In an article published by E. J. Schultz, he addresses how Kraft Food Groups is seeking for new advertising strategies and new target customers to alter the sales downturn. I can tell the company is trying very hard to “fun things up”. It created TV advertisements on “how JELL-O can cheer up a daddy who had a rough day” and  “how JELL-O pudding is offering a FUN sacrifice in an attempt to stop the 2012 Mayan apocalypse“. Moreover, in attempt to satisfy the Atkins diet, the company launched products that claim to be sugar free and only has 1 carb. However, not to be pessimistic, I think that the sales status quo can not be much improved based on these advertisement and new products in a long term perspective.

As much as Kraft wishes to reinforce JELL-O’s value proposition in the current market, I find it ironical that the new brand repositioning actually run counter to to its tag lines. There is NOTHING fun about JELL-O. An average serving of Jello contains approximately 12mg of artificial food dye, which is much more compare to a slice of traditional red velvet cake. In additional, each serving averagely contains 21mg of sugar(110~120 calories,6 teaspoons) which equals to the daily maximum amount of sugars an adult can consume. Even the “sugar-free” jellos and puddings are not healthy after all since the producer just replace the sugar with artificial sweeteners. Hence, I believe that instead of with battling with these desperate struggles on improving JELL-O’S brand positioning, Kraft should consider create improvements in the products with better markets.

Sources:

http://adage.com/article/news/kraft-launches-campaign-revive-jell-o/243616/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvMHttk6Yp8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7JyRvECaNs

http://www.jello.com/product/pudding-mousse-desserts/oreo-cookies-‘n-crème

http://authoritynutrition.com/how-much-sugar-per-day/

Back to the days when we were still kids, we were told that sharing with others is nice. “Sharing Economy” rose after so many year of traditional economy. However, according to Sarah Cannon and Lawrence Summers, the system is so “new” that many of the regulators still has bias regarding whether the new system is just another puzzle to confuse them so the “firms can (are trying to) make a profit by skirting the regulations ‘traditional’ industries (i.e., taxis) face” . Rather than focusing my attention to solve these  laws and restrictions challenges, I am more concerned with the credibility of both renters and users. Companies such as Airbnb is only an internet agency that provides links and connection for its users. It does not guarantee that the property will match the description. I want to share my experience I had last summer. My friend decided to rent a bed from a sharing website(similar to Airbnb) for 6 months. Before she settle the deal with the renter, we decided to go check the condition of the bed(claimed to be hand made real wood and 95% new).  What we saw in the storage room was a half disassembled bed with two broken boards. In other cases, the properties could be damaged by the guest users without paying any compensations. Thus, I want to emphasis that creating stronger contract and rising higher credibility amongst users should be put in the “urgent and important” categories before addressing any regulation issues in the important but not much urgent area.

https://hbr.org/2014/10/how-uber-and-the-sharing-economy-can-win-over-regulators/

The purpose of United Nation is to non-violently maintain the international peace and safety without violating individual rights. It has helped to minimize the threat of a nuclear war, created peaceful settlements that ended regional conflicts, limited deforestation and countless achievements. However, there is one important factor that is being ignored; all the accomplishments done by United Nation are the “Big” ones. In other words, domestic issues and local problem are commonly oversight by the United Nation due to limited resources. Such issues are commonly dealed by social enterprise, a business that trades for a social and/or environmental purpose. If United Nation is the Chef de cuisine that carries out the main douse, then the Social entrepreneurs are the Sous-chefs who are responsible to create appetizers, soups and desserts. Relatively minor urgent challenges such as the one being addressed in Salem Kassahun’s case can be fully  supported by the Arc Initiative program funded by Sauder School of Business.

While wealth creation may be part of the process, it is not an end in itself. Promoting systemic social change is the real objective…social entrepreneurs are intensely focused and hard-driving in their pursuit of a social vision.

Social enterprise can not only solve trivial social issues that the United Nation is incapable of doing, but can also encourage people to reach a balance between personal interest and social return. Thus, it is important to have both structures running simultaneously.

Sources:

http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/can-fair-trade-boutique-expand-without-alienating-customers/article4405520/

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

As being addressed in DanYang’s blog, there has always been gender stereotypes when it comes to occupations. Secretary is for women; trucker is for men. If the discussion is critically looked in depth, we would realize that the essential issue that causes the stereotypes is gender discrimination.

If you are subject to racism, it may cost you money, a place to live, a job, your self-respect, your health, or your life. Women who experience racism may live through it in a different way from men, and from each other. (Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women (CRIAW))

Tracing back to the ancient times, men were view much more superior than women in the society. Although gender discrimination does not affect all women in the same way, yet the opinion is still carried to modern days and actually being practiced in many regions. Unmarried mothers in Korea are considered morally disgraceful. Indian women who show limbs in public could be arrested for disobeying the law. People should abandon the improper judgements on different sexes. The issue should not be ignored since this type of silent violence could drive the victims to be vulnerable. It is important to raise awareness in the equality between genders and avoid limitation in employment opportunities and social segregation. 

Sony Ericsson has entered its financial deficit stage since 2008. It is estimated that the company is facing a 2.3 billion dollar loss in 2014’s sales. As Sony fades to the edge of the telecommuncation industry,one of the largest electronic company, Samsung, was reported for “suffering from financial crushes after lacklustre sales of flagship stores”. Suppressed by the “Apple trend”, and pushed by the cheap Chinese smartphone makers, Samsung’s market is going downhill and reaching the bottom in a foreseeable time. The Samsung family is involved in all types of fields such as electronic, fashion, real estate and all other types of industries. However, unlike Apple who has a precise market, Samsung lacks of a major target consumer group out of all the users it has. In other word, it does not meet the economic standard in the low price market, yet does not reach the luxury sense it aimed to provide in the higher end. As a matter of fact, the vague determination eventually leads to varied comments and reviews(positive and negative) on its products. Thus, weakens the original brand image. Not only does its products rely on Android, it is also unable to invent softwares faster than Apple. Samsung must pave another path to the market either through cooperation with companies such as google or change its target market in order to regain its position in the telecommunication industry.

http://www.timescolonist.com/samsung-suffers-financial-crunch-after-lacklustre-sales-of-flagship-galaxy-smartphone-1.1416737

Photo By Graeme MacKay

The cartoon above perfectly reflects the majority public’s view on Obama’s current situation; not only did he failed to gain any more positions in the House, he also lost the majority seats in the Senate to the Republicans. Thus it appears that his low votes during the midterm evaluation predicts an unavoidable loss the the two year away “Big Election”. Also, the White House will be under the Republicans’ before the next movement.

But, there is always a “but” to every story. The result of the midterm election does not directly representing a failure in the Big Election in 2017. Consider the affair in a retrospective matter, the governing party was never highly praise by the public during any midterm election since the citizens are always fond of the new and tried of the old. The lose of the Democratic in this period could represent a success in the future. WHY? First, Obama can focus more on developing and strengthen his diplomatic relationships. Moreover, in the next two years, the public will expect more effective bills carried out by the Republicans. Yet, if the Republicans devotes too much to become seat hoggers of government positions, they will be less likely to make any doable proposals which can cause decrease in public favor. Hence, there are pros and  cons for both parties(50, 50 chances). Whether who will become the next president will depends on two party’s future performance.

https://ca.news.yahoo.com/photos/yahoo-canada-news-editorial-cartoons-november-2014-slideshow/editorial-cartoon-for-nov-5-2014-by-graeme-mackay-artizans-photo-1415202493776.html

As the overall Gross National Income of the United States increases over the last decade, people begin to focus more on the healthiness of the products they consume other than just satisfying the basic needs. The three big soda companies, Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, have officially announced during the 10th annual Clinton Global Initiative on September 23rd that they will reduce the production of high sugary drinks and release more low- and no-calorie drinks. Although there were voices stating that the change is going to occur whether or not did the three companies publish the announcement, the overall effect is praiseworthy.
By reducing the high sugary beverages available in the market not only debase the North American obesity rate, but also prevents the population suffering with decayed teeth. However, there will be a foreseeable short term sales drop in each company once the announcement is taken into action. Why? There is an existing customer segment that purchases these high sugar drinks on a daily bases. If the acquired flavor and taste is changed in order to meet the calorie requirements, these “old customers” are highly likely to find a substitute brand that still produces drinks with the flavor they like. It is not to be denied that in the long term perspective, the society will eventually get used to the new taste and the new understanding of healthy diet. Thus the companies will regain the “old customers” they once missed.

Since the beginning of 2010, concepts such as “vintage”, “retro” and “classic” came back to the publics’ sight. These concepts are being applied incessantly in fashion, automobile, electronics and other industries. Coca cola has also join the trend recently. The company brought its 1990s’ “IT item”, Surge, a citrus-flavored soda back to the market on September 15th. Before the Surge was once again released through amazon.com, the company had already created Facebook Fan site and Twitter account for this type of drink. This marketing strategy is worth to emulate in other cases not only because it is economical for the company’s ads expenses, but it is also the most efficient way to advertise. In a “Social Network” based society like today, news are being spread the quickest through posts, twits, and texts, not official advertisements. Coca cola took cognizance of this phenomenon and immediately created those accounts to communicate with its customers. Moreover, I personally think that the launch of this “nostalgic” drink could significantly rise Coca cola’s Quarter 3&4 sales. First of all, compare to a commodity that is in the market for long-term, products that are “Time Limited” or “Quantity Limited” can better stimulate people’s desire to purchase. Secondly, the drink is not just a beverage to many consumers, it is more of a childhood memory and symbol to the people who are born in the 70s and 80s. The more they want to recall their old memories, the more they will purchase. Thus, understanding the consumers’ needs and wants and applying the knowledge with suitable marketing strategy will result with positive sale of the product.

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-15/coca-cola-brings-back-surge-soda-to-tap-1990s-nostalgia.html

European colonization of the native American land began as early as the 10th century. Trades and exchanges were made fairly and unfairly at the same time. Thus causing an invisible bane between the Europeans and First Nations. Although decades and centuries have passed by, the Europeans have become Canadians and Americans, there are still minor relationship frictions between the groups. Aiming to alleviate the tension between the first nations and other BC citizens and associations, Premier Christy Clark announced on the All Chiefs Summit that they are working on solutions that creates a more friendly partnership between the groups.
I believe that the “official talks” from government representatives are over said. They had always promised to the first nation that the government will give them justice and provide them with benefits, but they did not even agree on the an agreement related to six Tsilhqot’in natives. Not to even speak about returning some of their lands. However, I am looking forward to a noteworthy change in the government’s attitude toward the never ending chaos.Quoting Xeni Gwet’in(one of the First Nations) Chief Roger William, “It’s an opportunity to make good changes for all.”

http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Premier+urges+cooperation+more+litigation+government+natives+reach+fork+road/10194776/story.html