Month: November 2010

Entrepreneurial companies have the capacity to develop new products, create new production methods, utilize new markets, and foster new forms of organization. All these factors contribute to the innovation level at which the company operates. Apple Inc. demonstrates this kind of innovation in many aspects of its company. For instance, the firm constantly comes out with new products such as the ITouch, the IPad, the IPhone, and numerous other technologies. Customers are drawn en masse to Apple’s stores and website by the arrival of these new products that can not be paralleled by any other technology. As well, Apple exhibits an intriguing structure in its stores that contributes to the attractiveness of its organization. The structure of its stores is very distinctive and has become a signature trait of Apple Inc. As well, the company’s commitment to having a full set of employees on hand to answer customer questions has lead to positive perceptions of Apple’s customer commitment.

It seems to me that everywhere one turns in the present day, there is an ongoing conflict between the need to conduct business (make profits) and the need to preserve the environment. These two concepts just don’t go together very well. Even when a company joins the “green wave” by becoming involved in conserving the planet’s resources, it still has a primary commitment to generate profit; meaning that if necessary, “green” ideas will be scrapped.
For example, Taseko Mines Ltd. applied to develop a copper-gold mine site in British Columbia. However, they were shut down by the federal government because this project had the potential to destroy Fish Lake. The company and the provincial government (who supported the mine) are distraught that the project was rejected. It shows that their main concern is for the economy, which is rather sad. Because when you think about it, if they had their way, another piece of wild, free land would become a victim of our society’s pollution and waste. Another natural resource devastated irreparably.

If the world wants companies to engage in more green initiatives, then we, as consumers, need to be willing to pay the extra costs that will be associated with these measures.

Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Canada+blocks+development+Taseko+Mines+project/3766168/story.html

Caya or Come As You Are is the latest retail brand from Telus which caters specifically to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. In fact, its first store was opened Friday, October 22nd 2010 in downtown Vancouver. Caya sports fancy new phones and accessories in addition to a stylish set-up in the store. The furniture and displays can even be moved off to the side to create a community meeting place. Wait was that a “community meeting place”? Yup. Unique is the only word to describe this phenomenon.
Basically its a phone store that has gone way past the traditional role of providing phone services. Caya is actually creating a place where certain people can connect and bond over their common values. It could be a very smart move, strategically, for Telus. It could be seen as good positioning. On the other hand, Telus could potentially alienate its previous customers with this move. Why did this company find it necessary to make a special brand for its LGBT clients? Were they not equally as able as everyone else to purchase phones at regular Telus stores? Caya is evidently an innovative idea, but in specifying its target group, it seems to be inadvertently segregating Telus’ customers.

Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/Telus+sales+outlet+aims+inclusion/3726252/story.html