on the fact that there are few females in business, but instead she worked with confidence and chose to grab opportunities that were presented to her with enthusiasm and certainty. Jessica proved that when you are confident and act accordingly, women can do the same and perhaps even more than men can do.

In my opinion, women are feared by men in the boardroom. As a female, I can speak from personal experience that men walk into meetings with confidence and a natural domineering attitude, however, a woman would come to the same meeting with a well planned out action plan with proof and logic to support it. Men are afraid of this, because they know they have not thought of everything a female might have. It has been noted that schools are now beginning to implement more boys support groups than girls, as they are more worried for the next generation of young boys, as girls are developing a louder voice.

Even though I agree that woman are still unfortunately the minority in business, and it is hindering the possibilities of the market and corporate America, I also feel strongly that women are indeed respected in the boardroom. However, we have just not noticed it enough to utilize the confidence we do possess to shake the business world forever.

Sources:

Lee, Vanessa. “When Will Women Earn Respect in Boardrooms?” UBC Blogs. N.p., 26 Oct. 2014. Web. 3 Nov. 2014. <http://blogs.ubc.ca/vlee/2014/10/26/when-will-women-earn-respect-in-boardrooms/>.

“Free People is a specialty clothing brand featuring the latest trends and vintage collections for women who live free through fashion, art, music, and travel. Free People offers a one-of-a-kind and compelling shopping experience that makes women feel beautiful, confident and connected with their inner being”. This value proposition of the lifestyle brand Free People portrayed on an external blog on blog spot, pin-points the very idea of what Free People is as a brand and as a company.

I am absolutely captivated by the marketing scheme of which Free People prides itself on. In an interview with Senior Marketing Manager Kathryn O’Connor, readers are introduced to the behind the scenes of Free People’s solely digital marketing campaign. The company strives with many Points of Differences, and in their positioning of marketing tactics. For instance, Free People’s advertising is based on short films which capture beauty, plays with the viewer’s emotions, explores ideal relationships, and incorporates captivating settings and plot lines. Free People stirred up the online fashion industry through disruptive innovation when they released their first short film titled “Roshambo”, a mesmerizing story of a young man who re-connects with an old acquaintance right before he leaves town. I feel that this short film, along with every video that has followed, toys with girl’s dreams, and aspirations of living a life similar, but in such a way that fills the viewer with love, hope and inspiration. This as a marketing strategy is immensely successful. Girls feel connected, a part of something, and when they are a part of the Free People lifestyle, chances are they will be attracted to the clothes as well.

Another point of difference for this innovative company is the way they gather their inspiration for new clothing lines, and movements. Free People is all digital, and therefore uses social media sharing tools and word of mouth to promote their company. However, instead of utilizing third-party social sharing tools like Facebook, Free People uses primary sources such as their own blog site, and their own social media sharing site called FP Me. A place where women can come to connect with others, post pictures of what inspires them, clothing styles they are into, to write blogs of their thoughts, and it offers them many customer benefits. By having such site, Free People is constantly engaging their customers and through them, they gather inspiration that contributes to ideas for the brand. In my opinion, Free People has made it so that customers are not only being inspired and enthralled in the unique and accepting lifestyle of Free People, but they are adding to it in their own way, and making the brand their own.

I believe that Free People has mastered what it means to position the product in the mind of the consumer. It is not only a clothing store. Free People has developed itself through its marketing strategies into a lifestyle, one that is based on the consumers thoughts and own ideas. This ensures total customer loyalty as the products and line becomes their own. I would classify Free People as a marketing icon for this generation.

Sources:

Dixon, Erica. “Value Propostion.” Free People Blog. N.p., 12 May 2013. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://freepeopleblogbyericadixon.blogspot.ca/2013/05/value-proposition.html>.

Free People. “FP Me.” Free People. N.p., 2014. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.freepeople.com/fpme/>

Noricks, Crosby. “How Free People Succeeds with Branded and Customer Generated Content.” PR Couture. N.p., 2013. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.prcouture.com/2013/04/25/how-free-people-is-succeeding-with-branded-content/>

It was made known in a report on Monday October 13th, by the Pentagon that the proposed idea made in 2007 suggesting that global warming will impact the U.S. military day-to-day decision making is now a present day issue.                             The chief executive of the military advisory board Sherri Goodman raised the important notion that climate change is a risk today, and we need to plan, program and budget for it now, and into the future. Whether that means implementing the impact climate change would have on war games, training exercises and purchasing decisions, due to things such as sea rise level, heat waves and drought. The U.S. military has decided to establish training scenarios which incorporate these events instead of only operating when the optimal situation is assumed.

This new venture then raises the question of how much additional funds will be spent on the military and is it completely necessary. In my opinion, I would say that yes, it is necessary for the U.S. government to have to spend more money on this issue to discover innovative ways to incorporate climate change into national security and defense decisions in order to become sustainable for the future. To me, it seems nearly impossible for the U.S. military to downsize as decisions have already been made in the sense that the U.S. military operates on a global scale in a position of power, and to downsize by spending less, and not evaluating the fact that climate change will alter the way things operate would be naive, and irresponsible of the government. Implementing climate change into day-to-day military decisions takes into the consideration the idea of being socially responsible, innovative and being a social entrepreneur. This is because, people of power have to become aware of the social repercussions it would have on society, contemplate them and act accordingly with every decision made to ensure that we are prepared for the future, and that we will be sustainable while operating.

Therefore, in my opinion, the Pentagon is taking a proper course of action by implementing climate change and global warming into their national security and defense. I am impressed by the way they are looking towards the future, and not only that, but starting now to incorporate these issues. The sooner people realize the fact that we are at risk, the sooner we can do something about it and become socially responsible, the better.

Sources:

Goldenberg, Suzanne. “Pentagon: Global Warming Will Change How US Military Trains and Goes to War.” The Guardian. Guardian News And Media Limited, 13 Oct. 2014. Web. 1 Nov. 2014.<http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2014/oct/13/ pentagon-global-warming-will-change-how-us-military-trains-and-goes-to-war>.

Institute For Public Research. “National Security and the Accelerating Risk of Change.” Center For Naval Analysis And Solutions. CNA Corporation, Oct. 2014. Web. 2 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cna.org/reports/accelerating-risks>.

Earlier this month, the New York Times wrote an article about how Walmart is now aiming to go green in the food department. The company is creating an effort to become more sustainable by working with nonprofit organizations, and by rewarding farmers who show the most progress in reducing emissions through a better use of fertilizer. Walmart plans to use their global scale, to produce more food with fewer resources, support farmers and their communities, and sustainably source key food commodities. The following video provides more information on the efforts Walmart is taking; Walmart Goes Green in the Food Department.

This sustainability approach which Walmart is going after, is a great way to attract attention and good public awareness as people are now caring more and more about where their food is coming from, and how it is made. I feel that Walmart is putting in an effort to create shared value between consumers, itself, and its producers and suppliers.  Walmart saw an opportunity and is taking advantage of it in order to add to their consumer base, and generate more sales and publicity. However, in my opinion, Walmart is using the sustainability approach more as a business tactic then solely for the purpose of creating value in the supply chain. I believe this to be true as Walmart’s core values are not based on this idea as their slogan is”Save Money, Live Better”. They are suggesting that their focus is providing consumers with products at a low cost. Being sustainable can be costly, and this leads me to believing that Walmart is advertising their going green as more of a sales tactic than anything else.

I am fully supportive of Walmart taking action, and developing ideas on how they can become more sustainable, and contribute to society in a positive way. However, I suggest that Walmart provides the public with follow-up information on their programs, and show an action plan for it to be more believable.

Sources:

http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/environment-sustainability/sustainable-agriculture

Deborah Aarts of Canadian Business wrote in a blog the modern day acceptable business wear. She comments on the fact that it is becoming more and more common for casual Fridays to be an everyday look. Deborah particularly singled out Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook, who chooses to dress in jeans and hoodies for important business meetings and events. She mentions that people of the older generation are finding it disrespectful, and unprofessional, and dressing casually to a business affair reflects poorly on that person. The following link, Mark Zuckerberg Interview on IPO, gives a brief idea of what Zuckerberg has in mind in the form of business attire for an important event.

Personally, I feel that society should come above such traditional views and focus on what is most important. I understand that business is about professionalism, and being appropriate, however, to me, how a person communicates them self, and how they act in a business setting says more about that person than how they dress. This idea simply coincides with the theory of ‘don’t judge a book by it’s cover’. For instance, people like Zuckerberg can get away with wearing what they want because they do exceptional work. If the idea is outstandingly innovative and market changing, then in my opinion it should not matter what the person is wearing or not. To expand on this, I know from my personal experience that I get my best work done when I am comfortable, and this may mean wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt. Now, I wouldn’t go as far to say show up to an important business meeting in sweat pants, but I feel that a person is most confident in what they are most comfortable in. If that means jeans and a hoodie for Mark Zuckerberg, then a round of applause goes out to him, as he is recreating the unacceptable into an expression of confidence.

Sources:

Aarts, Deborah. “Business Casual Has Become a Little Too Casual.” Business Canada. 17 Oct. 2014. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS6lJg_qC9I>.

Youtube. “Mark Zuckerberg Gives Twitter IPO Advice.” Youtube. N.p., 12 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Oct. 2014. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS6lJg_qC9I>.

On October 4th, Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global posted a blog which spoke briefly about a new public-private partnership that plans to aid women in four Latin American countries with starting or building upon their small or medium sized businesses. The partnership will comprise of Ernst & Young, (EY) and the Bureau of Information Resource Management’s Office of Diplomacy as part of the Women Entrepreneurs in the Americas Initiative (WeAmericas). Women can participate in four workshops called “TechCamps” where they will be taught how to utilize new technology in order to better their business.

The new program will be great for initial start-up knowledge and to provide the women with good ideas for brainstorming and creating their own action plan. However I do not see it being continuously beneficial long-term. There is no indication that the women will be provided with follow-up support or connections long-term to the organization, and as a result economic stability may not be maintained for the women of these conferences. The women are expected to be on their own with a strategy plan, and are assumed to be able to carry out that plan for their business following the conferences or mentorship of six months. It is difficult to predict how much the women will be able to take away from the conferences in order to build their business to the stage where it can exist permanently and add to the economic growth of the Western Hemisphere in the long-run. Therefore I believe that this is not a sustainable endeavor.

WeAmericas is a unique and splendid idea with great intentions. However, I feel that it could be expanded further, similar to a membership program, to have available mentorship and advice opportunities for the women for many years to come. This way, they are supported long-term when they need it, and can develop their business, and others in the community more efficiently, and therefore adding to the local economy.

Sources:

Delaney, Laurel. “Enabling Women Entrepreneurs to Make Better Use of Technology to Grow Their Business Globally.” Women Entrepreneurs Grow Global. The Global Small Business Blog, 4 Oct. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://womenentrepreneursgrowglobal.org/>.

Office Of The Spokesperson. “U.S. Department of State and Ernst & Young (EY) Announce Partnership in Support of Women Entrepreneurs in the Americas.” U.S. Department Of State. N.p., 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/10/232548.htm>.

As the need and demand for energy in B.C. is increasing rapidly, as expected to increase by 40 percent in the next two decades, B.C. Hydro is planning for the future. The Site C Clean Energy Project, proposes that a third dam and hydroelectric power generating station be built on the Peace River in northeast B.C. This would generate enough energy to power about 450,000 homes in B.C. per year. However, I feel First Nations partner issues come into play in the external factors which impact B.C. Hydro’s business plan for this project. This proposed project which is subject to an environmental certificate, raises very important socio-economic issues for the company. If the dam were to be built, it would cause flooding in the valley, and destroy the existing wildlife and farmland in that area. It would also have a significant impact on fishing opportunities. The Site C Clean Energy project would simply infringe on the Treaty 8 Tribe Association rights to that land, where they hold cultural ceremonies and the First Nations right to hunt and fish. In my opinion, if this project is approved, it would alter the socio-cultural practices of the First Nations in that area, and as it is already known what impact this would have on the surrounding communities, and would therefore change the public opinion and attitude towards B.C. Hydro. With this in mind, B.C. Hydro, should proceed with caution in order to ensure that the social impact of such project will not affect the performance and activities of the business in the long-term.

Sources:

B.C. Hydro. “Site C Clean Energy Project.” B.C. Hydro. N.p., n.d. Web. 4 Oct. 2014. <https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/site_c.html>.

O’Neil, Peter. “First Nations Chief to Stage Site C Showdown.” The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver Sun, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 4 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html>.

Canada and the European Union have been working closely in order to create a free trade deal of which eliminates the majority of tariffs, and will make it easier to work abroad. Such agreement is known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). However, Germany has proposed that the deal is flawed, and that they are reluctant to agree to its terms. CETA states that companies are allowed to compete for government work, and that they are able to sue governments. Germany believes that this will give private companies too much power, and will pressure governments to ignore labour laws or the environment. However, the purpose of the agreement is to better the work of the government and of private companies altogether. In my opinion, allowing companies the opportunity to compete for government work is promoting a free market approach, and thus benefiting the economy of Canada and the EU. By approving this free trade agreement, it will provide basis to strengthen relationships between countries, corporations, and governments. It is also said to provide 80,000 new jobs, and increase trade by $37 billion a year. As a strong supporter of free trade, I can not justify the reasoning behind Germany’s reluctance to agree with the terms of CETA.

Sources:

Curry, Bill. “Canada, EU Release Text of Trade Deal; Play Down Germany Objections.” The Globe And Mail. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/canada-eu-release-text-of-trade-deal-and-play-down-german-objections/article20807015/>.

Roberts, Hal. “Canada, Europe Sign Long Awaited Free Trade Deal.” Toronto Sun. N.p., 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://www.torontosun.com/2014/09/26/canada-europe-sign-free-trade-deal>.

Facebook is one of the most well recognizable social media websites in the world. With such pristine status, and with any social media website for that matter, comes the Terms of Use Agreement that all users are abide to agree with in order to have use of the site. Contrary to a previous blog post made scorning Facebook for their ethical decisions on the privacy of its users, I feel that Facebook has not overstepped their authority and violated the privacy of users. As it states in the Data Use Policy, people who use Facebook are giving it the right to any and all information displayed and actions done on that user’s Facebook page. In my opinion, if someone is wanting to take advantage of the Facebook world, then you are agreeing to the fundamental ideas of that social media site. Facebook is social, this means that information is intended to be shared. If one wishes to use the site, then they should abide by the fact that their information is now on the internet. It is up to the users’ discretion as to how they make use of the site. For instance, Facebook makes it clear that there are privacy options, and that you can protect your information and your Facebook page in numerous ways. I find it hypocritical for people to be shocked, and to bash this corporation for their data usage, when in reality those people have made the details of their lives only a click away. If you are not wanting strangers to see your personal information, then I suggest you re-evaluate your use of the internet in its entirety as Facebook is not the only website with a Terms of Use agreement that no one reads.

Sources:

http://blogs.ubc.ca/christiechau/

Facebook. “Data Use Policy.” Facebook. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/your-info>.