Monthly Archives: November 2014

The Arc Initiative seems like an innovative method of utilizing business tactics to achieve sustainability in underdeveloped regions. I think it is very important for struggling communities to be self-sufficient instead of relying on short-term solutions from non-profit organizations.

Sauder students visit Rwanda as part of the Arc Initiative

So to address the question regarding the need for the Arc Initiative if the United Nations were fully funded I expect three outcomes to take place that would require the overall global society to execute programs such as the Arc Initiative.

If the If the United Nations were fully funded, they would most likely encourage aid to be given in the poorest parts of the world. This may initially seem like a beneficial offering, but in reality these actions would be encouraging short-term solutions, hence rendering these communities fully dependent on the handouts of external parties. We need the arc to fully sustain businesses and to provide families and local business owners with the means to gain their own income.

Another possibility is the UN would try to increase international trade, tearing down tariffs and other barriers for exports. Businesspeople must be ready, lest they want to see a repeat of the initial effects of globalization: rich countries get richer while poor countries become poorer. The Arc initiative needs to be present to help struggling business off the ground and to be active in the global market.

One last possibility I can imagine happening with the elimination of the financial constraint in the UN is that peace will finally be established in some, if not most, conflicted regions. Families and individuals in these regions will be left with nothing in a post-war community. Organizations may try to solve this by handing out aid, but as I mentioned earlier, this is a short-term solution. The Arc Initiative can build businesses and teach the victims of war how to manage their own companies and turn in a real income for their families.

The Arc Initiative is a powerful tool for creating sustainability. I Hope that I will get the chance to be involved in this innovative program sometime in my Sauder career.

Reference:

Upward Arc

This is a response to   Sean Qi’s Blog on the managerial efficiency of Costco. He clearly states that Costco has a differential advantage when it comes to management. Costco uses the reward system mentioned in “On the folly of rewarding A, while hoping for B” by Steven Kerr. However, the main unfavorable circumstance of this system is that managers often reward an undesirable behavior. Costco solves this problem by altering the traditional reward system: instead of offering a reward after an ideal action has been done, “Costco offers competitive wages, a benefits plan, and other bonuses” (Sean Qi, 2014). Instead of selecting a major few to offer these benefits to, Costco ensures that all its employees receive the same conditions equally (depending on the workers’ positions).

I must agree with Sean when he says that “this particular type of reward system makes it easier for Costco to successfully set expectations for its entire workforce” (Sean Qi, 2014).  I believe that a worker can become attached to their job when they believe in the kind of work that they do, which can increase production level in both quality and quantity. Many people say that products that are “made in China” are most likely to be of terrible quality and easily breakable. This might be because it is common in China for employees to work in unethical working conditions or to get paid an unfair wage. The lack of motivation could be a reasonable explanation for the low-quality products that come from manufacturers in China. However, I think we can all agree that Costco is consistent in delivering its promises on quality service and products. Costco’s management strategy can be a prime example of how proper motivation can result in a more efficient work force within a company.

Work Cited

Qi, Sean. “Costco: A New Approach To Performance Management.” Sean Qi’s Blog. Sean Qi, 2 Nov. 2014. Web. 3 Nov. 2014.