Rosa Jin

Since its debut by BC Hydro last year, Smart Meters have sparked quite the heated discussion amongst consumers all around British Columbia. Despite the fact that Smart Meters were first implemented as far back as 2000 in Italy (followed by numerous other countries all over the globe such as the USA, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Spain, and more), Canada only hopped on board in 2007 – or maybe ‘hopped’ is too strong of a word…

“Nov. 3, 2005 [started] the process of getting “smart meters” [in…] by 2010. In the first phase, meters will be installed on 800,000 homes, mainly in urban areas, by 2007.”

This long implementation period (whether it was for the same reasons or not) is a fitting representation of BC’s response to Smart Meters (2011) as well; many of Hydro’s customers’ have responded negatively, feeling their privacy, security, and health are at risk due to these wireless (and therefore radio frequency-emitting) energy consumption recorders which impose multiple financial burdens on their users. Yet thanks to BC Hydro’s market power (as a monopoly), the company has been installing its Itron meters, in homes and small businesses that fall under a certain amount of kiloWatt usage, at a faster rate than Ontario; the company plans to complete installation of these all over BC by the end of 2012.

While BC Hydro has made the mistake of not providing the sufficient response demanded by its unhappy clients, its most recent response to the events of Hurrican Sandy and storm season is commendable, a step in the right direction. I hope that Hydro will continue to stay up-to-date with its communication and release of information, and this may – eventually – convince the consumers that Smart Meters are, in fact, beneficial on more than one level – financially (long-term), in terms of sustainability, and safety.

Sources Cited:
http://www.bchydro.com/news/conservation/2012/storm-season-smart-meters.html
http://www.bchydro.com/energy_in_bc/projects/smart_metering_infrastructure_program/faqs/radio_frequency.html?WT.mc_id=rd_metersafety
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/energy/smartmeters.html

Photos:
http://www.2020vancouver.com/sites/2020vancouver.com/files/imagecache/660_wide/IMG_1536.jpg
https://mocana.com/blog/wp-content/themes/mocana-red/timthumb/timthumb.php?src=https://mocana.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sandy-meter.jpg&h=277&w=670&zc=1

The largest coffee shop chain in the world, with 19,972 stores in 60 countries and the distinct green and white siren logo of Starbucks, graces workplaces, streets and cars everyday.Traditionally known to sell hot and cold coffee (and coffee-based beverages), along with other snacks and refreshments, the company has taken on a new approach with Starbucks Evenings. With 16 store locations in the U.S. (and more on the way), Starbucks Evenings start at 4 pm and provide customers with a different kind of menu – one that involves an assortment of savoury sides dishes to compliment your choice of alcoholic beverages, such as wine or beer.

This take on brand repositioning is projected with the purpose of ringing in more sales in the evenings and late afternoons, in addition to the loyal customer base that saturates stores in the mornings; however, critics of Evenings worry that the increased availability of alcohol will have an effect on “the risk of alcohol related harm” (Sarah Mart c/o Alcohol Justice). Whether this holds true or not, I feel that Starbucks’ new venture will not only expand their consumer base (thus bringing in more sales), but also improve the company’s already admirable reputation as a sophisticated and trendy brand. While this kind of innovation has been introduced already by Burger King’s “Whopper Bar,” Starbucks’ existing status as a leader in their category will definitely be beneficial in this endeavour’s potential success. They really are doing it right when it comes to brand repositioning.

Sources Cited:

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/food-trends/starbucks-rolling-out-beer-and-wine-sales/article4197514/?service=mobile

Photos:

http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://news.starbucks.com/images/10041/EveningsFactSheet.jpg&imgrefurl=http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id%3D674&h=450&w=600&sz=38&tbnid=73zWb6pp5t10pM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=135&zoom=1&usg=__Rvi7HpPbHnYZ7X22Pr9WiHpKh9s=&docid=dar4mW91-zAYdM&sa=X&ei=SXyMUKSbFIrPigKiw4CgAQ&ved=0CDUQ9QEwBA&dur=2039

As the releases of the new iPhone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S3 stir up the debate between iPhones and Androids, we ask ourselves:
where is the future of RIM headed?

In June (2012), Forbes published an article containing their Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, which lists the current lines of smartphones according to “consumer engagement and corporate profitability.” Blackberry sat below Nokia, LG, and Motorola, at a mere no. 7, while Apple and Samsung lounged comfortably at the top at 1 and 2 (respectively). This was not only is a visual representative of RIM’s (already plummeted and continuously dwindling) appeal to consumers, but was also reflective of RIM’s decrease in sales by 20%, “with its market value down nearly 76% from a year ago.”

However, a recent article by Crackberry.com informed me that surprisingly enough, Research in Motion’s continues to grow in consumers (by more than 10% annually). Although this sluggish growth doesn’t compare to the likes of Apple and Samsung, it gives me (Blackberry through and through) hope that the launch of Blackberry 10, with its extra convenient, one-hand features to better access notifications and messages, a new keyboard, as well as OS features that differentiate personal and work actions, means a potential future (in market value, subscriber base, reputation, and profits) for RIM.

Sources:

http://crackberry.com/following-blackberry-jam-americas-things-are-looking-bit-research-motion

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marketshare/2012/06/12/6668/

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/09/blackberry-10-features-all-inone-approach-to-the-inbox/

Photos:

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/blackberry-10-os-hardware-delayed-until-2013-20120629/

Sam’s post regarding the cost of today’s education (particularly in the US) sparked an area of high interest to me – as a university student myself. The astounding amounts by which students (many as young as I) are in debt (due to student loans) are truly unbelievable, especially since in today’s society, there is a tremendous importance and preference placed on a post-secondary education. Is it necessary to dig ourselves into these huge holes of monetary incompetence just to have to resort to “quick and easy work immediately after graduation because of the need for income” ? Furthermore, this debt that is plaguing the nation (and then some) is causing a greater and harder to manage problem of a generation of debt-ridden workers who have not much to show for their expensive degrees.

Although many may argue that education is “priceless,” I agree with Business Week’s article (referenced by Dunner), “at what point does it become too much of a good thing?” To what extent do we allow ourselves to give into this notion? Even if it turns out to be “the cause of the next economic crash,” is education still priceless?

Sources:

Is a Debt-Free Education Needed?

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-06/student-loans-debt-for-life

Photo:

http://personal-finance-guru.com/debt-solution-7-money-mistakes/

What does the arrival of Target mean?

Target Corp., the American discount retailer whose red and white logo is recognized all over North America, is preparing for its shiny new launch into Canadian malls, as the existing competition braces for impact. Companies like Winners, Home Outfitters, The Gap, etc. will definitely feel the effects of Target’s arrival, but in comparison, stores like Sears and Wal-Mart will be the ones hit the worst, as they share many of the same target demographics of consumers and the categories of  products. In order to have a chance at staying in the competition, they will need to hang onto their differences (home appliances, mattresses) to separate themselves from the incoming rivalry.

And although this new competition may seem like a huge weight on Canada, there are those that are thriving off of this newcomer: moms.The discounts and accessibility of Target are making households very happy indeed, largely due to the fact that we no longer have to drive miles and miles south in order to get our hands on these great deals and products. In addition, the real estate market is expected to benefit by an incredible amount, since “allowing more retailers both from the U.S. and Canada to expand here will drive up values for retail real estate in Canada.” (Hudson Bay Co.’s owner Richard Baker).

With all these factors in play, what should we expect in reality when the first Target store opens its doors?

Sources:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/on-target-time-the-race-to-prepare-for-a-new-rival/article4573270/comments/

http://www.financialpost.com/news/Target+Canada/4106808/story.html

Photo:

http://www.financialpost.com/news/Target+Canada/4106808/story.html

After dismissing allegations of international bribery for seven years, Wal-Mart is now investigating their own potential violation of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

In 2005, Sergio Cicero Zapata, a former executive of Wal-Mart de Mexico, came forward, confessing to his lengthy contributions in the illegal expansion of his company. Upon notifying one of Wal-Mart’s senior lawyers, who further examined the case, they discovered just how much damage had been done:
$25 million (!) in bribes allowed such a rapid development of stores in Mexico so that “competitors [did] not have time to react.” In fact, 20% of today’s Wal-Mart stores are in Mexico.

Accusations of such scandals have been supported by various suspicious events, such as: the promotions of several executive members closely following the appearance of reports (suggesting this corruption), illegitimate-looking documentation which used “secret codes,” and the firing of an auditor (who had just previously released an audit showing incredibly large payments to gestores in time with Wal-Mart’s sudden growth).

In today’s society of “money-hungry” workhorses, where are our principles and values? Whether this investigation debunks or confirms the suspected charges, it is impeccably clear that Wal-Mart needs to not only acknowledge this issue, but also take a more ethical approach in going about their business, compensating for the immorality of their latest moral mistakes.

Sources:

http://finance.yahoo.com/blogs/daily-ticker/busted-wal-mart-caught-massive-bribery-scandal-goes-150100011.html

http://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article.cfm?articleid=2999