Month: November 2010

In Friday’s The Globe and Mail, there was an article, “Generation Text sends wrong message”, discussing how young adults entering the workforce are having difficulties with communicating with their co-workers because of their reckless practices of texting and instant messaging with their friends.

Being one myself, I also agree that most of the others my age are relying excessively on communicating by “shorthand style of writing.” For instance, our constant use of Windows Live messenger and text messaging phone devices have ourselves typing out “lol” or “brb” when we could be correctly saying “That is absolutely hilarious!” or “I’ll be right back.” Perhaps this is due to our apparent laziness in typing out extra words that would seem unnecessary in a casual conversation with our friends.

Moreover, the uprise of social media allow all to post on our friend’s walls which would often include various emotions, such as “:)” or “<3". Not only that, our comments are usually also consisted of abbreviations of words or slang words which would be definitely inappropriate for a formal conversation. Unfortunately, our daily use of Facebook, for instance, deter us from effective communication that will be significantly important in our future jobs when we will want to speak to our boss or co-worker. Word count: 208 words

Last year, I was part of the organizing committee of the first ever miniEnterprize.

Today, on a rainy Saturday morning, I drove up to UBC to support the miniEnterprize Committee of 2010 with their entrepreneurship conference. Though I had to leave early, I must admit that they have done an excellent job with organizing the conference this year.

With over 200 high school delegates and participants, the miniEnterprize Youth Entrepreneurship Conference, which is also made up of high school students, hoped to reach out to their peers in regards to the ways for reaching success in the business world through entrepreneurship.
Throughout the conference were three keynote speakers, one of whom is our very own Jeff Kroeker to discuss the advantages and benefits of entering The Sauder School of Business, as well as informative workshops featuring local entrepreneurs to talk about their own stories about the success of their businesses.
One of the key aspects of the entire conference was the innovative challenge for the delegates. This was executed through the assignment of groups of 6, and each group was to create an unique company to answer a particular issue (for this year was sustainability) and they must give a two-minute pitch to a selected panel of judges.

Overall, not only did miniEnterprize reach their goal in informing pre-university students more about the business world and entrepreneurial ways to succeed, but they also introduced the numerous opportunities that could be pursued through entering the opening doors of Sauder. This of course is a compelling motivation for them to do well in the respective high school marks and on their supplementary applications. 🙂

word count: 267

Similar to what we have discussed in class, I have come across an article in The Globe And Mail, titled “Why aren’t you advertising online?”. The author, Steiner, explains the benefits of marketing on the internet to refrain from paying the high costs set in other advertising techniques, such as the archaic way of printing ads or distributing flyers that would ultimately be found scattered on the wet pavement sidewalk.

So first, he explains how Google search works. The number of clicks equate the amount of costs needed to pay back to Google. However, this may not determine a effective way to reach a specific consumer market, as random internet explorers may be just curious about a company’s particular name by clicking on the link and just be done with that.

On the other hand, social media networking websites – which of course includes the highly popular Facebook and Twitter – are becoming the common trend to advertise. Any particular account could be made, whether it be for a family member, a pet, or a business. Though Steiner admits that this does not hinder friends or angry customers from negative complaints about your company, “the benefit of doing this outweighs the cost, because people are going to trash your business with disposable income have a Facebook account.

Word Count: 265 words

To supplement my Twitter response to why small business fail: I have found another compelling explanation by a recent article in The Globe & Mail.

“‘Misleading’ wireless ads land Rogers in hot water” explains how Rogers Communications Inc. has been brought to negative attention in the domestic wireless industry because of his “misleading advertising”. Apparently, its advertisements suggest the criticism of new competitors into the industry. These include entrants such as Wind Mobile, Mobilicity, and Public Mobile.

As Rogers become an increasingly popular wireless company for phones, television, and the internet, common households have already accustomed to depending on and trusting their favorite respective providers for these services. Such then, with Rogers boasting the fact that its service has “fewer dropped calls than new wireless carriers,” not only will the public believe in what it says, but it will also cause a detrimental effect on the emerging competitors in the playing field.

Though Rogers is currently going under the inspection of whether or not to be penalized for its misconduct, this does not reduce or resolve the harm put onto smaller and less significant companies. Therefore, the determination and “luckiness” that new entrepreneurs will need to possess determine the fate of their companies in the harsh world in business.

Word Count: 209

I consider Rachael Ray to be a successful entrepreneur in today’s standards. Ever since emerging as a culinary chef on the food network, she has made a name for herself by hosting her own talk shows and being the authors of well-received cookbooks. Her energy and enthusiasm to connect with her fans have helped her succeed in the successive steps in her career and to overcome the risks that may come along with them.

Not only is she constantly receiving standing ovations from her increasing number of fans, she is continuously creating new recipes (or products) for her viewers. She introduces new production methods by emphasizing the ideas of convenience and practicality. She is driven to succeed by her venture and interest towards new markets, which is demonstrated by her willingness to invite different generations of our society to her talk show program. She remains fascinated by the interests of different age groups, including make-up techniques and home furniture design. Her organization, consisted of many various departments, change in response to her most recent project; dog treats by Rachael Ray Nutrish. These profits are for the benefit of society, as they are proceeds to the Rachael Rescue organization.

Word Count: 197 words

Information source: own knowledge by being a viewer of her show!
Image source: http://www.nickcannon.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/rachael-ray-show.jpg