Category: Comm101

For my marketing plan assignment, our group did analysis on Zara. Not like other groups, our group had only three people. For the first two parts of the assignment, we did not have much trouble getting through. We shared ideas of how to carry out the each part at the meeting after class. We mostly did individual work at home sharing and communicating through Facebook. I was little bit frustrated with the way we did it. I wanted to have more ongoing and face to face discussion with my teammates. However, my team was not interested in having too many and frequent meetings.
The real problem rose when the time came for assignment 3. Our team struggled outlining what we want and how we should execute the plans. Our groups nature of having short meeting continued. When one of the other guys did not show up for the class, we were not able to discuss anything on that day. We left it till the very last end and we had to hand in the project without being getting close to my satisfaction. I tried to make other people put more effort but they were simply disinterested in.
Looking back from now, I think I should have took a leader role when other members looked not interested in the project. I think because we left it till the very end, we just wanted to get over with the video and that even held us back.
Next time, if I face a similar situation, I would take more responsibility and start to plan ahead.

After reading a blog post from The Economist, I wanted to share the importance of management information system and combining business with IT. I am currently involved with combined major of business and computer science(BUCS) program. When I tell people that I am in BUCS, even people from Sauder, people are unfamiliar with the program. It is a good thing that Sauder has BUCS but it should more promote the program, make a good curriculum and encourage people to take it. Yes, it is tough to manage both computer science and business but I think it is rewarding. Also if we look at the chart that was provided in the blog, the top creative companies are from:

1. Semiconductors and electronic components
2. Chemicals
3. Computer Hardware
4. Consumer Products
5. Machinery
6. Telecommunications equipment

This video is not related to business but I was so inspired with this clip that I wanted to share with as many people as possible.  I was actually surprise with how the professor from Carnegie Mellon University was not depressed or frustrated with the fact that he is going to die soon.

The very first thing that I thought about it was, could I do the same thing as what he did? The answer? Maybe. Knowing that I have a few months left is such an extreme case that I cannot predict what I would do if  I was in that same situation.

Secondly, if I decided to give “The Last Lecture” what would I tell the audience? I would give a lecture about pursing a goal. Before coming into university, I wanted to be a professional basketball player. However, becoming a successful player is nearly impossible and requires tremendous effort. When I realized that there is little chance of getting into NBA, I decided to contribute with a different approach. Now I have decided to become sports agent which is more feasible. I would like to advice that follow the dream to a realistic extend.

After reading Jerry Chan’s post, I had to strongly agree with Jerry saying that professional sports is a business. Sports should be all about fair play and competition but without any business aspect of it, there will not be any professional leagues. For example, the current NBA lockout is happening because demand from players do not match the supply from the owners and there is a mismatch between distribution of income from the league. If players wanted to play the ball, and I am sure they want to play right now, they could just ignore the profit factor and continue on the season as it was not like they were treating unfairly. It is just they think they deserve more rights.

Looking at the NBA lockout case, it feels like once passed on point, any professional players are motivated by money, not for love of the game or the fans. Yes, it is a sad fact but it is inevitable. Nowadays, what derives people to work so hard and be creative is often money and in order to earn and control money effectively, business is way-to-go.

Lastly, as a huge NBA fan, I just hope that this lockout will end quickly!!

During the class, we discussed about which one to choose, power or money. There were even number of choosing either one. If I have to make the decision, I will choose money. I agree that power gives you lots of privilege and gives you right to control what other people do. However, in my personal opinion, I would take money. If people do not have power, as long as they have money, they can buy the power or bribe the people who have power to use power for the rich people.

If we take a look at the structure of a company, people who know how to play with money, usually finance guys, goes to top position, such as Chief Executive Officer. Also, in the United States government, the president changes every four years and get a chance to serve extra four more year if he/she wins the election. During those years, the president become the most influential person in the world. However, if we see person like Alan Greenspan, he has been with the government and close with the past presidents influencing  their decisions. This is the case if you have money, you can control people who have power.

According to the article, Apple has announced that it increase budget on its supply chain. There are a lot of companies using unique and innovative supply chains; examples will be Dell and Zara. Dell has found a way to easily deliver customized products. Zara enabled t0 make clothing  and get to consumers really quickly. What is so expected from Apple’s decision is the company always has been a leader and a frontier. The things are

• Combining MP3 function with phones, I-Phones
• Green lights on Mac Air when the camera in on
• Their product’s design
• Software and hardware  optimization
• Tablet, I-Pad

January 1st, 1999, the Euro was formed with 17 European countries support. Since then countries that are associated with and using Euro currency enjoyed its prosperous days, becoming one of the most valuable currency in the world with United States Dollar and British Pounds. However, after the fall of Greece and crisis on European economy, I think it is time for them to break up and go their way.

I am not saying that they should not help each other and only focus on success of own countries. I mean is that it is time for them to leave the Euro and go back to their own currency. When the countries were trying to grow, it was a great idea to support each other by making one unified government, in this case European Union. However, once they have made to that point where they are one of the wealthiest and leading countries, it is really touch to manage the organization with many unique figures or countries since it is impossible to set same exact policies to the entire partisan.

In order for the EU to overcome this chaotic periods, it is time for them to go their own way.

In my opinion, this is a really smart promotion by Coca Cola. Without paying so much money and effort, it is able to build its image as sustainable company and company that actually think and care about the world. Whatever its real intention is, I believe that raising awareness for polar bear will help a lot.

Also it well tides into what Coca Cola has done so far. Every Christmas season, it had polar bear on its label and advertisement. It shows customers that it is not something random, rather it is something that it has kept its eyes on.

I believe corporations should incorporate this strategy more. Instead of randomly coming up with an issue and act like they are supporting, it will be better for corporate’s image and for our community to gradually increase the awareness of the issue. Coca-Cola has done great job regarding what I am suggesting. During every holiday season, we are familiar with seeing polar bears on Coca-Cola’s TV advertisements. This year it has taken it to different level. Whereas some companies just randomly choose an issue, promote for a year or so and then move on to next project.

It has been a month since there has been a protest in Wall Street. According to one of the protestors in the video, he quoted that “very small number of people has lots of things and a lot of people have nothing”. What I have gained so far is that people are mad with the fact that rich people gets richer and middle-class/poor people are struggling to get out of their sector.

People believe this inequality came from the tax system. If people invest money to different companies or buy up the shares, they have to pay less tax. Using that system, the rich are gaining more money without paying less tax. Even though the whole structure seems unfair to less fortunate people, the protest is coming from a feeling of self-reproach of people who have less.

Since there is an equal opportunity for every people to invest money and have same privilege, I do not think the system is unfair. I agree with the fact that it is structured for richer people. However, not everyone could be the leader and 1% of people act as leaders in the world. I believe that the rich is raising people’s living standards.

Last week there has been system outage for Research in Motion, Canadian company known for blackberry and PlayBook. Blackberry users had trouble getting and sending messages, and its famous messenger, BBM, did not work. Because of its security and ability to communicate, Blackberry had significant market share among businessmen and companies. Now that it was experienced system failure, for couple of months, a lot of customers will switch to either Android or I-Phone.

However, even though most critics think there is no positive side, I think a little bit different. Experience huge system failure lets RIM recognizes fault in its system and eventually improving them. Also, even though the majority of opinions out there are negative, it was a great opportunity to tell public about the system. People would like to know about what exactly happened and as they research, they will learn about how RIM’s system is different from any other smart phones operating system.

If RIM could improve its operating system better, better here I mean not copying OS from Android or Apple but maintaining its uniqueness and improving its backup system, it has chance to redeem its reputation as one of the leaders in smart phone market.