Author Archives: XiaoMeng (Lisa) Liang

Blog #11 – Social Entrepreneurs Make Capital Matter

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If the United Nation is fully funded, we will need the Arc or social enterprise because they provide an opportunity for social entrepreneurs, who are mission driven, ambitious individuals, to tackle social issues and create changes in the world, including developing countries such as Ethiopia, South Africa, etc.

arc-770

Image Source – UBC News

In my opinion, I see the Arc initiative as a creator. It creates leaders of the future, entrepreneurs who sees and seizes opportunities and with their skilful business talents, they can make ideal projects a reality. Social entrepreneurs are crucial in our society because they seek global issues, develop ideas, and initiate changes in the world. Even if the United Nations has capital, they cannot efficiently utilize the capital without a venture to invest in. They need social entrepreneurs to innovate and create solutions to global problems first and then fund the ideas.

I know that not every person is a social entrepreneur. We need to seek them out in the majority and support them in becoming true entrepreneurs to better support the society. The Arc initiative can recognize social entrepreneurs and allow them to contribute their ambitious selves to developing countries and foster relationships with other mission driven individuals. Overall, entrepreneurs strive for global changes in order for economic expansion and they are an essential factor in our societies today.

Reference

“What Is Social Entrepreneurship?” Skoll World Forum on Social Entrepreneurship. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/>.

“Sauder School of Business.” The Arc Initiative. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative>.

“Upward Arc.” UBC News. Web. 9 Nov. 2014. <http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/>.

Blog #10 – A Bilateral Relationship Aimed to Foster Easier Trade

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Today, I stumbled across this article on CBC News in which I found particularly interest because I’m curious about the creation of a new partnership between Canada and China. Overall, the article talks about the use of the currency deal between the Canadian dollar and the reminbi to increase Canadian trades, both importers and exporters. Simply, Canada wants to increase the demand of its products. Through this deal, trading between the nations will become easier as they eliminate the middle man, the U.S. dollar, to avoid additional charges on currency exchange.

china-canada

Image Source – The Canadian Press

As a Canadian resident, I strongly support this start-up commercial relationship because it will foster a more competitive industry for Canada. Currently, Canadian consumers are in a monopoly market controlled by companies such as TELUS, Trans Link, Shell, ICBC, etc. These companies lack of competition and thus, Canadians must pay more for the same goods whereas consumers in the states, for example, pay less due to an existing competitive market. The currency deal will greatly benefit both parties as hundreds of thousands of jobs will be created for an exchange of sustainable aerospace technology. Ultimately, it is comforting to see Canada and China join forces to raise the standard of living for both nations. Just this deal alone will support almost 3% of the total jobs in Canada. Consequently, with the aircrafts provided by Bombardier, China’s economy will continue to grow, possibly surpassing the U.S. economy in later years. Therefore, the benefits of this new relationship are surmountable and I support it forward.

Reference

Press, The. “Canada, China Sign Currency Deal Aimed at Boosting Trade.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 8 Nov. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-china-sign-currency-deal-aimed-at-boosting-trade-1.2828707>.

Blog #9 – Response to Kimberly Cheung’s Post

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Welcome_to_Tangoo

Image Source – tangoo.ca/concierge/

To briefly summarize the main points of Kimberly’s post “Tangoo bounces back stronger than ever”, she talked about Tangoo’s comeback as a pocket concierge. According to post, Tangoo is a Vancouver based company that launched as a dinner planning company but the strategy with pre-booking restaurants was soon met with a dilemma. Cancellations and signing up problems arose and has caused Tangoo to turn over their entire strategy board.

After reading Kimberly’s post, I recall lesson 18 where the Sauder alumnus came to share their success stories, with Paul Davidescu among them. I agree with Kimberly’s point of view as I am just amazed at how entrepreneurs, such as Davidescu, can “spring from anything”, as Kimberly has said. I’m interested in how they pursued such innovative ideas like a pocket concierge app but more amazed and inspired at their overall stories to success. Going back to Tangoo, I believe that this app is not very useful to me as I have my own preferences on dinner venues. To me, not only the mood has to be right but also the place, price, type of food, recommendations from friends, etc. I am not saying that Tangoo is not a making the right decision with the pocket concierge app. I do believe there is a vast market for this creative app but personally, I like the traditional way of deciding a dinner place; reviews from friends and past experiences as I am a loyal customer to a limited number of restaurants.

Click here to read article on Globe and Mail

tangoo

Image source – notable.ca

Reference

Kroeker, Jeff. “Dinner Planning Company Re-emerges Overnight as Pocket Concierge.” The Globe and Mail. 3 Oct. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/leadership/dinner-planning-company-re-emerges-overnight-as-pocket-concierge/article20898113/>.

Blog #8 – Response to Hayley Moeller’s Post

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Reading through my colleague’s posts, I really like this particular post by Hayley Moeller. Her post “What can Air Canada learn from Zappos?” outlined the problem of Air Canada’s upcoming $25 baggage charge for the economy class. I noticed that Hayley did not use a news article but attached a hyperlink to Air Canada’s baggage charge webpage. Thus, I decided to search on the web and came across an article on Global News that talked about the same problem from another’s perspective.

air-canada

Image Source – Google

I do agree with Hayley’s point of view as I think Air Canada is manipulating the industry and its consumers by implementing this new charge as Air Canada has little competition. Recalling the pre-reading for class 19 like Hayley, I admire the technique that Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos, is using in his business. I am certain that he is 100% dedicated to his customers and employees as he has implemented an excellent organizational culture, in which differentiates him from his competitors in the shoe industry. Air Canada should definitely learn a few tips from Zappos to better serve their customers. Like what Hayley said, “Air Canada could learn from Zappos’ implementation of incentives that keep employees dedicated to their jobs and willing to put up with unpleasant customers”, I believe Air Canada can do better.

Reference

Ramsay, Melissa. “Air Canada to Charge $25 Fee for First Checked Bag on Economy Fares.”Global News. 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://globalnews.ca/news/1570123/air-canada-to-charge-25-fee-for-first-checked-bag-on-economy-fares/>.

“Changes to Checked Baggage Policy.” – Aircanada.com. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://www.aircanada.com/en/news/140918.html>.

Blog #7 – Response to External Post “Cement Your Brand in Their Mind”

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Click Here to Read Post on LinkedIn

To briefly summarize the main points of the post, the author gives an example using “Tide” to show that businesses are using their brands to create strong connections to ensure customer loyalty. Phrases such as “the complete package”, “building the relationship”, and “product performance” tells me that businesses are utilizing their brands to influence consumer behaviour.

Image Source: Google

I decided to write about this blog post because I truly agree with the author’s perspective. It also helps me reconnect with some of the concepts learned in a previous Comm 101 lecture in which we talked about market research. As soon as I read the title, “Cement Your Brand in Their Mind”, I remember the most common and inexpensive marketing tool, word-of-mouth; very useful in market research. Applying what I learned in class, I believe that consumers stay loyal to specific brands based on a number of factors such as a progressive CSR, quality of the product, recommendations from friends (feedback loop), overall customer experience, etc.

For example, Starbucks is a very successful company in the coffee industry in which their drinks have become increasingly popular in today’s society. I believe that consumers continue to choose Starbucks over other coffee shops because it is well known on a global scale. Starbucks have acquired a distinctive advantage over its competitors with its organizational culture. The components of their advantage include providing high quality caffeinated drinks with excellent overall customer experience, treating their employees with incentives, and supporting a number of communities with social projects and programs. This is what differentiates Starbucks from its competitors.

Reference

Obarski, Anne. “Cement Your Brand in Their Mind.” LinkedIn. 6 Nov. 2014. Web. 7 Nov. 2014. <http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20141106004759-14074115-cement-your-brand-in-their-mind?trk=tod-posts-post1-ptlt>.

Blog #6 – Do You Notice a Goat on Your Head?

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As a Chinese-Canadian resident in Canada, I understand perfectly that Chinese people are CHEAP. They compete aggressively in the nation’s market, including hair salons, by using cheaper resources to acquire higher returns. In this article, the owner of a hair salon tries to cut costs by using a fake scale to weight wigs. She then combines goat hair with human hair to further minimize production cost. Her entire clientele base is consumed of women from African countries; therefore I believe that more African women suffer from alopecia (severe hair loss disease) than any other races.

colorful wigs

Image Source – Google

Through this reading, I learned that businesses, such as this hair salon, make poor ethical decisions due to the increasing cost of living expenses. However, I think that it is crucial for owners, retailers, and manufacturers/producers to understand and take ethical measures in their businesses. The idea of CSR (corporate social responsibility) is increasingly popular in the today’s society. Thus, countless businesses compete to become more socially responsible “corporate” citizens. Aside from business learning, I also gained a better understanding about the hair loss issue with African women. They love to customize their hair by braiding, thus suffer a serious hair loss disease called alopecia. In order to hide the side effects of the disease, they buy wigs and continue to customize their hairdos but inconveniently and unfortunately, the wig’s composition is half human, half goat hair.

A goat is wearing a coat because its hair is made into hair extensions.

Image Source – Google

Reference

Piranty, Sam. “Why You Might Find a Bit of Goat in Your Hair.” BBC News. 9 Oct. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-28894757>.

Doheny, Kathleen. “African-American Women Have Specific Hair Issues.” WebMD. WebMD, 21 Mar. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-styling/20120321/african-american-women-have-specific-hair-issues>.

 

Blog #5 – Hydroelectric Project Causes Major Issues on BC First Nations Land

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According to the article “First Nation chiefs to stage Site C showdown“, I think BC Hydro needs to take First Nations people more seriously. They failed to realize First Nations communities as an external factor that can impact the process of the hydroelectric mega project. As the reader, I think the social/cultural factor is heavily involved in this issue. I believe that First Nations residents should have a say in the positive/negative environmental changes on their land. Traditional practices such as fishing could have a negative impact from the development of the hydroelectric project as the dam will destroy farmlands and habitats.

A meeting with B.C. Premier, Christy Clark and a number of B.C. Indian chiefs in Vancouver.

Image Source – The Vancouver Sun

Since BC Hydro disregarded First Nations residents as an important external factor, they now face the consequence where the government is involved. If the government wishes to stay on good terms with First Nations communities, they will be more inclined to reject the project. However, the project will bring positive economic changes in the local mining industries so I think the government will have trouble reaching a solution. Ultimately, I think BC Hydro needs to reason with First Nations people on the issue because the project will provide many benefits to the Canadian economy such as employment and cleaner hydroelectric power for mining industries.

 

Reference

O’NEIL, PETER. “First Nation Chiefs to Stage Site C Showdown.” Www.vancouversun.com. 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 7 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First Nation chiefs stage Site showdown/10215965/story.html>.

Blog #4 – 2014 Holiday Shopping Season: Is it Here Too Soon?

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Just by reading the title “8 Things We Already Know About the 2014 Holiday Shopping Season”, I’m captivated by the 8 things I should already know for the upcoming holiday season. The article includes 8 statistical things but I want to discuss mainly the following three parts because I believe most shoppers shop with three things in mind; procrastination, Frozen, and Apple.

First, I know that everyone procrastinate and buy presents at the last minute. With this information about holiday shoppers, I can conclude that retailers are coming up with tactics to compete aggressively in the oncoming “price war” of the year. Sales will arise but not necessarily at the cheaper price as shoppers shop at the last minute and disregard prices entirely.

Second, I know that related goods to the Walt Disney movie “Frozen” are commonly found in every shopping mall. The popularity of this theme is undeniably high so I believe that retailers will take this popularity factor into consideration and maximize its market for the holiday season.

Similar to “Frozen”, Apple products are a popular gift idea for the holiday seasons. In the article, Apple customers often outspend customers of other brands (i.e. Android users) during the holiday season. I believe that the reason is also related to procrastination with the addition brand name attached to Apple products.

Let’s think ahead and brainstorm some gift ideas before the holiday seasons hit.

Image Source – Google

Reference

Tuttle, Brad. “8 Things We Already Know About the 2014 Holiday Shopping Season.” Time. 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 6 Oct. 2014. <http://time.com/money/3422663/holiday-shopping-season-trends/>.

Blog #3 – Suggestion: Don’t Put Your Passion On A Resume

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The article “Fix You Resume by Cutting the Part About How Passionate You Are” arouse my curiosity as I believe everyone should be passionate about their careers. Without passion, why are we doing what we are doing?

The main story outlined in the article talks about a woman searching for a more fulfilling career, in other words, a job she’s “passionate” about.  The idea of a fulfilling career grabs my attention because I support the woman’s determination in finding her passion/interest. However, I also understand that passion cannot compete in today’s society as employers hire for talents and skills, not passion. They search for talents that can benefit the company and passion is a something already in the job position that appeals to the employee; a job benefit.

Image Source – Google

Since I agree with both the author’s and the woman’s opinion, I cannot pick a side. Thus, I decide to read more articles and see what other people think about passion vs. talent. One article on Forbs.com gives me a better idea why
talent dominates passion as the author suggests that “passion does not necessarily lead to career success”. I strongly agree with this statement because I believe that passion is not a constant factor. It is changeable over time. Perhaps the better way to find a fulfilling career is to adapt to the available job position and learn to love it.

Reference

Kazakoff, Miro. “Fix Your Resume by Cutting the Part About How Passionate You Are.”Bloomberg Business Week. Bloomberg, 26 Sept. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-26/stop-telling-employers-what-youre-passionate-about#r=hpt-ls>.

Schawbel, Dan. “Why Your Passion Might Not Lead to Career Success.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/danschawbel/2012/09/17/why-your-passion-might-not-lead-to-career-success/>.

Blog #2 – A Failing Leadership Report Card

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I want to share some insights on the article “Leadership Report card: Why Most Managers Don’t Get an ‘A’” as I am intrigued how managers can be “failing” at their jobs. Click here to view the whole article on Business News Daily.

As I’m reading through this article, I discovered that managers often achieve poor evaluations from their employees. Sandler Training has conducted a research that shows approximately 40% of American employees grading their managers with a C or less. I can then derive from this fact that managers need to improve on their leadership skills so that they can properly guide their employees forward in the company.

Image Source – via Shutterstock

The strategy described in the article is saying that managers require more formal training in order to improve on their leadership performance. The strategy also includes the need for personal feedback from employees so that managers can get a better perspective of their performances at work. I strongly agree with this strategy because I believe that communication is the key to solving this type of leadership problem. I believe that communication leads to better understanding of the employees’ behaviors, which could help mangers improve on their leadership, managerial, and communication skills and reduce the number of internal problems within the company.

Reference

Fallon, Nicole. “Leadership Report Card: Why Most Managers Don’t Get an ‘A'”BusinessNewsDaily.com. 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7128-manager-report-card.html>.

Fallon, Nicole. “5 Simple Ways to Become a Better Leader.” BusinessNewsDaily.com. 27 Aug. 2013. Web. 10 Oct. 2014. <http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/4991-effective-leadership-skills.html>.