After having read Chloe’s blog post in regards to Tim Hortons hiring people with disabilities, I immediately recalled Save On Meats, a local restaurant whose owner has been regarded as a social entrepreneur for his commitment in Vancouver’s Eastside community. I think it is important to recognize the places that originally began the effort that Tim Hortons is now demonstrating. It is interesting to see how social entrepreneurs, like Mark Brand, start movements that are now being seen among larger firms like Tim Hortons. Mark started something that he calls “rehabilitative employment” where he hires people from the Downtown Eastside and gives them simple jobs such as window cleaning, dishwashing and sweeping, in hopes of helping them to overcome their difficult lifestyles. Many of the people living in this poverty are there because of disability, drug or alcohol abuse, etc. Mark’s doors are open for anyone in any situation, as long as they are willing to improve their condition. Social entrepreneurs, like Mark, are sparking a change not only within their target communities but also in society as whole. Because of this, companies have taken it upon themselves to give a chance to disabled workers, realizing that they have been overlooking a large portion of the labour force, and even seeing it as a way to market themselves.

Sources:

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Hiring+those+with+disabilities+easier+than+think+Hortons+franchise+owner/7072413/story.html

http://ubyssey.ca/culture/dtes-eats-975/

Big-box stores like Walmart and Old Navy are far from satisfied with Quebec’s language laws. The province insists on adding French words to retailers’ outdoor signs to comply with these laws. Six stores have sued Quebec because of this, and the province threats to withdraw the francization of these large corporations.  Companies argue that they have business models that depend on a degree of uniformity for their products on a global scale. In other words, their brand identity is subject to change by Quebec’s laws. Since most large companies are not looking to lose this part of their business model, they may leave Quebec.

Based on class discussions about Marketing, I asked myself this: how do companies expanding globally comply with language laws and severe cultural barriers? I looked into McDonald’s expansion because it is recognized on a global-scale. When they enter new countries, they change the lettering of their brand. For example, in Bulgaria, McDonald’s is written “Макдоналдс” to be legible for Bulgarians.

McDonald’s in Bulgaria written in cyrillic to be legible for Bulgarians

Likewise, the company changes its menu based on cultural barriers/preferences. In India, it offers chicken, veggie and local options rather than beef burgers because of its Hindu population. I suppose that McDonald’s (being a burger chain) did lose some brand identity when not selling beef burgers, however, they managed to be successful in India regardless. McDonald’s is still known world-wide for its brand regardless of the changes it has had to make in order to expand.

McDonald’s Menu in India – offering unique flavours to assimilate to Indian culture

In my opinion, brands expanding into Quebec should comply with language laws because it is a greater advantage for them to sell there.

Quebec Article: 

Article from 24 Newspaper published on Tuesday, October 16, 2012

http://nrn.com/article/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-lessons-learned-india

http://www.mcdonaldization.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=42

After reading Jeremy Stickland’s blog post about an American pizza company’s plans for expansion in Canada, I wondered if their points of difference would be enough for them to overcome all of the competition that is already present. Papa Murphy’s Pizza offers “Take ‘N’ Bake”, where pizzas are made in store and customers bake them at their own leisure.

By looking at Michael Porter’s 5 Forces Diagram, we can exemplify the type of competition that this company might face during its growth and imagine what may have been discussed in the adjustment of their business plan. In my opinion, Papa Murphy’s will likely struggle with brand identity issues initially, considering only about 15 if its stores exist in Canada. This is an issue associated with Barriers for Entry and Buyer Power. Furthermore, in terms of Buyer power, another question begs asking: why did they decide to expand on Canada’s west coast before focusing on the more populated east coast? As well as placing locations in areas like Surrey and suburbs of Edmonton rather than in the hearts of major cities (where a greater opportunity for promoting the company exists)? Threats of Substitutes include not choosing the Take ‘N’ Bake option and having regular take-out/delivery options – of which there are many with great reputations that exist.

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/10/01/trying-to-take-a-bigger-bite-of-the-pizza-pie/

http://www.biv.com/article/20120904/BIV0106/120909995/-1/BIV/take-8216-n-8217-bake-pizza-chain-charts-huge-expansion

http://www.canadianpizzamag.com/content/view/4457/132/

For many, watching a hockey game is closely related with having a drink and appetizers at their favourite downtown bar. However, many local businesses in the restaurant industry are currently facing the consequences of the NHL lockout. In Vancouver, where hockey plays a vital role in the sustenance of other industries, many businesses are finding their desired profit goals out of reach.

The BC Restaurant Association announced that the Vancouver Canucks create the most energy in our downtown core; more than the Vancouver Whitecaps, BC Lions or other major events. They also claim that with no season on its way, restaurants may lose up to 6% in revenue per month. As a result, Vancouver’s eateries have let go of numerous employees and staff.

Porter’s 5 Forces depict a rivalry among businesses that exist in any downtown core. With the lockout present, the buyer power has shown significant strength as customers are shying away from restaurants. Substitutes, such as watching other sports elsewhere, are being made.

The NHL Lockout shows the connectivity that is present in our economy and how a setback in one industry can cause the collapse of another. Many large firms aren’t too impacted by the lockout but smaller businesses with large competitors are having difficulty. This all begs the question, are local/small companies too dependent on the impacts of large industries (NHL) for the success of their own?

Sources:

http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/401358–looming-nhl-lockout-hurting-local-businesses-and-bars

http://bc.ctvnews.ca/businesses-brace-for-nhl-lockout-1.958696

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/10/06/mb-hockey-lock-out-winnipeg-jets-business-121006.html