BT Group, a British telecommunications company based in London, will soon be setting up a free wi-fi network in the city of Cardiff. To go along with the wi-fi network, BT also promises to boost 3G and 4G networks  within the city center. BT announce that, “Initially, access to the Cardiff Council Wi-Fi service will be free and unlimited to all, whilst BT Broadband customers will always be able to get free, unlimited usage,”.

From a business standpoint, this is a very good strategy. Customers will be lured initially with the free wi-fi, then get hooked with the increased performance of 3G and 4G networks. The increase of customers in Cardiff will be inevitable.

Images:

http://business.bt.com/assets/img/content/primary-tabbed-bt-wifi.jpg

After reading Julie’s blog post about TOMS methods to combine social enterprise and profit-making, I needed to voice my opinion. The so called method is know as the “One-For-One” Model. For each pair of shoes purchased from TOMS, one is donated to children in need all over the world. Now it has launched an online marketplace, making it easier for customers to buy/donate straight from the website. It is amazing how Social Enterprise can be linked to such great profit. Perhaps it is the feeling of spending and giving at the same time that attracts customers from all segments. Whatever the case, the idea is working and prospering without the looks of slowing down.

Articles:

http://venturebeat.com/2013/11/05/toms-launches-online-retail-marketplace-to-give-back-more-than-shoes/

Images:

http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/toms-shoes.jpg?w=558&h=9999&crop=0

Snapchat Co-Founder and CEO Evan Spiegel was reported to have turned down a $3-billion bid from Facebook in mid November. This was more than double the amount of $1-billion offered by the same social network giants just one year earlier. Snapchat currently has no revenue stream, but there is potential for advertising revenues. So why would they turn down such a substantial offer? The number of Snapchatters has increase immensely in the past two years with recent numbers of 200-milion in June to 350-million in September. Clearly the CEO of Snapchat feels that his company is worth more than it had been offered. The company still has growing to do and only time will tell if it lives up to all the hype.

Articles:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/the-23yearold-snapchat-cofounder-and-ceo-who-said-no-to-a-3bn-offer-from-facebook-8940433.html

Images:

http://cdn.imore.com/sites/imore.com/files/styles/large/public/field/image/2012/12/snapchat_ui_hero.jpg

In late October, Facebook had finally taken down a beheading video of a woman in mexico. The graphic video had been circling around for months and instigated a public uproar. Facebook was heavily criticized for not taking down the video. To make matters even worse, news reached the public that Facebook was lifting a ban on images of graphic violence imposed in May. The defense given by Facebook was that they were allowing graphic images to promote awareness rather than celebration and stood firm on their ground.

Facebook uses IT and information systems to bring users of the site content that they want. In this case it seems graphic images are not what the majority of people would like to see. From my point of view it is more than justified for them to remove the video. On a blog I read by Ashley Feinberg, she mentions the family aspect and age restrictions of Facebook’s action. I completely agree on this matter, I could not imagine myself as an 11 or 12 year old and being exposed to these graphic images. It would scar me for life. I am anxious to see when Facebook will ban images of graphic violence for good.

Articles:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/oct/23/facebook-removes-beheading-video

Images:

http://www.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Facebook-thumbs-down.png

Dish Network Corp. is about to close around 300 Blockbuster locations across the US by early January. This could be the final end to Blockbuster’s struggle in the past decade. With Netflix and online video streaming becoming increasingly popular, there was no hope for Blockbuster. An estimated 2800 people will lose their jobs when closing time comes. However, 50 privately owned franchises will remain open.

Unfortunately, this is one of those cases where “The first mover advantage” does not end so well for Blockbuster. I remember a time when I was young that Blockbuster was busy and in high demand. As time went on and I learned about the internet, youtube, Netflix, and online streaming, Blockbuster just vanished from my mind.

Articles:

http://globalnews.ca/news/950569/dish-to-close-rest-of-its-blockbuster-stores-in-us/

Pictures:

http://cdn.slashgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/blockbuster-store1.jpg