This class was certainly one that left a deep impression on me.

Growing up, my parents have raised me on the philosophy of “giving back to society.” Now as a Sauder student, not only do I want to carry out positive acts for the greater good, but to also profit off of this endeavour. This my friend, is what we call “Social Entrepreneurs.”

At first glance, social enterprises may seem like a non-profit organization. According to the Stanford article, but sets social enterprises apart from non-profit organizations is the fact that social entrepreneurs will profit in both social and economical goods.

There are many reasons behind the creation of a social enterprise but the main reason to it is the fact that people want to benefit and improve the life of others. They see a vision or an interest and transforms that into something beneficial for society.

“Most people have to see to believe, but I think that Social Entrepreneurs believe and then they see”

Article: http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/social_entrepreneurship_the_case_for_definition/

In Alex’s blog post, he talks about the recovery of RIM after the devastating stock plumage back in the summer of 2011. With the new Iphone 5, Samsung Galaxy, and Androids storming the market, is RIM’s new phone really in a good position?

For now, my opinion is no. Though investors see huge potential in the company’s new product, the Blackberry 10 is not a “comeback” product, but rather a chance of survival for RIM. Through these past months, the company was helplessly trying to fend for itself in the market against its strong competitors.  It lost a huge amount of users, all whom have switched to Apple, Motorola, HTC or Samsung.

On the contrary, if RIM is able to emphasize their point of difference through their new Blackberry 10, then it may be able to lock their core consumers, and win back its old “crackberry” users. According to Alex’s post and the MacLean’s article, Blackberry will be introducing a full keyboard, and touchscreen that allows user to switch back and forth between running apps.

“Will the Blackberry 10 be able to save RIM?” As for now, nothings certain except the fact that RIM should really focus on its marketing approaches and bring back its game as a main competitor in the market.

Alex Gatson’s Blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/alexandergoston/2012/10/02/crackberry-users-are-out-of-rehab/

MacLean’s Article: http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/10/09/dont-call-it-a-comeback/

Blackberry Info: http://ca.blackberry.com/

This blog responds back to Jasmine’s article as well as a recent piece of news I have read.

A little Background about Facebook:

Facebook is the largest social networking platform with over a billion users using it actively each month. On May 18^th, 2012, Facebook became a public entity and released its value on the stock market with an initial public offering of $38. Despite the hype, Facebook’s stock value failed to meet the predicted outcome and only increased $1 over its initial offering.

Now next to Facebook is Twitter, the second largest social media-networking site with over 100 million active users each month. Over the past year, Twitter’s user login rate has increased up by 82% and the projected growth by the end of this year is 126 million users.

It reaches a certain point to which Twitter will need to make the company public and the last thing they want is an IPO misstep similar to that of Facebook.

The key to Twitter’s IPO success is valuing the company at a price that is not too high and not too low. The overhype of Facebook’s value resulted in a lower IPO value and vice-versa like LinkedIn, who underestimated it’s company value, resulted in a lower IPO as well.

According to the Bloomsberg article, Twitter’s value was around $8 billion last year. As of now, Twitter is not rushing things and hopes to gather a stronger user base internationally.

Blog reply from Jasmine Chan : https://blogs.ubc.ca/jasminekychan/2012/10/01/facebook-faceplant/

Bloomsberg Article/Blog: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-09/avoiding-facebook-fate-is-twitter-cfo-goal-on-way-to-ipo#p2

Twitter Facts: http://www.jeffbullas.com/2011/09/21/11-new-twitter-facts-figures-and-growth-statistics-plus-infographic/