As a response to the guiding question: “If the United Nations was fully funded why would we need the Arc or social enterprise?” many thoughts of the effects of smaller initiatives compared to global initiatives like the United Nations came to mind. The Arc initiative, and similar projects provide more hands on experience, as well as deeper change into a specific community, while organizations like the United Nations focus on issues in a more global sense. Even if the United Nations were to be fully funded, the outcomes they could provide would not be as personal, or effective as providing help to certain groups or areas in need.

As the United Nations is a global government group, who aims to provide positive change in our society, many decisions and mutual agreement must be decided upon; a long and tedious process in which change may not be brought for many months or possibly years to come. Initiatives like the Arc do not require this kind of process, as they aim to focus on one specific issue in a localized area. The United Nations, even with all the resources in the world could not possibly provide the localized and specialized effects initiatives like the Arc provides.

The Arc Initiative 

Photo 

As Troy Mcgee says in his blog post, Planet Fitness comes to Canada with a very unique business model to opening an inexpensive workout space for Canadians. The company is based upon $10 a month membership fees, a strategic method to get Canadians who are either intimidated by the gym, or simply can’t afford it to go workout.

Troy predicts the business will be very successful and Canada, a point in which I agree upon. Planet Fitness is a “judgement free zone,” something I think many Canadians would value in a fitness location. Planet Fitness targets those who haven’t started their journey to becoming healthier, while most current gyms target those who are far past that stage.

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Planet Fitness has endured in some very strategic marketing campaigns, including partnering with NBC’s The Biggest Loser, a transformation reality TV show where contestants go to lose weight and learn to live healthier lives, the value proposition Planet Fitness is based upon.

In the article, it comments upon the fact that the company will place their businesses anywhere; that no matter where in the city, there will be a place for Planet Fitness and its customers, no matter the demographic or community. If Planet Fitness continues upon the successful path they are currently on, I think Canada will be introduced and love the new way to workout.

Penelope Trunk’s blog post on finding a career that provides stability caught my eye immediately as I was scrolling through her business blog. As a woman who has started four startup companies, she has gained experience in the business world and offering advice on finding a comfortable place for yourself.

Penelope’s blog post about career stability talks about finding a place in business where you work to guarantee a permanent spot for your future. This post reminded me of the discussion in class, as to whether or not students wanted to start their own company, or work for a current business or corporation. This blog post talks about the  ways to find the perfect job, one where you are in a stable position, but in an already existing company and doesn’t mention entrepreneurship.

For me, this is the route I see myself taking, a pathway of working my way through a corporation to find a place where I fit best. Trunk provides excellent examples of the ways of doing this, like being creative but eliminating ones that aren’t possible, and ideas that you aren’t confident in. She provides a solid basis to her arguments in ways of finding a home in your career and that career stability is one of the most important aspects of your life.

http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2014/11/04/career-paths-that-provide-the-most-stability/#more-13775

As gas prices continue to drop across the United States, citizens interest and car purchases have been focused back to the gas guzzling sport utility vehicles. As global climate change and global warming become more and more prevalent in today’s society, you would think the opposite effect would come forth: more sustainable decisions. However, as gas prices continue to fall, Fiat Chrysler, who produces Jeep vehicles (known to be some of the highest gas guzzling vehicles), announced a 52% increase in sales.

What continues to shock me is how little the citizens of the world seem to care about the constantly deteriorating environment, and move away from sustainable decisions, in business and our personal lives. To me, not enough effort is being made to promote sustainable decisions and lifestyles. Sales of the most popular hybrid on the market, the Toyota Prius, dropped by 13.5%, as decreasing gas prices provide less incentive to go green. Our generation is in charge of creating an environment and world we can save for many more years to come, it just doesn’t seem like there is enough incentive for our businesses to do so. Maybe its time for tougher legislation on companies, as a major root in tarnishing global climate change.

http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/03/autos/cheap-gas-suv-pickup-sales/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River 

http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/jeep/wrangler/2012/lt/2012_jeep_wrangler_det_lt_407131_600.jpg

Starbucks, one of North America’s biggest coffee shops has provided their employees with more relaxed dress codes, higher pay, and a free snack for every shift they work. For baristas, previously they were not allowed to show any body ink, and were required by Starbucks rules to keep them covered. However, now these rules have been lifted, as well as many other strict rules about what the baristas can wear.

Starbucks is creating a more positive and free environment for their employees. By lightening standards about how employees must dress, a form of personal expression, Starbucks is creating a more inclusive, and free work environment.

Many companies across North America have provided its employees with similar benefits, and added bonuses to work at their stores. Employee standards is very important to the business world as many customers consider how the employees are treated before purchasing their products. For example, consider when Nike was boycotted due to their treatment of foreign workers. Starbucks has made a business ethics decision to promote happier employees through greater self expression, a free snack per shift and being able to show off the ink on their bodies. Decisions like these are extremely important to a company, by creating a more positive brand name in the business world.

Article: http://money.cnn.com/2014/10/16/news/companies/starbucks-policy-changes-tattoo/index.html?hpt=hp_bn6&iid=obnetwork

Photo: http://www.hiredphilippines.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/how-to-get-a-job-at-starbucks.jpg

Photo Link: http://www.brandsynario.com/images/uploads/0bc1f2847fcd8429d3deccf0cb9e872a436fb1ef.jpg

This post is a response to Erin Wallace’s post to the article: http://online.wsj.com/articles/share-a-coke-credited-with-a-pop-in-sales-1411661519

https://blogs.ubc.ca/erinwallace/2014/09/26/16/

Erin Wallace published her ideas on the marketing campaign launched by the soda company, Coca-Cola and how she believed it was an impressive marketing campaign, and a clever method to increase its soda’s sales. I agree with her statements; when I went to buy a soda, I also spent the time to find my own name, more common than Erin’s, but either way this marketing technique would encourage me to purchase a Coke, over a Pepsi for example. Coca-Cola provided a point of difference to the common soda business, and made their sodas even more unique.

Another outcome of Coke’s campaign was the idea of buying a coke as a gift, something the soda market has not seen much before. I believe Coca-Cola was quite successful in their marketing technique, and sales show that it worked quite well. But what about all the people with uncommon names? How does not finding their names on a Coke bottle make them feel? Could it possibly have turned them away from Coke and towards buying another product, for example Pepsi?

A customer was quoted on the article saying, “I will keep my Coke forever.” Coke once again has created an impressive marketing technique, where customers are flooding the stores to find a bottle with their name.

Photo Link: http://www.rcpmarketing.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Screen-Shot-2014-08-13-at-11.30.18-AM.png

The collection of natural resources is always a major environmental issue-how will the resources be retrieved and what potential harm to the environment and land will come about? Recently, the Taseko Mining Company has come into roadblocks with pursuing their business model as disagreements with BC First Nation’s has put a halt on their goals in expanding their company and acquiring new resources.

Since 1989, the Xeni Gwet’in Tsilhqot’in First Nations of British Columbia has declared within the Nemiah declaration, the removal and stop of “mining, flooding or dam construction on the area’s principal lakes.” Unfortunately, for these native BC people, the Taseko Mining Company, after finding large amounts of copper and gold deposits around Fish Lake, embarked on designing a new business model on acquiring the copper and gold. However, by doing so, the negative effects of this operation would put Fish Lake at risk into developing into a mine-waste reservoir, destroying the fish the First Nations people depend on, and value.

Major companies attempting to develop First Nation land is one of the major problems in this constantly expanding world. Outrage sparked by the potential in destruction of First Nations land has caused the mining company to look back at their business models, and put a heavier focus on environmental concerns. The Canadian Government has backed the Tslihqot’in people the rights to their land and the ability to protect what they value and deem their own. Due to this, the mining company has been unable to mine this gold and copper they desire to acquire. Businesses like these must focus more heavily on developing business models where the concerns of those to be affected, and the growing vulnerability of the environment be on the top of their to do lists.

http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2014/07/26/Tsilhqotin-With-Gloves/

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html

WestJet recently introduced a new fee for passengers who wish to check one bag on their airlines this month. Previously, your first checked bag within a domestic flight across Canada was free-but not anymore. $25 will get your bag under the plane now, a move WestJet says it to keep ticket costs lower to compete with new competition expected for cheap flights across Canada.

Is keeping ticket prices low really going to keep customers choosing WestJet if they have to pay for their checked bags? According to this article, Southwest is planning to bring service to Canada as well. As competition gets steeper, I think WestJet should be doing the opposite of their strategy, like making a second bag free. Their business model outlines, that the option to not pay for a checked bag will appeal to customers. However, personally it is doing the opposite, and pushing myself to look for other options (ie. new competition airlines) for flights. Unfortunately for the time being, Canadian customers don’t have much options when it comes to flights across Canada, so we are stuck with paying whatever Air Canada and WestJet decide for us. If we want to fly with a checked bag, we must be prepared to spend that extra $25.

Air Canada expected to join WestJet in breaking out new baggage fee

As Apple does every September, a pattern in the last four years, the new iPhone models were released as well as the announcement of Apple’s newest product, the Apple Watch. Pre-orders for the iPhone 6 surpassed the previous record of pre-orders in a 24 hour period set by the iPhone 5 in 2012, with over 4 million within the first day. This statistic amazes me, and how dedicated Apple’s customers are to their company. For me personally, Apple has done the same and hooked me to their products and their company. Apple is the leading smartphone maker in the world, and I think for good reason. Their business model, and methods of attracting customers are much different than competitors; one I believe is more personal. These products are tailored to customer’s needs, one where their technology is made to enhance their customer’s lives and be used as a tool to make daily tasks that much easier. Ethically, to me, Apple has done a superb job in creating a positive reputation for themselves. Whether it be their environmental practices with regards to production and consumption, or their partnership with Red products, Apple has involved itself in philanthropy and the environment. For these reasons, Apple continues to strive and succeed in this competitive market.

http://www.jobsnhire.com/articles/11238/20140915/apple-iphone-6-preorder-sales-record.htm

Many international multi-billion dollar companies practice outsourcing; a term used to describe the practice of creating contracts and business deals outside of a company’s home country. Many businesses have done this by creating plant operations in developing countries as worker regulations are significantly less harsh, or non-existent, and companies can get away with paying workers less. Both Apple and Nike have been accused of exploiting workers in their factories across the globe. Nike faced international scrutiny of factory conditions and exploitation of its workers, and was forced to begin to change their policies on these issues. Apple as well was put on centre stage about their practices across the globe in creating their popular products. Now, Nike is one of the highest advocates of worker safety, and has created code of conducts to their suppliers. But why did these multi-national companies think they could get away with worker exploitation in the first place? The trend seems to be that businesses will do things ethically wrong, until they are revealed by the media and act as if their practices are a complete shock to them. When making decisions, businesses need to think about the public’s views on the choices they are making, and how ethical their decisions will  be, before the media finds out, not after, and the damage is already done.

Original Article:

http://www.economist.com/node/21551498