Translation: What is your name?

Many big-name business are taking the Quebec government to court due to a controversy over French signs. Quebec’s language watchdog, The Office Quebecois de la Langue Francaise, is insisting that retailers such as Walmart, Best Buy, Old Navy and Costco change their signs to incorporate some French.

Six companies that are taking legal action of the issue and who are represented by two law firms are Walmart, Costco, Best Buy, Gap, Old Navy and Guess. These retailers are appealing to the Quebec Superior Court and are arguing that language laws have not formally been changed and that the language office does not have the right to demand that these retailers change their signs to incorporate French. Furthermore, section 63 of Quebec’s French Language Charter states that the name of a business must be in French, however this generally hasn’t been applied to trademarked names.

The vice-president for the Retail Council of Canada’s Quebec branch, Nathalie St-Pierre, says “the province wants to change the rules without having modified the law”. She states the case that many other companies have abided by Quebec’s language requirements for a very long time and now they’re being forced to comply with a new interpretation of an old law. Provincial politicians have supported the watchdog’s move in calling for the larger companies to comply with the law but fail to acknowledge the fact that for companies, changing signage could be a costly venture.

Sources:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/11/18/quebec-language-rules_n_2153803.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business

http://www.calgaryherald.com/business/businesses+heading+court+against+Quebec+government+over+French/7567073/story.html

http://www.worldtrademarkreview.com/daily/Detail.aspx?g=b0658a4c-c80e-434a-bbc4-4a8a1e67616f

Images:

http://couponchristine.com/insider-information-from-a-couponer-secret-money-saving-tips-for-shopping-at-costco/

http://www.forbes.com/sites/lydiadishman/2012/05/22/wanted-new-ceo-to-steer-best-buy-through-troubled-water-must-have-turnaround-experience/

Wii U: Another Video Game Revolution

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Robert De Luca

Nintendo’s new Wii U console which went on sale this past week is unlike any gaming console that came before it. Nintendo was wildly successful with the Wii – in its first four years, the Nintendo Wii console outsold it’s 2 main competitors (the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3), logging roughly 79 million units by the end of 2010.

The Wii U Console is a gaming product unlike anything else on the market.

The Wii’s commercial success is attributed in part to it’s innovative use of motion technology and reinvention of the casual gaming market which was dominated by big-title Microsoft and Sony consoles. Now, Nintendo has differentiated its product once again by providing the Wii U with an innovative handheld controller interface as well as a console which hooks up to a television. By comparison, research firm IHS iSuppli predicts that the Wii U will sell 56.7 million in its first 4 years.

However, the video game market today is vastly different from the market 6 years ago which was when the last major gaming console was released. Console sales have been falling in recent years because of lack of a new system – but now, Nintendo has high hopes for it’s new Wii U gaming system. The Wii U now faces even stronger competitors in alternative, non-traditional gaming consoles such as the iPad and smartphones so consequently, the market has even higher competition and is a crowded space for consumer electronics . Regardless, Nintendo’s differentiated yet traditional product will hopefully but the company a cut above the rest yet again.

Sources:

http://gadgets.ndtv.com/games/news/nintendos-wii-u-sets-sail-in-a-sea-of-gadgets-294181

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gaming/nintendos-wii-u-moves-to-head-of-console-class-for-now/article5404215/

Image:

Wii U Review: The Future Is In Good Hands

All Twinkies Go to Heaven: Death of an American Icon

Posted on November 19, 2012 by Robert De Luca

The iconic puff pastry in all its glory.

Friday, November 16th will forever be known as the day that America’s favourite childhood
treat died. At 82 years old, the company Hostess’s most famous processed cream puff pastry snack lived a long and successful life; however the era of the Twinkie has come to a close.

Born in 1930, the iconic Twinkie quickly became a successful product. The Twinkie survived the Great Depression, 3 major wars and the crumbling of the Berlin Wall; however ultimately the Twinkie is now no longer due to labor problems in a company that had detrimental wages and benefit disputes which both allegedly lead the company into hundreds of millions of dollars in debt.

Consumers are heartbroken – especially the ones that grew up with the 4-inch-long sponge cake. Consumers need not worry, however. Hostess has put the Twinkie brand (along with Zingers and Fruit Pies etc) up for grabs so while century old company is going under, there is potential that the brands don’t have to.

Regardless, consumers are stocking up on Twinkies and other fan favourites that Hostess produces just in case they really won’t be available in the future.

Sources:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/a-eulogy-for-the-humble-hostess-twinkie/2012/11/16/1bb1e3c0-300c-11e2-a30e-5ca76eeec857_story.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/all-we-can-eat/post/the-best-twinkies-defense-is-a-good-offense/2012/11/16/ee6b8822-2ff1-11e2-9f50-0308e1e75445_blog.html

Images:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/health/Twinkie+ever/7566667/story.html

The Orange & The Twinkie

Drop Expected for Real Estate Prices in Vancouver

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Robert De Luca

Vancouver is notorious for it’s ridiculously high real estate prices coupled with a high standard/cost of living. Now, as we enter into the fourth quarter of 2012, could the Vancouver real estate bubble finally be bursting?

According to Garth Turner, a former Conservative MP, this is the case. He touches on the fact that there has been a steady decrease in prices and sales for the past 90 days and that a further 30-40% decline in prices can be expected over the upcoming months.

This past September saw housing sales fall 32.5% from the same time last year which indicates a clear decrease in consumer demand. Consequently, listings have also been significantly lower; a 6.3% decrease in listings from last September.

According to Eugen Klein, REBGV president, Vancouver’s real estate is now in a buyer’s market; the recent decrease in home sales differs from Vancouver’s reputation of high prices and high sales.Prices are, however, remaining firm, according to Scotiabank economist David Holt. Only time will tell to see if real estate prices will actually decrease significantly in Vancouver.

However, there is a counter argument. Condo marketer Cameron McNeill thinks that the housing market will have no problem sustaining itself. If people are willing to pay for a condominium or piece of real estate then the price will remain constant.

The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline is Finally No More

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Robert De Luca

No, the pipeline project, announced in 2006, which would allow transportation of Canadian resources to Asia via the northern Canadian provinces is not disapproved and a completely lost hope. But it’s close to being dead for good due to the many obstacles the project faces.

01/19/12: Protestors flood Enbridge hearing in Prince George.

Opposition to the project is unavoidable, and for good reason. British Columbians, the unanimous opinion of environmentalists, and non-conservatives in Canadian government all oppose the project due to the cons that the project has: extreme environmental harm (such as oil leaks), land entitlement issues with Aboriginals of Northern BC and Alberta, court battles, and a $3 billion price tag to pull off such a massive project.

On the other hand, the federal government endorses the project, stating that “[the project] is in the national interest of Canada.” The pros of the Northern Pipeline include a resource connection to Asia, a boost to oil-based economies in Canada and creation of over 200 permanent job positions.

The federal government has been accused of favoring oil companies over the interest of Canadian citizens, and in this project’s case, the cons strongly outweigh the pros. If the project were to be approved, legal issues would continue, not only with Aboriginal peoples but also with BC and Alberta residents. At this point in time, it seems as though the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project has finally been run into the ground.

San Francisco Boycotts Apple Products – “Going Green” a Strong Selling Point

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Robert De Luca

During early summer of 2012, Apple had sparked controversy and questioning yet again when it withdrew from EPEAT – an environmental ratings registry.

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool highlights environmentally friendly products which makes buying green simple for consumers. Apple had withdrawn from this ratings registry which had then pushed the city of San Francisco to stop buying its computers.

According to Bob Mansfield, the Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Apple, the company’s decision to remove its products from EPEAT was “a mistake” and in the article posted on the Apple website on July 13, 2012, Mansfield stated that “all eligible products are back on EPEAT.” Mansfield then continued to state Apple’s strong commitment to the environment, and that “Apple is dedicated to designing products that everyone can be proud to own and use.”

It is uncertain as to why Apple made the decision to withdraw in the first place. However, one thing is clear. “Green” is a strong selling point and a source of pride for companies as consumers were disappointed when Apple withdrew from EPEAT. The company recognized this and quickly righted it’s wrong.

Perhaps “going green”- a seemingly old incentive- is gaining momentum again. Consumers respond even stronger to what is environmentally friendly, and companies should recognize that “green” rids consumers of the guilt that accompanies harming the environment. People want to be proud of what they own; Apple’s marketing decision to stay with EPEAT will only help them.

[Business Ethics] Samsung in Hot Water for “Serious Labor Abuses”

Posted on September 13, 2012 by Robert De Luca

Ethical behavior is behavior that is based on morals and is the right way to behave. It is choosing the right and good. It is taking pride in one’s honourable acts.

“Standing for 11 to 12 hours while working, underage workers, severe age and gender discrimination, abuse of student and labor dispatch workers, a lack of worker safety, and verbal and physical abuse.”

Does this sound like a labourer’s nightmare to you? Surely conditions like this could never exist in a modern South Korea-based company, right?

Think again.

Samsung Electronics Co. is facing accusations from a US-based labor group known as China Labor Watch who, after thorough investigation of no less than eight supplier factories, is furious at the electronic giant for allowing such appalling, unethical behaviour to exist within it’s operations. It seems as though there is nothing honorable whatsoever about the way the company treats it’s workers.

The investigation took place from May to August 2012, and examined multiple factories in China which employ around 24,000 workers. The report stated that the base salary for these workers is below $250 a month. Considering the 100 hours of overtime that workers allegedly are forced to work, this salary calculated to an hourly wage is a shockingly small amount.

China Labor Watch stated that “Samsung Electronics Co. plants and suppliers in China employed underage workers, forced them to work overtime and exposed them to unsafe conditions”. Furthermore, according to the report filed by the labor company, “The list of illegal and inhumane violations is long” and includes claims that labourers also do not have a voice in their own workplace.

Samsung is luckily being punished for it’s extreme violations against labor laws and is now being forced to reconsider how their products will be manufactured. However, at the time of writing, Samsung had not offered any comments on the report.

Works Cited:

Osborne, Charlie. “Samsung Accused of Labor Violations in China.” CNET News. CBS Interactive, 05 Sept. 2012. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://news.cnet.com/8301-10797_3-57506215-235/samsung-accused-of-labor-violations-in-china/>.

“Samsung Abuses Workers at Its China Plants, Labor Group Says.” Bloomberg. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Sept. 2012. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-05/samsung-china-workers-physically-verbally-abused-group-says.html>.

http://answers.ask.com/Society/Philosophy/what_is_ethical_behavior

http://www.itworldcanada.com/images/samsung.jpg

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=289279124945&set=a.285862544945.40970.53121919945&type=1&theater

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Quel est votre nom?

Wii U: Another Video Game Revolution

All Twinkies Go to Heaven: Death of an American Icon

Drop Expected for Real Estate Prices in Vancouver

The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline is Finally No More

San Francisco Boycotts Apple Products – “Going Green” a Strong Selling Point

[Business Ethics] Samsung in Hot Water for “Serious Labor Abuses”