Recently, the topic of effective marketing strategies has come to my attention several times. Paul has discussed how the marketing game has changed drastically with the increase in technology use in class. significantly, he mentioned that it is  now necessary to be familiar and adept with social media in order to be an effective marketer. The topic has also come up in several articles, such as this one from the Globe and Mail:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/marketers-turn-further-from-traditional-media-study-shows/article21299043/

This article basically discusses how companies are drastically changing how their marketing budget is distributed; moving away from traditional resources(such as print) and instead focusing on digital resources like online movies and search advertising. The article happens to compliment nicely with a blog Calvina Ikawan recently posted on Skippy’s new marketing campaign. All of their new strategies are digital, relying heavily on videos and gifs to promote their products. Calvina’s blog can be found here:

 https://blogs.ubc.ca/calvinaikawan/2014/10/09/skippy-returns-to-tv-in-comeback-bid/

The fact is, modern technology has completely revolutionized the marketing industry, and as Paul said, it is now essential for companies to become proficient with digital marketing. The Globe and Mail article I’ve cited even quotes Ad executive Peter Ignazi stating that Digital Marketing has become so mainstream that it shouldn’t even be called digital… it should simply be called marketing.

This shift raises the difficult question of how much companies should pull out of traditional advertising methods. If online advertisement is so effective, and generally much cheaper, should companies even concern themselves with outdated methods such as print advertising or television? Feel free to comment or blog in response!

Amazon employees are requesting pay for extensive security screening after work. Amazon requires every employee to be screened after work in order to combat the stealing of warehouse items. Because of the amount of employees and the thoroughness of the screening, it takes employees roughly 30 minutes to pass through after their shift.

Including security screening in wages has many different angles to look at. On one hand, the fact that the screening is mandatory and takes up such a significant portion of worker’s time merits that pay should be allotted to the time spent inline. However, it also could be looked at as a necessary part of commuting to and from work, in which case pay would not be merited.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/security-checks-paid-as-work-supreme-court-will-decide#r=nav-f-story

http://blogs.lawyers.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/security-guard-checking-brief-case-400-300×210.jpg

I don’t see this law passing. I think the extra time spent in security should be just considered part of the workers commute, and therefore does not require pay. Ultimately, just like a person factors commute time into their choosing of a job, I think the security screening is a factor that an employee should take into consideration before taking a job. If they have an issue with waiting in line for that line, they should find another job. This would hopefully cause Amazon to adjust wages as well, in order make the job more appealing and make up for the hindrance of security.

As oil and gas becomes harder and harder to acquire through standard methods, the process of Fracking is becoming more and more prominent. The process of Fracking is surrounded with negative claims questioning its safety and environmental responsibility. As a result Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have all put in place anti-Fracking regulations. In doing so, they’ve caused unrest in the western side of Canada, as people from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and BC are angered by the fact they receive provincial funds through Canada’s Equalization Program, that are mainly earned by the taxes on their oil industries. 

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/fracking-opponents-should-stop-biting-the-hand-that-feeds/article20937977/

This picture shows one off the dangerous potential results of Fracking if fluids used enter a well or water source. http://www.sustainablemontreal.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/ScreenHunter_01-Aug.-30-14.35.gif

This dispute, resulting from the potentially hypocritical actions of the eastern provinces, provides a prime example of ethics in business, and how they can easily vary from party to party. Also, it demonstrates how the ethical choice might not always be the right choice, as it could violate another set of ethics. The environmental gain comes at the cost of burdening the rest of the country. Both sides present valid arguments in my opinion, and personally I find it hard to pick a position. I’ve come across just as many articles and documentaries supporting Fracking as I have ones fighting it. However, the fact that the eastern provinces have little industry or income sources leads me to lean towards the pro-Fracking side. The business resulting from engaging in Fracking would greatly benefit these provinces, and help them avoid deficits that they have been struggling with.