” If  the United Nations was fully funded why would we need the Arc or social enterprise”?

In terms of the question posted above, I believe that if the United Nations were fully funded, we would still need the Arc and Social Enterprise because while the UN focus on bigger problems in the world, the Arc and Social Enterprise are small enough to target the smaller ones. The United Nations, which is an organization founded in 1945 is an “international organization committed to maintaining international peace and security; developing friendly relations among nations; promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights”. When I visited the website, it say the 8 main goals of the United Nations were to:

1. eradicate extreme poverty, 2. achieve universal primary education, 3. promote gender equality and empower women, 4. reduce child mortality, 5. improve maternal health, 6. combat HIV and Aids, malaria and other diseases, 7. Ensure environmental sustainability, 8. Develop a global partnership for development.

The United Nations Logo

While The UN seem to target bigger scale issues such as maintaining international peace and security and fighting disease, the Arc and Social Enterprise exist to target smaller social/commercial issues. Social Enterprise is defined as: “an organization that applies commercial strategies to maximize improvements in human and environmental well-being, rather than maximizing profits for external shareholders.” Considering this definition and The Arc’s initiative which is: to build a bridge or a two way exchange of knowledge and business skill- it can be argued that as the two groups (UN, Social Enterprise and Arc) differ in what they do, both groups would be needed regardless of whether or not The UN was fully funded. Generally, while the UN utilizes arms and a bigger variety of network to maintain international peace and security, the Arc and Social Enterprise utilize individuals and their knowledge in business to help people in other communities improve their community in terms of the human and environmental condition by giving them the resources needed to do so.  That being said, regardless of whether or not The UN was fully funded, the Arc and Social Enterprise would still need to exist as The UN provides aid but not necessarily in the concentrated and focused manner that the Arc and Social Enterprise provide.

This blog post discusses Dustin Sproat’s blog post “Behind the Scenes with Mark Cuban and Kevin O’Leary” and Paul Davidescu’s post “Tangoo’s journey to Dragon’s Den: The conclusion“.

In our Comm 101 class and tutorial, we discussed the show dragon’s den and the companies called Shnarped and Tangoo. After the class, I was interested in learning more about the show so, heeding Paul’s advice, I visited Dustin Sproat’s blog on his Dragon’s Den experience. In terms of his blog and the episode, I quickly realized that regardless of what business you start, there will always be negative feedback; however, what you do with the feedback is what really matters. In his blog, Dustin highlights his learning experience in a few lines:

“DON’T be afraid to put yourself out there. Basically the worst case scenario happened — Mark hated it — and we still came out way ahead of if I hadn’t gone to LA. 
– DON’T overthink the advice of any one person. We’ve taken advice from hundreds of people way smarter than me and they all disagree with one another anyway. 
– DO listen to everyone’s advice, but make your own judgements. 
– DO be continually thankful for the people that have supported you, as they form the base that will help you figure out how to get to the next level.”

Shark-Tank

The show Dragon’s Den and the American Shark Tank are both shows that provide a huge opportunity for companies that are just starting up. Generally, the show allows a business idea to be publicized, allows the “sharks” or “dragons” the opportunity to invest in a great idea, and provides a great way for a company to gain more capital. The opportunity is massive and it is quite easy to feel shut down. However, as Dustin illustrates within his timeline of events leading up to, during, and after his company’s appearance on the show, he encourages small-time entrepreneurs to constantly be confident and willing to take negative feedback in stride for your company- allowing improvements where needed based on your judgements.

The show provides excellent real-life examples of how  a company or a business pitches a business, does it’s financial statements, and utilizes it’s customer segments, value propositions,  and business plan.

Shnarped Hockey – http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/dustin-sproat/behind-the-scenes-with-mark-cuban_b_5085533.html

Tangoo – https://blog.tangoo.ca/tangoos-journey-to-dragons-den-the-conclusion/

In Response to Cecilia Larson’s Blog Post “Is every Sauderite Successful?“.

After reading Cecilia Larson’s Blog post, I felt compelled to write a response on what she had to say. The blog post, which immediately grabbed my attention, seemed to consistently portray all the cluttered thoughts I felt as a student just beginning Sauder. From the daunting intimidation to the clarity of mind that one feels as a student first entering the doors of the building, it seems that Cecilia’s words bring a certain clarity that perfectly captures my thoughts as a first year student.

As a High School student, “success” is such a vague term often painted by media as a word decorated in money, fancy cars, amazing homes, and a vast network of people who share in the same luxuries as you. It’s crazy how the term, which at the time seems such a happy and obtainable goal almost vanishes the moment you enter University. As a Sauder student, I have the privilege of taking Comm 101. The course introduces you to the many branches of business and the business world. Being able to meet people who have once sat in our seats and walked in our shoes really allows one to realize just how obtainable success is when one is willing to put in the hard work. In her blog post, Cecilia brings up Paul’s theme (Tangoo founder) “You must be passionate about what you are doing (i.e. you are honestly not doing it for the money). Because let’s be honest, for the first few years you may very well be living in your parents’ basement.” Generally, this thought really helped me to realize that in order to be successful, one must be willing to suffer the hard times. That being said, it is crucial to find something that you love doing. 

Is Every Sauderite Successful?

In response to Austen Perry’s blog post “Canada Goose Builds New Factory“.

In Austen Perry’s blog post, he discusses the effects of Canada Goose opening a new factory in Toronto and their decision to continue manufacturing solely in Canada. In terms of the things he has to say, I must agree. Canada Goose is a company widely known for it’s amazing quality and has come to the point where their company’s reputation has grown as a Canada- based brand. Essentially, it has gained a competitive advantage in which their product is known to be Canada- based and produced and well-worth it’s cost. That being said, if they were to start “manufacturing elsewhere while continuing to be named Canada Goose would seem fraudulent and ridiculous”.  

Canada Goose Jacket

Taking into consideration Canada Goose’s  value proposition, in order for the company to maximize profits, it would be most profitable to continue its manufacturing solely in Canada- using the same materials that Canada Goose is known for. Many people have accepted Canada Goose’s expensive product and moving the brand elsewhere in order to access different resources would cause the company to lose its competitive advantage. As Austen Perry said, “Canada Goose’s new factory is a great demonstration of a business that chooses to continue to manufacture locally rather than outsource, while continuing to be successful”. Also, the company’s decision to open a new factory in Toronto and offer new employment opportunities will also aid in benefiting the reputation of the company by creating a sense of nationality within Canada, and creating a sense of assurance for the product elsewhere.

Canada Goose Builds New Factory

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/