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/