The premise of the Arc Initiative is simple, giving entrepreneurs around the world the necessary toolbox for developing their business into an efficiently operated success.The key point I have taken away from all the stories we heard about, is that everyone who has attended the workshop and are now succeeding in business, all share an incredibly strong drive to achieve the best for their enterprise. I realized that although business skills can be taught or acquired, what makes a successful entrepreneur, anywhere in the world, is the universal drive for success. I was particularly impressed by our Skype session with the owner of the Internet café in Addis Ababa, who had such a clear vision of the logistics of his business, as well as a great understanding of where he wanted to take the business in years to come.

It is now clear as ever for me, that great ideas, and capable individuals ready to execute these ideas, will never be in shortage. The Arc Initiative permits people to have access to the same knowledge we get here in Vancouver, thus giving entrepreneurs worldwide the same opportunity to succeed regardless of background, financial standing, or previous education.

Photo Credit: UBC

Should I start a business with my Sauder friends? After hearing from the numerous alumni that have had such great success after graduation, it has given me motivation that entrepreneurship could become a viable career path if I work hard enough and make the right connections.

However, upon reading Michael Fertik’s blog post, he brings up some very critical problems with people who think that they can just start a business with their friends and that it will succeed. He mentions common complications such as not sharing the same decision-making mentality, financial background or simply not getting along with your friends when it comes down to a real life scenario.

Although these points may present some conflict down the road, I believe if everyone you work with is truly invested in making something work, and you have a great idea, anything can be achieved. Although you may hit snags down the road, a career as an entrepreneur would fulfill you in ways a 9 to 5 desk job simply couldn’t.  In my opinion, this article aims to ward off people who don’t have a true passion for entrepreneurship, do not truly understand what it entails, and just view it as a way to make an easy dollar.

Photo Credit: Problogging Success 

After their third championship season in a row, The Vancouver Canadians, out of 170 teams, were just awarded the John H. Johnson President’s Trophy, Minor League Baseball’s top honour, awarded to the best overall franchise of the season. As I have been part of the organization for the past three years, I have come to realize that the recent success of the team can be directly correlated to the large value the management staff they places on the happiness of their employees. They truly make sure that all their employees enjoy working there, by providing discounts on food, free family tickets to every game and truly creating an atmosphere of positivity, where everyone knows your name.

And as we have seen in the success of companies like Zappos or Google, is that satisfied employees results in satisfied customers, which correlates directly with the teams value proposition. As the caliber of baseball is only Single A, the stadium aims to create a memorable experience for customers, so that they will return despite the record of the team. The organization’s core set of values by which they manage their staff, is the definite cause of the their recent success, making it a wonderful experience working there.

Photo Credit: Straight.com

In Clarisa Madilao’s blog post she describes the dilemma Disney is currently facing, due to their absorption of the Marvel franchise. In class, we have studied the impacts of scandals upon businesses reputations, and I have learned, that it is imperative that consumers always view your business the way you want them to. 

Although I understand the need for Disney to promote their “family friendly” image, and thus not associate themselves with anything that contradicts that, I personally do not think that this “dilemma” constitutes anything that Disney should be worried about.

In my opinion, Disney is doing absolutely nothing wrong by displaying superheroes faces on slot machines.  It is not as if they are introducing a line of toys for children that promotes gambling. The branding on slot machines is such a thin association to the brand and would only be seen by adults, therefore making it extremely unlikely that it would decrease profitability or harm their image in any noticeable way. If anything, the absorption of all these new casino games will generate new revenue streams, adding on to the widely branching, virtually indestructible empire that Disney has already created for themselves.

Photo Credit: Jackpot.co.uk, Fanpop!