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

               United Nations (UN) was established in 1945 with the purpose of maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations and promoting social progress – better living standards and human rights. The organization works on internationally seen problems, ranging from refugee protection to gender equality to social developments and many more. However, with a great variety of political and social issues occurring simultaneously around the world, the United Nations is only to, despite being fully funded, monitor all current problems.

                Thus, social enterprises are established to focus on improving a specific social value. Because the UN has many issues to oversee, the purpose of social enterprises is to dedicate more time and efforts directly in ameliorating current situations. For example, World Vision International, founded in 1950, has developed into one of the largest relief organisations in the world (source from here). They work directly alongside with the UN to focus on improving social issues. Another example is the Arc Initiative which pushes for improving third world countries’ situation by educating children about business management and leadership. The Arc believes that “the best method to increasing economic well-being is to through developing business education” (source from here).

Ultimately, even if the United Nations was fully funded, social enterprises are still necessary for in the world because it focuses on specific social problems which the United Nations is unable to tackle, due to its broad range of International political and social duties.

http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative/About_ARC

http://www.wvi.org/un

http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/

In response to Emily Tong, her recent blog post regarding Jennifer Martin’s SIP soda experience well reflected my personal feelings on the importance of packaging. Not only does it better display your product but it is also a means to differentiate your items from other similar products.

As Emily depicted, the packaging of SIP soda consists of a glass bottle with a simple, bright refreshing color graphics. The packaging, for example the label’s white base color, directly reflects the Jennifer’s goals: an “authentic, healthy, barely sweet” drink. Furthermore, Jennifer Martin explained that the color scheme for each drink reflects each soda’s flavour. Another means of differentiation that SIP Soda uses is its unique flavours – Lavender Lemon-Peel, Rosemary Line, and Coriander. Ultimately, SIP Soda is currently in a niche market, located on Focused Differentiation strategy because of SIP pushed for natural, healthy soda, with unique naturally infused flavours.

The importance of packaging can also be seen with the large range of water pricing in grocery stores. For example, DASANI water and VOSS water are both known for their pure and refreshing tastes. However, they differ in packaging; VOSS uses clear thick glass bottles whereas DASANI aims for an innovative plastic bottle design. The difference in bottling material greatly changes the price per bottle. For example, DASANI 500ml costs approximately $1.50 in comparison to VOSS 500ml which costs a little more than $2.00.

Thus, packaging is one of the greatest price contributors towards the cost of an item and it greatly reflects the message the company wishes to deliver.

http://www.sipsoda.com/

https://www.vosswater.com/

Emily’s Blog: http://blogs.ubc.ca/emilytong/

My classmates and I had the opportunity to interact with UBC Alumni who started their own entrepreneurship. One speaker’s innovation jumped out at me the most, Tangoo – a social outing phone application. As noted in Tangoo blog, Paul, the UBC Alumni, instantly made me agree and want to use the Tangoo application.

 This application provides you many dining options based on a survey of your mood and goals. Its value proposition comes from its well-centered and concentrated restaurant data system with price ranges, Tangoo app user’s views, price ranges, and even a map directory. Ultimately, users can easily find the perfect dining location for their outing.

Furthermore, Paul emphasized that “Tangoo’s mission is to give you back your time and to facilitate new experiences for you and your friends”. I strongly agree with the importance of this aspect. With rapid technology developments and greater use of social media, the communication has shifted from face-to-face to humans-and-electronic-devices. It has even been proven by sociologist that kids born into this new era (the era of technology) have more direct communication problems. Thus, I believe that Tangoo’s notion of reconnecting friends in a quick and stress-free manner is so simple yet impacting on our life.

https://blog.tangoo.ca/why-the-world-needs-tangoo/

Recently Amazon announced its new product, Echo – a home stereo speaker. So, why is it unique? Echo differentiates from other speakers with the inclusion of a built-in digital assistant, Alexa. Alexa is aimed to help you at home ranging from finding online resources to helping you with timekeeping.

However, with current technology developments, Amazon’s Alexa is much too similar to Apple’s Siri. This built-in assistant feature automatically puts Echo as a direct competitor with Apple products. In my opinion, the direct competition brings Amazon marketing and sales trouble in many ways. Firstly, consumers see a lack of purpose to purchase an item which they already “have”, a phone with built-in assistant features and home speakers. Secondly, Amazon needs to demonstrate why Echo is necessary for one’s home and how it is different from other speakers and electric devices. Yet, Echo’s similar features with Apple products makes the home speaker simply a “nice to have” item not a necessity. Ultimately, Amazon will face and should project for lower sales quantities.

Amazon, however, is promoting its new product – Echo – while strengthening its customer relationship at the same time. Echo will be offered through an invite-only basis start where, for Amazon Prime members, Echo costs only $99 in comparison to the $199 regular price. This is reflective of a marketing strategy by promoting Echo through Amazon’s loyal customers, while giving back to these Prime member with the “first pick” option.

http://www.cnet.com/news/amazon-debuts-siri-like-digital-assistant-echo-for-your-home/

Recently, Tim Horton’s company merger with fast food restaurant Burger King reached my ears. Many of my friends, including myself, were confused as to the Tim Horton’s decision. I feel that their current decision will weaken their currently communicated value proposition – a Canadian drink. Proven scientifically that “Canadians believe Time Hortons is reflective of Canada” (Gollom), people will begin to forget that Tim Hortons came from Canada.

Yet, by merging Tim Horton’s and Burger King, Tim Horton’s is able to expand its market regions into the United States. This actions not only creates a new source of revenue but it also gives Tim Horton’s an official entrance into the big competitive market with Starbucks, McDonald’s, and Blenz Coffee. By cooperating with Burger King, Tim Horton’s is able to strengthen its brand awareness through its expansion opportunity and the financial support from Burger King’s. Furthermore, because Burger Kings is already well established in the US, its brand will act as a medium for Tim Horton’s to start-up as a “new company” in the states and eventually globally.

               However, Tim Horton’s will need to change some of its marketing strategies when targeting customers. Because some of the current tactics used the notion of “a Canadian brand” to attract customers in Canada, Tim Horton’s will face more marketing and promotion difficulties with the loss of a main connection with its customers in the United States.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/how-the-burger-king-deal-could-change-tim-hortons-1.2746620

Activities of the Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway has created much controversial opinions and beliefs from ages and cultural groups. However, the aboriginal members of the Yinka Dene Alliance is strictly opposing to Enbridge’s 7.9 billion oil pipeline, which runs from Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. These first nations groups strives to protect their spiritual land, animals and ecosystem. Their argument is that a simple oil leak can easily destroy the natural habitat and balance of nature – especially endangered species that reside in the heart of the Nak’azdli territory.

Yet, the fact that the Nak’azdli depends on oil and fuel for their vehicles and boats (HOEKSTRA) contradicts their opposition with the pipeline.

Despite that, Nak’azdli members are trying to reduce fossil fuel consumption to demonstrate their protest and support their position of opposition. For example, Kwah Hall is now heated with an energy system that burns wood waste, and the grocery store, new elementary school and an apartment they own all se geothermal heating (HOEKSTRA). These actions from the first nations ultimately have an affect on the business world as well.

By trying to demonstrate their ability to survive with reduced fossil fuel consumption, the Nak’azdli members are leading the rest of the world with the notion of minimizing carbon emission. It is provides eco-friendly business inventions and ideas an opportunity to enter the field of business. At the same time, it forces the major energy delivery companies such as Enbridge Inc. to re-evaluate their plans, steps of measure and probability of plans – like the Northern Gateway plan. As seen, due to the First Nations protest, the final decision of the Northern Gateway has yet to be finalized.

Cite: HOEKSTRA, GORDON. There will be no Pipeline. 16 August 2014. 6 October October. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/There+will+pipeline/10122968/story.html>.

Blog Commenting:

Cecilia Larson: Thumbs Up to Healthcare

The notion of Facebook allowing users to state their organ donation status has drastically influenced the medical field. The primary advantage of for the “donor status update” is making it easier for patients and hospital workers to find probably donors, fast. Yet, simultaneously, this feature also spreads the incentive of enlisting oneself as a possible donor. In a study published in the American Journal of Transplantation, it showed that “the social network gave a 21-fold boost to the number of people who registered themselves as organ donors in a single day” (Castillo). Furthermore, there was a “21.2 percent increase” (Castillo) of organ donors the day Facebook enabled the organ donation option. Ultimately, I agree with Cecilia Larson’s deduction that this option has ameliorated the consumer segments by making organ seeker and donor matching more efficient, rapid and simple.

Despite the numerous benefits of this status option, I can’t help but worry about privacy concerns. There are multiple people uses alternative names and information for social media accounts, making information confirmation between donors and medical facilities difficult.

Yet, on the contrary, an alternative user account name also creates a situation for which patients can limit who are able to view their posts and information. Ultimately those who desire anonymity and assurance of their data are able to contact others without feeling invaded of their private medical situation.

Thus, with the booming social media industry, the incorporation of a donor status for Facebook users has ameliorated the consumer relationships in the healthcare field.

Cites:  Castillo, Michelle. Study: Allowing organ donation status on Facebook increased number of donors. 18 June 2013. 5 October 2014. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-allowing-organ-donation-status-on-facebook-increased-number-of-donors/>.

Toyota’s hydrogen powered car was showcased at the Paris Motor Show this year, announcing to the world of their new fuel-cell vehicle (FVC). This new vehicle is “powered by electricity, created by the chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, leaving water vapor as the only tailpipe emission” (Hotten). Despite the eco-friendly aspect of the Toyota sedan vehicle, critics have commented on hydrogen re-filling problems.

I believe that Toyota’s FVC is an excellent innovation by demonstrating the possibility of minimizing a car’s carbon footprint. However, this innovation is also in direct competition with the flourishing popularity of electric cars. Consumers, who are not readily accepting with this relatively new market, are slowly trying to adapt to the concept of driving hybrid vehicles and fully electric vehicles such as Tesla MS. Thus, the Toyota FVC will face low consumer rates being uncertain with the idea of a hydrogen powered car. Another problem is the limited hydrogen refueling stations, which will affect the number of consumers willing to by the Toyota FVC. For example, Toyota announces that there will be “15 publicly accessible stations by the end of 2015” (Hotten). Evidently, the lack of fueling stations limiting transportation will greatly impact this hydrogen powered car market, minimizing Toyota’s profit gains.

Cite: Hotten, Russel. BBC News. 2 October 2014. 4 October 2014.

With the use of the TMall website by Alibaba, 50000 oysters from New Zealand was harvested and shipped to mainland China. These oysters were shipped by an army off delivery man for over 67 hours and arrived alive at the doorsteps of more that 30,000 students. Despite this action being a logistical feature, it was a part of a continuous effort to make “global e-commerce accessible to the world” (Gelles, 2014).

In my opinion, the concept of a global e-commerce being quickly accessible to citizens in China is a demonstration of the Stakeholder Theory. The company, Alibaba, has figured out where the interest of customers lay – fresh, fast and premium quality goods. By satisfying the demand of fresh goods and high quality products, Alibaba’s worth is mainly based on delivery speed.

Furthermore by having an “online market”, not only local but international sellers as well can easily communicate with their customers on an agreeable price. I believe that the endless cooperation between the different stakeholders – the New Zealand fisherman, dedicated delivery men, and the customers – is what makes e-commerce more successful and global. Thus by not focusing on solely on financial and monetary aspects, the company, Alibaba, is succeeding in “making capitalism tick” (Freedman, 2004).

Bibliography:

Gelles, D. (2014, September 10). Alibaba is Bringing Luxury Fast, to Chinese Middle Class. Retrieved from New York TImes: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/09/10/alibaba-is-bringing-luxury-fast-to-chinas-middle-

The city of Vancouver passed a law for “gender-neutral washrooms in public buildings” (Judd, 2014) . Inclusive washrooms are now set in public areas such as schools for privacy and preferential issues of transgender citizens. This action is a sign off victory for the LGBTQ community in the Lower Mainland by giving support for their self-determination.

I support the notion of this action. It offers benefits to gender non-conforming children by providing an alternative option. Furthermore, children are allowed the choice to decide their own sexual preference instead of being conformed to a specific gender. For example, some people choose to use gender neutral pronouns, but transgender citizens must now fight to be given rights to be who they are.

However, this action has raised much controversy about ethical issues. In my opinion, by installing an inclusive washroom, it is still a form of discrimination for transgender citizens; people who identify themselves as transgender are classified together with neutral gender civilians. It also implies transgender people are less than trustworthy and therefore should be separated from the general population. The LGBTQ community should be given their own choice of self-determination without being subjected and denounced for their choices.

Bibliography

Judd, A. (2014, June 16). Motion Passes for Genderless Bathrooms in Vancouver Schools. Retrieved from Global News: globalnews.ca/news/1398131/motion-passes-for-genderless-bathrooms-in-vancouver-schools/

Lewis, S. (2013, Sept 25). Vancouver passes gender-neutral washrooms in public building. Retrieved from DailyXtra: dailyxtra.com/vancouver/news/vancouver-passes-gender-neutral-washrooms-in-public-buildings