Month: October 2013

Netflix Coming To You

Recently, Netflix has become a hot topic in class because of its success due to its flexible choices in expansion. In the classroom, the students came into a consensus that the most convincing means of expansion should be focused on striking partnerships with existing cable companies. Whether it be adding value propositions, changing existing strategies, or moving into a different position in marketing, Netflix has the opportunity to reach everywhere. It seems like many other people think the same way; Peter Csathy, the CEO of Manatt Digital Media Ventures wrote an article about the top 5 reasons why this expansion should happen. Coincidentally, many of his points intersect with the ideas that COMM 101 had to offer.

Top Reasons (summarized in own words) :

Netflix is everywhere: Like what our class has brought up, many users have readily accessible forms to the Netflix program, including their DVRs, DVD players, or even gaming consoles. By adding it to cable boxes, it just seems like the right thing to do.
Offer a better User Experience: Much like the aforementioned point, it simply makes it more convenient for users and allows the possibility to an integrated billing system.
All the Shows: We mentioned that Netflix has its own programming like House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, and the reinstated version of Arrested Development. Now if they were to partner with existing cable companies users would no longer have to switch between programs to find their favorite shows.
Making everyone happy: With Netflix incorporated it will being more overall attention to both companies translating for more viewers. If you are the cable box companies that results in advertisements becoming more valuable, and for Netflix it would simply attract more subscribers.
The Quality: Adding Netflix to the bunch gives customers a reason to upgrade into a premium package and to get the best of both shows.

With the limited time in class we never really got to explore these options and provide a strong researched argument. With the help of this article we really get to see how the different aspects of business that we have learned become tools that we can incorporate when providing managerial advice.

Reference:

Check out the original article at :

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-csathy/netflix-cable-tv_b_4142086.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business&ir=Canada%20Business

Economics

Our Economy at a Stunted Growth

Post author By wesleyhong
Post date October 5, 2013
No Comments on Our Economy at a Stunted Growth

In the midst of our economical recovery former economist, Jeff Rubin, states that things are not going to get better. According to him, the high price of energy will cause a “permanent shift down in economic growth” . But what does that really mean? The idea is that we have reached a maximum amount of growth, or to put it into economics 101 terms “ the marginal return is lowering“. The rate of the global super powers have already reached high production speeds, and for them to increase their rate like before is just too much to ask.

jeff rubin

Despite all this, what I really want to know is that how will it affect me, the average Joe? Well the news is grim, and the fact is that unemployment will start to surface – especially for youths. The truth is that more and more people are enrolling into post-secondary universities looking for a job that can increase their standard of living. With the cost of living getting higher and higher we see that more and more people living with their parents.

But what does that leave us with? Now that we know the problem, addressing it should become the next priority. Unfortunately for us, finding renewable, clean, and sustainable fuel is not the easiest thing to do. Oil has been integrated to our everyday lives and shifting the global market does not happen in a day. With this in mind, we have to accept that things are going to change and adapt to it in hopes of surviving the upcoming hardships.

References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/10/05/jeff-rubin-unemployment-energy-prices_n_4046062.html?ir=Canada+Business#slide=2980429

Positioning Buisness

Wingman For Hire

As the world’s population gets larger and larger has it become harder to find true love? If you think so, you may become Thomas Edward’s next client. Having studied different business models and how each company strives, a small section is dedicated to nice companies – businesses that thrive off a very small audience looking for a specific product. Thomas Edward’s “Wingman for Hire” has done just that.

Currently, dating services has generated billions of dollars in revenue, but this one takes it to a new extreme. Founded back in 2009, he came up with this idea when a random man asked him to walk over to a woman and make an introduction, and if he was successful the man would buy him a weeks worth of drinks. Through this encounter he decided to make a business that would specialize in coaching men to learn to become sociable, attain confidence, and experience life from a different perspective.

Now Thomas is a professional wingman who gives real-time coaching to his clients. Having a 95% filter for his clients, he goes in detail about their social environment and dating history. He has been with 300 clients and gets paid roughly $125 per hour to teach people how to socialize in a bar.

In my opinion I think that what Edward has done has embodied the many aspects, values, and goals that young businessmen have. He was able to define a market for a group of people that no other competitor has ever though of. Through his curiosity to go to unexplored market territory he has his own niche where his company can not only survive but expand. With this new idea, the billion dollar dating industry may see natural reform within my life time!

References:

http://www.businessinsider.com/thomas-edwards-professional-wingman-2012-1