http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/News/2012/How_a_BCom_led_to_a_career_in_indie_rock#.UKX887T4M8A

We are currently in the Business program and possibly planning a career in accounting, marketing, or other numerous business career options. However, is that all university is about? We are about halfway through our first year, and that is about one eighth of our way to the end, and right now, it is hard to envision what we will be doing after university is over.

Last class, we got to hear about Tom Dobranski, a Sauder grad who ended up starting up a career in a rock band, and in another class, we heard of the Sauder grads who ended up becoming entrepreneurs. All those people had one thing in common. They were doing what they love, and the things that they learned in Sauder were of some use to them in their life.

Me personally, want to go back to Korea and start up a business right away after I graduate. While I have no idea how and in which way I will be starting up a business right now, I am confident that through the four years of education, I will get some general ideas of it, and when I go back to Korea, I will be able to go back with the only 3 reasons that I came to university for; a set vision, personal connections, and determination.

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blog/tech/106441–apple-s-ipad-mini-dilemma

With the introduction of the new Ipad mini, Peter Nowak finds it noticeable that the consumers will be unwilling to pay a whopping 200 dollars more for the bigger ipad with only a small advantage. It is a problem on whether the creation of a cheaper rival of their very own Ipad would create a noticeable decrease in the sale of the Ipad.

Apple computer has been loved by the consumers throughout its company history ever since its creation for its innovative product line. However it seems recently, whether it is the iphone 5, the newly released macbooks with slight changes from its previous models, and now the ipad mini, people can come to a conclusion that apple has failed to keep its company culture of constant innovation, and is now staggering to just improve on what is already available.

Should apple not be able to improve its company’s innovative level to its jobs-era, it is probable that it will suffer huge economic loss as its point of difference becomes diminished. It is crucial that they establish an innovative image on the market again and make sure they provide what the consumers want from them; something new.

A social enterprise is supposed to create social change through entrepreneurial activities, and Numi Tea, whose supposed values are “celebrating people”, “nurturing growth”, “embracing possibilities”, and “being the change” promote numerous activities to provide social aid and achieve a better society that it envisions. Numi hopes to achieve this through numerous ways.  First of all, it makes sure that its products are fair labor and fair trade certified, and that its products are sourced from ethically responsible producers directly. Also, through its eco-friendly packaging, and solar-powered producing facilities, Numi makes sure that it stays environmentally responsible. It is also true that Numi helps its community through funding events for beneficial non-profit organizations, and providing paid volunteer hours for its employees. All in all, Numi makes sure that its organization is socially responsible, and that it provides the community with a positive change. Now here’s the flipside of being a socially responsible company. All the responsible activities provide a pre-made marketing for Numi, granting positive image for the company and an environmentally friendly image, which serves well in its position as a tea company. Was Numi’s socially responsible activities all result of basic utilitarianism to create a better image for more profits?

Strategy and Markets: McDonald’s in China

In his blog, Austin points out acutely Macdonald’s failed business plan in China in which the usage of Macdonald’s original menu for the Chinese people resulted in reduced sales. A business must strategize accordingly to the target customers that they are aiming to sell their products to, and it seems Macdonald’s failed to adjust their North American style business plan to China. On the other hand, KFC china successfully adapted to China, with its China specific breakfast menu, including the congee that the Chinese people prefer for breakfast over those muffins, hash browns, and breakfast sandwiches.

It is known that due to this adjustment of business plan with relations to the regional aspect, KFC is more popular as a breakfast menu than Macdonald’s is in China. Through this we can find out that market research is crucial to starting up a business and determining its products for sale in a region. People’s preferences vary in many different ways whether it be by region, generation, status, or age, and proper market research will make it possible for businesses to set up an adequate plan for optimized sales.