Canadian cellphone consumers are paying some of the highest rates in the world, but what is there to be done about it?

In January 2014, the Canadian Government will be auctioning off the elusive 700 MHz spectrum, which is sought after by the telecommunication industry. All potential bidders needed to apply before September, including foreign investors. As Andrei Burlacu pointed out, it is very costly for foreign communication companies to enter Canada. Unfortunately, after lots of speculation about Verizon’s possible break into the Canadian market, Verizon is not a potential bidder in the upcoming 700MHz election.

A foreign telecommunications company entering the Canadian market could have lowered the current Canadian cellphone rates due to increased competition. Despite the big three (Telus, Bell, and Rogers) forming a coalition against new entrants, their opinions are single sided. These companies claim that a new entrant into the market will result in a loss of jobs for Canadians and “will have massive consequences” (Mobile Syrup). The flip side to this coin is the cellphone market becomes increasingly competitive in a normally stable market. Increase competition will lead to better offers for Canadian cellphone consumers.

External Links:

http://mobilesyrup.com/2013/09/02/verizon-ceo-says-theyre-not-coming-to-canada-story-was-way-overblown/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/no-major-us-telecoms-to-bid-in-canadas-wireless-spectrum-auction/article14461058/

Growing up as a Vancouverite, I’ve noticed the people like to be involved in the community while constantly aware of what is happening around the city. It can be challenging to scour the web to find local events that appeal to each individual. Vancity Buzz is my favorite local blog site that complies information that is directed toward the people of Vancouver, yet diverse enough to satisfy different interests. Vancity Buzz complies local events, current news, insider’s info, food tips, and lifestyle information. I appreciate how most of their blog posts cut straight to the point and only include the information that is necissary.

The most memorable blog post that I read on Vancity Buzz was their recap of Science World ads around Vancouver. At the time, the list addressed Science World’s controversial advertising campaign, while enlightening the public on previous, less controversial campaigns.

Vancity Buzz is a growing blog site that is only five years young. With the direction they’re headed, Vancity Buzz seems to be striving to be on the forefront of breaking news. Many breaking news stories that I have heard in the recent months were first seen on Vancity Buzz.

Tiesto, the world renowned DJ had a show scheduled for October 28 at the Pacific Coliseum. On the day of the show Tiesto planned to fly in from London to Vancouver, but unfortunately his flight got delayed and was trapped in London with no way of making it to Vancouver in time for his show. He even tried to pay for a private jet, but even they need four hours notice. Ultimately, the Vancouver show needed to be canceled.

Now, how did Tiesto manage to cancel a show and still take ethical measures?

Tiesto himself broke the news to his fans about the unfortunate circumstances through Twitter. This was followed by constant tweets from Tiesto about his situation in London “that one time I fly commercial to Vancouver my plane gets super delayed.”- @Tiesto. Although fans were devastated, they felt more connected than ever to their favorite artist because of Twitter. Nobody forced Tiesto to periodically update his fans, but it was tweets like these that made it ethical thing to do.

The show was postponed to the following week, featuring a 3 hour-long special performance by Tiesto to make up for his prior cancelation.

External Link:

http://www.vancitybuzz.com/2013/10/dooms-nights-tiesto-concert-canceled/

Screen Shot: https://twitter.com/tiesto

Most people who use the Internet are well aware that the posts that are made online are a representation of their physical selves, so post with caution.  In today’s social media landscape, I think this statement could not be more far off. Social media profiles are controlled by an individual or group of individuals, and through filtered posts create the desired perception for their viewers. The sender has complete control over what glimpse their viewers have access to.

Home Depot’s Twitter account recently posted a racist tweet featuring a picture of two African American males and a monkey costume. The individual who had access to Home Depot’s Twitter account posted the controversial tweet has been fired. The tweet has resulted, in Home Depot being scrutinized for this one individual’s actions.

As a consumer, although this tweet was posted on Home Depot’s Twitter account, I am hopeful that this is an isolated incident and in no way a reflection of Home Depot’s values as a whole. Saying so, Ondraya Swanson’s blog does cast a bright light on the negative repercussions that come from misuse of online networking.

External Link: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2493662/Home-Depot-fires-racist-employee-tweet-African-American-drummers-gorilla.html

Coca-Cola is being pressured by gay-rights activists to speak out about their support surrounding the Sochi 2014 Olympics. Currently, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has imposed a ban on the propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations towards minors. With the Sochi Olympics just around the corner, one online petition has already recorded over 350,000 signatures in favour of Coca-Cola taking a stance against Russia’s anti-gay laws. Coca-Cola has established a reputation for their support for the LGBT Community while company values “do not condone human rights abuses, intolerance, or discrimination of any kind anywhere in the world”.

With Coca-Cola being an essential sponsor in the Sochi Olympics, it raises the ethical question; does Coca-Cola publicly take a stance against Russian anti-gay laws? In my opinion, Coca-Cola should stay true to their brand. If actions don’t coincide with company values, then what is the point of having company values? If Coca-Cola wanted to prove the strength of their company, Coca-Cola would publicly take a stance against Russian laws regardless of economic losses that may arise.

Coca-Cola is not the only major sponsor of the Sochi Olympics. If other major sponsors like McDonalds and Visa see that Coca-Cola has done, other companies may follow suit to further the message to the Russian Government.

External Links: http://www.pri.org/stories/2013-10-24/three-months-sochi-olympics-and-coke-under-pressure

http://action.sumofus.org/a/coke-russia-lgbt/

I applaud Samsung for creating a product other than a new variant of their existing Galaxy smartphone, but rushing the Galaxy Smartwatch to the market does not mean Samsung will be the industry leader in wearable technology. In class, we discussed many examples of products that were first to market, which gave them a future competitive edge. This held true for products like the iPad, and Redbull, but I do not believe Samsung’s Smartwatch is destined for the same future.

Early reviews of the Galaxy Watch have been skeptical on functionality. While the Galaxy Watch is able to conveniently notify users of telephone calls and text messages, the watch does not support emails or social media notifications. The watch is only compatible with Samsung’s recently released Galaxy Note 3, and not their flagship device, the Galaxy S 4.

There is speculation that Samsung rushed the release of the watch because of the rumors surrounding Apple’s imminent break into the wearable technology market. Many creditable sources have stated that Samsung was worried about Apple’s possible offering and as a result, compromised quality for time sake.

Based on the unfavorable reviews of the Galaxy Watch, Samsung needed to have put more effort into their break into the wearable technology market. If the Galaxy Watch is an indication of future smartwatches there will be no market for this product and a competitive edge will be meaningless.

External Link: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324432404579053923477137670

Photo sharing app Instagram, owned by Facebook (FB), plans to implement ads into users photo feeds. Advertisements will be built into photo feeds simulating regular Instagram posts. Instagram is pushing advertisements to be creative and unique to follow suit with Instagram’s current photo culture. Facebook has already successfully transitioned to an ad based revenue model, which includes sponsored posts in timelines.

At first, many people have responded negatively to Instagram’s future plans, but Facebook has proved that this model can be issued with little disruption to previous services. Currently, Instagram does not support advertising on their mobile application. If Facebook’s history is any indication of Instagram’s future, then these implemented advertisements will not be detrimental to Instagram’s growth. At first, many will experience a decline in satisfaction caused by change, but as usage continues, advertising on timelines will be common.

The only way advisements can be implemented in users photo feeds successfully will be if the ads do not feel disruptive and are not distracting from the overall user experience. Instagram may run into troubles with a decline in active users if the advertisements take away from experience. Finding the right advertisers may pose as a challenge considering the majority of posts on Instagram are of people, scenery, and food.

External Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/10/04/instagram-to-start-ads-in-photo-feeds-as-facebook-makes-revenue-push/

Airlines in North America are taking fees to all new heights. Today, travelers are well aware that airlines charge for almost anything extra on top of their plane ticket. Expect airlines in the future to push these fees towards added extras that are not necessary for a comfortable trip. If a customer chooses to divulge in these added perks, their travel experience is guaranteed to be a more personal experience.

Airlines should not need to offer additional fees in order for the customer to receive a personalized experience. From a customer point of view, it would be refreshing for an airline to advertise a ticket price, which includes these now additional perks to flying. Through this business model, every traveler has the opportunity to divulge in a variety of services and create their own personalized experience. When customers choose their services it eliminates the thought of the airline nickel and diming for every service.

I understand the appeal of discount airlines, but there must be a market segment available which values paying a higher upfront cost knowing they will receive a personalized experience in the end.

External Link:

http://www.theprovince.com/travel/Airlines+shift+focus+from+baggage+fees+services+make+flying+better/8976543/story.html

Rogers Communications Inc.  and American communications brand Sprint, are actively creating a plan to deploy smartcars in Canada. No, smartcars are not related to the two-seated go-carts that populate the streets of Vancouver; however, smartcars are referring to automobiles that go beyond the typical protocols of a car, in this case automobiles that contain mobile hot spots. Smartcars are blurring the lines between market segments; by combining two previously separate markets of home Internet with automobiles.

Blurring the lines between markets is not a new concept. A similar outcome has been achieved in the mobile phone industry. A current day smartphone is a combination of multiple previously separate markets like electronic day timers, cameras, mp3 players, portable video game consoles, and even everyday tools like compass’s and flashlights.

In class, the topic of Apple’s concern over the decline in popularity of the iPod was brought to question. My opinion was no, because the market shifted toward the iPhone where it too has an iPod in addition to many more tools.

If smartcars follow in the footsteps of mobile phones, then who knows what may happen to cars in the future. Rogers has a track record of shifting with the industry. Originally a video rental company, to a communications company, and now Rogers is applying their communications background to automobiles.

Article Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/personal-tech/Rogers+Sprint+launch+Internet+connectivity+cars/8964799/story.html

Vancouver origionated company, Lululemon, is amending their relationship with customers after a temporary protocol insisted customers bend-over for store empolyees. This news comes after Lululemon issued a recall on 17 percent of their athletic pants for potentially being too transparent. A customer was allegedly instructed to bend-over with the pants on, while an employee inspected the pants in question. Bending-over for employees was supposedly protocol before the recalled pants could be returned. It was not long before Lululemon appologized for their protocols and returned the pants with a no questions asked policy.

From a personal perspective, a company should have other ways to verify a defective product rather than forcing customers into uncomfortable positions and exposing themselves. Ethically, this is innapropriate for employees to suggest to their customers, especially when this was not the only option. For example, light tones could have been put between the pants and external exposure be viewed from there.

The negative light that this news brought to the company affected the brand, employees, existing and potential customers, and the shareholders. From here, Lululemon can reinstate their return policy to the public and ensure a better future when it comes to Lululemon products.

External Link: http://www.businessinsider.com/customer-complains-about-lululemon-sheer-pants-2013-3