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

The United Nations was created in 1945 to promote international co-operation and to prevent another world war happening. The United Nations provide funds and services to the less fortunate countries as a way to improve social and economical issues. However these funds and services provided do not make a lasting impact; they only solve the surface problem. If we were to use that funding to create alternatives to International Monetary Funds (IMF), because IMF loans are often tools used by developed nations to manipulate failing states to achieve their own objectives, then perhaps we can make progress.

In the meantime social enterprises are there to teach the less fortunate people how to make a living, and to help them gain autonomy.  Social enterprise helps solve the problem from the root by teaching them practical business tools to build a sustainable business. In my opinion social enterprise, devoid of political guidance from nation states or international organizations funded by states, could help correct the damage done by decades of corrupt and systematic destruction of developing economies through neoliberal management. Without doubt, the social enterprises are the channels United Nation uses to help bring consistent growth in global communities.

images: http://synoptos.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/un_logo.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7e/International_Monetary_Fund_logo.svg/1005px-International_Monetary_Fund_logo.svg.png

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Policewoman during World War I.

As the 100th anniversary of the Great War nears, it brought out a reflection of the many sacrifices.  Although the war killed millions, it catalyzed social, economical, and technological changes.

Before the war, women were mostly homemakers. But during the war, many of the jobs once dominated by men were replaced by women as the men headed overseas to fight. Women became clerks, polices, doctors, postmen, factory workers and many more. For the very first time, women took on front line roles. 

As opined by Kate Adie, women gained more equality and self-ownership as a result of the war. It benefited women more than what they had gainedthrough attaining suffrage right. Women were affordedeconomic opportunities by taking rolesprimarily reserved for men. This change promoted gender equality and led to the important role of women in the workforce today.

Gender equality in the workplace.

Nowadays, it would be unethical for a company to base their recruitment policy on the gender of the applicants.Just like men, women deserve equal opportunities. An economy will not function properly with one gender contributing solely. A prospering economy needs both genders to stimulate competition and to promote growth.

Blog: http://www.eif.co.uk/blog/2014/was-vote-only-legacy-women-ww1#.VF8ehFPF-Gg

Images: http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/nov/11/firstworldwar-women/Gall5-9972.jpg

http://ecosalon.com/wp-content/uploads/of-to-work-we-go1.jpg

http://mrsprofessionalism.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/gender-equality-in-the-workplace.jpg   

After reading many classmates’ blogs, Yeqi Yang’s “Finding a Balance Between Profits and the Corroborative Ethics” caught my attention. I find it interesting that Yeqi Yang’s first blog post discussing business ethics was the same as what Tamar talked about in Class 15 (CSR & Sustainability.) This topic is clearly important in a globalized world.

Bangladesh factory workers.

Yeqi Yang contended that in outsourced labor, it is a corporate responsibility of the multinational corporation to ensure workers’ rights are enforced. However I disagree with her opinion as I believe that workers’ rights are the responsibility of the Bangladeshi factory owners. They should be the ones to ensure their workers are working in safe conditions and are not being underpaid.

The collapse of Rana Plaza.

We learned that sustainability is not solely about solving economical issues, but also about fixing social problems. One of the key social problems currently in Bangladesh is the unsafe working conditions faced by the factory workers. A recent audit of 1,100 factories by the Bangladesh Accord found that workers were threatened by over 80,000 safety problems (The Guardian). The factory owners are the ones who caused these hazards through their exclusive focus on profits and cutting costs to maximize them. The collapse of Rana Plaza that killed over 1000 workers became a wake-up call for these owners. It is time to for them to behave ethically and to solve the social problem they created.

source: http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/2014/oct/15/bangladesh-accord-factory-hazards-protect-worker-safety-fashion

image: http://qzprod.files.wordpress.com/2013/07/bangladesh-factory-workers.jpg?w=880&__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1383769762681 http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/opinion/commentary/2013/05/13/feel_bad_about_bangladeshi_factory_disasters_act_as_citizens_not_consumers_brender/bangladesh_factory_collapse.jpg

With the upcoming Richmond Municipal election, candidates are vying to win everyone’s vote. The issue of banning Chinese-only signs, and “forcing local businesses to advertise in one of Canada’s official languages” seems to be another politician’s tactic to win that vote.

Richmond Chinese-language signs

In class we learnt that it is essential for a business to position itself to a targeted market in order to succeed. And according to Ries and Trout, a brand’s name is perhaps the most important factor affecting perceptions of it. With the Chinese signs appearing in Richmond, I believe it is simply companies positioning their businesses to their targeted Asian market.

Retail signage including a mixture of English and Chinese

I believe that there is not a single business that is capable to cater to every single segment of the market. If this is true then, wouldn’t these businesses preclude some sort of people? For example, if the target customers for a Chinese herb store are Asian consumers, does that signify that other races are not welcomed in their shops? No, it does not. Why should we conduct businesses by simply targeting a particular segment only? If the chosen segment excludes certain people, it does not indicate that the business is discriminating, it simply means that they are not in their target market.

In a country that boasts multiculturalism and inclusion, this appears more to be forced assimilation and bullying than anything else.

sources: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/10/19/richmond-b-c-considers-banning-chinese-only-signs-amid-uproar-over-citys-un-canadian-advertisements/

http://www.quickmba.com/marketing/ries-trout/positioning/

images: http://i0.huffpost.com/gen/1041178/thumbs/r-CHINESE-SIGNS-large570.jpg

L’Oréal’s mascara advertisement “Biggest Lashes You Will Ever Get!”

Maybelline eyeliner advertisement “Bolder. Smoother. Unlike any other.”

When you open up a magazine, or watch the advertisements on television, all the cosmetic brands say that they have the best product, “My mascara gives the most volume” or “My eyeliner lasts the longest”. But how would one know which is actually telling the truth without having to purchase the product?

In Stella Cho’s blog, she helped answered the question above. She mentioned that there are many “beauty gurus” on YouTube that gives product reviews and product recommendations that helps consumers like me to decide which product to purchase. Essentially, these “beauty gurus” are the ones marketing for the brand. Stella also stated how companies should partner up with these “beauty gurus” to help promote their cosmetic brands to consumers, which I disagree with.

“Beauty Guru”, Taylor gives us her drugstore makeup starter kit recommendations.

I go on YouTube to watch these girls tell me which brand is good because I know they have tried these products and I know that they could give me their honest opinion on the product. If one “beauty guru” begins telling me that every product from brand X is amazing, as a viewer, I would start to doubt them. How could one brand be completely perfect? If I come upon a “beauty guru” who constantly tells me that the same brand works best for everything, I would definitely go find a new reliable “beauty guru” to follow.

image: http://payload63.cargocollective.com/1/1/43118/3572351/COMP_mini.jpg 

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QR6rMA4eRzo/UHBIQAJ_YXI/AAAAAAAAlXw/yUxmnnYFS7k/s1600/mayw.jpeg

Students protesting for democracy.

17 years ago, the Chinese Government pledged  that Hong Kong shall be ruled under the “one country, two systems” concept for 50 years. It allows Hong Kong to be ruled by its own people, and to have elections to choose its leader through universal suffrage. But on August 31^st 2014, Beijing determined that all candidates for the Chief Executive must first be voted on by a nomination committee, and the top two or three candidates shall stand in the general election. This ruling enraged many Hong Kong residents. So on September 28^th 2014, many people started a protest and have since occupied and remained in several key routes in the city.

The use of tear gas from the police.

However, the public was totally outraged when the police used tear gas in trying to disperse the protest. The protesters’ anger towards the Chinese government was understandable in the beginning, but after the protesters branched out to other key streets, their action have caused massive traffic jams and brought more troubles to the general public, all of which made me feel unsympathetic towards their methods of protesting.

Hong Kongers protesting at the heart of downtown.

Small local businesses such as clothing stores and wonton noodles restaurants located in the affected districts expressed that their businesses suffered big losses due to the absence of the public. Big retailers like McDonalds were not as troubled since their chain stores were able to counterbalance the loss.

Protestors causing traffic jams, and disturbance to businesses.

Even as a Hong Kong native, I feel that they are being unrealistic for wanting to reverse the election framework. The protestors were blinded with their emotions and left behind many facts behind in their protest; they forgot that China, which is their sovereign country, contributed to the development of Hong Kong into a premier financial hub, especially in the past decade. I believe that it is now time for the protestors to face the reality and repair the damage that have been caused to the Hong Kong economy.

source: http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1609109/business-groups-john-tsang-urge-end-protests-citing-harm-economy

http://qz.com/278586/an-end-to-hong-kongs-unrest-is-now-more-distant-than-ever/

http://time.com/3453736/hong-kong-stands-up/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-29563788

image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/78140000/jpg/_78140852_78140570.jpg

http://www.motherjones.com/files/AP934389261424_9.jpg

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/tycoons-09252014162754.html/china-hk-cy-leung-protest-sept-2014.jpg

On June 26^th, 2014 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of the Tsilhqot’in First Nation for a declaration of aboriginal titles to over 1,700 square kilometres of land in British Columbia (Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia). It was a  historical event whereby a court has ever made a ruling regarding aboriginal land.

Tshil’qot’s celebrating the winning of the case.

At the same time, Taseko Mines Ltd. had planed a gold and copper mining project near the fish lake of Tsilhqot’in people. Although the fish lake is not part of Tsilhqot’in’s claimed lands, they have stated that they depend on the fish lake to hunt, fish, and trap.  Looking at the PEST analysis and Threat of New Entrants from Porter’s Five Forces, I understand the Supreme Court’s ruling has suddenly becomes a negative external factor affecting Taseko’s key resources. The government created a barrier to Taseko’s project whereby Taseko Mines now needs to seek permission from Tsilhqot’in people for executing the project.

Where the fish lake is versus where the mine would be.

I predict that Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia will become a precedent for future cases, and more First Nations will pursue formal land titles from the government. This will create impediments to companies and it will force reassessments of how their operations impact the environment. This new ruling will also force companies to behave ethically, to conduct their operations environmentally, and to be in good terms with the First Nations.

Source: https://scc-csc.lexum.com/scc-csc/scc-csc/en/item/14246/index.do

https://intercontinentalcry.org/tsilhqotin-nation-declares-tribal-park-on-site-of-proposed-taseko-mine-25739/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/tsilhqotin-brings-canada-to-the-table/article20521526/

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html

http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/porter.shtml

http://pestleanalysis.com/pest-analysis/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taseko-s-new-prosperity-mine-challenged-by-tsilhqot-in-park-plan-1.2763814

http://newprosperityproject.ca/wp-content/themes/prosperity/images/executive-summary.pdf

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/taseko-seeks-new-review-of-new-prosperity-mine-rejection-1.2587442

image: https://www.culturalsurvival.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image_full_width/public/media/images/canada.jpg?itok=i4pnOAfN

http://www.cbc.ca/daybreaknorth/prosperity%20mine.jpg

Air France wants to meet different demands. It wants to expand their differentiation strategy (Porter’s Generic Strategies) and their customer segments (Business Model Generation) by improving their low cost carrier, “Transavia airline”. In order to succeed, Air France needs to lower their costs and expenses such as hiring pilots and stewardess at lower wages. If Air France cannot reduce their costs, they will not be able to offer cheap prices to customers. If they insist on offering cheap airline prices, their cost base will be very similar to the carrier thus profit margin will be minimal which would cause a loss instead. It seems apparent that Air France has a plausible plan, but why does it not execute it?

Air France’s pilot on strike.

Pilots in France like teachers in British Columbia have unionized employment contract and they object to earning less in the new Air France budget carrier. This strike is comparably similar to the teachers’ strike that happened few weeks ago in British Columbia; their affect is much greater than we can imagine. About 50% of Air France’s flights have been canceled, and a troublesome delay happened. In my opinion, there is no win-win situation for Air France. If Air France pays Transavia pilots the same as Air France, it would make their budget of Transavia unprofitable. Unless Air France pilots are willing to sacrifice a significant amount of their wages, if not the airline will not be able to ameliorate Transavia, and Air France will eventually close down.

Sources: http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29361699

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29353622

http://www.aircargoworld.com/Air-Cargo-World-News/2014/10/european-labor-woes-continue-after-air-france-strike/6811

http://www.businessinsider.com/air-france-strike-implications-2014-9

Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77802000/jpg/_77802173_77802172.jpg

Jack Ma ringing of the bell.

Alibaba, the biggest E-Commerce company in the world founded by Jack Ma in Hang Zhou 13 years ago, went public on September 19th 2014. Its services includes business-to-businesses, online web pages, online shopping, payment services, a shopping search engine, and data centric cloud portals. On its debut, Alibaba raised $21.8 billion, becoming the biggest United States-listed Initial Public Offering in history (Bloomberg). Alibaba’s total market value is now over $231 billion (Fortune) and it surpasses big names in U.S.-technology industry such as Facebook, Ebay, and Amazon.

“Ebay is a shark in the ocean, and Alibaba is a crocodile in the Yangtze River. If they try to fight Ebay in the ocean, they will lose. But if they fight eBay in the river, they will win.” –Jack Ma

I admire Jack Ma’s perseverance in his goal: he has created the largest E-Commerce company in China, with little to no inventory. His revenue streams are endless with a variety of customer segments (Business Model Generation), and he continues to broaden his “Differentiation Strategy” (Porter’s Generic Strategies) in Alibaba. In my opinion this is a great opportunity for China to move forward on the international market and to expand the idea of global trade.  This is also a favourable time for North Americans to invest as there are 618 million Internet users in China which 231 million are Alibaba users (Forbes). This middle class will continue to grow, and it is an ever-expanding market. Jack Ma also loves to help small businesses grow, especially entrepreneurship, hence many businesses will prosper in the future years thanks to Alibaba. I believe that Alibaba is the future backbone to many online retail businesses.

Source: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-19/alibaba-s-ma-said-to-let-customers-ring-ipo-opening-bell-at-nyse.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2014/09/19/initiating-coverage-of-alibaba-at-price-estimate-of-80-per-share/

http://fortune.com/2014/09/19/on-alibabas-big-day-jack-ma-is-an-18-billion-winner/

http://www.ctvnews.ca/business/alibaba-goes-public-10-things-to-know-about-historic-ipo-1.2016369

image: http://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.2016615!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_620/image.jpg

http://fortunedotcom.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/alibaba-jack-ma-bloomberg.jpg?w=840&h=485&crop=1

300 years ago, Scotland was forcibly assimilated to the Great Britain. Since then Scotts has been fighting to control back. In 2011, the Scottish Nationalist party won in their elections and catalyzed today’s referendum (Britannica). Alex Salmond, Scottish first minister, asked for a vote: to gain independence, or to have more power for Scotland.

I strongly believe that Scotland should not separate from United Kingdom. Scotland does not have the assets to back up their created currency. Their main revenue source of oil will eventually run out. If they keep the sterling pound, they cannot set their own interest rates, they will rely on Bank of England to help them bale out from potential financial troubles. Scotland will also have trouble raising bonds unless it has a large surplus; and if they cannot they will have to raise taxes instead to continue funding public services, or to simply cut them out. Many financial institutions owned by UK are located in Scotland and they may uproot and move out of Scotland; this will cause an increase in unemployment rate in Scotland.

Scotland will not collapse should they separate, but life will become very difficult. Therefore for economic sense, Scotland should chose to stay with UK even though they have a very nationalistic sentiment for having their own country.

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-29231440

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/767259/Scottish-National-Party-SNP

Image: http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/77652000/jpg/_77652334_023937313.jpg