In response to Dawn Lye’s blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/dlye/2014/10/05/the-demise-of-the-mall/

In Dawn’s blog, she suggests the threats toward shopping malls as technology has increased, leading to the emergence of more convenient alternatives such as online shopping and phone shopping. Also, as technology advances rapidly, people can do many things with just one computer, leading to the isolation and the decrease in social interactions of people.

Although shopping physically has decreased due to the emergence of substitution, I think that many people still prioritize shopping mall over online shopping. Many people don’t go toshopping malls just for the purpose of buying things, but also for the purpose of social interactions with their friends and family. Moreover, shopping allows them to physically try different products and services before buying them. Besides, online shopping is not as secure as mall shopping and it is still an unknown to many people of the older generation. In addition, there are many special sales that can only be found in shopping malls, which is also another joy of shopping in malls. Therefore, even though in certain aspects shopping malls are inferior to online shopping, it still maintains several advantages that will allow it to survive the threats from technology advances.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/leadership-lab/are-you-productive-or-just-busy/article21481530/

People usually think that in order to develop a successful business, intensive hard work with as little rest as possible is required. However, as the article points out, being busy is different than being effective. Business teams that work too much can lead to the lack of reflection and assessment of their actions and decisions as they do not even know what or why they are doing what they are doing. Instead of working nonstop, the article suggests that taking a “buffer” can lead to better efficiency.

Taking a break can improve working quality, as there have already been studies that proved an increase in productivity after proper resting.  In addition, this allows the business leaders to make better decisions as they are given more time to consider different factors of their companies more thoroughly. However, this might be difficult for companies due to the lack of time and resources that most companies suffer from. As a result, many people think that they should not waste their limited time on such unsure benefits that cannot be clearly measured. Moreover, this contradicts with the intuition of harder work causing better results. Therefore, even though in theory this suggestion may cause better production, it is difficult to implement it in practice.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/oracle/2014/10/28/make-customer-success-part-of-your-dna/?sr_source=lift_polar

The article outlines the importance of customer success for any companies in business. It emphasis that companies should place customer in their first priorities as companies could not run without customers’ support. Also, the article suggests that companies’ marketing and other strategies should be based on customer business outcomes.

I agree with the article’s view about the importance and influence of customers in companies. However, I believe that companies should not blindly follow and fulfill all of the customers’ wishes. Clearly, companies would not grant any customers’ needs if they would disturb the companies’ operation or cause the companies to lose profit. For example, in a gaming company, even though there are customers who want high value in-game items for free, if the company was to fulfill their wishes, the company would lose money as the customers would not need to spend as much time and money on the game. Also, different customers have different requirements, and there would definitely be conflicts between customer needs. Therefore, it would be difficult to choose which customer need to satisfy. In fact, it would be impossible to fulfill every single customer’s need. It is then the customer’s job to decide which suitable customer needs to offer that would cause the most benefit to the company.

In response to Yi Liu’s blog: https://blogs.ubc.ca/yi1996/2014/10/04/hong-kong-another-turning-point/

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/b61a6a60-64c4-11e4-ab2d-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3IV8VhnEe

Currently, Hong Kong is undergoing protests led by mainly students, as they call for political changes in the government. In Yi’s blog, he analyzes the positive and negative effects that were brought to Hong Kong’s economy as a result of the protests. He mentions the decline in economy which is caused by the protests and suggests the benefits if the protests were successful and if Hong Kong was to achieve democracy.

I agree with Yi’s view and think that there could possibly be benefits to Hong Kong’s economy if the protests succeed. However, I believe many Hong Kong citizens go against the protests because of the negative damages that the protests are bringing to Hong Kong’s economy, as indicated in the article. While there is possibility of benefits if the protests are successful, these are still uncertainty and risks. On the other, by maintaining the current situation, at least Hong Kong still has the opportunities of developing in China. Moreover, clearly China does not want to give up the international financial centre in Hong Kong, so even if there were going to be changes in Hong Kong, it would take a long time and during this time, many companies have to suffer from severe damages. For instance, risk is an important factor limiting protest in Hong Kong, which is also the reason why the protest is led mainly by students but not the working class.

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21629385-companies-controlled-founding-families-remain-surprisingly-important-and-look-set-stay

The success of family-controlled firms have surprised many people as most management experts expected that such firms will be taken over by professionally-run firms due to their better ability to raise capital and attract top talent. In fact, family firms are able to remain its importance and have been increasing in the recent years.

This is because family controlled firms are able to maintain stability with the existence of one dominant force, the family. This prevents significant shifts in the company’s operation while controlling the shareholders. Such stability gives promises to the workers and builds a good business image. Besides, most family controlled firms are large in size and have sufficient money, which allows the company to maintain its operation, reducing the change to its minimum even after the change in owner of the company. This also allows the company to keep many of its working cultures.

In my opinion, the efficiency of “family effect” depends on the company’s situation, and also the successor’s ability. If the company is a still growing and unstable company, and the successor has poor business ability, this might lead to the failure of the company and it would be better to let the professional to take over. On the other hand, it is a strong and stable company, it would be better for the family to keep running the company as it brings stability and reduces risks from changes

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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/first-nations-fights-petronas-lng-project-over-salmon-habitat/article21456425/

In Canada, First Nations are given some extent of power to intervene business developments regarding land and natural resources. This allows the First Nations to reject certain projects when they view them as dangerous to the environment. The article mentions that the First Nations had recently rejected the Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG project, which is surprising the first time that the aboriginals have ever rejected a liquefied natural gas proposal in BC, as they view the project as harmful to the environment.

This is an example of where the First Nations play a role in ensuring ethic in business. Nowadays, many industries are ignoring their social responsibilities and would take advantage of the nature for their own benefits such as gaining resources through methods that would harm the ecosystem. In these situations, it is difficult for the suppliers and customers to stop such actions as they are both benefitting by paying less for the products. Therefore, it is important that another force step in and prevent them.

However, as the First Nations are becoming more involved into the Canadian society, such effects are beginning to weaken. Before, as the First Nations and Canadians were separated society, the First Nations are able to take a neutral stance and reject unethical projects. However, as the First Nations can also be benefitted from these projects, many of them will allow the projects even though it might be harmful to the environment. This is shown in the article as many of the First Nations agree with the LNG project acknowledging the damage that can be brought to the environment. In the future, the First Nations may not have any more effect in maintaining the environmental awareness as they will also view the benefits over their social responsibilities

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http://www.economist.com/news/business/21629377-other-industries-have-lot-learn-hollywood-creative-capitalism

Hollywood has been one of the most successful American industries for the past 102 years since the founding of Universal Pictures. In comparison to other countries’ movie making industries, Hollywood has gained a lot more reputation and profit from its films.

There are several factors leading to Hollywood’s success. One of which is the organizational culture of creativity that can be found in their studio teams. This allows its films to be unique and creative, which is why Hollywood films are so popular and well known throughout the world. This also ensures teamwork within the industry, leading to a high level of quality in the studio. However, Mark Young argues that the motivation of hard work is caused by the instability of the job, so the workers would have to take every chance to gain recognition. In my opinion, the integration of both complement and threat is what keeps the workers concentrated and motivated to work with great productivity.

Another reason for the success of Hollywood is its ability to adapt to the changes in the environment. For the past 102 years, Hollywood is able to catch up with the change in technology and culture of the world. For example, even with the existence of television and internet, it is still able to attract customers and improve the quality of work keeping up with the technology. Also, noticing the risk of unpopular films, in the recent years Hollywood had been increasing “franchise” films with comics and books, and relying more on outside financing. As things are never predicable, it is very important that a firm can deal with any unexpected changes.

http://www.economist.com/news/business-and-finance/21620699-blackberrys-promised-comeback-has-not-yet-materialised-not-there-yet

Blackberry, which was once the dominating company of the smartphone industry, has been declining these several years and now only has less than 1% of sales worldwide. Recently, the company released the Passport, as a part of their plan to return to profit. Instead of trying to appeal to regular individual customers, Blackberry decides to turn to larger buyers such as the government and big companies. This is because Blackberry clearly knows it cannot compete with other larger companies such as Apple and Samsung. However, while Apple is selling 10m of its iPhone 6 in the first three days, Blackberry is suffering from a $207m loss last quarter. Clearly, even though Blackberry has already changed their target consumers, it would still be difficult for the company to comeback as a power on the smartphone industry.

In order for Blackberry to successfully change their customer segments, it should clarify and emphasis on its point of difference from other companies. It would need to separate itself from the popular market and begin to dive into larger companies. As the company has already developed services and software that would be useful and attractive to the big corporations, it would just be a matter of time that Blackberry can successful regain profit and prevent bankruptcy. Luckily, Blackberry realizes its position early and is able to develop strategies to restore the company. Clearly, it is important for companies to know its position in the market and then develop corresponding strategies.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ebola-fears-dragging-down-african-economies-in-multiple-sectors/article21242475/

The Ebola crisis happening in Africa not only threatens the people’s health, but also its economy as it has caused severe damages to the African economy. The fear of Ebola is the primary reason for causing such decline in its economy as foreign anxieties lead to the reduction in investments and trades with African countries.

As fear of Ebola lead to the decline in investments and trades with African countries, the biggest impact is on the countries’ tourism and export. Clearly, the fear of Ebola would lead to a significant drop in tourism in the African countries which can severely damage the tourist-dependent countries’ economy. Moreover, the death of many farmers can lead to an insufficient export of food within the countries, which can also lead to the inflation of food prices. Clearly, economists and experts cannot do anything to prevent such damages, which show how sometimes there are unexpected risks that can significantly impact an economy.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/30/us-hm-sustainability-idUSBREA0T00C20140130

In the article, H&M, the world’s second largest fashion retailer, demonstrates the success of ethical business. H&M has always been working on sustainability in their products such as the production of environment friendly products and improving the living conditions of workers in Bangladesh and Cambodia. This helps H&M to promote their products and gain support from customers as it made Ethisphere’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list for 2014. 

This is clearly a successful example of ethical business. However, this is because H&M is a huge company making a lot of profit and has the ability for ethical implications. Therefore, this is not applicable to small or newly created companies as they are still trying to survive. Besides, ethical implications are rarely considered by companies as it reduces the profit that companies can make. Even though it can be as successful as shown in H&M, companies can still make as much or even more money without any ethical implications. Therefore, when people apply ethic in business, they are not trying to gain more money. This does not means that ethic in business is completely not self-beneficial because people can gain satisfaction by being ethical and servicing the society.