(The above image describes the benefits from installing a smart meters in your home through BC Hydro perspective.)

Source of article: http://www.straight.com/article-552136/vancouver/smartmeter-concerns-keep-coming-forward

The article “Concerns over B.C. Hydro’s smart meters keep coming” by Matthew Burrows talks about the installation of “Smart Meters” by BC Hydro in the British Colombia. BC Hydro’s project was to upgrade their technology by changing all current smart meters to a new version in which new features would be added. However, consumers of BC Hydro raised concerns about the new technology being installed in their home. Questions such as if smart meters are safe, how much radiation they emit, if monitors are installed within it and etc… A lot of consumers within BC refused the new smart meters, leading to that the entire operation was not as successful as it was supposed to be. In my opinion, I believe that BC Hydro should have been more careful in the possible approaches that their consumers would have when presenting the new Smart Meters. The fact that these devices work through wireless aroused question on privacy rights and that they should be removed. If BC Hydro is still to dedicate time into the project, new initiatives must be taken so smart meters may be installed in all of BC to decrease energy consumption and make a more green world.

Source of Image: http://www.bchydro.com/etc/medialib/internet/images/smi/smart_meters_working.Par.0001.Image.jpg

Source of article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20354081

After reading Stephanie Flanders article, an Economics editor from the Economics.com magazine. She expressed some though provoking ideas concerning the union and the financial crisis of the euro. In the article Flanders uses the word “privet state”, which is the country in which all other european countries will turn to. At first, I had the idea that Greece and Spain where the cause of most of the euro financial crisis, but after reading the article Italy seems to be the “pivot state”. In this case, pivot state could be interpreted in two different ways. The first one would be as the country that will save the euro-union from the crisis, and the second is the country that all other countries will turn against to save themselves. In my eyes, Italy would be the pivot state in which every other European country might turn against. Nevertheless, Germany and France have still a decent economic stability, being the pillars of the european union as well with the U.K. Yet, much work is needed within the union, too much has been spent and wrong decisions have been made leading to negative externalities. Unemployment and social unrest are common result of economic crisis, which the government shall take care of before further concerns are to be raised.

Source of Image: http://ic.payap.ac.th/media/img/news_channel_204.jpg

Brandon Yen’s Blog

Article: http://www.economist.com/news/business/21565926-video-games-are-behind-latest-fad-management-more-just-game

“Gamers Poses the Secrete Executive Want?” has various interesting yet intriguing idea when using “Gamificiation” as a way to improve production. After reading Brandon’s response to the article, I do i agree in that it is interesting how some people may dedicate ours of their time to achieve a virtual challenge. The irony is, video games are known to decrease productivity within the labour of a firm. Yet, now management gurus have the opportunity to introduce the idea of “For the Win” as Kevin Werbach and Dan hunter describe. The idea of getting a “badge” or an intangible award depending on how many hours where put into work would definitely increase production in my opinion.

Also, I must share that such hours dedicated into gaming may lead to addiction. Leading me to the idea that if this strategy was to be used within a corporation it could be considered as manipulation to some extent. Or, it could also be used to help long and boring work in which mental concentration is largely demanded. Not only it would benefit the company in terms of production, but also the individual (worker) making it easier for him to work. It’s all about being “Hooked” as said in the article that is the motivation behind the hours of investment put into gaming or other intangible activity.

Image source: http://www.pascalfredette.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/gamification2.png

Bryan Woo’s Blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/bryanwoo/2012/09/25/icelands-attitude-towards-the-loonie-gets-icy/

Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/canadian-dollar-a-poor-choice-for-iceland-central-bank-says/article4564361/

After reading the article commented by Bryan, and analyzed his thoughts about the articles I must say that Bryan does make a point in why the Loonie currency would not be a viable option for Iceland. As discussed in the articles reports informing potential adoption of other currencies such as the euro or the british pound where released. Speculation about an appreciation in the Canadian dollar is rumored, yet Iceland’s currency has been holding a higher exchange rate than the U.S dollar for quite some time. Now, when considering which other currency could be adopted , the euro is yet to unstable and in financial crisis. However, the pound may be a good option to consider if Iceland does decide to change its monetary policies. On the other hand, the most viable option in my would most probably be going the Nordic currency since these are considered nordic countries and share similar features geographically and socially. Yet, I do believe that Iceland will keep its current currency, the Króna. In addition, Iceland and Canada do not have vast trade relationship with a different business cycle making it hard for Iceland to adapt.

Image source: http://learnthat.com/files/2010/02/exchange-currency1.jpg

Link of article: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/technology/nokia-posts-loss-as-smartphone-sales-lag.html?ref=business

 Again! Another giant struggles through the market this one being Nokia and their smartphones. In my previous blog “Apple loses UK tablet design appeal versus Samsung”, it was discussed how the originality of iPads was shared with the Samsung tablets, which, in the long run didn’t really make any significant difference in Apples sells.

Nevertheless, going back to the main article, as customers wait for a new version of windows to be released for smartphones, Nokia has been making tremendous losses reaching more than 969 million euros. Why so? Lumia, being Windows smartphones line in association with Nokia. The current Lumia smartphones cannot be updated, therefore leading Nokia with a large decrease in demand for their smartphones and making next year an interesting year as Mr. Elop said (O’brien, Kevin J). It is now doubted that Nokia will have a comeback story like it was previously speculated. In my opinion, if Nokia is not to innovate in their product and not invent something out of the box, any other big corporation such as Samsung and Apple will take them out of the game.

Image: The English Blog. “The English Blog.” : Cartoon: Nokia’s Black Hole. N.p., 09 Feb. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.englishblog.com/2012/02/cartoon-going-into-a-tunnel.html>.

Article: O’brien, Kevin J. “Nokia Posts Loss as Smartphone Sales Lag.” The New York Times. The New York Times, 19 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/technology/nokia-posts-loss-as-smartphone-sales-lag.html?ref=business>.

Link to article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19989750

In the articles read above, two multi-national companies by the name of Apple and Samsung are fighting over the market in UK in terms of iPads or electronic tablets. In the article it is said that the Samsung Galaxy tablets where more successful than the iPads in terms of selling due to design appeal and style. Nevertheless, a judge in the article stated that iPads where more “cool” (BBC) due to their “extreme simplicity (BBC)  . If looking at the situation through a more economic perspective, instantly, there is a though competition between these two giant corporations.

In my own opinion, I would expect a decrease in the demand for Samsung tablets in contrary to iPads since Apple offers a product considered as easier to use and more comfortable. Yet, innovation and research is going to be necessary in Apples side if they still expect to be the main market holders.

Image: Alt1040. “Samsung Pasa Al Ataque Y Demanda a Apple.” ALT1040. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://alt1040.com/2011/04/samsung-pasa-al-ataque-y-demanda-a-apple>.

Article: BBC. “Apple Loses UK Tablet Design Appeal versus Samsung.” BBC News. BBC, 18 Oct. 2012. Web. 18 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19989750>.

Link to article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19986409

The article “eBay third-quarter profits and sales rise” discusses the profits that eBay has been making equal to three fourth of a quarter of their total revenue. eBay’s net revenue rose of approximately 15%, being a larger amount than usual. On the other hand, the main reason for their increase in terms of revenue may be due to the new application that eBay and Apple developed. Ingeniously, an eBay application has been released from which people have the ability to buy and sell products through their phone and others. As said in the article “Mobile continues to be a game-changer for us, and we continue to be a clear leader in mobile commerce and payments.”(Official EBay Windows Phone App.), in other words they successfully used technology in their advantage to expand their market and compete for greater profits. In addition, a future plan that they could possibly take in order to expand even further would be to directly be able to provide their service on not only iPhones but also Androids and other smartphones.

Image: Official EBay Windows Phone App Updated to Version 1.18. Digital image. Mobile Mode. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.mobilemode.com/Windows-Phone/Official-eBay-Windows-Phone-app-updated-to-version-1-18.html#.UIBRAWk-vw4>.

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India opens retail to global markets:

Link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19596091

After reading the articles “India opens retail to global supermarkets”, various important points where noticed when talking about India and its potential growth due to the opening of the retail to global supermarkets. From what can be read there will be short-run and long-run externalities. When talking in the short-run, yes, the opening of retails to global market will create attraction for international corporations such as Walmart. If these where to enter the market and possess 51% of the market share as said in the articles, in the long-run it may take advantage of that market share to reach the point in which the company would have monopolistic power. The Indian economy will grow and stabilize as the government took similar precautions in previous years.

In other words, it is a great opportunity for Walmart to expand and create larger revenues by expanding internationally.

Image: Walmart entering India. Digital image. Thoughtful Inida. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://thoughtfulindia.com/2011/11/hello-walmart-cabinet-approves-51-fdi-in-indian-retail-to-tackle-inflation/>.