The evolution of Blackberry.

In Tony Wanless’ blog, The Insider, he discusses the future prospects of RIM saying that “RIM should dump its phone business.” Wanless thinks that RIM should switch their focus from making innovative smartphones to improving their security of data exchange platform. It is an interesting and bold statement that he is making because when people, myself included, think of RIM, we associate that with Blackberrys. When Wanless suggests that ditching the smartphone market and concentrating on a “platform for ultra secure data transmission”  will help salvage the company, we wonder how this would improve RIM as a company.

What Wanless is talking about is rethinking and reevaluating the companies point of parity and their point of difference. The only way RIM will be successful is by having a distinct point of difference. Since their smartphones cannot offer an advantage over other smartphones, it must find another point of difference. In RIM’s case, that would be creating the ultra secure data platform the Wanless discusses. With that in mind, RIM can build their brand around their point of difference which will set them apart from their competitors.

BC seeks ‘fair share’ in new Gateway pipeline deal

In recent news, Premier Christy Clark  is demanding a “fair share” of revenues from the proposed pipelines that would run from Alberta through to British Columbia’s west coast. The purpose of these pipelines is to be able to target the international oil market. However, this is a problem for Alberta as its oil sands are land locked which makes it difficult for them to export petroleum products. Though the proposed pipelines will help the Canadian economy, it also poses a threat to the environment of British Columbia, something that residents are concerned about.

The Trans Mountain Pipeline would run through my neighbourhood of North Burnaby. Therefore, I personally oppose both projects despite the potential benefits and revenues that will result of these them. When local BC residents were surveyed by the Living Ocean Society, only “29.7 per cent said more money from Gateway would make them more likely to support the project” (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/opposition-to-trans-mountain-pipeline-nearing-northern-gateway-levels/article4551051/).

Think about if an increase in revenue would persuade you to support the project. What if its close to your home? Would your mind set change?

Aftermath of the Inlet Drive oil spill in North Burnaby (2007).

The article I read on the internet discussed whether or not profiting from prison labour is ethical or unethical. There are several ethical issues posed by this article. We must consider that when companies hire convicts, they are paying them at a much lower wage than minimum wage. Can we say that this is a form of exploitation? Since employers know that convicts are in need of money, would this be taking advantage of the situation for profits sake?

We must also consider competing companies who choose not to employ convicts, perhaps for ethical reason. It is much harder for these companies to compete as they are at a disadvantage due to higher labour costs. In addition to these issues, convicts also occupy jobs that would otherwise be available for law-aiding citizens. However, we cannot say this is unfair because companies have a choice as to who to employ. For example, companies often take advantage of cheap labour overseas the same way they would with prisoners. I think that people find employing prisoners more unethical because they have contributed negatively to society and therefore do not deserve a job over a law-aiding citizen.