Individuals and companies make investments in certain businesses that they wish to support or more often that they believe will turn a profit. President Obama has started an investment into the innovation and growth of the United States manufacturing economy in hopes of strengthening the industry in future years. NASA and the Departments of Defense, Agriculture, and Energy will invest $300 million in to the advancement of various technologies and evolution of materials with the goal of elevating the manufacturing industry of the U.S.A into a leader in the world market. While this may not be a direct investment via the stock market, this is an investment by these influential groups into the future of the United States economy that will, assuming that the investment achieves its goal, eventually provide these investors with returns in the form of a healthy economy in which they will thrive. The money is that which they have received from Americans who live and work within the economy. This investment is the continuation of the circular cycle of companies receiving money from a healthy economy and the reinvesting it to ensure the continuation of these returns. Much like an investor in a corporation who has increasing returns and wishes to continue his returns and thus purchases more stocks.

Original article:

http://www.foxbusiness.com/economy-policy/2014/10/27/obama-plans-executive-actions-to-strengthen-us-manufacturing-722741748/

The World Cocoa Foundation is donating $600,000 in an effort to stop the spread of Ebola to one of its largest areas of cocoa suppliers, the Ivory Coast. The danger of the sickness is not only to the health of a major population, but also to the vast number of small cocoa farms that major corporations like Mars and Nestle depend on. The main point of the WCF is to “promote a sustainable cocoa economy through economic and social stewardship in cocoa-growing communities”. It is obvious that this is a company founded to make a social difference, however is widely known that Mark Zuckerberg gave $25 million towards efforts to fight Ebola, greatly exceeding the donation of WCF. Why did a foundation with such influential corporations as its members only muster up $600,000 to donate to a cause that could cripple the very industry that it claims to protect? One major issue I have with shared value and engagement in sustainability in the business world is that there is rarely participation in efforts to improve our world unless there is some profit or brand reputation gain as incentive. This article greatly fuels my desire to get involved with social and environmental issues and gives me a deeper perspective on the motivations, pure or tainted, of large corporations.

Original article: http://www.newsweek.com/multi-billion-dollar-cocoa-industry-gives-600000-fight-ebola-277748

      Considering that friction between the First Nations and Canadian settlers dates back hundreds of years, this new proposal by BC Hydro to once again infringe on Native land seems very unreasonable. Even Primer Christy Clark stated that “BC is indian land” and this should be remembered with regards to the hydroelectric dam project.  While BC does need clean energy, this plan would take precious lands away from native peoples. BC hydo’s business plan is to continue to provide clean and affordable energy to Canadians and according to them this new project will provide said energy for more then 100 years. They say that it could provide 5,100 gigawatt hours annually but the costs to the native peoples of the Peace River area(Peace River regional district contains six indian reserves and one Indian settlement) are detrimental and cannot be ignored through shady environmental reports. If this plan succeeds, indigenous peoples will unfairly loose their rightful fishing abilities as well as hunting and ceremonial ground amounting to more then 83km of flooded land that has previously been taken from them. It is unreasonable for the BC hydroelectric company to implement this new project, no matter the benefits to BC. It is insulting and unfair to the people who possessed this land before. The growing population of British Columbia can surly find less harmful sources of energy and provide the deserved respect to the native people whose land they enjoy everyday. 

Original Article:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html

In almost every aspect of business we are trying to maximize something ranging anywhere form profit to production to brand name value. Stress has detrimental effects on productivity and ability to function well as we have seen through working in our business plan groups. Learning how to properly manage stress should be a core part of learning about business considering that human interaction and productivity are essential in the success of individuals and firms. The article “About to Lose it?” by Peter Economy gives 18 strategies on reducing stress in unconventional and creative ways. These interesting techniques include popping bubble wrap (releasing as much stress as a 30 minute massage), going barefoot, chewing gum, and even preforming a random act of kindness. As a college freshman, I have been experiencing plenty of stress in these first few weeks at Sauder. I have noticed that when I overwork or succumb to stress, I get almost nothing done. Considering that we are learning how to work in groups and to manage people in constructive ways, it seems like utilizing some of these tips would help us function much more effectively. If large companies could implement some creative outlets or even provide weekly exercise classes to reduce stress using these tips, they could greatly improve their employee’s happiness and thus their productivity.

Original Article:

http://www.inc.com/peter-economy/about-to-lose-it-try-these-18-unusual-stress-busters.html