The United Nations helps out many third world countries and gives them the basics in order to survive. However, there are many problems that occur in the world which makes it impossible for the UN to solve all of them. Even in the case when they do provide help, the UN must move on after and focus on new issues. This is where social entrepreneurship comes in.

Social entrepreneurship is the process of pursuing innovative solutions to social problems. Entrepreneurs who solve these problems have experienced them first hand. They invent tools to assist with troubles that happen in everyday life. The problems faced can still be overcome but takes a significant amount of time. It is not the UN’s job to make everyday tasks faster, it is just to make everyday living peaceful and not in a state of constant struggle.  Social entrepreneurs are necessary in every community in order for the advancement of society.  Without new inventions and services, mankind will be just as efficient as the day before which won’t allow for growth in industries of the world.

The United Nations is an organization that helps countries come out of hardships.  Social entrepreneurs help people make their everyday life easier and make everyday tasks more efficient.

News Source: http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/

http://www.un.org/en/aboutun/

Picture Sources: http://www.entrepreneur.com/dbimages/article/topimage/for-social-entrepreneurs-what-comes-first-business-or-mission.jpg

Twitter is a fast growing social media site that is a fast and efficient way to market your business to consumers.  Michael Stelzner of the blog, SocialMediaExaminer.com, gives us an insight on Mark Schaefer’s views on how to market on the social media site, Twitter.

One tweet can reach millions of people

For a small businesses looking for a cheap, effective way to reach your customers, look no further than the social media site, twitter.  On here, one is able to find a specific target market right down to the zip code. This marketing strategy is a great way to reach the people who could be interested in your product or service.  In present time, a large number of the world’s population is on twitter and constantly checking new tweets that are posted every second. If a company can consistently post tweets about upcoming promotions and new products being made, the cost of this marketing strategy is nominal. However, this type of marketing would work exceptionally well for small businesses. Compared to large corporations, there is more going on in the start-up of small businesses and things are always changing.  Tweets about these events will keep consumers interested and keep them looking back to find what is going on.  In large corporations that are already established, this is still a cheap way but most already are aware of what they sell and their strategies.

All in all, if Twitter is used to its full capability, then it can bring profits that cost relatively nothing to find.  Small businesses can thrive from apps like these and large ones can keep people aware of their presence.

News Source: http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/twitter-marketing-with-mark-schaefer/

Picture Sources: http://topdogsocialmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Twitter-marketing.png

http://www.techknowlogists.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/5-Smart-Ways-to-Use-Twitter-for-Marketing-600×250.png

In Gurinder’s post about “Are Brands Still Necessary,” he discusses the idea that there is no need for brands now a day.  In history, brands labels were to assure the consumer of a level of quality one wasn’t assured by other products.  Gurinder compares the Nissan GT-R to the Porshe 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 458 Italia.  All of these have expensive price tags of $100,000, $182,095 and $237,259 respectively and all with similar performance.  The cost of each of these cars will give you the same amount of engine power, control and head turns as you cruise down the road, but why are all three in different price categories? How is a price set on these cars if all of them bring similar performance to the consumer? Each brand has accumulated respect over many years and is allowed to set the price at whatever they want because of the decal they put on the front of the car.

I do agree with Gurinder that brands do not have a purpose anymore; however, there are some cases when they do. When a consumer goes out to buy sunglasses, they want quality glasses that have polarized lenses and are comfortable on the face.  Oakley and Ray Ban are major retailers that will provide this for you. Other lower end glass companies such as Suncloud and Sunbelt are examples of companies who will sell you similar glasses with extremely low quality material. As Gurinder stated that most companies maintain a similar level of quality, for most products there is a large gap between the top quality and the next level below them.

Brands still play a major role in today’s society because many people are ‘snobs’ and want to have the best brand known to people even if they can get that same product for half the price. However, in most cases, the difference between the best and second best are located on two different sides of the spectrum.  This causes many to stray away from lower end products and spend a little bit extra on brands that are known to assure quality. Brand labels will attract customers because they are assured a level of quality others may not be able to provide you with.

News Source: https://blogs.ubc.ca/gurindersidhu/2014/10/04/are-brands-still-necessary/

Picture Source: http://blog.hrpartners.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/brandIdentity2.jpg

My classmate, Annabelle Kovacs, recently wrote a blog post about a BC Hydro proposition to create a new hydroelectric dam on the First Nations’ sacred land.  Her views on the topic are in favor of the First Nations, and saving their land is more important than the clean and renewable energy produced from this megaproject.

I am taking the opposing view on this debate because hydro power is a source of energy that is relatively never ending and doesn’t have many drastic environmental concerns.  Yes, it does harm the wildlife’s habitat, but the pros in this case outweigh the cons of forcing the animals to find other places to live.  100 years of “cost-effective electricity” can not only benefit the people of today, but it will go as far to help out their grandchildren and possibly even their grandchildren’s kids. Annabelle feels keeping the integrity of the First Nations ‘sacred land’ is more important than all of this.  The First Nations are stubborn in some way because they are living in the past. In this day and age, there must be development in all aspects of life to keep up with a changing world. Their customs and beliefs should be practiced forever, but there comes a point in time where the government needs to put their foot down and get the final say in what is done or not done in the country.

Renewable, clean and cheap energy is something everyone in our world is looking for. If there is an opportunity right in front of us, why not take it to help out people for generations to come.  Making everyone happy is a goal of BC Hydro and the government, but there is a time when long term outcomes supersede the minor cons faced in the present day.

News Source: https://blogs.ubc.ca/annabellekovacs/2014/10/07/bc-hydro-vs-aboriginals/

PictureSources: http://images.glaciermedia.ca/polopoly_fs/1.58735.1413384466!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_563/site-c-dam-map.jpg

http://warriorpublications.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/bc-hydro-site-c-dam-drawing.jpg

It was always a frustration of mine when I went out with my friends or on a date and had no idea of where to go for dinner.  We would have long discussions of where to go and the end decision was to a place that we had been to too many times.  The app, Tangoo, not only gives you some great suggestions on where to go, but also considers the mood you’re in while making its decision.  This may be a great idea, however, looking down at the bottom line, where can the company become profitable?

Starting after the Winter Olympics in 2010, Tangoo had themed nights for guests and gave them a night that involved two to three different restaurant locations.  A downfall to this was there were many times when either too many people or not enough would show up to the events.  Tangoo wasn’t making a profit from this and required a change in direction.  Turning away from the themed nights, Tangoo decided to create an app that focused on suggesting restaurants based on moods.  I must say a great idea and all, but how is this different from yelp or urban spoon? What makes this app different?  So far, there is little evidence how this company can be profitable and I am not convinced many restaurants will pay to make their place featured.  Yes, finding a restaurant based on mood is cool, but most people go to places based on taste.  With a little effort, yelp, urban spoon or even a quick google search can answer all our questions and even more.

If the app can get random pop up ads to be displayed and gain money from that than that’s one way to get the job done.  But hoping for local businesses to pay to be featured doesn’t seem like a reasonable way to make a significant profit.  I am all for the idea of this app, but I do not see how a profit will be made that will pay all its employees a decent wage.

News Source: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-managing/leadership/dinner-planning-company-re-emerges-overnight-as-pocket-concierge/article20898113/

Picture Sources: http://assets.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/6753076837_710f9506b3_z.jpg?7ecf8a

http://assets.vancitybuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/tangoo-204207.jpg?7ecf8a

Over the past decade the number of COO’s in companies has gone down a substantial amount. Twitter, a major social networking company, had its COO step down and as a result they decided to divide the roles of this position to two other employees.  McDonald’s is another company who is without a COO and decided to spread the work to other people.  In most cases where companies fire their COO, it is because the COO does not agree with the plan the CEO has.  With collaboration, any goal can be reached and allow the company to be profitable. Another reason companies are ditching the role is they want to make the chain of command smaller and lower salary costs.

However, looking at the bigger picture, does every company need a COO? The answer is no. A COO is in charge of quality control, order fulfillment, employee/HR matters, and managing internal systems and business processes. In the start-up of some companies, a head person for this is not necessary. Also, once a company has established itself, there is no need for one either. This is why only 38% of the Fortune 500 companies have COO’s. There is just no need for them at times and have major costs with tasks that can be fulfilled by lower ranking managers.

There are many positions below the COO who can fulfill their duties

COO’s can play a large part in a company’s success. But with this comes a large price tag along side. Large firms must decide if this role is necessary or if it can do without and distribute its tasks among other managers.

New Source: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-10/the-disappearing-coo-and-the-evaporating-talent-pool

Picture Source: http://www.cutter.com/content-and-analysis/resource-centers/business-intelligence/sample-our-research/biar1302/biar1302fig01.gif

The Indian Act was a horrible agreement signed at the point of confederation.  Ignorant of other people’s culture, the Englishman wanted everyone to be the same and this act forced everyone to do so.  Currently, in a time of acceptance and openness to other cultures, the native culture is accepted throughout Canada.  Because of this, the natives want this act to be abolished and everyone in Canada to be treated the same.  Though there are many restrictions, there are many pros that do come with this: no taxes, free schooling, and free healthcare.

In most times, there is a lot of give by the government and nothing given up by the First Nations.  Status First Nations do not pay tax as a return for the hatred that was shown towards them many years ago.  Since this is the case, all the public amenities provided by the government are free.  Regular citizens can pay up to 40% of their income in taxes, which goes towards healthcare, roads, public schooling and government worker wages. By getting rid of the Indian Act, First Nations will be treated equally, just as they are now. However, this will also force them to give up all the special treatment they are given.

Throwing the Indian Act in the Garbage

Discrimination has been going on throughout the world since the beginning of time and it has been a horrible occurrence. However, the First Nations are not the only ones to be targeted.  During World War II, the Japanese were forced to go into camps and all their possessions were taken away.  Compensation for these items were given back.  Once it was done, that was the end of the discussion.  East Indians were discriminated when many of them came to Canada and have had no compensation for their struggle.  Jewish people were killed in the masses during World War II and were enslaved in Egypt thousands of years ago.  Yes, they have been given some compensation and the US army helps them, but this is a strategic offering because Israel is located to an oil hotspot.  Black people from Africa were taken by the Whiteman and brought to America as slaves.  For their struggles, they have been given nothing in return.  All four of these examples have been given compensation or nothing at all, but one thing in common is that there is not a constant argument with governments to be given more.

Getting rid of the Indian Act is an agreement that should be erased.  However, with this, there will have to be some things given up: no taxes, free schooling, and maybe even property tax having to be paid on their land.  In the end, Canada is run by the government and the First Nations are given a substantial amount of money, weather it is direct, (funding) or indirect (no taxes, free schooling etc…)

News Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/background-the-indian-act-1.1056988

Picture Source: http://media.winnipegfreepress.com/images/4469095.jpg

Nano Tech is a security company originating from Simon Fraser University.  The product they provide is putting security stamps on items to ensure their authenticity.  The stamp they have created consists of putting thousands of nano-sized holes onto the item and as light passes through it bend it, creating vibrant colors. An example would be bill notes; As of right now many countries are using holograms for security, but those are easy to counterfeit.  Nano Tech’s stamp is uncounterfeitable and is just a start of many ideas they have being researched.  Originally, the companies started off on the Venture exchange; but being a lower level tier and in Canada, many investors from the United States tend to stray away from putting their money in a Canadian exchange.  By getting into the OTCQX marketplace, they open many doors to investors to see that they are a proven company who has a service that works.  This will bring in more money and in the end make their company more profitable.  Banks/money producers will be their number one targets.  Gaining revenue from them will be constant over years because bills will always be made and there is no other technology that is competing to replace them.  Holograms have been proven to be faulty in the past and it is time for a new era of security and NanoTech’s product may be the solution.

                                    NanoTech’s stamp creates bright lights

News Source: http://nanosecurity.ca/nanotech-security-begins-trading-on-otcqx/

Picture Source: http://www.nanowerk.com/news/id19734.jpg

Local Motors is a company founded in 2007 that specializes in hobby vehicles: rally cars, big wheels, and RC cars. Their most recent development has included an electric car that’s body was made solely from a 3D printer. As Tesla is trying to find a way to reduce production time, Local Motors is giving them a run for their money. Although the first body model took 44 hours to build, they know that within a year they will be able to cut that time down to 10 hours. However, this car is meant only for side streets and neighbourhoods. This concept is not comparable to what Tesla has accomplished; but with a few more years of research the possibilities are endless. Local Motors’ unique selling point is to provide this car for a relatively low price of $18,000.  This includes an electric car that gets 120 hours to the charge and goes up to 40 mph. With time, the numbers per charge and speed will increase tremendously, but for now they are off to a great start. Tesla will have to keep close eye on the advancements of this company as the 3D car will cost a fraction of the cost of a Tesla and reach a market that has endless consumers.

News Source: http://news.yahoo.com/3d-printed-car-140141613.html

Picture Source: http://3dprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/local-motors4.jpg

A few days ago Scottish people had a vote on weather or not they should part with the United Kingdom. Though many say it would have regained Scotland’s “place as one of the great intellectual and economic innovators” of the world, there would have been numerous economic downfalls that resulted. New currency would have to be made, national debt would be inherited, and the countries military would be severely cut in size.

Since Scotland does not want to be apart of the United Kingdom anymore, they won’t be
allowed to use the British pound. A solution to this would be to join the European Union, but most Scotsman do not want that. This is a major problem that cannot be pushed aside. Currency in one’s country is very important and is directly related to how well your economy does and also has effects on who will travel there. In the United States, the national debt is very high and as a result inflation makes their dollar weak and worth less than others.

Also, like all other countries, the United Kingdom has debt. If Scotland thinks that they will not have any part in help paying it off, they are mistaken. Around 100-130 Billion dollars of the total 1 trillion will be transferred to Scotland and will not be an easy task to pay off. Though Scotland does export many products, it will still take decades to pay off this large total.

Another result of Scotland parting would be the cut in their military size. The countries defense would be in jeopardy and would force them to rely of other countries support in the event of an attack. This is an issue, as a few countries in Europe like to fight against others to take land. Most recently Russia invaded Ukraine in hopes to take over Crimea. Scotland is small in size and is surrounded by water, which makes them very vulnerable to naval attacks.

If the Scottish population was to vote ‘yes’ to leaving the United Kingdom, the economy would take a massive downswing and many major problems would arise that would have to be dealt with immediately.

News Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-29270441

Picture Source: http://one-europe.info/user/files/Laura/yes-no2.jpg