The company View the Vibe  founded in Toronto by Nicki Laborie “uses technology to interact with consumers” that serves as a promising future strategy for restaurants to run their businesses in a more interactive, socially-aware and attractive way.
View and Vibe provides lively taken videos that portrays the intimate experiences, the atmosphere, service, food and network that customers can expect  in the restaurant.  Commented by Ms. Laborie in an interview, “These days, a video can properly showcase everything from the food, to the ambience, to the type of clientele, to the overall vibe.”

        The whole idea of View and Vibe introduces restaurants( and even other types of businesses like clothing retail stores) to a higher aspect of doing activities. This use of “differentiation strategy” can make this business stand out from its competitors with a close daily-basis interaction with customers and credible transparency. Imagine one could pre-experience the restaurant before going for the first time, ordering from digital menus, and even paying “anywhere with a card on a smartphone”,  efficiency and convenience for both customers as well as the company would be significantly enhanced.  And guess what this leads to eventually—profitability from increased revenues and less personnel costs.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/advertising/how-restaurants-are-using-technology-to-transform-the-dining-experience/article15411158/

    As the company’s founder and chairman Chip Wilson countered with Lululemon pants’ quality issue of pilling by responding that “Yeah but there has always pilling. The thing is that women will wear seat belts that don’t work or a purse that doesn’t work or, quite frankly, some women’s bodies just actually don’t work for it.”,  Lululemon was set on a hot seat among the general public.

        Wilson’s claim on “some women’s bodies just don’t work for it” has excluded quite a number of customers who recognize themselves “unfit” and “lack of thigh gaps” as well as a public controversy on its brand position. Lululemon is known for its yoga outfits and as stated in its brand advertising, it stresses on the “quality and performance” of its products. This haste comment contradicts to the inclusivity of the nature of yoga that Lululemon’s customer target is greatly involved with. Regarding to this authentic and unique brand position that Lululemon has achieved in the last few years, public’s discontent with some quality issues could be alleviated in other ways instead of harming the overall brand reputation.

Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/the-hot-button/why-lululemon-founder-believes-some-womens-bodies-dont-work-for-their-yoga-pants/article15345965/

    The effects of economic crisis happened in Greece did not just keep it within the country’s market development, but also Greek people’s social life and even survival needs. Greek farmers have found a new type of agricultural product to grow—saffrons— which are flowers containing the rare, precious spice. “Within the purple petals lie two or three strands of saffron. These red threads are helping the villagers survive Greece’s economic calamity.” This labour-intensive production makes good uses of the nature and resources that Greece have even though its financial environment is vulnerable for a stable, healthy market that average people could not find their jobs.

         Due to the crack of financial market from large debts in Greece, its negative effects have spreaded through the market that not various demographic groups were harmed.  Zisis Kirow, a young man in his 20s with two degrees said that “I was hoping to live in Athens but now with the whole economic crisis it’s really hard to find a job that covers your needs.”

Fortunately, these “hands-on” jobs like “planting saffrons” provide opportunities for people and the market to recover from the unhealthy financial market.

Sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/08/business/greece-saffron-farmers-jobs/index.html

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/11/business/greece-economy-on-path-to-recovery/index.html

           “Dr. Matthew Lieberman is professor of psychology, psychiatry and biobehavioral sciences at UCLA and author of “Social: Why Our Brains Are Wired to Connect”. “Thinking Business” focuses on the psychology of getting ahead in the workplace by exploring techniques to boost employee performance, increase creativity and productivity.”

          As what is mentioned in class 19’s lecture about Zappos’ ability to maintain a high level of customer service, its productivity benefits a lot from its positive organizational culture and human resource strategy formed in the company. The provision of free food at workplace, the entertaining events held in the office, and the guarantee of health insurance for each employee, all add up to the “happiness” of the employees at work.

          A positive organizational culture which also sheds lights on “social rewarding”, is proven by Dr. Matthew that it directly enhances intellectual rather than emotional motivations which lead to better productivity for the firm.

              “One study has found that employees were willing to give up almost $30,000 in         yearly salary to be recognized for high praise at work. Fair treatment, praise from others, and even the opportunity to help someone in need are all socially rewarding and activate the brain’s most primitive pleasure centers.”

Sources: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/31/business/happiness-at-work-why-money/index.html

Law I-552 of labeling genetically modified foods didn’t pass in Washington State, becoming a second failed initiative after the same case happened in California last year. Considering that “a New York Times poll released in July, 93% of Americans want labels on food with GMOs” as a powerful social need for GMO indication on food packings, there are stronger opponents, represented by big corporations like“Monsanto, Dupont and Dow”, who impede this law for their own interests.

      If one knew a package of corns produced by Monsanto was genetically modified while an alternative choice of organically grown corns by local farmers is right beside on the grocery shelf, more purchases would be probably driven towards the natural, non-GMO foods. The regulation of labeling GMO could act as economical and reputational threats to the agricultural companies as more costs and “revelation about  foods” involved.  However, as customers, we have rights to know the ingredients of the food and this practice can contribute to a company’s social value and also, in the long run, economic value when it reconceives its productivity chain and is highly recognized by loyal customer bases.

Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/11/01/opinion/cohen-greenfield-gmos/index.html?hpt=hp_t5