Girls.

For my final blog post, I want to go full circle back to the first topic we were asked to write about: business ethics. This time, I want to touch on something that many women and girls around the world have strong opinions on, which is how advertisements and media wrongly influence how we see ourselves.

Cherrie’s blog summarized nicely how advertisements on TV and in magazines can effect girls’ confidence and body image. These ads are impossible to avoid, and we are exposed to many of them each and every day.

I feel that this was a much bigger problem only a few years ago, but today we are slowly tackling the problem. I can remember flipping through a magazine when I was much younger, and wondering how the girls had such a nice tan, perfect skin, and long hair. Today I realize all those girls had was a fake-tan, a face caked with makeup, and a head full of hair extensions.

There are so many movements happening today that expose what goes into each photo you see that now when anyone sees a spread in a magazine, their first thought is, “Oh, that’s just edited.” Instead of “thinspo” sites popping up all over the web, it is now “fitspo”, which inspires girls to get in the best healthy shape that they can.

The topic of body image has become an advertising platform for many companies. Dove has led several campaigns to improve how we view ourselves. Demi Lovato is open with the world about her struggles, and has written a book. Nike advertised their Women’s Half-Marathon Shay Mitchell compete in the run, while promoting a healthy lifestyle.

The examples are endless, and although there is still a lot that must be changed with regards to this topic, I think women as a group are doing an amazing job at getting the point across that everyone should be happy with who they are, people should aim for fit not skinny, and the images you see in magazines are never fully real. Us females are the target of so many ads today that we have the power to say what we want and change how businesses advertise to the world.

After installing nearly 4,000 solar panels on the rooftops of Toronto stores, the CEO of Ikea clearly wasn’t satisfied. Recently, Ikea revealed their corporate sustainability plan, stating that by 2020 Ikea will be 100% renewable, meaning that they will produce the same amount of energy they consume.

To do this, Ikea is implementing plans such as installing solar panels on store roofs and minimizing packaging to reduce shipping pollution. Most notably, Ikea is committed to spending $2.4 billion on wind and solar energy. This plan is a bold one, but has brought Ikea the media and consumer attention that they were hoping for.

Looking back to an article I read for class, Ikea has done several things to “bring it’s core values to life”. The article stated that companies should makes the consumer the hero, which is exactly what Ikea is doing when they point out the fact that their customers will have sustainable furniture in their homes. The article also suggests to give solid proof of impact, which Ikea has done by purchasing the wind turbine project and installing solar panels. The real proof will come in 2020 when we see if Ikea truly is 100% renewable.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/ikea-eyes-low-carbon-future-with-alberta-wind-energy-project/article15436596/

http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_CA/about-the-ikea-group/people-and-planet/energy-and-resources/

After watching a video in class about the online shoe company, “Zappo’s”, I was intrigued by the atmosphere in the office. Contrary to the preconceived impression of an office job, you could truly feel the excitement, happiness, and dedication of the workers in the office.

I decided to do some more research on this topic and stumbled across Richard Branson’s Virgin Blog post titled Are You Happy At Work? . The blog post outlines how common it is for people to be unhappy or unsatisfied with their workplace, and how this problem is mistakenly overlooked. The bottom line was that “increasing engagement could add tens of billions to GDP.”

I definitely agree with this viewpoint, and also believe that employee satisfaction plays a key role in the success of a business. In terms of humans resources, the happier an employee is, the more pleased the people they react with will be. For customer service, this means that when a dissatisfied customer calls in with a complaint, it is important that the worker on the line be fully engaged, passionate, and happy to help.

Zappo’s provides a very positive customer service experience as every employee who answers the phone does so in a positive manner. In addition, there is no time limit on calls made. These factors, combined with several other policies are what create a lasting impression with a satisfied customer, and are what will keep the customers coming back.

http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/09/14/090914fa_fact_jacobs

It seems like just yesterday that Target officially announced to the public it’s plan to bring Target stores to Canada. There was so much buzz and excitement created at the prospect of finally having this huge American chain come across the border, but recent reports show that Target is not having the smooth start it expected.

According to recent articles, Target is having a difficult time turning around the perception that it’s products are pricier than it’s main Canadian competitors such, as Wal-Mart and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Rachel’s blog stated that Wal-Mart was in fact losing customers to competitors such as Target, and while this may be true, Target seems to be the one losing the battle overall. Target entered Canada confident with their predicted outcomes, and have since then fell short.

Although Target is by no means a “lean start-up”, I remember talking in class about the fact that when a business starts up, everything in their business model canvas is a made up prediction. Target made up these optimistic predictions, and it just goes to show you that even some of the biggest companies will fall short of their expectations.

http://www.theprovince.com/business/Target+Canada+still+plagued+price+perception+problems+sales+fail+meet/9103974/story.html

Here in Vancouver, we have some of the most scenic routes for bike riding, and also some of the strictest laws on helmets. Although the laws are to protect our safety, wearing a helmet deters many people from biking places. I have met people that say they don’t like going for bike rides solely due to the fact that they have to wear a helmet.

Enter the new Invisible Helmet, an exciting innovation created by two students studying industrial design. By now, you have probably heard about this invention in one form or another, as there has been a huge buzz created online surrounding the product. After developing and testing this new helmet since 2005, these entrepreneurs have finally created Hövding, an airbag for cyclists.

Living in a city where helmets laws are in place, I think this invention could be hugely successful. Just imagine if there was a way to ride your bike without messing up your hair, or having to carry around a helmet after you park your bike.

The anticipated Public Bike Share Program in Vancouver has been running into several problems lately, one of which is in regards to helmets. It has been proposed to build helmet dispensers at each bike station; however, this would increase infrastructure costs. In addition, people seem very reluctant towards the idea. In a survey asking if people would use a bike helmet from vending machines, an overwhelming 60.4% responded no. This brings to question what should be done about the bike helmet laws that may affect the success of the new Bike Share Program.

Nevertheless, these entrepreneurs have a bright idea that I think will become very successful. Someone has finally made a helmet that is discrete, and that people actually wouldn’t mind wearing. The only problem with the product in my opinion is that it costs roughly $600, and at that point, people might not even bother.

http://www.hovding.com/en/about/

http://mashable.com/2013/11/16/invisible-helmet/

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/11/vancouver-bike-share-program-could-be-in-jeopardy/