Companies that create shared value have capabilities to change entire communities for the better while also helping themselves. Technology company Intel has realized gaps in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) literacy have lead to lower employability post education. This lack of talent hinders the expansion of business for Intel and other technology firms.

Intel Logo, Digital Image, wallpapercave.com, 2014

In response to this finding, Intel now invests over 100 million each year into programs that fortify STEM curriculum across the United States. They focus their giving into areas where they see lacking in their own personnel. Those who study STEM are often considered the most employable, and the effort that Intel is expending to increase knowledge in these areas is a strong example of shared value. While bettering the education system and helping to make students more competitive in their future careers, Intel is also improving the future of their company.

On his personal blog, Bill Gate wrote about how technology and software itself can improve the education system, particularly the way that students and teachers interact. Some teachers find themselves unable to do their best work because they do not have all of the tools to do so. Technology can help teachers because it allows them to communicate with and learn from others in the same position as them. It also helps inS identifying children who are at the appropriate levels of learning, and which need more help.

Bill Gates at the ASU GSV Summit, Digital Image, ASU GSV Summit, 2016

I think that it is extremely important for children and teenagers to have education that opens doors to them for whatever they want to pursue in the future. STEM are very important and highly employable areas of study, and what tech company Intel is doing to give exposure to these programs is amazing. Technology is something that will always be present in our world, with few limitations to what can be done with it. Bill Gates suggests that incorporating technology into classrooms, making it accessible to students and teachers will improve education. I fully agree with this, and believe that Intel could even further their efforts by providing electronics to classes across the country, helping children gain interest in and learn about technology through experience.

Tech companies are some of the most powerful corporations in our world, and they have the power to do extreme good for society. Intel is an example of a company that is creating shared value by enhancing education surrounding STEM, which is and will continue to grow as of the most important job sectors.

“How Intel Creates Shared Value in Education.” Post RSS. Shared Value Initiative, n.d. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

Gates , By Bill, and | April 21, 2016. “Opening Minds on Ed Tech.” Home. The Gates Notes LLC, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 29 Oct. 2016.

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Technology is constantly evolving and changing to meet new consumer needs and demands, and the tech industry has become one of the most competitive to be in. Gaming in particular is one area which is rapidly expanding, making keeping up with and getting ahead of trends an arduous task.

Consumer Electronics company Nintendo in particular is struggling, as discussed by fellow student Gordon Lam in his recent blog post on Nintendo’s fall in the gaming market. Gordon discussed the need for Nintendo to differentiate their products, and their failure to build a sustainable advantage. While for many years they were considered a juggernaut in the gaming world, their recent projects, such as the Nintendo 3DS and the Wii-U were not different enough from previous products to be a worthwhile buy to customers. This is a strong example of the effort a company must put into their business to stay on top or even afloat.

Nintendo 3DS, Digital Image. Amazon.com. 2016

One notable advance in gaming technology that will make competition even more intense is VR (Virtual Reality). Company Oculus has made Virtual Reality available to the public at a more affordable price than it has ever been. Being the best in their small line of work has given Oculus a strong competitive advantage, with almost complete market share. The implications of this technology are great, with ultra-immersive gaming that makes you feel like you have actually stepped into the game. Having tried Oculus Rift myself, I can see the next generation growing up with this technology being commonplace, although there are potential risks that should be considered. With extremely realistic game play, comes the possibility of losing yourself in the experience. There are already many cases of gamers becoming so distracted by games that they do not eat or sleep, which in extreme cases has lead to death. With Virtual Reality, the risks of this are even higher. Becoming so blocked off from the outside world is unhealthy, and as with most things, this must be used in moderation.

Oculus Rift Set, Digital Image. Gizmodo, 6/17/15

It is hard to make assumptions on the technology and gaming industry. It would have been impossible to predict the success of the mobile phone, as well as the entire empire of apps and games built around it. At one point in time the colour TV was the newest and most incredible invention, and seeing how much further technology has come since then makes me wonder how much more is out there to be invented. The thought that objects such as smart phones and virtual reality as they are now may soon be things of the past reminds me of how hard technology companies must work to keep up.

In an age of high speeds at high demand, online streaming services are very quickly becoming the preferred source of movies and television shows. The obvious juggernaut of the streaming world is Netflix, which as of 2015 has amassed over 70 million subscribers worldwide. This company was founded in 1997, and has survived the transition between an era of DVD rental to online instant streaming, which many others such as Blockbuster failed to do. Competing with a provider already supported by such an established user base is proving difficult for rival companies, and Canadian run provider Shomi has recently seceded from the race.     Apple TV Menu, Digital Image. Howtogeek.com. 04/19/15

   In being a collaboration between prominent enterprises Shaw and Rogers, Shomi had the potential to be a strong player in the streaming industry, but didn’t reach as far as it could have. While it offered a wide variety of shows and movies, Shomi did not produce enough of their own content that could not be obtained elsewhere. The thousands of hours of original content available to their customers is what differentiates Netflix from it’s competitors. Shows like House of Cards and Orange is the New Black are household names, and having the monopoly on their broadcast is one of the reasons Netflix is so successful.

                               Shomi logo, Digital image. Access Winnipeg. 09/28/16

   Aside from an increase in unique content, I believe Shomi could also have set themselves apart from rivals by lowering their prices. A main reason aside from convenience that people are moving away from cable and satellite towards streaming services is expenses. With Shomi priced at $8.99 a month, cost is not a factor potential customers would take into consideration when choosing between this service and Netflix, which charges the same. By lowering their monthly subscription fee, and displaying cost leadership, Shomi might have had more success by appealing to a more cost-conscious audience. While this may have decreased income directly from customers, adding minimal advertising in the service could have made it viable. Music streaming service Spotify has incorporated this idea into their value propositions, offering free streaming with the setback of advertisements and use only with internet connection. For many people this option is nevertheless attractive, and the company is making money.

Netflix has very successfully filled an extremely wide niche, leaving little room for competitors who do not differentiate themselves sufficiently. Failure to reach this standard is the reason that similar companies are struggling to keep up, and why Canadian streaming company Shomi has been completely pushed out of the market.