United Nations is an intergovernmental organization formed on the 24^th October 1945 after the world war two has two main objectives, to foster social and economic development as well as protecting the environment. I believe that even if the United Nations were fully funded, it still needs knowledge from the Arc Initiative and social enterprise to contribute to its operations and success.

Arc initiative works with different communities to exchange knowledge, develop business management skills and leadership capacity. While social enterprise applies commercial strategies to maximize the human and environmental well-being rather than just maximizing the profits. These qualities blended together enhance the objectives of United Nations.  For instance the launch of Africa Clean Cooking Energy Solution (ACCES) by United Nations incorporated the social enterprise when it used eco-friendly cook stoves. Tunu Ali, formerly an agricultural labourer, received entrepreneurship training, knowledge from arc initiative, and she has been able to use the advanced cook stoves for baking bread. ACCES aims to promote enterprise-based adoption of clean cooking solution across the sub-Saharan Africa.

This is a clear indication that even if the United Nation was financially stable, it still needs the arc initiative to come up with viable business ideas for new initiatives as well as the business management skills, which are crucial due to scarcity of resources.  The social enterprise will ensure that human rights and the environment are protected to promote the welfare of a given society, key responsibility of United Nations. What else could United Nation treasure more?

Reference:

http://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/node/572

Nothing can be more interesting than what affects your life directly. Being an open-minded soul, I always love getting perspectives from different people. Richard’s great blog on the 10% increase in tuition for the international students captured my attention. As Richard says, the main objective of raising the tuition is to improve facilities and academic experiences as well as boosting the university competitiveness and reputation.

Well, these conclusions by Richard could be accurate in a way; however, they are not justifiable according to me. Why did he join UBC in the first place if the school’s reputation wasn’t very attractive? The conclusions would also imply that facilities at UBC do not meet the required standards. As a current student, I know that UBC has modernized and up to date facilities ranging from supportive learning materials (library books), classrooms and recreational centres. And the rise of the residence fee by 20% will just be a great pinch to families’ pockets. Before UBC raising its prices it should consider that it is not a monopoly in the educational market of Canada, this might be a risky move.

Richard also stated that the higher tuition will be an incentive but not an obstacle. Presently, there are approximately 19% of international students in Vancouver Campus with the current tuition fee, what happens if it becomes more expensive? The increase in tuition fee will shrink their international target markets; the high-income families might resort to sending their children to best local Universities. Domestic students from low and middle-income families might also choose to send their children to affordable universities due to these increases, while a large part might consider the opportunity cost of taking full time jobs to attending university.

A change is as good as a rest and I am okay with that. The best change especially in this case should be that which is gradual, raising the tuition by 5% will be reasonable. It will give the administration time to deal with the unexpected outcomes compared to 10% increase.

Reference

http://blogs.ubc.ca/richardwoong/

Stressful employees at work will give out poor quality and low results; this might lead to great economic losses in the industry and as we all know, nobody loves poor returns. I couldn’t agree more with Rebecca Knight when she says that stress is contagious and inevitable at some point. It is therefore important to provide ways on how to handle the stress in the moment.

Not only is this experienced at work but also homes and schools. For instance, students worry too much on how to perform best in assignments, research papers and examinations, while this might seem normal, it is a major factor of stress. The remedies Rebecca Knight recommends on how to handle stress at work might just work perfect for students as well. In most cases, stress management are always long term –take yoga, eat healthier or get enough sleep but how can one regain control when faced with stress in the moment?

Dealing with stress in the moment contributes to better results and here is what to do. Identify the stress signals: might be stiffen neck, Palms sweat or stomach clenches. The ability to recognize these signs makes it easier to address the cause in order to alleviate the tension. Secondly, stressful situations can be counteracted by taking three deep breaths. You can talk yourself down when stress strikes.  Keep at bay the inner negative voice by injecting some positivity in thoughts.

These strategies have worked for me before, try them at school, home or work whenever stress creeps in and I promise they won’t disappoint. Good luck!

<<https://hbr.org/2014/11/how-to-handle-stress-in-the-moment>> by Rebecca Knight

Interesting, valuable and resourceful so did I find Li Jin Xin’s blog on how red bull doesn’t actually give us wings. From Li Jin’s point of view, it was unethical for the red bull company to use a slogan “Red Bull gives you wing” because scientifically one does not grow wings by drinking red bull. This is very true.

I couldn’t agree more with Al Ries and Jack Trout however when they compared positioning to a battle for the mind. Consumers have information overload when it comes to advertisements and not all these information can be recalled by the consumers. I would however support the strategy used by Red Bull Company, since first information is more likely to be recalled, it should therefore be appropriate. The Red Bull advertisement designed its slogan to target the consumers’ power of imagination. The strategy which is rarely been used by other energy drinks or caffeinated companies, major competitors of Red Bull, could give Red Bull Company a competitive advantage. Imaginations evoke emotions and can therefore last longer in mind.

Using the slogan “Red Bull gives you wing”  makes the consumers for a moment imagine that they had wings and could actually fly. In this context, wings are used as metaphor to represent that fact that red bull provides high energy that can enable the consumers get to higher levels in their activities. I feel like the Red Bull advertisement is not fraudulent in this case since it has utilized the idea of imagination as a strategy to form long term memories in consumers’ minds.

Reference:

http://blogs.ubc.ca/cindyjiaxinliblog/

A peaceful protest saw about 30 members of Pimicikamak first nation protest against the Jenpeg hydro generation station on Thursday, October 23^rd 2014. The residents evicted the hydro employees from Jenpeg protesting that the Manitoba Government had failed to honour the Northern Flood Agreement signed in the 1970s. Mervin Garrick, a Pimicikamak council member said the protest was being taken to restore a fair relationship with his people because the government had failed to fulfil its promises, environmental clean-up, maximize employment for his people and eradicate mass poverty and unemployment.

Noting that 287 residents lacked power because Manitoba Hydro had cut them off when they could not to pay power bills, which is about $600 per month and among the highest in the province. This is more than frustrating to the Pimicikamak people.

Manitoba has been one of the peaceful provinces in Canada and has been economically active from time immemorial, however, their rights as a community has been violated when part of the land is used without their approval. Without the responsibility they took to preserve the natural resources the returns realized today could be dismal. They feel betrayed by the people they once agreed and signed treaties with. I must say the growth of a province and a nation at large can only be efficient if peace is embraced as well as respect. Therefore the Manitoba government should keep its part of bargain it signed years back. Construction of Jenpeg station will benefit its people if there is a mutual agreement between the two parties.

Reference

<<http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/first-nation-brings-hydro-protest-to-hq-280281572.html>> by Trevor Hagan