Snapchat

In just two years, Snapchat has achieved huge amounts of success as a mobile application that allows its users to send and receive pictures/videos with a viewing time limit until they are inevitably erased. As a result, Snapchat has joined the ranks of other popular social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

With the increasing use of social media applications in today’s age, it is necessary to consider privacy issues that has become an area of concern for most users. With the inception of Snapchat, the application was able to fulfill the value proposition of which customers were most worried over (privacy issues of their own images/ videos).

With its huge success, it has now caught the eye of Facebook and was then offered a $3 billion dollar buyout. As discussed in the article, it is right to question the valuation of Snapchat, as to whether it’s worth more than $3 billion.

References:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2013/11/14/should-snapchat-have-accepted-facebooks-3-billion-cash-buyout-offer/

In response to the external blog by Tobias Webb. I have found his blog to be a great read. This post has caught my attention the most as I have found debates over innovation and sustainability to be very interesting during COMM 101 lectures. Additionally, it was interesting to see how he pieced together valuable information on how CEOs and board members of large organizations are implementing real business models based on sustainability thinking.

The takeaway from this blog post is that businesses nowadays are realizing the importance of sustainability and the key to implementing any sustainability strategy is through the senior management team or through top executive involvement. However companies are still facing financial obstacles such as how they may still remain profitable. While some leading companies have managed to link sustainability, innovation and competitive advantage together, it is fair to note that businesses successfully engaging with NGOs or universities are more likely to embark on ambitious sustainability endeavors, such as investing in renewable energy and pursuing sustainable sourcing. Lastly, with the ever progressing information age, new technology platforms are playing an important role in developing more sustainable business models and as a result harnessing technology enables businesses to generate new ideas and platforms as part of their sustainability objectives.

In response to Caitlin’s blog post, it is evident that Google has become a very successful company throughout the decade. While it is fair to note that much of Google’s acclaimed success is due to its strong organizational culture!

As mentioned by Caitlin, the skill of an individual is valued higher than past experience. Additionally, the workforce of Google is comprised of a huge array of diverse backgrounds, resulting in greater room for creativity and innovation.

In addition, employees of Google enjoy lavish fringe benefits such as recreational activities at the job site, free food and drinks, as well as a vibrant and fun workplace. This then ensures that employees do feel comfortable and allows them to get their creative juices going. Thus, Caitlin was right to say that creating a positive and fun work environment and culture does play a large role in job satisfaction and ultimately leads to how effective and profitable the company may be. Hence maintaining a strong organizational culture where employees wholeheartedly believe in the company’s values will definitely lead to success!

In response to Jordan’s blog post, it is evident that the battle between the two smart phone giants have been going on for the past decade. It is also fair to note that Samsung has been one of the most successful companies to integrate the Android OS into their smartphones by offering intuitive products at a fair price. While both companies do offer the same points of parity such as the ability to use voice calls and text messages, download and play apps from the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store respectively, and take images and videos. However it is clear that both business have thrived off each other’s difficulties to compete against one another and as a result, competition has pushed forward the smart phone industry.

Thus without competition a single company may monopolize the market, giving them the opportunity to exploit and raise prices, which may also hamper innovation. Hence I fully agree with Jordan that competition will further encourage innovation in the smart phone industry benefitting customers entirely as they are offered better products in the future.

Zappos is an online shoe store that as a company has a unique organizational culture. Its employees communicate effectively and pleasantly with their customers, to the extent of interacting with them on a personal basis. Moreover, customers may enjoy the fact that they are entitled to exchange their product within 360 days.

However, working for Zappos does not come easy. Employees undergo vigorous customer training in order to provide its customer base with exceptional service. Potential candidates who do not feel that they are suited for the enthusiastic and vibrant customer service team are also offered cash to leave the business.

On the other hand, employees are entitled to plenty fringe benefits such as free food and drinks as well as recreational activities. Hence, by keeping employees happy it reduces employee absenteeism and turnover and encourages loyalty. Thus it is evident that creating a positive working environment for its employees is but a driving force to be a profitable business.

Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh interacting with its employees

An Image of the Earth

Wade Larson was one of a featured guest speakers during our COMM 101 Lecture. The introduction of UrtheCast, which was an interesting concept of using HD video imagery to project a live stream of the Earth. The idea has now been put forward with the launch of the cameras into space taking place sometime in early 2014!

By paying the subscription fee you would entitled to the featured service of UrtheCast. The company has invested heavily into the project with a great deal of effort and time and has then benefited with its own unique selling point as being the only company that offers this service. By broadcasting its footage, various companies and organizations may use the footage to monitor changes on the Earth.

However, it is also necessary to highlight the issues of privacy and potential misuse of the footage. Hence, UrtheCast must be vigilant and cautious on how to approach such a sensitive issue. Ultimately, the service provided by UrtheCast is truly revolutionary and will help to foster deep interests and fascination of our planet Earth.

References

http://www.urthecast.com/

Following Twitters anticipated IPO

Twitter has launched itself into the New York Stock Exchange with an initial public offering (IPO) of $26 per share. The Twitter IPO was highly anticipated making it a hot pick as a stable and favorably profitable stock.

However, some may disagree and argue that the stock had an incorrect valuation and was just much too expensive. Moreover, most investors should be concerned with buying Twitter’s stocks as to whether it will maintain its stability. This challenges the idea of whether or not investing in Twitter would be a wise decision despite their influence and global presence.

On the other hand, investors may outweigh their concerns by the fact that we as the global market are drawing towards the new information age. Due to the recent increase in social media popularity it has since then become a large part of our culture that only appears to be growing. Hence investing in Twitter will be beneficial as their share value would favorably continue to increase.

References:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/nathanvardi/2013/11/07/ten-ways-twitters-ipo-didnt-turn-out-to-be-like-facebooks-ipo/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/knowledgewharton/2013/11/07/232013/

The American Flag

With the issue of the new budget plan for the upcoming financial year this has led to the US government shutdown leaving the country confused, troubled and distressed. Moreover, numerous companies have been brought to a halt due to the anxiety within the US economy of which has also caused great distress as thousands of workers have also been laid off.

As a result, it has now since the shutdown has start to cause a ripple effect as local domestic businesses are now suffering from the shutdown. With reference to production of Blackhawk helicopters, the company has now discontinued production as there are government inspectors working to sign off products. This is but one of the many businesses that has been greatly affected by the government shutdown. With the shutdown hampering the economic state of the US we may only hope to see that there will soon be compromise on the new financial budget to end the shutdown.

References:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-24419564

While it’s that time of the year again Apple does not fail to innovate and push through its featured product, the anticipated iPhone 5s along with the new iPhone 5c.

The iPhone 5C and the iPhone 5S

While this may be a questionable strategy by Apple some may see this as a marketing campaign for Apple to target a different customer segment. However the difference between both featured models is fairly significant-in terms of hardware and material but Apple’s increasing sales says otherwise.

As mentioned in the articles, perhaps some psychology and economic principles are at play here. While some may favor the fun playful look of the iPhone 5C it has not stopped consumers from purchasing the iPhone 5S. Seeing how the difference in price is only at arm’s length this may justify consumers to pocket out the additional hundreds to obtain the lifestyle and status of which the iPhone 5S symbolizes. In this sense, we may question the role of the iPhone 5C which possibly serves to portray the iPhone 5S to look more appealing to the global market.

A satisfied customer having just purchased the iPhone 5S

References:

http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-57603756-37/apples-iphone-5s-iphone-5c-sales-kick-off-worldwide/

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-23/apple-sold-9-million-iphones-last-weekend-dot-heres-why

With the controversial issue of rape that has been clouding Sauder School of Business in the recent month, the chant that condones non-consensual sex with underage girls demonstrates the issue of business ethics at play.

Ethics is defined as moral codes that organizations as well as individuals within the company should act upon. By operating on the basis of good ethics this will help establish a strong positive organizational culture. It is therefore essential that corporations make ethical decisions whilst maintaining its profitability. Whilst in the case of Sauder that its reputation as a leading school of business be quickly reaffirmed.

With students undergoing anti-violence training by UBC’s sexual assault support centre, Sauder School of Business may put their best foot forward and look past such an unfortunate event and hope to instill the appropriate morals that make up the Sauder community.

References:

http://www.gotconsent.ca/

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ubc-student-executives-quit-over-rape-chant-1.1704632