Recently, Harvard’s business blog network posted an interesting article about Amazon constantly auditing its business model. The blog highlights how Amazon has changed its business model several times from operating the “drop-shipping” method of outsourcing customer orders to the producers; however, it grew so large that it had to expand to warehouses and actually stock products that it sold. The revamp business model then shifted around excellent delivery and efficiency.

Consequently, Amazon did not stop reinventing themselves, and went on to introduce same day delivery for products. Most recently, Amazon also started to offer same day deliveries on Sunday, which is almost unheard of. Harvard’s business blog ultimately highlights that smart business like Amazon develop from constantly questioning what they do and never being at a stagnant development, but instead of continuous growth.

If more companies were to do the same, they would continue to be competitive; unfortunately, many companies fail to that. A perfect example would be Blackberry and HP: both companies were once at the top of their respective industries, but failure to innovate and respond to change quickly caused their companies to go astray and ultimately become an unfortunate disaster.

http://blogs.hbr.org/2013/11/amazon-constantly-audits-its-business-model/

Ever since Rob Ford was caught smoking cocaine while making racist and anti-gay comments, it seems that Rob Ford is sparking controversies one after another. Furthermore, Rob Ford attacking the media, calling them “a bunch of maggots” does not help his image, but instead tarnishes his image more while adding fuel to the fire for the media. Rob Ford’s controversies, spanning from speaking to the public while intoxicated in a street fair to buying illegal drugs, is in an indication of Rob Ford’s time to resign. Rob Ford is truly an enemy on his own through his comments to the public such as “we’re going to have to spank little tiger cat” (referring to the CFL playoff matchup between the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger Cats), and “It says I wanted to eat her p*ssy and I have never said that in my life to her. I would never do that. I’m happily married. I’ve got more than enough to eat at home” (referring to allegations made by his former staff).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNELBM8bPGE

Rob Ford has not only tarnished the city of Toronto, but has also put himself in a position to be ridiculed by literally every U.S. late-night TV program, including The Colbert Report, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Late Night with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live and, most recently, by SNL. With recent news that Toronto mayor Rob Ford is being stripped of his mayoral powers, he needs to step aside and let the City of Toronto begin to repair its reputation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pc9RG0QTDA

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/television/snl-takes-rob-ford-lampooning-to-new-heights-with-merciless-parody/article15476688/

http://www.latimes.com/nation/shareitnow/la-sh-rob-ford-timeline-20131115,0,4841717.story#axzz2kwQQUFjO

Shing Tze’s blog post highlighted the benefits of the beautifully designed Arthur Erikson Trump Tower in Vancouver. The Trump Tower will provide services such as private jet services, and chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce Ghost models for transportation to the residents of the Trump tower. Shing Tze also lays out the benefits to the economy, such as creating more jobs opportunity, creating a landmark, as well as attracting tourism, which I disagree with.

While I support the Trump Tower in Vancouver, there are enormous risks to such a luxurious real estate development in a cash strapped financial market. An example would be the Olympic Village that has been saddled with an enormous amount of litigations and headaches for the local municipality. Consumers also need to look further into the ongoing problems at the Trump Tower in Toronto, which has struggled to sell and close in on deals.

All negativity aside, I truly believe that if developers TA Global and Holborn Holdings can overcome and achieve success in sales, this project will be truly amazing. The tower is also tribute to the late Arthur Erikson as it was his last project.

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/09/rolls-royce-chauffeurs-and-private-jets-for-trump-tower-vancouver-residents/

It comes as no surprise that Canada is rich in resources. Recently, the conference board of Canada published a report that expects Canada’s natural gas industry to produce more than $1 trillion over the next 24 years. With emerging global markets particularly in Asia, the demand for oil and gas is expected to double from its $24.5 billion a year production between now and 2035. There are estimates that there will be over $386 billion in direct investment to keep up with demand. However, all of these projections are based on the fact that pipelines will go across BC and south of the border, which will be the main source of transportation.

The recent announcement that coincides with Prime Minister Stephen Harper attending the Asia-Pacific leaders’ summit conference in an effort to boost trade with the countries in South East Asia, Malaysia’s Petronas is committing $36 billion to build both a liquid natural gas plant in British Columbia and the pipeline to transport it with the eventual destination of South East Asia.

However, there are many opposed to the Northern gateway pipeline, which will transport oil across B.C to the tankers on the west coast of BC, and the Keystone Pipeline, which will transport oil to America. If Canada intends to tap on the potential of its natural resources, people will have to put aside their differences, because the entire country benefits from the increased revenue.

“Canada’s Natural Gas Industry Could Be worth $1 Trillion.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-s-natural-gas-industry-could-be-worth-1-trillion-1.1211744

“Malaysia’s Petronas Commits $36 Billion to B.C. Gas Plant, Pipeline.” Thestar.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2013/10/06/malaysias_petronas_commits_36_billion_to_bc_gas_plant_pipeline.html

Boeing, the world’s largest aircraft manufacturing company, appears to have many problems, with each one leading to the next. Ever since 2007, Boeing had production and software issues to electrical, as well as battery explosions during the first batch of deliveries to commercial aircraft companies, resulting in the delay of the Boeing 787 dream liner aircraft.

Boeing has since then rectified the problems with its aircraft, but is behind in its delivery schedule and continues to disappoint while Airbus is becoming continually more successful with its Airbus 350 aircraft. The Airbus 350 is the direct competitor with the Boeing 787 and boasts a 25% efficiency margin over its rival aircraft.Recently, Airbus landed a monumental deal with Japan airlines worth $9.75 billion with an order of 31 Airbus 350’s with the possibility of another 25. This is revolutionary, as Airbus has finally been able to break into uncharted territories that had previously been held exclusively by Boeing.

Japan airlines has traditionally relied solely on Boeing with a few exceptions and the once strong Boeing has begun to weaken. Airbus’s success can be attributed to Boeing’s damaged credibility and can be seen as a gift to Airbus, which Boeing will continue to feel in the years to come. Boeing has to gain back its credibility to the airline industry that its aircraft can deliver on its promise and reliability to be able to compete with Airbus.

“Boeing 787 Dreamliner: A Timeline of Problems.” The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group, 28 July 2013. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/10207415/Boeing-787-Dreamliner-a-timeline-of-problems.html

“Airbus and Japan Airlines Agree Landmark $9.5bn Deal.” BBC News. BBC, 10 July 2013. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24424873

For weeks, the Republicans and Democrats have traded blame for a government shutdown which is hurting businesses all over the country, as many Federal agencies were shut down due to Congress’s inability to reach an agreement and an ideology war brewing in Congress.America is at risk of a default as the Republicans have refused raise to the debt ceiling without a significant structural plan to reduce government spending and no introduction of new taxes. To add, the Republicans have been adamant about their disapproval of the Affordable Care Act which is also known as “Obamacare” as part of any spending bill. Obamacare aims to provide health insurance to millions of Americans without coverage, much like the medicare system in Canada. However, the Republicans argue that massive government intrusion will cause premiums to skyrocket and put people out of work. If no settlement is made between the Republicans and the Democrats by October 17th, America will run out of money to pay its bills which could potentially cause a global economic crisis of greater damage than the 2008 global financial crisis.

With the unemployment rate slowly decreasing and cautious growth in America since the global financial crisis, the Republicans and Democrats need to put aside party ideology and work together in unity to recover from the crisis; a default is exactly what the economy does not need.

Example of disagreement between the Democrats and Republicans

Information from

“The Globe and Mail.” The Globe and Mail. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2013.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-business/us-business/boehner-says-us-on-path-to-default-if-obama-wont-negotiate/article14715654/

Apple, one of the world’s most wealthy and dominant companies in the world, has been criticized for violating multiple labour laws upon constructing its products through its partner, Foxconn, in China. Foxconn is Apple’s main contract manufacturer, and its biggest private sector employer in China was found to have atrocious working conditions for its workers with extreme working hours and unpaid overtime.

The fact that the average employee working in the Foxconn production plant worked an average of 60 hours per week earning only an average of $400 per month without overtime is appalling. One would think that Apple, a company worth over $185 billion, would provide a safe environment for its manufacturers; their terrible working conditions, however, come as a surprise to many.

The factory workers at Foxconn deserve better working conditions, considering large corporations such as Apple and Foxconn receive billions of revenue each year. Many of Foxconn’s factory workers stay an average of two years before heading back to their respective towns to open a business. The workers at Foxconn deserve a safer environment because they leave their towns to find work. Apple and Foxconn should have the decency to hold basic business ethics for its workers.

Information from

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/apple-foxconn-vow-to-improve-worker-conditions-in-china/article4097034/
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/24/the-ieconomy-how-much-do-foxconn-workers-make/