Recently, the huge announcement of the strategic alliance of IBM and Twitter has become a hot topic within the industry. Announcing the deal, both companies has presented their logos side to side, both in blue, to show their “mutual” aspects and its potential growth from this partnership.

Ginni Rometty, the CEO of IBM acknowledges Twitter feeds as a valuable source of growing data, which in collaboration with IBM’s analytic software will benefit the company(IBM) in competing against market leaders including Amazon, Google and Microsoft.

On the other hand, the CEO of Twitter Costolo also finds great potential in this strategic alliance. He believes that this partnership will enable Twitter to expand its target market, and that its data will become useful to greater number of businesses.

The strategic alliance between IBM and Twitter in my opinion, gives both firms a competitive advantage against its rivals. They are of mutual benefits from this partnership; by pooling capital or funds together and making technological improvements, both businesses are able to expand their target market and enhance product development. I think that the strategy to apply data from the network to real-time business decisions is very clever, because the internet has grown to become an essential part of communication and networking in our lives.

The glamour of the fashion industry draws many people into fashion careers, creating a saturated market. In this industry, people who are bold and ambitious compete to be at the iconic top.

Stuart Weitzman, a high-end shoe company founded by American designer Stuart A. Weitzman took advantage of its internal factorial ownership to keep the price at a fraction of what other luxurious shoes would sell at. “We sell a $600 or $650 shoe for $385,” Weitzman said. “I price the product based upon the cost.”; while other luxurious footwear continue to rise in price, Weitzman is virtually alone in offering designer-quality shoes at reasonable prices.

In addition to better pricing strategy, I think the success of Stuart Weitzman also lies upon the vertical integration of its supply chain. This enables the firm to produce what is hot and popular with quicker turnaround times and flexibility. Weitzman has announced that they keep a stock of leather in the factory, and the efficient system allows a new style to be produced and shipped in a matter of days.

Furthermore, I am very impressed with the firm’s marketing strategies. From gifting suites to the firm that offers personalized service for celebrities today, Stuart Weitzman has come a long way and mastered the “mid market glamour”.

source: http://www.fashiontimes.com/articles/13111/20141020/weitzmans-blitz-collaboration-on-his-classic-50-50-boot.htm

Jacob, a Montreal-based clothing company has recently announced that it will no longer attempt to restructure and operate in the fashion industry. The remaining stock will be liquidated in the shortest amount of time possible.

The fashion chain was founded by Joey Basmaji 37 years ago and the business has not done exceptionally well. The attempt to restructure was the result of heartfelt customer response, but unfortunately, the increasingly difficult economic context has further damaged the company’s financial situation and forced it to close its doors.

On a global scale, the apparel industry is highly competitive. It is important that retailers establish solid online sales plan to out-compete traditional sales. However, I think Jacob, or many Canadian retailers in general are unaware of such strategy. The principal competitive factors in the fashion industry include design, brand image, consumer preference, price, quality, marketing and many more…With the addition of price transparency and technological advancement, it is certainly difficult for Jacob to face its rivals without a strong, unique contingency plan.

source: http://www.cp24.com/news/clothing-company-boutique-jacob-to-close-all-stores-liquidating-merchandise-1.2064333

 

The main objective of any treaty signed by both the Aboriginals and the government is to reconcile the two parties’ respective claims and interests. The management of relationships has taken place in the shadow of a long, turbulent history.

An article from the National Post emphasizes on a reoccurring issue- where the government attempts to cross the line while trading with the Aboriginals. The Kwikwetlem First Nations of Vancouver have discovered that their chief collected an $800,000 surplus for agreeing with the government to give away 236 hectares of land.

According to the Indian and Northern Affair Canada guidebook , a claim needs be agreed upon by the chief as well as the people  in order to proceed to in-depth framework agreements.

In this case, the government had not only disappointed its people, but it had also demonstrated a case of unethical business practice. The act of paying the chief a bonus amount in order to achieve its objective destroys the purpose of treaties, agreements and the legal system/process. I think this is a serious issue that should be dealt with in order to prevent similar cases that occur in the future.

source: http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/10/06/first-nation-members-suing-chief-who-received-800000-bonus-for-abandoning-aboriginal-land-claim/

Indian and Northern Affair Canada:http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-INTER-HQ/STAGING/texte-text/rul_1100100014175_eng.pdf