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

Being “fully funded” does in no way equate to being fully sustainable and functioning at 100% capacity and efficacy. Though the UN is recognized as an advocate for promoting international co-operation, one sole group cannot possibly be responsible for covering all bases. It works tirelessly to help those in need by undertaking corruption, reforming policies, and creating peace amongst countries yet there are still thousands of problems that slip through the cracks. The Arc Initiative creates smaller-scale connections between nations allowing students with the same passions and drive to unite with others abroad and strengthen these bonds. Not only does this help those overseas, but it also generates a broad awareness to a more diverse group of people that in turn, creates a greater interest for the causes being addressed by social entrepreneurship.

Although money plays a huge role in finding solutions to global issues, this is also greatly dependent on the amount of support and dedication that they receive. By spinning a complex web of connections at every corner of the earth, we strengthen the bonds amongst the diverse networks to open doors for everybody. With this, they are capable of working cohesively with the United Nations to accomplish their goals while utilizing less of their funding.

My favourite question to answer is: “How do you define success?”- and my answer seems to change with every passing day of self-discovery. Success is something that everybody searches for their whole lives without entirely knowing what they’re looking for. For some, success is measured by pure integrity and the ability to build upon it. Conversely, for many, success is measured by the figure sitting in their bank account. The thing about money is that it is an object, and it doesn’t last forever. Likewise, businesses flop on a daily basis. An example from well beyond my time is Monster.com, one of the largest employment websites in existence. In 2006, it ranked in the top 20 most visited sites but since then has plummeted to the worst stock of the year (2011). But in this case, intense competition wasn’t to blame. Instead, we consider that Monster lost sight of its values and became blinded by their end goals – earnings & stock numbers. Blinded by money, they forfeited their company’s mantra of “It’s half about a better job, and half about a better life.”, which severed the strong ties between their customers and their ethics. Their #1 problem is that they were too occupied padding their wallets and to realize that they no longer satisfied the most important people – their customers.

SUCCESS: So much more than money.

Article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lisaearlemcleod/2014/11/05/why-monster-is-failing-and-others-will-follow/

Photo Source:

https://www.avantcredit.com/blog/personal-finance-2/financial-carnival-for-young-adults-money-on-the-mind

With the television industry’s slow decline picking up speed, it’s time for TV providers to begin rethinking their business models. Companies like Bell and Rogers once thrived while the industry was blossoming into what we have today; however, they now face the competition of online streaming to shows and movies. In fact, recently, HBO announced that it will allow Americans to stream their content online without subscribing to their TV channel – A huge indication of the deterioration of TV’s presence in daily life. It’s easy enough to say that TVs are becoming out-dated and succumb to the convenience of online streaming. To survive these changes, television providers are now on the search for long-term efficiency. However in this case, it’s unlikely to find a long-term solution, as technology continuously advances and creates an unpredictable future. This is just one example of how incredibly important it is for companies to constantly regenerate. Consistent development and improvements are essential for any business to stay afloat in this cutthroat world. This involves flexibility, comprehensive analyses of current situations and dexterity. We’re living in a fast-paced generation, and though it may be a challenge, it’s up to the companies to keep up.

Original Article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/how-foreign-online-streaming-will-upset-bell-and-rogers-apple-carts-1.2803970

Photo Source:

http://lifehacker.com/5884040/is-it-okay-to-use-an-hdtv-as-a-computer-monitor

Happiness is often overlooked in an industry run by companies with their proverbial eyes on the prize. What most people forget is that no matter how talented a team may be, it’s meaningless if the workers aren’t motivated each day. Biologically speaking, humans feel the constant need to be superior to others. This is why being put in a position below somebody else is undoubtedly uncomfortable. To create an optimal working environment, it’s important to boost employee morale  – After all, they’re the ones you entrust with your company. That being said, this is no reason to go around handing out CEO titles and promotions. Something as small as a feedback system between the employer and the employee can greatly boost team dynamics and doesn’t cost a dime. It’s a utility that many companies are beginning to adopt recently, and for great reasons. Giving a voice to the employee offers them some of the power that they yearn for while alleviating any sort of tensions that may be present in the environment. Furthermore, this can encourage inter-departmental relations as communication begins to grow in importance. But at the end of the day, the feedback is useless if it goes unacknowledged. The employees’ rights to express themselves is equally as important as the employer’s duty to respond to this feedback and take the necessary courses of action. I firmly believe that the transparency and internal connections made are extremely valuable for any company and I hope to see many begin to adopt this idea.

A happy team is a hard-working team.

Original Article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2014/10/26/true-employee-engagement-requires-an-employee-feedback-loop/

Photo Source:

http://hrtrendinstitute.com/2012/10/31/hr-in-pictures-part-10-conflicts-can-be-constructive/

Lauren’s post about companies’ possessing the ability to use their advertising positions to benefit many more than just themselves really opened my eyes to the incredible amount of power that large companies possess. The sheer strength of advertising often goes overlooked nowadays. However, large companies hold a steady footing in the daily lives of consumers that can definitely be utilized towards making a positive difference of any magnitude. A great example is Tim Hortons’ Smile Cookie Campaign because millions of people stop at Tim’s on their morning commute or as part of their daily ritual (myself included) for a dose of caffeine or a yummy baked good. The campaign is so effective because they offer the consumer further incentive to do something good for their local communities without creating a disruption in their routine.

This is what I would call Good Advertising. Not only does this tie into building a strong brand name, but it also greatly encourages people to purchase their products by displaying the company’s ethics. Its simple – People love feeling like they’re making a positive impact. It’s a method that I believe many companies are beginning to adopt because it’s a win-win situation for everybody!

Original Post:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/laurenysmith/2014/10/13/a-new-way-of-advertising/

Photo Source:

http://bchsysfoundation.org/2014/09/17/tim-hortons-smile-cookies-are-back/

In the Vancouver Sun’s article regarding the First Nations attempts at swaying the government to reject BC Hydro’s hydroelectric project, we can easily comply with both sides of the story – making it a difficult debate. On one side, the dam that BC Hydro hopes to construct impairs the First Nation’s traditional ceremonial rituals as well as greatly affecting the local wildlife. However, conversely, the region’s oil, gas and mining industries require the hydroelectricity to improve their efficiency and ultimately reduce their carbon foot print. This leaves the debate open to even further dispute by sparking environmental activists to choose sides and provide their input as well. This struggle to seek compromise made me think of the B.C Teacher Strike that occurred over the past year that also attracted the attention of China’s government. The feuding parties were clearly the teacher’s union and the government who needed to come to a compromise. It just goes to show that when two parties need to figure out an arrangement, the repercussions go far beyond the two positions. Complying to the opposing side’s needs and desires is definitely no easy feat to overcome yet it’s extremely prominent in the business world dealing with partnerships of all sorts. This undoubtedly exposes how essential it is for businesses to possess flexibility and a strong foundation because it really reflects on its morality and ethics.

Photo Source

Vancouver Sun:
 http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html

http://www.vancouversun.com/business/school+shutdown+China+concerned/10193719/story.html

Guy Kawasaki shines some light on the inner mechanisms of the Apple Store and how it got to its great level of success with his blog post “10 Things You Can Learn From the Apple Store“. And who doesn’t want to be Apple? Guy outlines how & what the power-house company does to define any business: Providing goods and services to consumers. It’s upsetting to see that Apple’s strategies appear “innovative” when in reality, you would think that it is simply meeting expectations. Apple supplements a great summary of the majority of my class takeaways including (but not limited to): Employee empowerment, positivity & sustainability, teamwork, communications, company values, and the importance of creating an experience for the consumers – not just a product. They really work down to the nitty gritty of selling the benefits of the product instead of the product itself, focusing on how the consumer’s life is enhanced with every purchase. This works cohesively with the power of great employees that are well-trained and kept content with very little constraints. You’d think that such simple concepts would be obvious to everyone while simultaneously easy to execute, however to this date, many businesses continue to struggle. Happy workers = Happy customers: Only small, yet effective step towards success.

Original Blog Post:

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2012/04/10-things-you-can-learn-from-the-apple-store.html

Photo Source:

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02393/apple_2393144b.jpg

The concept of gender equality is far from unfamiliar to most. Historically, there have been many advancements towards what some might call optimal equality, yet we continue to struggle with the constant desire for superiority. Reading Grace’s post in regards to Emma Watson’s speech addressing the UN definitely provoked many thoughts. As a young woman entering the world of business, I am fearful. Despite the increasing prominence of women in business, there are, and always will be, differences between a man and a woman.

My fears begin to rest thanks to the raw fact that men and women are not the same. Because of this, I don’t believe that they should be treated the same way – Note, this does not mean that one may be treated as “superior”. Countless studies show that generally, men and women work in different manners and possess different skills that require nurturing through diverse methods. Through my eyes, it isn’t a question of who is better, rather, How do they differ? Men and women bring a diverse amount of assets to the table and need to be paired together complementarily. Studies show that men and women have different ways of thinking, problem solving, making observations, and even different memory capabilities.

It’s time to embrace the division between the two genders in order to find a balance of working with both.

Sources:

Original Article: 
https://blogs.ubc.ca/gracecheng/2014/09/27/a-lady-wears-many-hats-both-at-home-and-in-the-corporate-world/

Women vs. men: Who’s better at business?

http://www.forbes.com/2008/05/28/gender-strategy-behavior-lead-manage-cx_mk_0528sexes.html

Understanding the differences between men and women:
http://www.oregoncounseling.org/ArticlesPapers/Documents/DifferencesMenWomen.htm

Samsung astonished thousands as it discontinued its laptop sales in Europe due to poor market conditions as well as intense competition. Though shocking at first, this may be foreshadowing to a huge industry advancement. The laptop market is beginning to dip downwards as tablets begin to take over. However, it’s no surprise considering the many advantages of tablet usage including the lower price, portability and nearly parallel functionality.

This is a prime example of technology’s rapid rate of growth. The Apple iPad was only released into the market four years ago, where it was met with criticism for simply being a glorified iPod. Fast forwarding to today, tablets have become a large part of many people’s daily lives and have become known as a cheaper alternative to laptops. I think that Samsung is making a very calculated move by eliminating its laptop sales in Europe as it will definitely cut back on costs for the company. Though they claim to have no intentions of ceasing distribution in other countries, I believe that it’s in the foreseeable future. Samsung is definitely on the right path applying the market trends to their company effectively. Their adaptability is likely to prove advantageous in the future as trends continue to fluctuate and as technology progresses in development.

Sources:

Forbes: Samsung’s Decision to Stop Selling Laptops in Europe Suggests Tablets are the Future (2014)

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2014/09/24/samsungs-decision-to-stop-selling-laptops-in-europe-suggests-tablets-are-the-future/

Apple: iPad Launch date
https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2010/01/27Apple-Launches-iPad.html

Needless to say, Apple is a powerhouse in the technology industry. Recently, one of the older models of their iPod seems to have disappeared without a trace. Speculation suggests that it’s due to its limited target market as Apple advances with newer model developments such as the touch-screen models. This article sparked many ideas and feelings of nostalgia as I thought back to the generations of used electronics in my junk drawer at home. It made me think of the hours spent listening to countless songs, organizing hours of music into “Jams” and “Workout” playlists and the feeling of pure fear as I dropped my device for the first time. Yet somehow, despite this sentimental attachment, I never hesitated to retire my companion for a shiny new toy. That lead me to wonder why we, as a population, feel the compulsion to constantly buy the latest and “greatest”. Technology companies such as Apple fabricate our mindsets by convincing us that the idea of wearing down our electronics is to be ridiculed and that the newest model is the only way to go.

In today’s world, the consumers have truly become the consumed.

Image source

Article: Proctor, Jason. “Apple kills iPod Classic: another one bites the dust – British Columbia – CBC News.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/apple-kills-ipod-classic-another-one-bites-the-dust-1.2762299>.