UBC COMM101- Ganasan Ponjani

Best Buy has recently established itself as the one of the largest electronic retailers in the world. They operate in Canada, USA, Mexico, China and the United Kingdom. Their expansion has been very impressive since they were only officially founded in 1983.

As a matter of fact, Best Buy was not originally established under this name. Richard Schulze initially founded this business under the name of “Sound of Music” in 1963. This Minnesota based store, sold appliances, videocassette recorders and laserdisc equipment and quickly expanded into a chain franchise. Within a span of 3 years, Sound of Music hit the $1 million mark in annual revenues, with its 3 stores.

However in 1981, a tornado hit and destroyed the franchises most successful store in Roseville, Minnesota, and led to a lot of lost revenue. Sound of Music responded with a “Tornado Sale” which they called the “Best Buy Sale” and held it in a warehouse with plenty of space to put the inventory and hold a large number of customers.

The “Best Buy” sale became an annual event, and it was very successful every time. This was because customers enjoyed shopping in comfortable big spaces for really cheap items. Sound of Music realized this, and in 1983, the company opened its first “superstore” under the new corporate name “Best Buy”, and things have just escalated from there.

Citation: “Best Buy.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 29 Sept. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Best_Buy>.

Research shows that there are about 3 million less smokers in America today, compared to 5 years ago. Percentages of adults who smoke fell from %20.9 to %19.3 in the 5-year span and this decrease in smokers can surely be accredited to the new graphic images on cigarette packs.

Getting Americans to smoke less has been U.S. government policy since the 1960s and under its “Healthy People initiative”, the Department of Health says it wants to bring the national prevalence of smoking to below 12 percent by 2020.

Video of new graphic Cigarette Pack Images – Scare Tactic

As I see it, graphic images are the best way to send the message that there are many dangers from smoking. This is strongly supported by Kathleen Sebelius, a secrety of health and human services, as she states that “these labels are frank, honest and powerful depictions of the health risks of smoking, and they will help encourage smokers to quit, and prevent children from smoking.”

All things considered, tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease. Tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke kill an estimated 443,000 Americans each year, and by simply acknowledging the possible risks, hopefully the number of smokers, not just in America, but around the world, will have a substantial decline.

Citation: Coleman, R. Leigh. “Graphic Images on Cigarette Packs Work, CDC Says, Christian News.” Christian News, The Christian Post. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. <http://www.christianpost.com/news/graphic-images-on-cigarette-packs-work-cdc-says-55180/>.

Salahi, Lara. “Cigarette Packaging About to Get More Graphic – ABC News.” ABCNews.com: Daily News, Breaking News and Video Broadcasts – ABC News. Web. 08 Oct. 2011. <http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/cigarette-packaging-graphic/story?id=12109439>.

Just recently in the world of sports, the great American pastime, baseball has been linked hand in hand with the abuse of steroids Many big stars have seen their profound legacy deteriorate as they tested positive for the banned substance. Big names include, Barry Bonds (the home run king) and Alex Rodriguez, the former poster boy for the MLB.

Just like any other sport, Major League Baseball is considered a business, and it is a very successful one. However, with the emergence of steroids over the past couple decades, the game has lost many of its fans and the overall excitement towards the sport has decreased. According to George W. Bush, a former owner of the Texas Rangers ball club, “steroids have sullied the game”

The use of steroids in baseball, and in any sport for that matter, is unethical, wrong, and just plain out cheating. It simply just adds negativity towards the game and in addition, creates losses for the business of the game, as they lose many fans.  There is no place in the sport for cheating, and it has just led to increased speculation as to wether or not, powerful statistics such as Barry Bonds’ home run record should still stand.

All in all, the use of steroids has in fact helped players break records, win ball games, and even sign big contracts. It ultimately gives that player an edge over the competition, however, it has created an ethically toxic atmosphere. Cheating in sports is a big violation of the sports code of conduct, and accordingly, Major League Baseball has taken big steps to ensure that steroids are out of the game for good.

Citation: Morselli, Maurizio “Baseball, Steroids and Business Ethics: How Breaches of Trust Can Change the Game” 20 February, 2008. 15 september, 2011. <http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=1902>

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