Shirley Deutsch, a fellow 101 student discusses how millennial demand a different approach for firms to be successful at getting their attention. She breaks it down into 3 components: Technology, Stability and Culture. My argument, although I agree with some aspects of her opinion, is that it isn’t the consumers that are changing the market, but it is large firms that are setting the bench mark for market interaction.

For example, we look at Apple, a leading corporation in contemporary society, and one can witness the marketing that the company promotes through commercials such as the one in this Youtube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v76f6KPSJ2w,  In this advertisement, you can see that apple has created an add in which it promotes families getting together without actually ever promoting the product; however, viewers still know that it is an apple product through subtle hints. But that’s beside the point, Apple has started a trend of creating marketing through human connection and experience. This approach markets toward the millennial generation on a subconscious level, large corporations (such as Apple) create adds that appeal to the beliefs of the majority while the viewer still understands that a product is being promoted. This modern tactic creates the most amount of supporters to date. That is why large firms, like Apple, are the leading bench marks for market display.

References:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/shirleydeutsch/

Ever since the popularity of “charity” has risen in western societies, many organisations have taken advantage of the common misunderstanding of aid. In economics taught in high school, we learn that there are different types of aid, and not all of them actually help the intended. That is why there is a fine line between social enterprise and useless/ detrimental aid.

When looking at the one-for-one business model, initiated by TOMS Shoes, we see charitable aid providing the under privileged with free shoes. One way of interpreting this aid is by seeing what it does to the local market. Personally, there is agreement with Andreas Widmer:

Why would you go buy something if you could get it for free?

-Andres Widmer

This statement forms the is the underlying issues with charitable aid (aid that bluntly gives free products/ services to the needy). When foreign firms or charity organisations donate goods or services during emergency one-off times, there is no doubt that such aid is essential for sustenance of life in extraordinarily dire times. When that aid persists and becomes a reoccurring ordeal, local markets suffer as they are unable to compete with ‘free’.

When looking at the business model, implemented by Dr. Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu on her social enterprise soleRebels, we instantly see a company that stems from within the economy and know what will help. Having constant support of local artisans will have a significantly better impact on future prospect as it gives individuals the skills and knowledge to potentially carry on without the western helpers looking over them.

Thus there is need for firms to address ‘the fine line’ between being a social enterprise that creates a positive impact on the world and a firm that uses charity to their personal gain. If a firm truly believes that their business model has a positive impact on the world, they should have to show ‘How?’.

What quantitative method or statistic does this? Could such a statistic be implemented to truly judge the positive impact of an enterprise.

References:

“The One-for-one Business Model: Avoiding Unintended Consequences.” KnowledgeWharton The Oneforone Business Model Avoiding Unintended Consequences Comments. Wharton University, 16 Feb. 2015. Web. 17 Nov. 2015. <http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/one-one-business-model-social-impact-avoiding-unintended-consequences/>.

 

Throughout the past decade, the middle east has been viewed in one light, and that is the light of constant war and destruction. Will that all change with a few bright college grads aspiring to create a new business or start-up?

Aljazeera recently posted an article about the current movement into entrepreneurship within the middle east, highlighting the many different benefits that it has brought. A key point that was mentioned in this article was:

The idea of [Silicon Valley] is what sparked a series of start-up events, such as RiseUp in Egypt and Arabnet in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

-Bayrasli

Now it would be interesting to see that, potentially in a few years time, the Middle East could be associated with technology and innovation in the same way that the US has been for a long time. Not only would this movement boost economies it could also speed up innovation itself.

Of course there is a possibility of major failure, considering the constant tension and conflict that is occurring there, but again this could be the next stepping stone. In fact it would be a leap from fighting for resources to creating products that revolutionise life.

 

 

 

Maybe technology will be the force that unites us as a planet, or is that far fetched?

References:

Bayrasli, Elmira. “Start-up Middle East.” Al Jazeera English. Al Jazeera News Network, 05 Nov. 2015. Web. 12 Nov. 2015. <http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2015/11/start-middle-east-151103125026009.html>.

 

Sky News reports on a recent comment made by David Cameron Saying,

“Access to the internet shouldn’t be a luxury; it should be a right – absolutely fundamental to life in 21st century Britain. That is why I’m announcing a giant leap in my digital mission for Britain.” (Sky News)

http://factmag-images.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/david-cameron-mixtape-fact-7.31.2013.jpg

This statement implies that within the next decade, the UK is expected to have a universal broadband provider that will cut internet costs for citizens.

Along with this, BBC reports on the new project in the works at Google. Their latest project involves a system of balloons that may provide almost 4G speed wifi to remote areas of the earth.

Now taking a step back from all the innovation, we need to acknowledge the fact that the “Internet” is no longer just another source of entertainment. Humanity has adapted to the existence of such a resource so quick that almost in the spam of 3 decades we went from a basic tool to win a war, to essential component of life like water and gas.

This just comes to show the the potential for working in this industry, in the current time, is just endless. It is great to see how when faced with major obstacles companies are willing to go to great lengths to solve their issues. The only question that remains is: how do we deal with the issues that are less profitable and desirable?

Sources:

Kelion, Leo. “Google’s Project Loon Internet Balloons to Circle Earth – BBC News.” BBC News. BBC, 28 Oct. 2015. Web. 09 Nov. 2015. <http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-34660205>.

“Fast Broadband To Become A Legal Right For All.” Sky News. N.p., 07 Nov. 2015. Web. 09 Nov. 2015. <http://news.sky.com/story/1583277/fast-broadband-to-become-a-legal-right-for-all>.

On October the 13th, Vice News reported on an upcoming merger between two of the largest Beer companies in the world: Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller. This will create a company worth of over $275billion. But what does this mean to the consumer. (VICE News)

Anheuser-Busch InBev currently has 6 major international brands (Budweiser, Hoegaarden, Corona, etc.) and an additional 15 ‘local’ brands (with their own sub brands) (ABInBev). Now combining that with SABMiller’s selection of 242 different beers (SABMiller), that almost limits the whole beer market to one provider. Do we really have a choice then?

Well when we look at the soft-drinks market we see a similar situation, except what is happening here is Coca-Cola has merged with Pepsi. The question stands: “does this limit choice?” and “do we care?”

Well it is all dependent on the consumer. When we go to the local groceries there is very rarely any complaints about the selections of soft-drinks because many of the same companies brands are very heavily differentiated. The same applies to beer.

The only issue with such giant corporations running markets is that some consumers may not agree with the value proposition of the head firm, putting all of its products in a bad light. In this case there would be very limited amount of choice for that consumer.

Luckily for these corporate giants, the majority of the world do not agree with such a stance on consumption. Do you?

References:

VICE News. “Anheuser-Busch InBev and SABMiller Agree to Form Massive Beer Company in Record Deal.” VICE News. N.p., 13 Oct. 2015. Web. 18 Oct. 2015. <https://news.vice.com/article/anheuser-busch-inbev-and-sabmiller-agree-to-form-massive-beer-company-in-record-deal>.

AB InBev. http://www.ab-inbev.com/brands.html

SABMiller. http://www.sabmiller.com/brands/brand-explorer

BlackBerry has been on the brink of extinction for years. From stocks having fallen to 10% of what they were in 2008 (NASDAQ) to an unsuccessful collaboration with an e-commerce giant Amazon, Blackberry seems to be struggling to boost their popularity back to where they were 10 years ago.  Will the ‘Priv’ change all that?

The recently announced headset ‘Priv’ is said to be equipped with the accessibility of Android and the security of Blackberry, hence the name ‘Priv’ for privacy (BNN). This is a huge move for Blackberry as they will now have the opportunity to attract all of their customers they lost with the split made by Android and Apple’s expansive application selection.

Will it be enough? In recent years, BB has earned itself a reputation for making products for the elderly and paranoid. Therefore it may be a difficult paradigm shift to make for the general public. None the less this corporate collaboration may mean lot to not only to the die hard Blackberry fans but to general consumers not bound to apple or samsung.

 

References:

“BlackBerry Limited (BBRY) Stock Chart.” NASDAQ.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2015. <http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/bbry/stock-chart?intraday=off&timeframe=10y&charttype=line&splits=off&earnings=off&movingaverage=None&lowerstudy=volume&comparison=off&index=&drilldown=off&sDefault=true>.

Gray, John. “Blackberry CEO John Chen Gives BNN a Sneak Peek at Priv Smartphone.” BNN.com. BellMedia, 25 Sept. 2015. Web. 03 Oct. 2015. <http://www.bnn.ca/News/2015/9/25/Blackberry-CEO-John-Chen-gives-BNN-a-sneak-peek-at-Priv-Handset.aspx>.

Rich Communications Services (RCS) is the current standard for communication and Google is planning to take it to the next level with Jibe Mobile.

RCS is currently the online messaging category that allows for image and video transfers plus group chat capabilities. Most commonly used with providers such as WhatsApp, Facebook messenger, iMessenger, Line, etc. All of these operate on the web require some sort of connection to the internet. Yet what sets apart Jibe’s, a tech startup firm, is that currently they are working on providing consumers with RCS through the same system as SMS. By doing so they can expand the use of RCS to a more “global audience” as said by Google, mentioned in Business Insider.

By buying up this start up, Google may have made another major breakthrough in the way we use technology. Not only would such a service be available for greater audience than that of the current applications, it may replace the historic and most commonly used messaging system SMS.

There is great anticipation to the outcome of this move by Google, but all we can say right now is that this is a major step towards further progression for RCS.

Could this be the next step in the communication industry?

References:

Business Insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/google-acquires-jibe-mobile-messaging-startup-2015-9

Bibliography:

http://recode.net/2015/09/30/google-is-acquiring-rich-messaging-startup-jibe-mobile/

http://www.jibemobile.com/

http://officialandroid.blogspot.ca/2015/09/committing-to-rcs-latest-standard-in.html