It is safe to assume that a large majority of us, if not all, are guilty of streaming movies or downloading music online. During my lifetime, I got to experience the Blockbuster, rental DVDs era and I also got to see the downward spiral of the large chain company.

Like what Colin mentioned in his blog post, CrossFit: Revenue Streams to the Mainstream, CrossFit and other fitness-related products and services are on the rise in today’s global market.

Due to the rising popularity of this new healthy lifestyle, companies have begun to redefine themselves to correlate with the increasing demand. At fast food joints such as, Triple-O’s and McDonald’s, “healthier” alternatives are being implemented into their menus. But, whether or not these “healthy alternatives” are actually healthy is another story. Not only has existing companies changed the way they do things but new companies have emerged to profit from this growing market. SMAK, a locally owned fast food joint located in downtown Vancouver that serves 100% gluten free meals that are locally sourced. Everything from the food industry to the fashion industry is taking a plunge into the health, fitness, and green lifestyle. Click here for information on the Detox Campaign by Greenpeace.

The ability to recognize and adapt to the ever-changing environment that surrounds a company is what seperates a good company from a great one. Trends come and go but great companies are supposed to be the ones that stay and take advantage of the next upcoming trend.

Article Links:

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/target-market-fitness-gyms-3354.html 

Under Armour has recently made their first ever acquisition of the digital fitness technology company, MapMyFitness. In order to further expand and grow their company, Under Armour is investing in the future of digital fitness technology. Technology is transforming the world at a rapid pace; it is constantly evolving and improving. So, in order to maintain in one of their top positions in the fitness market, Under Armour needs to be one step ahead of the game. As the world is evolving around us, businesses similar to Under Armour must have the ability to evolve with the world. What they are offering needs to continue to stay relevant. By acquiring MapMyFitness, the already established digital fitness technology company, Under Armour is increasing and building upon their presence in this new emerging aspect of fitness. By establishing a firm position in an up and coming trend, Under Armour has made an incredibly wise decision on what the future holds for their company.

Under Armour commercial on innovative, futuristic tech-enabled clothing:

Article Links:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/monteburke/2013/11/14/under-armour-with-first-ever-acquisition-enters-the-world-of-software/

Who hasn’t once dreamed about creating or discovering something one day that will turn them into a multimillionaire? Dream turns into reality for one London teenager, Nick D’Aloisio. D’Aloisio is the founder and entrepreneur of the app that changes the way we read, Summly. At the ripe old age of 18, he single-handedly created Summly and sold it to Yahoo! for an estimated $30 million.

The thing about startups is the fact that it is either a hit or miss. On average, 75% of all startup companies are destined fail. But the question remains: why take the risk? I may not be a psychology major but it’s safe to assume that for some people who shoot for the moon, landing among the stars is just not enough. Larger than life aspirations is why people take the huge risk. It is because of success stories like D’Aloisio’s that give people the sliver of hope they need to make the leap of faith. It is not an easy feat to accomplish. During our Comm 101 class, we were prompted to come up with a startup company. Four groups, including my own, came up with an almost identical idea of a bike sharing company. Ideas are limitless, but it’s how you materialize that idea that matters.

Article Links:

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303376904579137444043720218

Bell, one of Canada’s largest communications company, has taken it one step further in delivering their value propositions. The Bell Business Blog is a blog set up by Bell to provide small business owners helpful tips and up-to-date information on the latest technologies. The blog is simple and user-friendly, with short but thorough posts on general tips and tricks on how to improve one’s small business by creating a website, using social media, etc..

Bell’s main value proposition is to provide consumers, businesses, and organizations of all sizes with the solutions to all their communications needs. By focusing on small businesses, Bell has taken a segment of their customers and specialized a portion of their services based on their needs. Recognizing their customers needs and developing and growing their company from there creates a point of parity for Bell. They are investing in their customers by proving each customer’s individual importance and providing a multitude of specialized services that fulfill their needs. This example of prime customer service is what Bell is using to differentiate themselves from other companies and to further develop their reputation amongst the public.

Article Links/Images:

http://cdn.iphoneincanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/bell_logoLg.gif

http://businessblog.bell.ca/

http://www.bell.ca/shop/Sb_Landing.page

As Anquan Wang stated in his blog post, Partnership Between Business and NGO, collaborations between businesses and NGOs is a strategic move that benefits both parties greatly.

“Based on a July poll of 120 leading companies and NGOs, as well as roundtable discussions with senior practitioners from both sectors … found much to cheer the spirit of those who advocate cross-sector collaboration as a route to addressing economic, social and environmental challenges.” -Manny Amandi, Guardian Professional

Nowadays, the level of corporate social responsibility a business takes into account has become an important factor in the success of the business itself. I completely agree with Anquan’s view on collaborations between businesses and NGOs because it strengthens a company’s image to a great extent, which leads to a larger public influence. In recent years, many businesses have formed where they have combined both entrepreneurship and charity to create social entrepreneurship. It is a for-profit organization but, primarily driven by a social objective. Ten Tree, a company that has taken an initiative to addressing global environmental issues by vowing to plant ten trees for every product purchased. They are the perfect example of not only being a business collaborating with a NGO, but taking it one step further and becoming a social enterprise.

Article Links:

http://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/collaboration

https://blogs.ubc.ca/bernardino/files/2013/01/486335_445388702181405_794785476_n.jpg

Tesla shares have dropped 10 percent after a recent video of a Tesla Model S sedan was put up on YouTube. The video shows footage of the vehicle in flames after a large piece of metal punctured the vehicle’s protective armor, piercing the lithium battery ion. The Model S is a fairly new electric car that was introduced to the public back in 2009. Retail deliveries began in June 2012. The video surfacing on the internet has become a growing concern to investors as the public begins to question the safety of the lithium battery ion. However, Tesla Motors Inc. CEO and co-founder, Elon Musk, defended the electric car’s safety in a recent blog post. Musk reiterates that the cause of the fire was not a malfunction of the vehicle but an external factor that penetrated the battery causing it to burst into flames. In a letter to Tesla, the driver of the vehicle expresses his unyielding support for the company, stating that

“I guess you can test for everything, but some other celestial bullet comes along and challenges your design. I agree that the car performed very well under such an extreme test. The batteries went through a controlled burn which the internet images really exaggerates.” – Rob Carlson

It was an unfortunate accident that was foreseen by none. This just goes to show the power of a brand and how important the name is. If not handled properly, freak events similar to the Model S fire can tarnish a brand permanently and will require mass amounts of effort to overcome.

Article Links:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-tesla-shares-cool-after-fire-report/article14679523/

http://www.ibtimes.com/tesla-motors-ceo-elon-musk-identifies-cause-model-s-sedan-fire-defends-electric-cars-safety-1415602?ft=c29d1

The French government created a law this past Thursday that prevents the gigantic online retail store, Amazon, to offer free delivery to customers on top of a maximum 5 percent discount on books. This is a part of France’s movement to protect small and local bookstores from supermarket chains. Online book sales rose to 13.1 percent of total book sales in 2011, and an increasingly high number of book buyers now gear towards buying online rather than in stores. The French are taking aim at U.S.-based Internet giants that take away from local business owners.

With the emergence of large supermarket chains that sell just about anything, local businesses have been hit the heaviest.  More and more consumers have been making the shift from locally-owned stores to massive franchises, but there are many benefits to buying local. It not only boosts the economy, but it creates more job opportunities for the people within the community. Contrary to the dominance of supermarket chains, there has been a noticeable shift by many companies to support local businesses. It has become a new marketing mechanism to attract potential customers. Society has come to realize that sustainability is a key element to the future.

Article Links:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/04/business/France-Takes-Aim-at-Amazon-to-Protect-Local-Bookshops.html?ref=international&_r=0

Within the recent classes, we have all become familiar with Kodak and their failure to realize the camera market’s shift from film to digital. This late realization has resulted in a huge consequence to the company and their sales. Has the time come for companies within the cigarette market to decide whether or not to make the switch from the traditional cigarette to the e-cigarette?

The e-cigarette is a device that allows the consumer to vaporize a solution containing nicotine without the toxins from burning tobacco. Opinions vary over the health benefits/risks that are tied into e-cigarettes and whether or not they offer a healthier alternative to the traditional cigarette. In my personal opinion, e-cigarettes are the future of smoking. We live in the digital age where more and more everyday tasks have transitioned from the traditional into the modern. Reading, shopping, music and countless other things have transitioned into the digital market. It is time for the cigarette companies to bring about innovative change into their market for fear of a new substitute product to emerge in future years. Don’t realize the “Kodak Moment” when it’s too late.

Article Link:

http://www.economist.com/news/business/21586867-regulators-wrestle-e-smokes-tobacco-industry-changing-fast-kodak-moment 

Forever 21 has developed into a massive retail clothing store with numerous locations across the globe. Popular for their trendy clothing at a low cost, Forever 21 has become a noted retailer throughout North America. Their cheap prices however are the results of unethical treatment of their employed laborers. It was discovered in 2010 that Forever 21 materials were made by employees who were overworked and underpaid. Laborers had no choice but to work long hours for no overtime pay in poor working conditions. They were also only paid by the number of garments sewn and not by hour. This resulted in angry workers who sued the giant retailer for unsafe working conditions and missing wages. Forever 21 settled the case by promising better working conditions for their employees. As a large retail chain, Forever 21 should be held more socially responsible of the working conditions of all their employees, including the thousands who create their products. It is not very ethical of the business because they are more than capable of guaranteeing minimum wage and proper working conditions for their employees who are depending on that paycheck to support themselves and/or their families.

Article Link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/26/forever-21-sweatshop-investigation_n_2025390.html