fergusarnold

Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio has been placed in the worlds spotlight as it is selected to host some of the biggest international events in the short span of 4 years. Although ranked as one of the worlds most beautiful cities, Rio has been put to the test. The city plans to host World Youth Day (average attendance of 1,280,000 since 2000) in 2013, the FIFA World Cup (average attendance of 51,200 since 1994) in 2014, and the Summer Olympics 2016, but as these deadlines approach the question of ability has become focal.

The city as of now holds the title as the least-safe city in the hemisphere with a poor infrastructure and a worse public transit system. Military efforts have proven necessary in attempts to reach out to crime and drug laced neighbourhoods as possible locations for Olympic venues. The wishful budget for the Olympics of nearly 200 million dollars has expanded tenfold as Rio attempts to clean its streets for the spotlights.

Disappointingly enough, city planning for Rio ends in 2016 and begs the question: do the events prepare the city for the future? Or will they slip the city into a debt of olympic proportion?

What do you think?

Web References:  http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2012/08/09/f-vp-watson-rio-olympics.html

This post is a comment to the article written in the Economist, Making it Through the Storm.

An interesting phenomenon has arisen amongst the constant environmental disasters across the world. The consequences of the costly misfortunate events across seas has proven the outsourcing of operations a little more risky as of late. Also, storms such as Hurricane Sandy have highlighted the now apparent inability of businesses to withstand unforeseen environmental factors. It will be interesting to see how business operations will change as time and time again the economy seems to be the biggest victim of natural disasters.

Sandbags set in front of Goldman Sachs in Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy

Web References: http://www.economist.com/news/business/21565975-hurricane-sandy-was-another-test-how-well-businesses-can-keep-going-when-disaster

The re-opening of the once long-lasting butchery on East Hastings as been a topic of excitement. Vancouver entrepreneur and restaurant owner Mark Brand turned to Vancity looking for a loan to hopefully pump life back into the building. Save on Meats is listed as one of the 125 places in [Vancouver] that matter and dubbed “the cornerstone of Gastown.”

Re-opened in 2011, business operations have brought new life to the neighbourhood. Split into 3 floors, the building hosts a walk-up meat counter and restaurant, a food-processing facility (whose doors are open to all local residences training at the the “Potluck Cafe & Catering” across the street), and a food incubator which would “encourage entrepreneurs in the neighbourhood to build upon their ideas.”

Save on Meats is not only a source for excitement and good food, it is also providing vital economic activity to the neighbourhood. Employee’s range in skill levels and discrimination is non-existent; Brand employs an array of individuals from chefs to ex-addicts. The business is a source of cash-flow and life for the neighbourhood. It is fair to say that Save on Meats will have an effect that will carry into other businesses within the area and give the community a much needed economic “boost.”

The re-opening of Save on Meats has proven itself as a success story within the community and has reserved a position as one of  Vancouver’s pride.

Web References: http://vancouverisawesome.com/tag/save-on-meats/

http://buildingopportunities.org/blog/index.php/save-on-meats-a-work-in-progress/

This post is a reply to a blog written by Maciek Piskorz

EnergyAware, the Vancouver based company, has found success in the sales of their PowerTabs, devices used to measure electrical usage and the cost associated with the usage levels. The device, simple in nature, encourages the reduction of electrical use while providing a sense of corporate appeal towards server.

However, these devices are directly associated with Smart Meters, an apparatus used to record and wirelessly transmit usage data to the electrical supplier. The budding concern regarding the use of Smart Meters and the resistance for conformity among customers may provide as an opposing force to EnergyAware’s growth.

I am interested to see whether the dependency of EnergyAware on the Smart Meter program will bring as much success as anticipated.

This is a repost of my reply on Jonathan Bickford’s blog titled, “Apple CEO apologizes to consumers, recommends competitors software.”

Apple, acting on pride, really seemed to shoot themselves in the foot by releasing their highly anticipated phone with a less than ideal map application in an attempt to leave Google out of the picture. Despite the tension of the competition between the two giants, I feel that by removing the Google Map app, Apple has weighed their pride over the satisfaction of their customers; Cooks public apology and recommendation goes to show for that. It might just be also one of the worst times to show a weakness in their products as other smartphone competitors are gaining market shares left, right, and center.

I’m interested to see how Apple’s popularity fairs in amidst all of this.

Rising fuel costs have not only provided long-lasting headaches for travellers worldwide, but also for the airlines carrying them. Earlier this year Singapore Airlines abandoned the longest non-stop flight (at 19 hours) as rising fuel costs depleted the trips profits. But what has been a bad experience for airlines and passengers alike has provided manufacturers with a booming demand.

The ever-increasing price for fuel has spurred airlines to invest in shinier, more efficient planes. Manufacturing giants such as Boeing and Airbus will not disappoint, with Boeing boasting a plane capable of reducing fuel burn by 20% and maintenance costs by 30%. In response to the fuel costs, demand will increase unwaveringly. Regardless of the multi-million dollar price tag for a single jet, North America alone is projected to purchase over 7,000 planes over the next 8 years in an attempt to chase profitability.

The area of great interest is the growing capability of change among the manufacturers. Undoubtedly, demand for petrolium will provide a constant force for innovation; how extreme will the changes become? What does the future of air travel hold for both manufacturers and airlines?

What do you think?

Web References: http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/11/13/airliner-arms-race/#more-312494

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-02/forget-gas-prices-air-fares-are-getting-more-painful

Between 2010 and 2012, Kia and Hyndai auto-mobiles have had misrepresented mileage statements on many of their models, leaving Canadians with unexpected fuelling costs and Kia with a law suit. Earlier this month, the companies had admitted to overstate the efficiency of various models.

The mistake has raised concern regarding the legitimacy of other mileage estimates given to customers. It has become popular among car companies to capitalize on the public concern regarding rising fuel costs and enviromental degredation by marketing the efficiency of their models.

Both automakers will be forced to change the “sticker” mileage (some models by 6MPG!) and reimburse the near million customers. The reimbursement will be based on the mileage of the vehicles for the lifetime of the cars on what the customers would have saved had the mileage been correct in the first place. The companies also plan to provide a 15% compensation for the mislead customers.

More costly then the reimbursement itself is the loss in trust for not only Kia or Hyundai, but also the loss of customer loyalty and the birth of many sceptics.

Web References: http://www.bloomberg.com/article/2012-11-05/aPfa82lfHc3Q.html

http://www.veloster.org/forum/2-hyundai-veloster-news-reviews/9611-hyundai-kia-admit-fuel-economy-numbers-not-accurate.html

The sense of a “global community” is soon to be redefined as the Canadian company UrtheCast sets to begin operations. The company has constructed two cameras which will be placed on the International Space Station (ISS) in 2013. The cameras will be pointed to the green planet and will stream near-live footage of all earthly activities.

Although based in Vancouver, UrtheCast has reached out to the Russian space agency RSC Energia to provide the real-estate and the launching of the cameras in a barter-like trade for company equity. Although very intriguing and novel, UrtheCast has highlighted many privacy concerns.

A primary source of revenue for the company will be data sales to large companies, governments, and non-government organizations. This selling off of information poses the “Big-Brother” phenomenon; is live-streaming of our daily activities from space an infringement of privacy? UrtheCast will be pushing everyone into a real-time movie being sold to the highest bidders.

With that said, the company will undoubtedly provide valuable information for all of its costomers, ranging from simple entertainment to environmental awareness. It is a very large technological leap whose success will be a point of interest for a very long time to come.

Web References: http://www.urthecast.com/

http://news.silobreaker.com/the-united-nations–urthecast-partner-up-to-monitor-humanitarian-5_2265843616935051481

Near the end of the summer the banking giant Goldman Sachs released a fairly unique plan to invest in its neighbourhood, at no cost to the taxpayer. The plan focuses on the fairly constant issue of New York’s detained youth. The plan is aimed to introduce responsibility skills, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to offenders between the ages of 16-18. New York’s youth, after release from detention have a reincarceration rate of 50%. “In this new model, private investors fund the intervention through a nonprofit contractor and the government pays the contractor only if the program meets its goals.”

The plan  is a pioneer in the privatization of community services. Should it reduce reincarceration by 10%, the City, will save money while the investors receive a much greater return on their investment. Goldman Sachs will fully fund the program over the next four years; it will not allocate its resources, but rather grant the program liberty in where the money goes.

The innovative project will bring much needed services to the nearby Rikers Island and will hopefully improve New York’s community in ways which the government cannot. There is great eagerness to witness its effect.

Web Reference: http://www.goldmansachs.com/what-we-do/investing-and-lending/urban-investments/case-studies/social-impact-bonds.html

http://www.economist.com/node/21560561

With the somewhat embarrassing move to Memphis, the Grizzlies have left Vancouver without a franchise in the NBA. The Grizzlies played in Vancouver for a total of five seasons, with a consistent low win:loss ratio and poor attendance, but it seems that the growing city is once again a viable option for the NBA. Investor Chris Hansen notes that Vancouver has a few factors in their favour: “They have the corporate infrastructure, they have a building that they can readily move into … they also have a very hot hockey team there currently.” The move across the border will help globalize the organization and hopefully revamp struggling teams such as the New Orleans Hornets, who have recently put themselves up for sale. The biggest question which looms over the decision is: can Vancouver sustain such a franchise financially? It is obvious that for any city to support a sports team, there must be a tremendous amount of help from a broad set of fans. John Furlong chairmen of the WhiteCaps FC in Vancouver is sceptical: “There are players in the NBA who have $100-million contracts, you have to know that just isn’t sustainable in every market.” All things said, Vancouver is a major competitor in the battle for a franchise and has the capability of boxing out other potentials such as Seattle and Anaheim. Would the move be just as big of a flop as the last? Is Vancouver capable of supporting another team?

What do you think?

Web References: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2012/08/24/bc-nba-vancouver-conference-board.html

http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=384&sid=661994