After reading the articles of social entrepreneurs and arc initiatives, I found that there is a group of people aimed on improving society especially for these undeveloped countries. In addition, Arc initiatives are organized by Sauder to provide aid to third countries in their need of business knowledge and skills.

For the blog title asks, I think that only help them on donation and provide funds is not enough.  What they actually expect is the interaction with outside people (people from other developed or developing countries). So we have arc initiatives to provide a platform for those people, who want to learn business knowledge and skills. Generally, people from undeveloped countries are less educated, but it not means they are unable to run business. The true is most of them are intelligent and innovative, they just lack of education and experience. So, this is what arc actually does.

Social entrepreneurs are people with well educated, experience and most of them are successful in their life. So, improving society really need them to well-trained and educated people who have talent in business. To sum up, third world countries not exactly only need monetary support, but what they actually looking for are knowledge, experience and concerning from others. That is why we said the best way to save them from poverty is give them a fishing rod rather than a fish.

Sources: http://skollworldforum.org/about/what-is-social-entrepreneurship/

http://www.sauder.ubc.ca/Global_Reach/ARC_Initiative

http://news.ubc.ca/2014/06/30/upward-arc/

Image:  https://socinnovation.wordpress.com/2010/08/10/how-to-change-the-world/

I am really interested in James blog post of  “Everyone wants to work for Google”. Actually, I used to want to work for Google as well. But my thought changed a little bit now.

I definitely agree with James’ comment that Google’s organizational culture and healthy working environment attract higher skilled workers and assist in lower turnover rates. Similarly, I think that good working condition contributes in their organizational culture development and business cohesiveness. In other words, it raises employees’ satisfaction.

However, there is only one Google in the world. It is evident that advanced interior infrastructures lead to a considerable costs. Therefore, Google has to make more profit by increasing product’s price to cover these costs. But for customers, their satisfaction may goes down if the price of product is relatively high. It means customers may not buy products that are too expensive, even though your product with excellent quality and features. So, most companies would like to decrease costs by lower wages and acceptable working environment, and then they provide a low price that mass market is able to afford.

Nowadays, only a few companies like Google provide good working conditions because most companies in the world do not have much money and organizational culture like Google. Furthermore, they concentrate on low price and customer satisfaction more than employee satisfaction.

James blog: https://connect.ubc.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_45362_1%26url%3D

Article Sources: http://www.forbes.com/sites/meghancasserly/2012/05/11/dream-companies-for-class-2012-everybody-wants-to-work-at-google/

Images:  http://slickzine.com/interiors/playful-and-creative-googles-zurich-headquarter/

http://www.ere.net/2012/05/21/the-death-of-the-cubicle-and-the-killers-are-collaboration-and-innovation/

The blog posted by Kawasaki talks about the Apple Store’s most innovative ideas in service and blog lists specific 10 things we can learn from the Apple Store. I choose this blog because I am a big fun of Apple, and we all want to learn why Apple is the world’s most famous electronic product company.  On the other hand, most of articles have introduced its innovative products and advanced technologies, but this blog focus on Apple’s innovative ideas in service.  That is the main reason of why I choose to comment on this blog.

After reading the blog, I think it is necessary for Apple to achieve success. We have learned from class that business who is the first enter to the market will have competitive advantages.  Apple did it not only in technologies but also in service. For technology perspective, Apple was the first company introduced smart phone. Furthermore, it is the first brand of  “in-hand” computer- IPAD, and innovation of the lightest computer MacBook air.

Apple used innovative ideas in service as well.  They concentrate more on customer satisfaction rather than profit. Employees in Apple Store are pleased to chat with people for an hour without selling them any product. I think Apple is best representing the word “innovation”. They have innovative ideas everywhere. Apple is unique in the world and no one can copy its way to success.

Source: http://blog.guykawasaki.com/2012/04/10-things-you-can-learn-from-the-apple-store.html

Images: https://www.apple.com/support/iphone/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/new-macbook-air-price_n_5231755.html

My first blog post is about Starbucks, so you know how much I love Starbucks.  After reading the blog post of Starbucks Trends by Danny, I come up with some new ideas of reasons why Starbuck become popular in business travellers.

In Danny’s blog post, he said the biggest advantage of Starbucks is providing free wifi access.  Actually, I disagree with it, because most of stores and coffee shops provide free wifi access as well. Yes, I agree with that business travelers are less likely to choose a place to stay without free wifi. But it is not Starbucks competitive advantage.

In my point of view, the first reason is that Starbucks provide extensive drinks and food menu, which lead to more choices for business travelers of their meals. Secondly, Starbucks’ food quality is outstanding, which is healthier than McDonald and some other fast food restaurant. At last, I think the strongest reason is that Starbucks have their coffee shops and become popular all over the world. As we know, sometimes business travelers have to go to different countries, so they are most likely to choose the food they are familiar with.  Therefore, business travelers prefer Starbucks rather than local food restaurant.

Sources: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/28/business/the-winner-in-business-travel-food-expenses-starbucks.html?_r=0

Danny’s blog: https://connect.ubc.ca/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_2_1&url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_45362_1%26url%3D

Images: http://www.newsgeneration.com/2014/09/12/starbucks-goes-social/

http://marketingland.com/coffee-mobile-king-starbucks-serves-mobile-strategy-98823

http://www.fitcoachcarla.com/starbucks-diet-on-the-go-fit-fast-food/