Monthly Archives: October 2014

What is the Internet of Things?

It is proposed development that everything such as objects, animals or people will be able to connect to the Internet or transfer data without human interaction.

With the rapid advancement of technology, developers are nearing the date in which the Internet of Things will become a reality. This proposed scenario will greatly impact the way in which the companies run themselves, especially more traditional product companies.

Business Technology Management will soon become an even more important role within the business industry. The large amounts of data being processed with the aid of the Internet of Things, companies will need more people to collect, organize,  and analyze all their information. Currently, the increased amount of Data, also known as Big Data, poses as a challenge for several companies who do not have enough or any workers to process it efficiently. For example, Monster kept collecting employee and customer data, but did not know how to manage it, thus hindering their company growth. Without Business Technology Management who know which methods are best in handling the mass data, the data would just be rendered useless.

In addition the idea of a cloud, a mass storage for all files, will enable companies to increase their value propositions. Instead of creating products that fulfil a current need, but will likely be obsolete in the long run, the instant and vast cloud system will enable companies to create products that will be able to be easily updated to fit changes in consumer needs and current trends.

Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Internet_of_Things.jpg/1280px-Internet_of_Things.jpg

Sustainability is definitely a major issue, albeit not often discussed, especially within the coal and tar sands industry. Finally, after many years of protesting and awareness campaigns, environmental effects from companies and projects are being taken into concern.

Recently, like several other groups, Standard Oil Co.‘s announced their exit from the coal and tar sands industry as well as their plan to phase out fossil-fuel use. The smart move on behalf the Rockefeller family will enable their company to move towards a more environmentally-friendly brand image.  By increasing their Shared Value from cutting fossil fuels, Standard Oil Co. customers and the public will associate them with their sustainability attempt, enhancing their customer loyalty and company image. Also, there is a lot of money to be made in fossil-fuel based industries such as coal, tar, and oil, there will be a much higher risk for companies to remain in those industries in the long run. By projecting this new image, they have removed itself from a non-renewable, declining market and have positioned the company so that they will be able to easily switch to develop energy efficient alternatives. Standard Oil Co. should incorporate the sustainable image into their marketing strategy and to their advantage because it an easy change as well as posing as a huge benefit to the consumer. It is important that the company remembers to integrate it into the current company values and actually address the climate change issues, despite the results not appearing until the long run.

Standard Oil Co. made a wise decision to leave the coal and tar industry early and focus on improving their sustainability. Soon enough, other companies will realize the importance of Shared Value and will also follow Standard Oil Co.’s example.

Photo: https://theenergy.coop/sites/www.theenergy.coop/files/styles/full_node/public/slideshow_images/sustainable%20city.jpg?itok=vHJP82cp

Some things you just can’t trade for money. For many, it is important for the government to help stimulate the economy and create jobs for others, but other groups may have a different set of values in mind altering their perception of the government’s job. A good example of this situation can been seen with the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline struggle for approval.

For the Nak’azdli people, it is important for them to be able to pass on the natural environment and traditional ways onto the future generations. Building a such a large pipeline will destroy or displace the habitats of the wildlife as well as pose an increased amount of danger for animals in the event of an oil spill, such as salmon and the endangered Nechako white sturgeon.

Though creating more jobs is important, we should not allow the government to ruin the homes of many indigenous peoples. Like most people, I would not want my home to be taken away from me either. Instead, the government should invest their time and resources in looking for alternative solutions to oil and gas. With this new project, Canada will be able to innovate and potentially find a long term, more sustainable solution for alternative energy. Rather than having people work in oil and mining, those workers can apply their skills in a more environmental and less disruptive cause. By keeping in mind everyone’s socio-cultural views when designing projects, there will be fewer challenges for businesses when following through, unlike Enbridge, who is currently facing several legal issues.

Because they will have a large impact on the company name and process, every stakeholder should be considered, as seen in the First Nations vs. Enbridge altercation in BC.

Photo: http://pipelineobserver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/first-nations-pipeline-protest.jpg