“If the United Nations was fully funded why would we need the Arc or social enterprise?”

The power of the Arc and social enterprise is more than just providing money to impoverished communities, they provide opportunity and education. United Nations, UN, and social enterprise hold different values and goals. Although, both pledges a positive impact to underdeveloped communities, the result of UN being fully funded, will not deter nor alter social enterprise influence.

UN is a massive international peace keeper. Their job ranges from humanitarian to economic, political, social, and environmental issues. Undertaking so many responsibilities and making so many decisions, UN must categorize each issue whether they are important and/or urgent. As a result, UN will be dismissing important details and growth of the country. However, this is when Arc and social enterprise take action.

Social enterprises are to initiate positive changes within a community. They pay attention to details and needs of the community. In this article I learned that to really initiate a change, we cannot just scrape the surface (provide funds) but have to dig deep for the solution (provide opportunities). Arc enterprise is praised for providing basic knowledge of how to manage funds, staffs, and ideas to Rwanda, as “this is the starting point – tapping into the brain of the entrepreneur to tap into the market of East Africa.” The business fundamentals that is bestowed to the community members, allows them to effectively apply them into their own businesses.

UN has the ability to help out underdeveloped countries during urgent and serious circumstances, but Arc and social enterprise have the ability to educate and hone these communities for a better future.

Sauder School of Business Arc Initiative Rwanda team, http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/News/2014/BCom_student_brings_Arc_Initiative_knowledge_exchange_home_to_Rwanda

Works cited:

Skoll, Jeff. “What Is Social Entrepreneurship?” Skoll World Forum. Skoll Foundations. Web. <http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/>.

“United Nations.” United Nations. United Nations. Web. <http://www.un.org/en/>.

“Upward Arc.” UBC News. Public Affairs, 30 June 2014. Web. <http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/>.

Everyone has innovative ideas; it’s just the uncertainty of whether the world is ready to accept the idea. Dragon’s Den, a reality T.V series, displays many great entrepreneurs and innovators but only a number of them wins the judges investment. Does that mean they are an awful innovator?

Innovation is like…, http://thinksmart.typepad.com/headsup_on_organizational/cartoon5.jpg

When I encounter ­Adam Sibbald’s blog post where he discusses major corporations, like Google and Apple, buying off ideas or products, instead of creating and developing their own ideas. It got me thinking whether this solution is the best for these invisible creators.

S2 Water Purifier, https://www.behance.net/gallery/S2-Water-Purifier/10142817

As, I browse through the web, I staggered upon “4 Innovative Products You’ll want in 2014” site. Products shown there indicate how many people support these innovators through funding. What makes it unique is that these creators feel more accomplished than selling their creation to major corporations and companies, as they still have ownership of their products and their products are maintained and supported by their customers. Of course, innovators and entrepreneurs’ values vary from group to group, where one might want to establish a disruptive innovation and change the world, but for this specific group they are satisfied with the result.

Tips I learned to be a good innovator:

1. Look to the future: market trends, customer needs
2. Take risks: do not get discourage by failures
3. Hold passion: don’t make it feel like it’s mere work

Thus, whether creators sell their creations or keep their creations, the products’ worth and value depends on the creators.

Works Cited:

Chianis, Alexia. “4 Innovative Products You’ll Want in 2014.” Business Bee. Business Bee, 1 Jan. 2014. Web. <http://www.businessbee.com/resources/news/entrepreneurship-buzz/4-innovative-products-youll-want-2014/>.

Cohn, Chuck. “How To Stay Innovative In Your Industry.” Forbes. Forbes, 11 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckcohn/2014/11/10/how-to-stay-innovative-in-your-industry/>.

What’s the best thing in starting a business? To make money? To obtain self-satisfaction? Or to make the world a better place? Well, Thirlwell, Co-founder of UK chocolate shop chain Hotel Chocolat, made all three happen.

Types of Organizational Culture http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/management-principles-v1.0/s12-02-measuring-organizational-cultu.html

Although, Thirlwell’s company has grown into a multi-million pound empire, his love and passion in his chocolate business has not faded, yet instead stronger. His goal is to educate and influence his customers the value of chocolate.

Angus Thirlwel inside his Hotel Chocolat http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-2156359/Interview-Hotel-Chocolat-founder-Angus-Thirlwell.html

With a CEO like Thirlwell, the organizational culture: people and team oriented business, screams a working environment where employees and executives hold the same value, belief and interest as Thirlwell. Thus, their objective is to develop exceptional customer relationship, similar to the Zappos Case. It is true how human resource and organizational culture practices are costly when trying to achieve better customer relationship, since it took Thirlwell 5 years for his dark chocolate to become profitable. At the same time, it demonstrates how risky this disposition is, as it clarifies the difficulty of calculating the successful return of a long term process.

Read article here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29689340

Works Cited:

Hope, Katie. “The Man Who Built the Hotel Chocolat Empire.” BBC News. BBC News, 26 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29689340>.

“Measuring Organizational Culture.” Lardbucket. Lardbucket. Web. <http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/management-principles-v1.0/s12-02-measuring-organizational-cultu.html>.

http://www.rivercorp.ca/economic-development/rivercorp-economic-development-board-directors

After discussing in class the value and significance of employers pushing forth employee engagement, where they are to keep employees motivated and pleased in the workforce. I stumbled upon Jacob Shriar’s blog on “Passion at work is more important than engagement,” where he discusses about the difference between engagement and passion. He suggests that engagement with workers results in a source of happiness: happiness at work environment, happiness with employers, and happiness with coworkers. However, he claims that passion goes beyond that. If an employee holds passion in the workforce, they will not only feel happiness, but accomplishment.

http://www.riversoftware.com/helpful-resources/blog/item/299-the-millennial-quest-for-passion-meaning-at-work-your-new-competitive-advantage

I absolutely agree with Shriar’s stance. While, employers are trying to establish better relationship with their employee, such as providing working benefits as an incentive for workers to work harder, the employees must also hold its share of dedication to the workforce. Since, passion is an emotion where workers can devote themselves to the workforce even without a sort of reward. I understand how hard it is for employers to bring out their employees’ inner passion, because even for me I still haven’t figured out what I am most passionate for. Thus, I am so glad to discover that Shriar has listed tips to assist employers in finding their employees’ inner passion.

The following are the ones I find most useful:

1. Encourage workers to work cross-functionally
2. Encourage workers to network with people in their industry
3. Encourage workers to engage with customers
4. Enabling workers to make a bigger impact, through things like collaboration tools both inside and outside the company
5. Create an employee survey to find out how passionate the workers are
6. Develop specific questions to ask during the next recruitment to find out how passionate the individual is
   1. What is the market/industry that you want to impact in the next 5-10 years?
   2. How will this job help you achieve that goal?

Works Cited

Shriar, Jacob. “Passion At Work Is More Important Than Engagement.” Office Vibe. Office Vibe, 24 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.officevibe.com/blog/passion-work-important-engagement>.

After a successful launch of Alibaba, also known as a disruptive innovation, that has out-ran both Amazon and E-Bay in the online-shopping sphere, it has also completely altered China’s perception of purchasing goods. As a result, Stephen Harper flies to China to meet with Jack Ma, CEO of Alibaba, and China’s officials to establish better business relationship between the two.

Stephen Harper and Jack Ma http://www.bradfordtimes.ca/2014/11/07/few-blemishes-in-stephen-harpers-job-creation-record

What makes it significant is that Harper does not only seize the opportunity of China’s fast growing economy, but he continues to push for more trades and create even more opportunities toward Canada’s best interest. This method is extremely beneficial in many business settings, like public relation and entrepreneurship. In the beginning of the term, opportunities in the SWOT analysis were to make use and grasp on to arising opportunities. However, the most valuable memo is to not only grasp on to opportunities but establish their own. As this is how a company or Canada’s economy in Harper’s perspective, grow even stronger.

Thus, Canada will now open trade offices in Hangzhou and three other cities in 2014, where there will be 15 regional offices more than any other countries.

Read article here:

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/11/07/stephen-harper-courts-alibabas-jack-ma-opens-4-trades-office-in-visit-to-china-that-so-far-is-all-business/

Works Cited:

Fisher, Matthew. “Stephen Harper Courts Alibaba’s Jack Ma, Opens 4 Trades Office in Visit to China That so Far Is All Business.” Financial Post. Postmedia News, 7 Nov. 2014. Web. <http://business.financialpost.com/2014/11/07/stephen-harper-courts-alibabas-jack-ma-opens-4-trades-office-in-visit-to-china-that-so-far-is-all-business/>.

Kirby, Bill, and Warren McFarlan. “The Alibaba Effect.” Forbes. Forbes, 13 May 2014. Web. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/hbsworkingknowledge/2014/05/13/the-alibaba-effect/>.

When customers are willing to promote a company, the company has reached a notable status: popularity.

I definitely agree with Winnie Woo’s blog post, where she discusses about Whole foods being able to effectively differentiate themselves from other organic grocery stores by projecting store values amongst their customers. Whereas, their store value consists of company sustainability: natural, organic, GMO free and company shared values: redefining productivity in value chain, such as everyone wants to live a healthier life. Thus, it is no surprise why the best promoters and marketers are their customers. In addition, I would like to note that a local company in Vancouver has also managed to effectively dominate the market all thanks to their customers and their use of social media: Earnest Ice Cream.

Earnest Ice Cream packaging http://www.savvymom.ca/index.php/guides/7-spots-for-frozen-treats-in-vancouver/13

Earnest Ice Cream managed to become one of the hot cold favorites in the ice cream business and it’s not just because of their sustainable use of natural ingredients. Earnest Ice Cream was able to manipulate and take control of the social media trends, as social media trends can sway and alter customers’ thoughts on a product (in other words, a very essential marketing tool). As, I go on Instagram, I can see my friends posting pictures of their Earnest Ice Cream and captioning it as “I hope it lives up to the hype” or “I finally get the chance to try this.” Overall, Earnest Ice Cream is a very photogenic product.

As a result, what really drives Earnest Ice Cream to success is their use of packaging: mason jars and paper banners. Although, their packaging is very minimalistic and simplistic, it is currently very “in” in the social media trend right now, due to its vintage appearance. Hence, with this simple appearance they have successfully differentiated themselves from other ice cream brands, from boring white plastic container to a trendy reusable mason jar.

Read article of Earnest Ice Cream using its popularity to advocate democracy:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2014/11/feed-democracy-campaign-menu-earnest-ice-cream/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/personalfinance/investing/shares/11003612/Lloyds-moves-step-closer-to-dividend-payment.html

After a 27 billion pound bail out from the British government in 2009, due to bad loans from HBOS and a weak economy in 2008, Lloyds Bank are finally back on their feet and are preparing to pay their dividend to their investors again. In doing so they are willing to cut off 9,000 jobs (10% of workforce) and shut down branches in order to adjust customer’s online banking habits. The number of layoff is so large it could be compared to the 2008 economic crisis, where Lloyds Bank was forced to cut down workers.

There are both advantages and disadvantages in the act of cutting down jobs for the investment of £1 billion on digital technology.

Pros:

1. Customer awareness/relationship: Lloyds bank is aware of customers preferred banking habits (online banking), and is establishing a method to meet their customer’s needs.
2. Value proposition: Save time and trouble of physically going to the bank, such as, not having to wait in lengthy line ups.

Cons:

1. Bad reputation for causing thousands of unemployment
2. Poor sustainability and shared values: Effects not only the social environment by causing unemployment, but dismissing and altering their employee’s living condition and current lifestyle

Personally, I do not think it is a wise idea to cut off 9,000 jobs, just to improve the bank’s efficiency, as it can also question Lloyds Bank’s loyalty and ethics for sacrificing so many employees. Yet, of course, it can be argued that due to the competitive nature in the business, it is essential for differentiation.

Read article here:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29798532

Works Cited

Ahmed, Kamal. “Lloyds Bank Confirms 9,000 Job Losses and Branch Closures.” BBC News. BBC News, 28 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29798532>.

Once again, the First Nation’s lifestyle and community are being threatened again and a dispute has risen between the First Nations’ and the proposal of Site C hydroelectric dam.

BC Hydro Site C dam drawing http://warriorpublications.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/bc-hydro-site-c-dam-drawing.jpg

First Nations are becoming more involved with economic development due to the growing environmental disruption. For example, the proposal of Site C hydroelectric dam will cause valley flooding which would damage First Nations’ privileges to fish and hunt.

In order for BC Hydro to benefit their stakeholders, by bringing forth their proposal they must make a settlement or a negotiation. Similar to past agreements, where compensations and benefits were offered to close in the gap between two different views, this will be no different.

To promote partnership with the First Nations, we must understand the position First Nations’ are in now (demographically young and underemployed). BC Hydro should provide job opportunities for First Nations to work on dams, annual infrastructure maintenance and annual community engagement to discuss about the additional impact of the BC Hydro project. This is to ensure First Nations could maintain and continue their traditional practices with fewer disturbances as possible.

Read article here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html

Works Cited:

“Aboriginal Consultation and Engagement.” Clean Energy Project. BC Hydro, 1 Feb. 2013. Web. <http://www.bchydro.com/content/dam/BCHydro/customer-portal/documents/projects/site-c/info-sheet-aboriginal-engagement.pdf>.

“Aboriginal Peoples in Canada: First Nations People, Métis and Inuit.” Statistic Canada. Statistic Canada, 1 Jan. 2011. Web. <http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/as-sa/99-011-x/99-011-x2011001-eng.cfm#a6>.

Hunter, Justine, and Ian Bailey. “No Clear Yes or No on B.C.’s Mega-dam Site C Project.” The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail, 8 May 2014. Web. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/site-c-recommendation/article18565850/>.

O’Neil, Peter. “First Nation Chiefs to Stage Site C Showdown.” The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver Sun, 18 Sept. 2014. Web. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First Nation chiefs stage Site showdown/10215965/story.html>.

ISIS Pharmaceuticals Inc. headquarter http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2037012!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg

What does ISIS stand for? Is it the Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc., the Isis Bridal and Formal, or the Islamic militant group that the United States is fighting with in Iraq and Syria? If it is the latter one, this could be a lot of problem for businesses with the same acronym, as they already have their name damaged.

Ries and Trout have explained that using acronym to represent the company’s brand name is extremely dangerous, due to the fact that smaller companies will lose their identity. This proves true to these smaller businesses, and as a result, many companies are changing their name to avoid misconceptions. All but, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc, where they refuse to give up on a name they developed for 25 years.

Although, it would be ashamed to abandon a name that they worked so hard and long for, I would rather start new than have a brand image that is so scarred and misrepresented.

ISIS Militant group in Iraq http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/06/isis_photographs_det.php

Even if Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. is confident that they can overcome this challenge, the name ISIS is already a taboo. Not only do they have to convince their customers that they are not associated with the militant group in Iraq, but they have to convince their customers that they are an honest company. There are just too much risk and cost if Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. continues to keep the name.

After all, brand image is extremely important, as we have discussed in class. It is what distinguish themselves from their competitors and what imprint their names into a consumer’s mind. Like Ries and Trout explained, “it is quite difficult to change a consumer’s impression once it is formed” since there are so many alternatives and so much information that are constantly put upon consumers.

Read article here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Businesses+with+name+Isis+battle+image+cast+Islamic+militant/10259609/story.html

Works Cited:

Murphy, Tom. “There’s No Terror Here, Isis Proprietor Declares.” The Vancouver Sun. The Associated Press, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Businesses with name Isis battle image cast Islamic militant/10259609/story.html>.

Ries, Al., and Jack Trout. Positioning the Battle for Your Mind. 20th Anniversary ed. New York, N.W.: McGraw-Hill, 2000. Print.

Roggio, Bill. “ISIS Photographs Detail Execution of Iraqi Soldiers.” The Long War Journal. Public Multimedia Inc., 15 June 2014. Web. <http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2014/06/isis_photographs_det.php>.

http://d.ibtimes.co.uk/en/full/1400236/wave-hoax-apple-wireless-charging.png

IPhones cannot be charged in the microwave. In fact no phones can. However, the internet, managed to convinced many IPhone 6 users to test that out.

It is incredibly shocking to hear people sacrificing, such a high demanded and well marketed phone into the microwave so thoughtlessly. This situation demonstrates just how influential social media is.

Why do people rely and depend on social media? Why do they continue to keep up with the rapid change of the digital and social media world? The reason is because people are looking for connections. For example, sharing recommendations or warnings of the latest sales or products through social media can influence consumer’s purchases. Not to mention online ratings, such as, Yelp, that provides easy information of the best restaurant around the area, where this will impact a consumer’s choice of expenditure. As a result businesses use this information to their advantage by creating: online advertising and online shopping.

http://www.deathandtaxesmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/4chan-microwave-prank-2-479×585.png

With the constant development and improvement of social media, such as newer ones, like Snapchat, people do not want to fall behind this rapid change. They want to be constantly updated.

This is when websites like 4Chan, where people can post any photos, influence people’s choices, such as the IOS 8 wave. Social media informs the latest gossips, information, and news immediately, but there are also internet trolls, pranksters, and sadist that can post anything on the internet as well.

Read article here:

http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/09/4chan-prank-gets-apple-users-to-microwave-their-iphones.html

WORKS CITED

Benavidez, Max. “Social Media: Epic Power, Beauty and Terror.” Huff Post Tech. Huffington Post, 3 Oct. 2014. Web. <http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-benavidez/social-media-epic-power-b_b_5924980.html>.

O’Neil, Lauren. “4Chan Prank Gets Apple Users to Microwave Their IPhones.” CBC News. CBC     News, 23 Sept. 2014. Web. <http://www.cbc.ca/newsblogs/yourcommunity/2014/09/4chan-prank-gets-apple-users-to-microwave-their-iphones.html>.