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

Established in 1945, the United Nation has aimed its focus toward obtaining resolutions for global issues. However, is it effective in terms of its functions? As a large organization that does not only concentrate on addressing a specific type of issue, in my opinion, the United Nation is not able to fulfill its responsibilities efficiently due to factors as large number of agencies and differences in goals. Therefore, the Arc initiative offers a specific objective to be implemented in an effort to teach sufficient business knowledge and build economic foundations in less developed countries.

As the local business’s growth is an extremely important aspect in the country’s economy’s condition, I believe Arc’s partnership between the two communities will in term benefit both parties economically and socially.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/investment-and-human-rights/files/2014/03/UN_General_Assembly_2006.jpg)

(https://startanevolution.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/V-SA-Arc.jpg)

As the term “Intrapreneurship” is defined to be behaving as an entrepreneur within a large corporation, my classmate Yue Huang’s blog post emphasizes the role of creativity within a firm and utilizes Google in order to corroborate the significance of “intrapreneurship” in establishing a successful company.

Upon reading the blog post, I have immediately connected the idea toward YouTube – a subsidiary company owned by Google. As a growing firm, YouTube relies heavily on creative contents produced by individual youtubers. I believe its business model should be regarded as a diverged format of intrapreneaurship as YouTube enables its users to generate or submit innovative materials in order to attract traffic and in term promote business growth. Users are given financial opportunities through programs such as the YouTube Partnership as they will be able to earn money for their contents. Such program will not only encourage the content creators to produce more interesting materials, it will also promote the growth in the number of users. With more riveting content, the population of the audience will in term proliferate as well.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://www.webgreeter.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Google-Office-.jpg)

(http://www.billboard.com/files/styles/promo_650/public/media/youtube-logo-oblique-650px.jpg)

(http://brandongaille.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/How-to-Become-a-Full-YouTube-Partner.jpg)

Considered as a reputable corporation, Marriott is an established brand known for its hotels and lodging accommodations. Therefore, I was quite shocked when I came across Danni Liu’s blog post that analyzed Marriot’s tactic of charging for customers’ wifi usage by deliberately disabling personal hotspots.

While I concur with Danni’s opinion on the impact of Marriott’s “short-sighted” decision – the hotel’s action will not only face charge of fines, its action is also detrimental to its own brand image, I was curious towards the nature of Marriott’s action. The news article has inspired me to conduct further research into the relationship between Internet services and hotels.

The usage of personal hotspot has became an increasingly popular alternatives for hotel guests due to factors such as overpriced wifi or slow Internet speed. Although personal hotspot has offered convenience for the consumers, it has impacted the hotel businesses greatly as it is gradually taking over the business’ profitable segmentation. As tech gadgets such as laptops have become essential items for guests, the Internet services offered by the hotel has become one of consumer’s main concerns when choosing an accommodation. A hotel with free and fast wifi often possesses advantage over its competitors. Therefore, instead of charging a high price for wifi, lodging facilities and hotels should focus on making advancement in their provided Internet services as a strategy to increase profitability.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/6a/ed/24/manila-marriott-hotel.jpg)

(http://londonhotelsinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/WiFi-is-like-water-and-electricity.jpg)

(http://thepointsguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Free-Wifi.png?16593d)

On our first class of COMM101, we have analyzed the relationship between the government and business in great detail. In an effort to decrease the consumption of certain goods such as tobacco and alcohol, the government often intervenes the market and imposes practices of excise tax on such products.

I have recently stumbled across a blog post written by Patrick Mustain that discusses Berkeley’s approval for soda tax and its latent impact towards the industry. Although I agree with the author’s perspective on the taxation’s potential success in reducing the demand for sugary drinks, the conclusion only offered a limited insight since the consumption of soda is only one of the small factors of the obesity issue. Why should the excise tax only be implemented on soda, when other sugar-laden goods such as cookie remain unaffected? Also, while the taxation on products such as tobacco is considered rational due to its health concerns, placing tax on soda is an ambiguous choice since it does not affect health negatively with a moderate consumption.

Even though the excise tax will raise health awareness about sugary drinks, it does face many obstacles in terms of its method of implementation. It also raises concerns from the public, as the action may be perceived as an overreaching attempt of the government that restricts the consumer’s freedom of choice.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2013/02/14/business/subSODA/subSODA-superJumbo.jpg)

(http://www.drinkwhat.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Sangaria-Getting-Cool-Strawberry-Soda-Facts.jpg)

As the individual project done on the Tesla motors has provided me with sufficient background information on the firm, the news of Daimler selling it 4 percent stake in Tesla has intrigued me to further analyze the relationship between Tesla and its European predecessors.

Although the cooperation between the two corporations is said to still ensue after the termination of Daimler’s investment in Tesla motors, I think Daimler’s action represents the weakening of the relationship and does indicate the difference in the prospect of the two companies in the industry of electric vehicles.

I believe the initial partnership is established based on Daimler’s intention of using Tesla as a research department for advanced specialization in battery technology at the time when Tesla is still in its infancy. However, with Tesla’s remarkable success in the recent years and its intended expansion to a larger consumer market through the launch of a new affordable model –Tesla motors is now considered as a threat to its competitors (partners).

(Mercedes-Benz B-Class Electric Drive)

Furthermore, while Tesla concentrates on the development on all electric vehicles, the European automotive manufacturers’ focus on the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles proposes a completely different perspective in the future of emission-free cars. Therefore, the weakening of the ties between Daimler and Tesla is not an exogenous event but is rather a result from Tesla’s success as an individual automotive company.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://www.arabamoto.com/var/albums/TESLA/tesla-logo.jpg)

(http://chargedevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-B-Class-Electric-1.jpg)

As mentioned by the presenters during the presentation in regards to Financing, the stock market can be quite dynamic in terms of its behaviors as the changes can be affected by multiple factors. The bank of Japan has astounded the stock market on Oct.30 when it made a surprising announcement of its expansion in the asset-buying program. The announcement alludes to the struggle Japan faces in a declining economy.

In my opinion, while the bank of Japan’s intended expansion may sound surprising at first, it seems the monetary expansion is an inevitable move due to a combination of economic and political factors. As skepticism rises towards “Abenomics”- series of measures introduced by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised to promote economy growth, the announcement represents the government’s determination in the eradication of the deflation. Furthermore, with the increase of the sales tax already implemented in April and another potential tax hike for 2015 yet to be decided, the increase in levy will augment Japan’s already huge financial burden in public debt.

Although uncertainty remains in the move of increasing the purchase for stocks and bonds, the expansion will place positive as well as negative impact upon the country. Growth for economy will indeed be promoted in the long run due to the consequent devaluation of the currency. As the value of the yen decreases, the demand for the now cheaper exports will increase and thus promoting the economy of Japan. However, such growth also means an increase in the price of imports and will result in a decline in the standard of living.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://i.guim.co.uk/static/w-460/h–/q-95/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/10/31/1414760700420/54a28552-31e8-43b4-9287-249c2159412c-460×276.jpeg)

(http://www.nippon.com/en/files/g00087en_fig01.jpg)

I have recently watched the reputed horror film “The Blair Witch Project”. Aside from the intriguing plot of the movie, the immense success of the marketing strategy that the movie implemented has piqued my interest as well. Considered as “one of the most successful independent film of all time”, “The Blair Witch Project” is also regarded as “one of the most successful viral marketing campaigns”.

However, although many films have attempted to replicate similar method of viral marketing, “The Blair Witch Project” has became an insurmountable achievement for the other movies. In my opinion, it was the advertisement of the “authentic” factor of the story that has rendered to the film’s enormous triumph. As more and more “proofs” were fabricated by the company to validate the supernatural event, fascination towards the story grew as the number of people who are convinced by the evidence proliferated.

However, will similar success occur again?

The answer is most likely no as the major component in the movie’s achievement is the originality of the marketing strategy. While viral marketing has became a common means for film promotion, the consumer’s familiarity with the Internet and awareness with the concept of viral advertisement has greatly increased the difficulty of the advertising tactics. Therefore, in order to succeed, the company must approach the method with a unique perspective that will provoke the interest of the consumers.

Sources of Images (in order):

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/26/Blair_Witch_Project.jpg)

(http://cdn1.thisisinfamous.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1-The-Blair-Witch-Project.png)

The topic of first nation has always been a long debatable issue that has evoked immense controversy. The tension between the government and the first nation is augmented once again in regards to the issue of the Site C. In O’niel Peter’s article” First Nation chiefs to stage Site C showdown”, the author delineates the first nation’s appeal toward the rejection of the maga-project – Site C.

(http://westcoastnativenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Site-C-Dam.jpg)

Site C, which is BC hydro’s billion dollar project that involves the construction of the third dam and the hydroelectric station is believed will be producing “about 5,100 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electricity each year — enough energy to power the equivalent of about 450,000 homes per year in B.C.” The first nation’s proposal to reject the project demonstrates both the social and environment factors of the PESTEL analysis when evaluating the situation of BC Hydro – the potential environmental destruction that may emerge from the project as well as the protest from the first nations whom are occupies a large section of the northern B.C. However, in my opinion, as the government has never been in favor of conducting litigation with the first nation people, the future of BC hydro’s project may very well face determination.

references:

https://www.bchydro.com/energy-in-bc/projects/site_c.html

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html?__federated=1

With the high cost of university education, many students graduate while still being fettered by their student loan debt. Aside from the expensive tuition, the price of the textbooks is also one of the major factors that have augmented the financial distress of the university students. In Michael Enright’s podcast “Textbook prices that break the bank”, the consecutive rise in the price for university textbooks is discussed. Enright highlights the 834% increase in price over the past three decades and the swift growth is further emphasized as “[it] is more than double the rate of increase in house prices”.

It is a business that possesses a high probability as the mandatory textbooks hold the consumers captive. However, universities such as UBC have made effort as options such as rental and buybacks are offered to the students.

In my opinion, with the rapid growth in technology, perhaps the concept of hard copy textbook may soon become obsolete. As more and more universities rely on the digital technology, the transition of the textbook format from paper to electronic may very well be a possibility. However, while the E-Textbooks may provide convenience for the students, it will be harder for the distributers to maintain the value of the information as the idea of authorship is often made obscure in the digital world.

References:

http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/essays/2014/09/21/textbook-prices-that-break-the-bank/

http://bookstore.ubc.ca/customer-service/faqs/textbook-costs

As an innovative corporation that dominates the smartphone market, the introduction of the apple watch has evoked immense attention. In Ewan Spence’s blog post “Can Apple Disrupt The Luxury Watch Industry With A $10,000 Smartwatch?”(2014), the author discusses Apple’s ambitious entry into the traditional watch market, as its focus does not only limit to the smart watch industry.

The prices of the apple watch still remain obscure as only the start price of the Sport edition is disclosed to be at $349. Apple watch’s predicted price is less expensive when compared to the other luxury watch brands such as Rolex.

(https://www.apple.com/v/watch/a/images/og_apple_watch.jpg?201409162306)

In my opinion, in spite of many corporations’ enthusiasm to ignite the smart watch era, these attempts only resulted in the creations of repetitive gadgets that have never piqued consumer interest. While the concept of a smart watch is not original, one is unable to deny the success of the iPhone as well as Apple’s other technologies despite of the preexisting models. With further specifications are still to be made with the watch, its functionality will in the end become the deciding factor for its breakthrough in the smart watch industry. However, I believe it will be an extremely difficult endeavor for Apple to make its mark in the industry of the luxury watches since the target consumer do not focus on the watch’s performance but rather the status that the brand alludes to. While an apple watch may endow its wearer with an identity of a technology enthusiast, it represents a whole new field of competition that is completely different from the aim of the traditional luxury watch brand – a symbol of prestige. As the iwatch connotes an immense possibility in the watch market, uncertainties still remain in regards to its entrance into the luxury watch industry.

References:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2014/09/17/apple-watch-could-cost-ten-thousand-dollars/

http://daringfireball.net/2014/09/apple_watch