(Source of photo: http://cdn-media.backstage.com/files/media/uploads/zinnia/Windows8.jpg.644x1500_q100.jpg)

Microsoft is actively getting feedbacks from the consumers about the design and name. The reason behind was that Microsoft’s Windows 8 was harshly criticized by the users that it did not necessarily reflect their needs and wants. Therefore, Microsoft is going to take more feedbacks through the Threshold Development. From that, Microsoft is still focusing the audiences on business users who rely mostly on mice and keyboard, but in a way, the productivity and readjustment time is improved.

In my opinion, no matter how unique an operation system is, an IT company that wants to succeed, just like Microsoft, has to thoroughly consider what consumers see the value of its operation system, since Windows 8 did not receive the best sales. Also, Microsoft intended to approach customers and serve what they actually need not only provides the most accurate information for the new Windows features, it also assists Microsoft to boost the brand loyalty and fight against Apple’s OS update.

Bibliography:

Foley, Mary Jo. “Microsoft’s next Windows Release: What’s in a Name?”ZDNet. ZDNet, 28 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sep. 2014. <http://www.zdnet.com/microsofts-next-windows-release-whats-in-a-name-7000034117/>.

(Source of photo: http://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/_migrated/pics/Dell_XPS10_Teaser_new_02.jpg)

Dell is an IT company that adapts to the Focus Low Cost Strategy, and now it realizes the importance of differentiation of products. Therefore, Dell is hoping to regain the attention from all the Apple and Lenovo fans, through the newly manufactured tablet, Venue 8 7000 tablet, that contains features of PC. Developers hinted to the market that this tablet not only had 8-inch, world thinnest screen, but also possessed the 3D camera, which amazingly enhanced the 3D photo capturing and videoconferencing. Although Dell is not known to be an innovative company, it is confident to offer the customers more in the innovation field because of the privatization of the corporation. In addition, Dell owns the most competitive PC, Alienware Alpha, which is one of the most powerful gaming consoles among the competitors.

In my opinion, Dell might seemingly be going on a right track in terms of the modification of its business model; it has changed to focus on both low cost and differentiation through privatization. Realizing the existing market share of Dell in the IT world, Dell creates new tablet that differentiate it in terms of functions and price. However, the market share might not be enough to run in the shrinking PC market and fight against the Apple domination. Even though Dell self-proclaimed itself to be a private corporation, which claimed itself to have more variations for its products, the funds for innovation is smaller than before, so Dell’s plan to differentiate its tablet in a low price is not a really viable option. Overall, my personal opinion towards the Dell new business model is not really optimistic.

Bibliography:

Shah, Agam. “Dell Hopes to Draw Attention with PC, Tablet Innovations.”Computerworld. Computer World, 23 Sept. 2014. Web. 29 Sept. 2014. <http://www.computerworld.com/article/2687141/laptop-computers/dell-hopes-to-draw-attention-with-pc-tablet-innovations.html>.

(Source of photo: http://az598155.vo.msecnd.net/wp-uploads/2014/02/jack-ma-alibaba.jpg)

Alibaba, as an emerging company internationally, has its own business model. The founder of Alibaba, Jack ma, claimed that the way he remains to have controls over the employees is to provide them what other companies do not provide in the realistic market, which is “the sense of purpose and a belief that anything is possible”; Jack does it through handing out stocks to all workers, in which is similar to the model of Microsoft, Google and other US companies. From this model, lots of companies were helped by Alibaba employees for their startups. Also, Alibaba employees are assisted to become millionaires. Jack is not just influential in his employees, but he became a role model of the youths who have ambition to start up new companies, since e-commerce nowadays creates tons of opportunities, along with the Chinese government help. This was the reason why Alibaba is growing like crazy.

In my opinion, Jack Ma is a really smart businessman since he realizes the sequence of success of large corporations and the growing Internet world in China, and he created a business model that is beneficial to all employees and clients. In addition, Jack is really lucky that government is really supportive in his entire movement of e-commerce Integration, as the China market is opening up to the world. Without any element mentioned above, he might not even succeed. Furthermore, his hardworking personalities permit Alibaba to go further international-wise nowadays.

Bibliography:

Jacobs, Andrew, and Neil Gough. “Hangzhou: The Alibaba Hub That Minted Thousands of Internet Millionaires.” The Economic Times. The Economic Times, 24 Sept. 2014. Web. 19 Sept. 2014. <http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2014-09-19/news/54109241_1_alibaba-group-jack-ma-internet>.

A fascinating article called “Indonesia Steps Up Audits of Companies Operating in Rain Forests”, catches my attention of the topic of business ethics.

The article indicates that Indonesia is lacking of licensing on companies that are destroying the natural habitat of animals or one of the largest rain forests in Asia, through burning down the trees.  Therefore, an agency was hired to audit those companies, and 3 out of 18 of them was eliminated from the market.

(Source of photo: http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/8/20/1282289665138/Eyewitness-Deforestation–004.jpg)

Thinking on the surface, Indonesian government has put in lots of work in protecting the environment as it realizes the problem of deforestation can be consequential, for example, giving more audit check-up, continuing the moratorium on certain companies that are harmful to the forest, putting companies on trial… However, Indonesia is known as one of the most corrupted countries, and corruption cannot be stopped on spot. Therefore, all of the hard work of the Indonesian government can be mere to cure the problem of excessive deforestation.

Furthermore, the air pollution made, CO2, can be devastating to human health. In a year, there are more than millions people pass away because of the severe air pollution globally, and one of the contributors is Indonesia deforestation. In this sense, healthcare needs to be a bigger priority for government, which there is an opportunity cost for government funds.

(Source of photo: http://fm.cnbc.com/applications/cnbc.com/resources/img/editorial/2013/06/21/100833511-Singapore%20haze%202.530×298.jpg?v=1371795188)

For me, I used to live in Singapore, and it is well-known due to its haze from Indonesia. Not only it damages human health, but also the cities’ appearance. Tourism can be negatively influenced, and another factor is the happiness index can be in a declining slope. When people are unmotivated and unhappy with work, the trend of slower economies will be led. However, there are lots of assumption made, and these factors that were discussed can only be a side-reference.

In this case, Indonesian agricultures really need to think in a flip-side when they are burning trees down. In the meantime, I understood that it really helps to enhance the quality of soil when the trees are burnt.

Bibliography:

Wulandari, Fitri, and Neil Chatterjee. “Indonesia Steps Up Audits of Companies Operating in Rain Forests.” Bloomberg.com. Bloomberg, 27 Aug. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-08-27/indonesia-steps-up-audits-of-companies-operating-in-rain-forests.html>.