Are you someone who loves travelling like I do? Well recently Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) announced their new product which is set to be released in 2050 which ABC explains. Now what exactly is this product? Well from the title you already know. Yes it’s a windowless plane.

Clearly CPI is trying to enter an already competitive market, which is dominated, by Airbus and Boeing, the two leading airplane manufactures. By creating a windowless plan, it shows that CPI is using a focus differentiated plan. They have decided to enter a popular market, in a way that no one has thought of. Personally I think that its one of the smartest think a company can do.

Recently, I learned about how Business Technology Management (BTM) plays an important role for many companies. CPI clearly shows how important BTM is in a competitive industry today. Through the use of technology, CPI has successfully been able to construct a plane, which is completely different to what any airplane consumer has experienced today. Furthermore, it shows how the use of IT is important in innovation, something consumers are constantly seeking to see. Not only does CPI focus on a new experience flying, but also they also manage to tackle serious issues such as the high CO2 emissions from air travel as well as the long journeys some consumer face. CPI explains that through their new technology, it makes their planes lighter and more fuel efficient, something both Airbus and Boeing fail to tackle.

Initially when I came across this article, I thought that it was a crazy idea. But as I read the article, I realized how smart CPI was by introducing a plane that changes your flying experience. I cannot wait to be in a plane, where I can see everything around me no matter how scary that sounds.

Still don’t believe me that its true? Watch the video below:

Bibliography:

Pelletiere, Nicole. “Windowless Planes to Hit Skies in Next Decade.” ABC News. ABC News Network, n.d. Web. 30 Oct. 2014.

Recently, I came across Liam Adam’s blog entitledDepression – A Time-Bomb that Companies need to Tackle. When I initially read the title of this blog, I thought that the article Liam talks about is somewhat redundant. This is because, as a student having to take a mandatory class about health, we realize what the consequences of depression are. On the other hand, these companies don’t.

Before giving my views on this subject, let me quickly summarize what Liam said in his blog. He talks about how today many employees tend to worry about their job due to the recession many countries are facing. In addition to this, employees are faced with the constant pressure to perform better due to competition. He continues by highlighting how depression affects the employee’s performance.

With regard to Liam’s blog, I completely agree with what he has to say, but I feel like he leaves out how this affects the company as a whole. Firstly, I feel that tackling depression is something all companies need to do. This is because, employees that are suffering from depression not only would decrease their performance, but also affect those around them, almost like a multiplier. But the question still stands, where does this depression come from? After learning about processes in COMM 101, I feel like it’s the company’s responsibility. It’s the process the company currently has that is leading to this issue. These companies need to reconsider their processes and need to include certain activities that are completely unrelated to work. This is because, it would help distress many employees, which in turn would lead a more productive workforce.

In conclusion, Liam’s blog highlights how important processes are within a company as it not only affects how productive the company is, but also its employees.

This may be unrelated, but this is a video about the Science about depression (really interesting video)

Liams Blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/liamadams/2014/10/03/depression-a-time-bomb-that-companies-need-to-tackle/

We all have been on the famous kick-starter, which allows for crowd funding. For those who don’t know what crowd funding it’s pretty much when a large amount of people supply a small amount of money to a project that interests them. Below is the kick-starter:

I’ve been on kick-starter, mainly because I want to procrastinate, but recently I came across a kick-starter, which stood out. With 56 days still to go, and already passing their goal of raising $250,000, the Hendo hover board is probably one of the best kick-starters I’ve seen. The question is, what makes this kick-starter so successful?

The video that Hendo uploads regarding their product is simply genius. Instead of simply demonstrating what their product does, Hendo uses the idea of a kids dream and makes it come true. The company takes it a step further by clearly explaining what their product does and how it functions. This is different company to most kick-starters, as they simply upload a video to why, us the viewer should back them instead of actually just showing how their product works.

Unlike most kick-starters, Hendo clearly demonstrates they exactly know where there product wants to go in a couple of years. They provide information that most kick-starters fail to do.

In the end, my advice would be that if your starting a kick-starter, go copy and paste what Hendo did, because clearly they are doing it right.

Bibliography:

Entis, Laura. “Kickstarter Campaign for ‘World’s First Real Hoverboard’ Launches Today.” Entrepreneur. N.p., 21 Oct. 2014. Web. 22 Oct. 2014.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/author/laura-entis

For the past couple of weeks I have constantly been Googling “Nexus 6” hoping that Google would officially announce their new phone. Although there has been no official announcement yet, there have been many hints from various sources, which prove that the Nexus 6 is in fact being made. After multiple COMM101 classes where we compared the points of parity (PoP) and the points of difference (PoD) for various brands, it made me think: Why would anyone want to buy the new Nexus 6?

When looking at the Points of Parity we see that in fact the Nexus 6 is like the popular iPhone 6 and Galaxy Note 4 in many ways. Points of Parity may include:

• A big screen of 5.9” which is very similar to the iPhone 6 Plus’s 5.5” and Note 4’s 5.7”
• It can connect to any android controlled watch which is similar to the ability of the iPhone connecting to the apple watch and the Note 4 connecting to the Samsung Gear
• Nexus 6 has near field communication (it had it before the iPhone did)
• It apparently has a finger print scanner which is similar to the iPhone 6’s

Now the question still stands of why would someone want to buy the Nexus 6 when clearly it has similar features to the iPhone and Note. After doing some research I found the following Points of Difference:

• Nexus 6 offers Android L and gets updates instantaneously unlike the iPhone 6 and Note 4
• It allows you to customize each widget that you place on your screen homepages letting you adjust the size, something the iPhone 6 does not allow you to do
• All Nexus 6 come unlocked unlike the iPhone 6 and Note 4 (its harder to find them unlocked)
• Its rumored that the Nexus 6 is going to cost around $450 which is much cheaper then both the Note 4 and iPhone 6
• Nexus 6 will have turbocharging (6 hours of battery life within 15 minutes of charging)

 So what’s the conclusion?

Well obviously I’m going to be bias here and say the Nexus 6 is clearly better then iPhone 6 and Note 4 but in reality Google provides a phone that many people can afford. Yes it may have similar features that you can find in the iPhone and Note 4 but why pay twice as much when an amazing phone that’s much cheaper is sitting right in front of you. If your someone whose considering buying a new phone, wait until the Nexus 6 comes out and you wont regret it.

The Nexus 6 Trailer (For the Android Fans): the video highlights some of the features that were talked about above

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk-PY2dBKaA

Bibliography:

“Google Nexus 6 – Release Date, Specs, Price.” ValueWalk. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. <http://www.valuewalk.com/2014/10/google-nexus-6-release-date-specs-price/>.

Recently a First Nation chief spoke out to the government in an attempt to prevent Site C, a project also known as the Hydroelectric Megaproject. As illustrated in the article, BC Hydro is planning to construct a dam that produces 1,100 megawatts but in order to do this, would have to flood 83 kilometers of the Peace River Valley. By doing so, they would end up destroying farmland and wildlife habitat.

BC Hydro needs to understand that although the construction of this dam may benefit Canada in terms of providing sustainable energy, it will be destroying many wildlife habitats, which could potentially contain extinct animals. Furthermore, many countries including Canada struggle to preserve land, which contains wildlife, do to many mining industries and energy companies. On the other hand, when looking at the perspective of the First Nations, this land holds a large spiritual value. This land to many individuals, is important as many cultures and traditions were adopted in the region where they plan on constructing this dam.

As someone who really isn’t familiar with people who are considered First Nations, I feel like what BC Hydro is planning to do is disrespectful. Being someone who has grown up in so many different countries and learning about so many different cultures, I have come to learn that even though I live within the country, I will always be considered a guest. As a guest I have social responsibilities to respect the views and wishes of the local people. BC Hydro in a sense is in a similar situation. As a company, they have social and ethical responsibilities, which they must follow. One of their biggest responsibilities is to respect those around the region where they plan on constructing.

In conclusion, I feel like the BC Government should deny the construction of the dam and BC Hydro should consider construction in another region of the country.

Bibliography:

O’Neil, Peter. “First Nation Chiefs to Stage Site C Showdown Read More: Http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html#ixzz3Fs3aYFY4.” The Vancouver Sun. N.p., 18 Sept. 2014. Web. 11 Oct. 2014. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vancouversun.com%2Fnews%2FFirst%2BNation%2Bchiefs%2Bstage%2BSite%2Bshowdown%2F10215965%2Fstory.html>.

Recently, I came across an interesting article which discuses Samsung’s new advert for the Note 4 which supposedly makes fun of the new iPhone 6 Plus. Ries and Trout stated that “the top three brands in a product category occupy market share in a ration of 4:2:1.” The continue later and state that “although a firm might be number one, they need to do certain things as a market leader in order to main their position.” Looking at these two statements, I think they perfectly fit with the current scenario. Everyone has always know about the battle between Apple and Samsung and how without a doubt are the two leading phone companies. I think Samsung’s actions by uploading this new advert was not only clever but reinforces what Ries and Trout say. Samsung, originally had released the Note with a fairly large screen. Although they were first, not many people had embraced the idea of a large screen. Now that Apple have released the iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung cleverly reminds everyone how a couple of years ago, their product was made fun of and now how its being copied by its competitors.

In the end I found the video that Samsung uploaded a clever way of marketing as well as reinforcing what Ries and Trout say. Although you may be a company who releases a product first, its important you constantly advertise it in order to maintain your number one position, something Samsung has done.

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxhSnNZH3Rk

Bibliography:

Bora, Kukil. “Samsung Mocks Apple IPhone 6 Plus In New Ad, Says It Imitates Galaxy Note 4.” International Business Times. N.p., 15 Sept. 2014. Web. 01 Oct. 2014. <http://www.ibtimes.com/samsung-mocks-apple-iphone-6-plus-new-ad-says-it-imitates-galaxy-note-4-1688492>.

I just finished reading Jay’s blog where he analyzes Netflix’s decision to move outside North America. He argues that Netflix’s strategy to move outside North America and expand to different continents is effective as they are focusing on the companies future. Please click here to find Jay’s Blog

Personally I disagree with Jay to a certain extent. Firstly, there are several things I do agree on. This includes the fact that if Netflix does manage to enter different markets within Europe and Asia they would increase their customer base in the long run. On the other hand, I feel like this plan on expanding to Europe and Asia may fail. This is because, living in Europe, I’ve noticed not many individuals like English movies and TV’s shows. This is because many of the people living within these countries never learn English within their schools, and those who do, rather watch movies and TV shows in their own language. I feel like at first many people would pounce on the idea of Netflix being available within Europe but as time passes by, many would cancel/discontinue their membership due to a lack of TV shows and movies in their own language.

If Netflix would like this to succeed, they would have to gain many partnerships like Jay states in his blog. They would have to be able to offer local TV shows on their services

Link to Jay’s Blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/jayagrawal/2014/09/16/netflix-is-global-domination-a-good-idea/