When the so-called “Singles Day” is approaching, Chinese are getting ready for shopping on Nov. 11 (11.11 which “represents four single people”). Well, what can you do when you are single and alone on Nov. 11? The e-commerce giant Alibaba may say “shopping”. Last year, around $5.8 billion was generated on “Singles Day” on a variety of products offered by Alibaba group online. With such success, this year, Alibaba is aiming to expend its business around the globe.

In the blog posted by John W. Spelich on Alizila, the author states that now product availability has become the main reason that Chinese consumers decide to shop online, in contrast to cheaper prices in previous years. This accounts for one reason that Alibaba has been so successful. Its platform offers a combination of products such as food, apparel, cosmetics, home appliances, electronics and so on. You could imagine, it is like combining Ikea, H&M, sephora, future shop into one big e-store in the wide range of Internet without reducing size of any one.

In addition, taking “triple bottom line” into account, it also portrays why Alibaba is so popular- it situates in the middle of three circles.

People: Alibaba online platform facilitates people shopping in a easy, fast, convenient way. Planet: Online shopping saves energy and land uses (unnecessary to build more shopping malls), lessens the use of  transportation (which causes green gases). Profit: enormous online trading brings greater consumer surplus and seller surplus.

picture: http://www.eoi.es/blogs/carlosomargarcia/files/2013/04/SIA_venn-diagram2.jpg

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

Imagine that your friend has been struggling on a math problem, would you choose to give out your answers or teaches the method to your friend? If your decision is the latter one, then you could be a social entrepreneur! The key difference between the UN and a social entrepreneur is the method they utilize in maximizing welfare.  A social entrepreneur imparts  his expertise and practices his skills to discover innovative solutions that increases total welfare. For instance, Muhammad Yunus uses only $27 to free 42 Bangladesh villagers form poverty and offers loans  for them to draw on their expertise to profit. In such way, both parties gain and the village prospers. Whereas, the United Nations provides resources or plans that can only ease the difficulty temporarily. It is also a problem for UN to fully consider every one’s issues and benefits. Thus, it is not a sustainable strategy because resources are limited. They are not attainable in the long run. This accounts for why we need social entrepreneurs who are capable to raise individuals’ welfare under the condition of scarce resources available.

picture: http://destinationchangemakers.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/social-enterprise-cloud-words.jpg

Here, I want to comment on   Shang Yu (Angela) Liu’s Blog about Tesla’s current pressing issue of lacking in production. As we have discussed in class, Tesla set those car-lovers on fire because its value proposition has convinced them. Being the first major electric car in the auto industry, Tesla has differentiated itself as its products being environmental friendly- non-gas filled cars. The pain comes when the rising demand has not been met with its low-speed production.

I agree with Angela’s opinion on that Tesla still needs to devote more to the project of lowering costs. As in class, our group agreed to that Tesla’s electric cars are designed for wealthy people. Taking a look at the big picture, Tesla’s affordability will become a huge issue in the future if the cost of production stays high throughout. Demand may become Tesla’s issue in the future. Also, once a new, less expensive electric car is introduced, Tesla will lose great advantages to its competitors. Thus, as Angela suggested Tesla should definitely invest and delve into its research in order to achieve prospective success.

picture: http://venturebeat.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/tesla-model-s.jpg?w=780

Recently, the auto parts supplier  Takata Corp. has been targeted in the auto industry.  Four deaths and numbers of severe injuries have resulted associating with the faulty airbags Takata offered.

picture: http://bestride.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/nhtsa-s-investigation-on-takata-faulty-airbags-expanding-to-more-automakers-82515_1.jpg

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