BC Hydro’s announcement of their plans to construct and operate a dam and a 1,100 megawatt hydroelectric generating station on the Peace River in northeastern British Columbia has peaked the interests of the BC First Nation’s chiefs. The project, which is estimated to be approximately $8 billion dollars involves the flooding of 83 kilometres of the Peace River Valley from Fort St. John’s to Hudson’s Hope destroying wildlife habitats and farmland situated in that area. The First Nation’s representatives – including the Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Saulteau First Nations, and Blueberry River First Nations argue that the project cannot be approved as the project would cause a “significant adverse effect on fishing opportunities and practices” for the First Nations peoples living there. A group of BC First Nations chiefs have joined together to urge the Harper government to reject BC Hydro’s Site C hydroelectric mega-project. In an interview at the First Nations leader’s Summit meeting, BC Indian Chiefs leader Stewart Phillip stated that: “BC is Indian land”. The project, which would have provided the energy needed for the area’s oil and gas and mining industries,  is now being reviewed.

BC Hydro

In terms of the article, I would have to conclude that the First Nation’s arguments should be taken into strong consideration. In the article, one of the BC chief representatives named Logan said “It’s our church, it’s our store, it’s our school.” Taking the fact that the land and animal habitat is a big part of the First Nation’s lifestyle, it would only be fair to consider what they have to say. Otherwise, by flooding the land without the First Nation’s consent or consideration, it would be unethical. Business Ethics were discussed in class previously. Considering what was said, for the government to take the Native’s land it would only lead to further conflicts down the road. Conflicts that could prove to be very unprofitable. That being said, in order to provide the best and most profitable business, it would be best to make sure all things are done ethically, as well as in a way that would keep everyone happy.

The First Nations groups in the general area of the mega-project  is an example of a way in which external factors can impact a company’s business plan model. Generally, the First Nation’s people in that area have spiritual and cultural ties to the land. Their commitment to maintaining the land in terms of the environment imposes an external factor that limits the plans of BC Hydro as the natives are unwilling to allow the state of their land’s environment to be compromised. As the First Nation’s opinions prevent BC Hydro from completely following through with their project Site C, the hydroelectric mega-project is a good example of a way in which external factors may impose boundaries or limitations to a company’s business plans.

Article Website: http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html

Becton, Dickinson and Company -a medical technological firm- is looking to buy CareFusion, a company that provides products and services to hospitals for $12.2 Billion in cash and stock. Becton Dickinson has agreed to pay $58 a stock which is 26% above CareFusion’s closing price on Friday. The combination of the two companies will allow for the creation of one of the five biggest medical device companies in the world. “This is a perfect strategic fit,” Vincent A. Forlenza, BD’s chief executive, said in an interview. “We’re coming together to improve medication management, primarily in hospitals.” 

Becton Dickinson buys Carefusion

The merged company, according to Gallahue CareFusion’s chief executive, will help in the efforts to limit the rise of health care costs in the United States. Not only that, but by combining the two companies, Gallahue continues to say that there will be an increase in patient safety, a decrease in potential for mistakes, an increase in efficiency around the hospital, an improvement of quality in patient care, an increase in worker safety, as well as a decrease in health care costs by addressing unmet needs in the hospital. According to the reports CareFusion reported strong earnings in recent quarters – providing an even better deal to BD for the price of $12.2 Billion.

I believe the combination of the two companies Becton Dickinson and CareFusion will provide many positive results in the future. The two companies, being separate, would not have held as much benefit as the two together. In terms of the article, I believe BD made a good choice in buying the company, even at the price of $12.2 Billion. It seems to me that the two companies together will allow a significant increase in profit as the two seem to complement each other.

Article: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/becton-dickinson-to-acquire-carefusion-for-12-2-billion/?_php=true&_type=blogs&ref=business&_r=0

In terms of the advances of technology in the automobile industry, Google is progressing in bringing their self-driving car to reality. The self-driving car which was originally seen as a foolish endeavour is now peaking the interests of all automobile industries. Now that the car companies see that the technology is real, “they want to get ahead of each other” in using it as a competitive advantage (Belcher).  Following a report released on Monday by the consulting firm McKinsey and Company, the projected revenue for the connected-car technology will rise to approximately $230 billion dollars by the end of the decade. The 6 fold increase in revenue will allow the company to expand on it’s technologies within the car, and also allow other features to be included as well. So far, the technology includes car to car communication, automated sensors to keep an eye out for pedestrians, self-parking, as well as the ability to swerve in and out of traffic. Although the technology does include the means for complete self- cruising, car companies are looking to combine the technology with driver-controlled cars to develop a much safer car. These cars, utilizing the technology provided by Google, will allow an automated operating system that analyzes the driver’s actions to make sure he or she is awake and attentive to his surroundings, a built in sensor that allows the car to make emergency precautions when triggered, self parking, and an automated emergency system that reacts to pedestrians as well as other vehicles. Though the fully automated vehicles may take longer in being released, the semi-automated vehicles are predicted to be released sometime in 2020.

The Self-Driving Car

I think the release of the new technology will completely change the automotive industry that we see today. Seeing as how car companies are always seeking ways to find competitive advantages over competing companies, the introduction of the self-driving cars will allow car companies to differentiate even more in order to gain more of a competitive edge. That being said, as the companies continue to compete in terms of prices and technology, I expect a massive technological improvement in the next few years. (As our generation is full of technological competition, I think cars will progress exponentially in terms of car technology and in terms of other modes of transportation as well.)

Article: Technology Takes the Wheel

There is word in the medical community of a new program called “Pharmacare“. Pharmacare is a national program that pays for prescription drugs through a publicly funded system rather than through the consumer’s pocket. The program, which is now being heavily supported by many doctors, allows patients that are unable to pay for prescribed medication to receive their medication. Erik Hoskins said in an interview “I can’t tell you how many times I’d have to go into the sample drawer, because I knew if I gave a prescription to someone, they weren’t going to fill it because they couldn’t afford it.” That being said, this program will speak to Canadian Values that promote equity and fairness and give support to those who are unable to afford prescription drugs. 

pharmacare

Canada today, is the only industrialized nation with universal health insurance but no public coverage of prescription drug costs. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada has the second highest spending per capita on prescription drugs. This means that the “patchwork of provincial and territorial health-care systems means Canadians with life-threatening illnesses are confronted with costs that can vary wildly from province to province.” Because Canada does not buy their drugs in bulk, the separate costs vary, producing a wider range of costs and in effect a larger number of costs for prescription drugs. “Everybody knows if you buy your toilet paper in those packages of 40 rolls, you pay less per roll than if you go to the corner store and buy two rolls at a time — it works the same with medications” (Martin). Essentially, by implementing pharmacare, the program would bring more attention to the cost of prescription drugs and allow not only aid to Canadians unable to afford prescription drugs, but also allow potential savings up to $11.4 billion in taxpayer’s money (via reduced administration fees and pharmacare) by buying in bulk.

I believe pharmacare is greatly needed. As the article stated, Canada is the only industrialized nation that offers universal health insurance but no prescription drug coverage. In order to make things fair for Canadians – especially those who are unable to afford prescription drugs, it would be best to put pharmacare into action as soon as possible.

Article: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/pharmacare-national-prescription-drug-program-gains-support-1.2788351

Reports are beginning to surface that HP is planning to split their PC and Printer Business Unit from their Enterprise and Services BU. The idea, which was initially proposed in 2011 following CEO Leo Apotheker’s resignation, was brushed off under the guidance of Meg Whitman; however, following the company’s loss of position as the leading PC manufacturer to Lenovo in 2012, the idea has been rumoured to have re-surfaced. For the company, the thin margins of the PC business have been balanced by HP’s healthy Printer business “where ink consumables offer a big profit centre for the company still and HP’s brand equity is strong”. That being said, the consumer products splitting away from the enterprise product division may allow future opportunities for both parties. Whereas the HP printer and pc business can help keep each other afloat, the Enterprise can re-start merger talks with storage giant EMC that were previously stalled due to the PC and Printer business units being thought of as an operational liability holding the two back from becoming a combined Enterprise powerhouse tag-team. The split of the company can also allow the two divisions to “focus on their core product offerings and go-to-market strategies that are decidedly different between consumer products and the enterprise.” Although the split will significantly lower the current negotiating power of the combined HP, the split will allow the two parts to commit to 1. HP with respect to PCs and Printers, and 2. the needs of the Enterprise group. By splitting, the two parts of HP may be able to rise again to lead in their individual markets.

HP

I believe HP’s actions are a good example of the big decisions that CEOs must make in finding ways to maximize profits and rise in terms of competition. The company, which fell behind Lenovo in 2012 was only being held back by keeping the Enterprise and the PC and Printer businesses connected. As stated by the article, the Enterprise had an opportunity to merge with EMC but was unable to as EMC found that the PC and Printer section of the business would be an “operational liability“. That being said, by allowing the two businesses to separate, more opportunities may be available for both companies.

Article: http://www.forbes.com/sites/davealtavilla/2014/10/05/divide-and-conquer-hp-set-to-split-pc-and-printers-business-from-enterprise-products/