The relevance and vitality of social enterprises will not curtail even with the hypothetical notion of a fully funded United Nations, simply because of the scale of operations.

The U.N’s goals of establishing amity throughout the world are so macro leveled that it is almost impracticable to operate with a specialized approach in every single area. As of 2014, the U.N has 8 Millennium goals which range from eradicating extreme poverty and hunger to promoting gender equality around the globe (un.org). Their agenda is simply too large to operate efficiently in all sectors, and that’s why social enterprises are needed.

http://www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com/sites/default/files/news-images/news-social-460x265_0.jpg

Using the Arc initiative as an example, Fitih Tesfaye’s journey of venturing into a new market demonstrates clearly the impact of social enterprises. Fitih originally started her restaurant in 2010, but was quickly overshadowed by rivals in two years. Despite the circumstances, she saw a niche in dessert treats and the Arc initiative facilitated her transition into this market by teaching her strategies and business tools learnt at a workshop (Kroeker, 2014).

This reading allowed me to fully grasp why social enterprises are essential universally. They don’t provide merely just money, but they create a roadmap to generate long term solutions in communities. While yes, the United Nations are aligned with the mentality of social enterprises, the fact that they don’t have the luxury or time to tailor their strategies to every small detail whilst focusing on all aspects of the triple bottom line reiterates why social enterprises are necessary.

Works cited:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/going-global/in-a-crowded-market-ethiopian-entrepreneur-finds-a-sweet-way-to-stand-out/article17912688/

http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

http://www.inspiringenterprise.rbs.com/sites/default/files/news-images/news-social-460x265_0.jpg

In Kawasaki’s blog on The Art of Evangelism, he expresses the art of advertising through his previous experiences as an Apple marketer and elucidates the proper steps to successfully pitch a product, or in his words, evangelize.

Reading this blog post reminded me of the extensive topics we covered in COMM 101 and this post weaved in those elements perfectly. It effectively touched on how the fundamental topics taught in class were interlinked and directly correlated in the real business world.
Kawasaki presents in his post, 10 steps to successfully ‘evangelize’ a product or service. There were 2 steps that I thought were prominent in all aspects of business.

http://chbinternetmarketing.com/wp-content/gallery/chb-pics/chb-marketing-people-f.jpg

The first one was called: Position it as a “cause”. Briefly, this step stresses the significance of expounding not just the functionality of the product, but how it enhances one’s life. This step is directly ties into class 8: Value Propositions. During the lecture, we discussed the ‘job to be done’ for the consumer and the importance of how the product alleviates or eliminates pain. I found the blog post and the class to complement each other well, with one teaching us the fundamental tools and knowledge, and the other applying the concept in the real world.

The second one was called: Never lie. This step urges not to indulge in deceit, as it proves detrimental and often requires the salesperson to expend more energy to cover his fabrication with more lies. This directly ties in with class 3: Business Ethics. In class, we discussed the repercussions of deception, mainly in the realm of accounting. It’s intriguing to see how the consequences of dishonesty both apply in marketing and accounting and how the penalty of falsehood differs in each sector.

Works cited:

http://chbinternetmarketing.com/wp-content/gallery/chb-pics/chb-marketing-people-f.jpg

http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2014/04/the-art-of-evangelism.html

Google has been in the smart phone industry since 2008, establishing their brand called “Nexus”. Google enjoyed immense popularity with their Nexus lineup, because there were two points of differences with their phones. Firstly, Google offered a “pure Android” experience that was only exclusive with Nexus devices. Essentially, pure Android delivers the barebones and the essentials of operating system, offering a clean and minimalistic user interface (developer.android). Secondly, the Nexus lineup was priced very competitively compared to other smart phones, while still retaining build quality and high end specifications.

http://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/hand-nexus-6-rear.jpg?w=680

However, Google may be shifting from their low cost strategy mentality towards product differentiation. With the release of their new flagship phone, the Nexus 6, Google took the world by surprise with the pricing. The last Nexus generation phone (Nexus 5) was priced at $350 which was relatively cheap compared to other modern smartphones. The Nexus 6 starts at a whopping $750 (play. google)

From my perspective, this is a risky move by Google. The Nexus lineup success was primary attributed with the low pricing of the phone with the combination of pure Android. With the augment in price, Google is potentially losing a huge customer base. The only point of difference now is their exclusive software which only appeals to die-hard Android purists. With the increase in price, the Nexus 6 is becoming a  generic modern smart phone, with only the software keeping it from being labeled ‘just another ordinary phone’.

Works Cited:

https://play.google.com/store/devices?hl=en

http://developer.android.com/design/patterns/pure-android.html

http://tctechcrunch2011.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/hand-nexus-6-rear.jpg?w=680

Victoria Secret is receiving backlash for their most recent ad campaign slogan, “The perfect body”. “The slogan appears on an image on the company’s website of 10 uber-thin models clad in bras and panties, with their ribs clearly visible” (Smith, 2014). With the image depicting what seems to be society’s perception of what beauty is, the public has been responding disapprovingly and petitioned for a revision of the slogan and also an apology (Prakash, 2014).

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/141107080131-victorias-secret-perfect-body-slogan-620xa.jpg

The implications behind the ad will be perceived differently by each individual, and I believe Victoria Secret is not at fault. The interpretation of the slogan, “The perfect body” paired with the thin models may lead people to think frailty and skinny bodies are the ideal representation of beauty. However, with closer inspection, the perfect body is actually referring to the collection of lingerie. The slogan, the perfect body is plainly stating that the product will help accentuate your figure and essentially make your body “perfect”.

While Victoria Secret is not at fault, I do believe the way they attempted to convey their value propositions for this product line failed miserably. The purpose of the slogan was to elucidate how their products are the perfect match for any body type. But by pairing that with a dicey slogan, it has entirely redirected the public’s attention elsewhere. If V.S wants to get their propositions across clearly, it is crucial they avoid any catchphrases or slogans that obliquely trigger insecurity, especially since beauty is such a controversial subject for certain individuals.

Works Cited

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/141107080131-victorias-secret-perfect-body-slogan-620xa.jpg\

http://money.cnn.com/2014/11/07/news/companies/victorias-secret-perfect/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River

http://mashable.com/2014/11/07/victorias-secret-perfect-body/

In Aenel’s blog post, From Kit-Kat to Lollipop, he touches on the shortcomings of the Android operating system, emphasizing on the confusion regarding updates and diverse versions of Android, while simultaneously setting Apple’s iOS as a comparative benchmark.

http://cdn.bgr.com/2014/07/android-blue.jpg

Since early 2011, I have been an avid Android user. I have owned and used at least 4 different Android phones over a period of 2 years. Android’s feature set and main differentiation between other OS platform is its array of customization. First of all, Android is an open source OS. Essentially, this means that companies can freely use and modify Android and craft it into their “own” OS (source. Android). HTC, Samsung, Xiaomi, and LG all have manufactured and sold phones with their own tailored version of Android, adding new features or even giving the appearance of the OS a facelift.

In Aenel’s post, his main dissatisfaction with Android’s operating system is attributed to the overwhelming choices to choose from. However, I disagree with his remark and furthermore, I propose that customization is solely Android’s value proposition. It allows the users to tweak and play around with the operating system, something you can’t do as extensively with other OS’s. However, with its array of customization features, it can be a little overwhelming for a conservative phone user. Nevertheless, I also disagree with Aneel’s statement in regards to brand identity. Currently, Android utterly dominates the mobile operating system market. “With over “78% shares of all users globally” (Edwards, 2014), Android reaches to all the corners of the earth. I would argue that their brand is essentially universal.

Works Cited: http://www.businessinsider.com/iphone-v-android-market-share-2014-5

https://source.android.com/

http://cdn.bgr.com/2014/07/android-blue.jpg

Enbridge, an energy company situated in Calgary, Alberta is currently facing a predicament in one of their latest projects. The prospective development of an oil pipeline is being halted by the vocal apprehensions of the First Nation’s people. One of the primary concerns of the establishment of the pipeline is solely regarding the location (Hoekstra, 2014).

Evidently, this presents an external obstacle for Enbridge, as it involves political complications that entail aboriginal land and territory claims. Additionally, the collective group of the Nak’azdii reside on the land where the pipeline will go through (Hoekstra, 2014). Obviously, this will raise concerns within the tribe as it violates certain social elements that are symbolic to the First Nations.

What Enbridge needs to recognize is that the Nak’azdii and the rest of the First Nation’s people are not primarily driven by financial incentives. “Our elders have always said you cannot eat money, says Lillian. The food and the land are so important for us” (Hoekstra, 2014). The land cannot be simply “bought” off them, as their connection with the terrain transcend beyond mere physicality. Their way of life, traditional, and culture are all embedded within the land and money cannot simply persuade them.

Politically, Enbridge has to also consult with the First Nations in order to advance their project. “ The Supreme Court of Canada ruling granted the Tsilqhot’in title to 1,750 square kilometres in central B.C., a first for a First Nation in British Columbia” (Hoekstra, 2014). This recent edict has allowed the First Nations to gain a larger political presence and subsequently enforced a need for government and companies to get consent before touching the land, thereby potentially restricting Enbridge’s future advancements. (Hoekstra, 2014).

Works Cited:

http://www.ppwc.ca/wp-content/uploads/PPWC-Opposes-Enbridge-Pipeline.jpg

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/There+will+pipeline/10122968/story.html

In Lee’s blog Netflix to premiere major motion picture in 2015, he touches on the game changing implementation of Netflix’s new deal with the Weinstein Brothers.

The rationale behind the transaction between Netflix and W.B can be translated simply to expansion of Netflix’s value propositions.

With direct online streaming of a cinematic movie on its site, Netflix is redefining how we watch films. Not only is Netflix revamping their value proposition of delivering high quality film and T.V shows to their current users, they are also reaching out to a broader customer segment. They are expanding their services to movie goers by offering an innovative way to enjoy film from the comfort in their bedrooms. Conversely, the actual experience and feeling of watching a movie in an actual theater vanishes and could potentially cause users to continue to watch movies conventionally in theaters. Additionally, the title of the movie will be the main determinant of the success. If Netflix lands a huge deal to stream an anticipated blockbuster film opposed to a low budget film, the success of this implementation will vary.

Works Cited:

Netflix to premiere major motion picture in 2015

http://s3.amazonaws.com/digitaltrends-uploads-prod/2013/12/netflix-movies-expiring-jan-2014.jpg

League of Legends, a free online video game and is currently the most played online game in the world. League of Legends is centered on a ‘freemium’ model and has attracted millions of players around the globe. With more than 27 daily players and 67 million players monthly (Tassi, 2014), the amount of increasing players is growing at an exponential rate. The company of this massive online game is a called Riot Games.

Riot’s success can be attributed to their dedication to customer experience. Riot encourages players to give them feedback on the game mechanics and experience.  They introduce new changes to the game through “patches” every few weeks to facilitate an overall better gaming experience. The game is free; however the player the option to purchase unlock-able content that mainly enhances the game aesthetically. This is essentially a freemium service and this model has generated $624 million in profit for Riot games in 2013 (Mosley, 2013)

Riot’s mission statement is to progress and improve the gaming experience overall for players. Their value proposition is built around the delivering an excellent experience to the gamer. By constantly updating and revitalizing the game, forming close relationships with players with their forums and promotional events, Riot has successfully attracted and retained millions of players around the globe.

Works cited:

http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/229/files/2014/05/league-of-legends-logo1.jpg

http://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2014/01/27/riots-league-of-legends-reveals-astonishing-27-million-daily-players-67-million-monthly/

http://venturebeat.com/2014/01/27/free-to-play-juggernaut-league-of-legends-still-growing-rapidly/

 With the Blackberry Passport, Blackberry is aiming to delivering an innovative product that caters to the customer segment they’re targeting by improving and revamping the fundamental core of the ‘Blackberry experience’ in their flagship phone. One of the strikingly unique features of the Passport is the hardware, Blackberry has discarded their usual traditional aesthetics design of their Blackberry lineup and constructed from the ground up, a state of the art 1:1 ratio square phone. The classic physical Blackberry keyboard is still intact in the new flagship and is flanked by ultra thin bezels to accentuate the vivid square 4.5 inch display.

The external design of the phone reminds consumers of an exceptionally crucial value proposition. In recent years, Blackberry has fallen behind their rivals in terms of sales and popularity. With the Passport, Blackberry’s intent is to capture that business segment once again and retain their loyalty. By redesigning the phone’s external shell to mimic a passport, Blackberry is attempting to differentiate itself from the rest of generic smart phone designs and hopefully remind consumers what they are known for. A reliable security system and a business oriented OS. The physical aspect of the phone unites those two elements together to reiterate and underline why this phone is essential for the average businessmen.

Works Cited: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/blogs/dashboard/blackberry-passport-signals-a-deliberately-different-144447959.html  http://rimblogs.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/passport_desk.jpg

http://www.fedupusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/FraudCuffs.jpg (FedUpUSA)

In the article: The slippery slope of getting away with small stuff, Borzykowski accentuates the danger of small unethical imprudence. It is imperative for businesses to ensure their employees are well informed of the consequences of committing any unethical decisions before it becomes a major transgression (Borzykowski, 2014).

The notion of slowly progressing towards more extensive unethical behavior and decisions directly correlate with Milton Friedman are the social responsibility of business to increase profits. Milton suggests that the fundamental nature of business is fixed upon generating an increase in profit whilst adhering to the boundaries of the law. As described in the article the slippery slope of getting away with small stuff, it is quite easy to choose an unethical route as it is often yields high compensation for an individual. However, this proves to be detrimental for the individual as it results in dire repercussions. While the context and focal point is distinct in both sources, they both stress that abiding by the rules is the most vital asset for any business to flourish.

Works Cited:

Image: http://www.fedupusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/FraudCuffs.jpg

Borzykowski, B. (2014, August 7th). The slippery slope of getting away with small stuff. Retrieved September 10, 2014, from BBC: http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20140806-the-slippery-slope