Even though United Nations has a vital purpose of internationally developing better living standard and maintaining peace, it focuses mostly on large-scale operations as it cooperates as a government based organization. However, it is too large to take every operations into account. In this case, small businesses in developing countries would depend more on social entrepreneurs and organizations such as the Arc Initiative.

For long-term benefits, Arc Initiative allows individuals to develop business skills which would be supportive for their own future business growth. Temporary funds provided by the UN is not a sustainable way in order to create shared value within the community. In comparison, the Arc Initiative’s “two-way exchange of knowledge and business skills” leads the small businesses into prosperity.  Moreover, Arc Initiative provides a platform for students to get opportunities of developing business management skills while contributing to the society.

In conclusion, social enterprise and organizations like Arc Initiative are needed in the society as they make substantial changes in improving living standards and breaking out of poverty.

After experiencing numerous food scandals, food safety has become the most important issue in Chinese quality check. In 2011, Wal-Mart was accused by Chinese authorities of selling expired duck meat; besides, labeling non-organic port as organic and selling it at a higher price forced it shut down stores in Chongqing. This year, Wal-Mart was exposed that the donkey meats sold in Wal-Mart contain fox meat. A series of food scandals make Wal-Mart’s reputation and revenue impacted greatly. China is one of the biggest world’s markets of Wal-Mart. Therefore, Wal-Mart decided to pay more attention on food quality and safety, increase its spending on food safety in China to 300 million Yuan from 100 million Yuan previously, so as to restore China’s consumers’ confidence on Wal-Mart.

Food safety is actually the most important thing for consumers. The measures Wal-Mart adopts are not only for improving its reputation and increasing its revenue, but also for showing its business ethics and corporate social responsibility. Food safety is closely related to people’s healthy and life. Corporation has responsibility to guarantee its food at sale is safe and healthy, and protect consumers’ body from harmful products. In addition, a corporation only pursues profit, but neglects consumer’s benefit will be weeded out finally.

“Wal-Mart to focus on food safety in China: Asia chief” http://yahoo.com. Nov. 8, 2014.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/wal-mart-focus-food-safety-011350414.html. Nov. 9.2014

Since Detroit applied bankruptcy, it has been 16 months. United States federal judge finally permitted its bankruptcy plan, which makes the largest city bankruptcy case in United States history end. According to the verdict, Detroit can cut down 70 billion dollar’s debt, and commits to invest 17 billion dollars on social public service. The verdict makes Detroit begin its rough reconstruction process. According to the reconstruction plan, Detroit will use 17 billion dollars to tear down damaged and old buildings, purchase new fire fighting truck and ambulance, upgrade old computer system, etc, which will create a good environment for the city.

Detroit is the home to United States’ three automakers. Due to the population decrease, financial crisis and corporation evaluation, Detroit’s financial situation got worse and worse, and finally applied bankruptcy. The bankruptcy of Detroit is caused by its bad operation. Operation is the key to maintain an organization exist and develop sustainably. When facing population decrease and corporation evaluation and other problems, Detroit did not solve effectively, which presented a hazard for its bankruptcy. Another key reason results in its bankruptcy is Detroit did not manage its financial situation well. Fund is the lifeline of an organization. The deterioration of financial situation makes Detroit finally end its Motor City.

“Detroit bankruptcy case ends” http://eastmoney.com Nov 9, 2014, http://finance.eastmoney.com/news/1351,20141108443678942.html  Nov 9, 2014.

A recent crowdfunding campaign on Bluesmart, an innovative and multifunctional suircase has managed to raise $50,000 in two hours and one minute.

The fact that the suitcase industry has not been innovated for years has created opportunities for new entrants to be disruptive. The Bluesmart team keenly utilized the flaws of the current suitcases to develop innovative point of differences in order to be unique. By adding functions such as build-in scale, location tracking, digitally controlled lock and most importantly- portable device charger, the company has effectively solved travelers’ problems thus increased customer demand. Another powerful advantage of Bluesmart is their broad target market: from business people to teenagers, most suitcase carriers would be benefited from Bluesmart’s innovative functions.

One concern that might be revealed from the design of Bluesmart would be the weight of the suitcase itself. With all the new technological modifications, Bluesmart is most likely to be heavier than normal suitcases. Therefore, Bluesmart might stumble when it comes to luggage check-ins at airports. This is what Bluesmart should plan about for future developments: lighter material with equivalent quality which reduces the production cost and eventually leads to more total production.

Work Sited:

Plautz, Jessica. “Smart Carry-On Lets You Track Bag’s Location and Charge Other Devices.” Mashable. Mashable Inc., 20 Oct. 2014. Web. 21 Oct. 2014. <http://mashable.com/2014/10/20/bluesmart-indiegogo-funded/>.

Because of the geographic location, Typhoon Haiyan has literally striped the Philippines’ assets-largely its infrastructures, to be exact. Natural hazards cost the country 1.6 billion dollars annually. Trinh Nguyen who is a HSBC economist said that infrastructure investment has become an urgent and important critical activity of Philippines.

Though they can rebuild their house after the disaster, it is not a sustainable way to solve the problem from a long-term perspective. Typhoon Haiyan can not only be regarded as a simple natural disaster, what’s more important is it damages three aspects, including environmental, social and financial which are the basis of a country. The damage from Typhoon Haiyan on environment is obvious. But it also shows the negative impact on society and its finance, for example, citizen’s houses were destroyed which reflected that government’s investment on infrastructure is not powerful, and resulted in the financial cost. It not only reflects that Philippines must value the sustainability, but also warn Philippines to pay more attention to social responsibility. The government must invest more fund and energy on its infrastructure and assets, so as to protect the safety of its people and asset, and develop its productivity.

“Typhoon Haiyan: Not Simply a Natural Disaster” http://blog.ubc.ca Nov 14, 2013. https://blogs.ubc.ca/rachelchan/2013/11/14/typhoon-haiyan-a-natural-or-financial-disaster/ Nov. 9, 2014

Alibaba Group and Yoku&Tudou hold associated strategy news conference in Beijing. Both of them announced to develop all-round cooperation, and promote data technology in China’s marketing field. Alimama which is a branch marketing platform of Alibaba supports some new video marketing models on Yoku & Tudou though data and technology, and in the meanwhile, it will help merchants to do digital operation, decrease video running cost, and let all small companies like big brands to create their brands and serve for consumers.

The two platforms will provide digital operation support for small and middle advertisers, so as to decrease the video running cost, which is for attracting small and middle e-business customers. Actually, both Alibaba and Yoku&Tudou develop their business through cooperating with each other. It is a new strategy for them. If they could develop this strategy efficiently, they would obtain their benefit from the strategy and reach win-win situation. Besides, the data and technology developed by Alimama is the reflection of innovation. Only innovation can make corporation break the tradition, and attract new business chance. For Alibaba, this is another innovative model, which will bring it a new progress. The combination of e-business and video will break the barrier between brand advertisement and advertising effect, and will result in an unexpected change.

“What is subverted by the combination of e-business and video?” http://biz.icxo.com Nov 3,2014. http://biz.icxo.com/htmlnews/2014/11/03/1454522.htm. Nov 3. 2014

Microsoft Company announced that they reduced about 3000 posts and finished its downsizing plan. Among the 18 thousand retrenched staffs, about 12500 staffs come from the Nokia mobile phone department which was bought at the beginning of the year. As the biggest software company in the world, after finishing it downsizing plan, its still has 110 thousand staffs. The chief executive officer of Microsoft Company said that downsizing is an important measure for Microsoft to adjust its strategic direction, and is also for helping the company to move forward much flexibly and rapidly.

Microsoft Company’s downsizing is not accidental, but the result of cautious consideration and analysis. For a company, the strategy of downsizing is significant for its development, so the management level must analyze its situation carefully, including its internal and external environment, such as politic, economic, social, technology and law factors. In addition, they also should analyze their advantages, weakness, opportunities and threat, so as to help them to make correct decisions for the company. Microsoft Company’s downsizing is the result of its management level’s careful discussion and analysis on the company’s each aspect, and is also the reflection of Microsoft’s adjustment on its strategic direction. The downsizing measure may make Microsoft Company simplified and strengthen its management level, and finally push its productivity and influence.

“Microsoft operates downsizing” http://biz.icxo.com Oct. 31. 2014. http://biz.icxo.com/htmlnews/2014/10/31/1454514.htm . Oct. 31. 2014

On Oct. 4th, Dasiqox Tribal Park was formally unveiled by First Nation Tsilhqot’in people, titling to 1,750 square kilometres of land west of Williams Lake. As the natives have always been advocating their First Nation Rights of hunting, fishing and living while opposing to mining actions, the land declared by the natives purposely includes the Taseko Mines Ltd.’s Fish Lake property.

http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Indians-Pilgrims.jpg

The article demonstrates a good example of how First Nations could be a potential external threat for businesses. According to the Aboriginal Rights, natives have the right to occupy their own home territories; which means, this action made by the natives is totally legal and reasonable. For the businesses, this task is indeed detrimental for developing future projects. In addition, a long-term partnership between the two groups would also be no longer tangible.

To help with the current situation, some tips could be given by using the class knowledge. First of all, protection to the fish habitat should be ensured prior to all future mining projects. Moreover, job opportunities should be offered primarily to the local natives who might be interested in working in both areas, thus leading to a better partnership development.

Work Cited:

Pynn, Larry. “Tsilhqot’in Set to Declare Site of New Prosperity Mine a Tribal Park.” VancouverSun. Postmedia Network Inc., 11 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Oct. 2014. <http://www.vancouversun.com/news/metro/Unilateral+park+declared+Tsilhqot+includes+Prosperity+mine/10192766/story.html>.

“Aboriginal Rights.” Aboriginal Rights. Web. 5 Oct. 2014. <http://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/home/land-rights/aboriginal-rights.html>.

In North America, McDonald’s is recognized as one of the most popular fast-food chain; yet lacking in innovation has always been its internal weakness. However, “Not all McDonald’s are created equal.”

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McDonald’s in western Sydney has recently unveiled an upgraded ordering approach which features a touch screen displaying 19 options for different ingredients and toppings. In addition to burger preferences, in-store seating locations are also selectable on the touch screen. McDonald’s takes customers’ preferences into account with this new customization technique, which would be an internal strength thus reinforces its customer relations.

Even though the touch screen ordering menu is still on the testing stage, it would spread nationwide if consumers respond well. I find it interesting to visualize McDonald’s marketing tactic if Gourmet Burger becomes popularized. Indeed, it would be the new focus in marketing as its uniqueness could let McDonald’s to surpass the rest of the competitors in the industry. With all points of parities such as internet access that are being almost universal in every relative companies, Gourmet Burger could stand out to be a point of difference that makes McDonald’s a viable competitor.

Work Sited:

Koerber, Brian. “McDonald’s Unveils New Gourmet Burger Menu in Australia.” Mashable. Mashable Inc., 4 Oct. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://mashable.com/2014/10/04/mcdonalds-gourmet-burgers-australia/>.

Since China is one of the primary target markets of Apple, the delay of the iPhone 6 launch due to government regulatory problems not only cuts Apple’s revenue but it is also detrimental for gaining new followers. According to TianYe’s blog about the current situation in the Chinese Apple market, it is essential for Apple to always keep an eye on government policies of the target market countries. Personally I concur with this statement as Apple is drastically losing its market shares in mainland China from 13.2 percent to 5.6 percent for Apple’s iOS accounts.

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/files/imagecache/860x/images/iphone_small.jpg

In addition, the price of the iPhone 6 in the black market has dramatically dropped after the first week of selling. Due to the new iPhone’s unstable system, easily bendable frame and its incompatibility with China’s 4G network, the selling price dropped from ~$2,700 US dollars to ~6,500 rmb (approximately $1,060 US dollars). The unexpected low demand results in a supply chain surplus, thus most iPhone dealers who smuggle iPhone 6s from other countries to China now begin to lose money.

The chain reaction of losing money couldn’t have been an outcome if Apple overcomes the issues with the Chinese government when launching the new iPhone. The best way for Apple to avoid similar loss is to reinforce the customer relationship as well as building strong partnership with Chinese cellphone carriers as TianYe stated. Moreover, Apple should be cautious about their value prepositions, in this case the frame of the new iPhone, to prevent external threats such as “bendable phone” rumors.

Work Sited:

Campbell, Mikey. “Apple to Reportedly Miss Internal Launch Target for Chinese IPhone 6.” Appleinsider. 2014, Quiller Media, Inc., 10 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/09/10/apple-to-reportedly-delay-chinese-iphone-6-launch>.

Guo, TianYe. “SWOT- “BIGGER AND BETTER”.” Tianye Guos Blog. 2014Tianye Guo’s Blog, 20 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <https://blogs.ubc.ca/tianyeguo/2014/09/20/swot-bigger-and-better-is-still-waiting-on-bench/>.

Villapaz, Luke. “Apple Delays IPhone 6 Launch In China, Its Most Challenging Market.” International Business Times. 2014 IBT Media Inc., 10 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ibtimes.com/apple-delays-iphone-6-launch-china-its-most-challenging-market-1684266>.

Reisinger, Don. “Prices Drop for IPhone 6 Devices Smuggled into China — Report – CNET.” CNET. CBS Interactive Inc., 29 Sept. 2014. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://www.cnet.com/news/smuggled-iphone-6-units-see-prices-slashed-in-china-report-says/>.