In Xinyu Liu’s blog, he states we-chat, kind of communication app that allows people sending word message and voice message, is commonly used in China. Before the lunching of we-chat, people use traditional communication method, sending message and phone call. After the lunching of we-chat, with the feature of not charging any fee from consumers, it is about to replace the normal message and even phone call.  The number of its consumers rapidly increased to more than 80 million at the end of 2011. We-chat is creating a new way of communication.

Generally, I agree with Xinyu Liu. As a Chinese, it is not hard to see the rapid increase in the number of people begin to use we-chat instead of sending message. This app benefit people a lot by providing free message sending services combined with the creative idea of sending voice messages. Development in technology allows apps like we-chat occurring and gives people more convenient way of communication. For businesses providing telecommunication services, in order to avoid to be replaced by the newly emerged communication apps; they are supposed to focus more on the advancing of technology and take advantage of technology process to create more convenient way of communication.

Resource:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/xinyuliu/2013/11/18/wechat-a-communication-revolution-in-china/

In Peiqi Zhuang’ blog, she mentioned that McDonald would ends the partnership with Heinz. Competition in the market ended this partnership and replaced Heinz by Brazil-based 3G Capital. She also states that this action taken by McDonald makes both businesses and consumers get impacted. Especially for Heinz that will lose revenue from the reduction in demand. Generally she thinks business should make decision after taking consideration of all the potential results and conflicts that might have on different groups of people.

Personally, I agree with her. For McDonald, changing the ketchup supplier may lower the cost to increase the profit. However, this may also result in disappointing consumers who may decide to switch to other fast food restaurant. Therefore drive down the revenue. In COMM 101 class, we learned the concept of “stakeholders” which are people or groups of people who can be affected by, and therefore have an interest in any action by a business. We also know that when a business makes a decision, all of the stakeholders may be impacted. So conflicts may occur between different groups of stakeholders. Taking into account the potential conflicts, coming up with solutions and making decision that contribute to the goal of the business is responsibility for managers.

Resource:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/spainie/2013/11/17/mcdonalds-breaks-the-partnership-with-heinz/

Apple Computer, Inc., normally known as Apple Inc., is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Cupertino, California, that designs, develops, and sells consumer electronics, computer software and personal computers. Apple is the world’s second-largest information technology company by revenue after Samsung Electronicsand. On November 12^th, Apple announced its iPad Mini with retina display will be available beginning Tuesday starting at $399 US in the United States. Apple launched the thinner and lighter version of its tablet called “iPad Air” on October 23 and said an upgraded version of the iPad Mini will go on sale in November. The iPad Mini includes a higher resolution screen and the A7 chip used in iPad Air and the new iPhone 5S.

Recent years, Apple has lunched several new products and kept updating the existing products. Innovation can be classified as one of the reasons why Apple’s success. Technology progress makse their product more useful and customized. The lunching of new products and updated existing products not only bring huge amount revenue, but also make Apple’s product more competitive. However, there are accident happened when people using Apple’s products, for example I phone explosion. For technology business like Apple, speedy innovation to meet consumers’ need is essential, but concentrate on the quality of products is also of great importance.

Resource:

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/11/12/Apples-iPad-Mini-with-retina-display-to-go-on-sale-Tuesday.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc.

Lockheed Martinis Corp, one of the world’s largest defense contractors, is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced Technology company with worldwide interests. Lockheed headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area and employs 116,000 people worldwide.

On Thursday Lockheed Martinis announced that they plan to cut 4,000 jobs, more than 3 percent of its worldwide workforce, to cope with declines in U.S. spending. By middle 2015 they will close operations in Akron, Ohio; Newtown, Pennsylvania; Goodyear, Arizona, and Horizon City, Texas, The company also said four buildings at its Sunnyvale, California, operation would also be shuttered.

Recently, U.S spending is decreasing while the cost of labor keeps growing up. Business such as Lockheed Martinis Corp try to maintain profit margin by decreasing cost through cutting number of people employed. For the country, this result in higher the unemployment rate. For the business, firing this huge amount of employees may negatively affect the reputation and demotivated employed workers, which may lead inferior product. Additionally, shouting down may operations, in the long run, could make the business lack of ability to meet the increasing demand, which will disappointed consumers and even worse the reputation. Lockheed Martinis Corp should take consideration the long run effect and take the social responsibility to provide jod opportunities.

Resource:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lockheed_Martin

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/11/14/Lockheed-to-cut-4000-jobs-as-US-spending-wanes.aspx

General Motors Company LLC, commonly known as GM, is an American multinational holding corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. GM through its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures markets and distributes vehicles and vehicle parts and sells financial services. In 2013 GM has recalled nearly 15,000 Chevrolet Malibu sedans to check for faulty wiring harnesses that could cause a fire.

On 2013 Malibus equipped with optional power front seats, GM said the wiring harness could wear against the seat frame, which could result in “sparking, flickering lights, melted wiring, smoke or a fire.” GM also said it is aware of two fires in unattended vehicles and “there are no known crashes or injuries” related to the condition.

This huge amount recall has a serious negative impact on the reputation for GM and made consumers question the safety level of using GM’s vehicles. In recent years GM is not the only vehicle businesses that recall their product because of inferior quality components. Recalling inferior vehicle is an action the business taking responsibility of consumers. However, compare with taking action after accident happened, it is more important that vehicle manufactures ensure the quality and safety level of their products before the product selling in the market.

Resource:

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/11/15/GM-recalls-15000-Malibu-sedans-for-fire-threat.aspx

IKEA，the world’s largest furniture retailer, is a Swedish company registered in the Netherlands that designs and sells ready-to-assemble furniture, appliances, and home accessories. Thursday, IKEA Canada announced that it has purchased a 46-megawatt wind farm in Pincher Creek, Alberta, which is expected to generate twice the total energy consumption of its stores across Canada.

If as expected, this investment in wind farm will bring IKEA and consumers a win-win situation. For IKEA, cost of energy and operating will be reduced and a good public image will be built. For consumer, as IKEA stated they will pass the benefits from investing in wind farm to consumers by continuing to offer high quality home furnishings at low prices. Additionally, IKEA is supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.

This action taken by IKEA makes people think about the rest more than 5,000-megawatts of untapped and affordable wind capacity in Alberta. Everyday emission of Carbon dioxide is threating our world environment. With the great availability of using the clean energy, both government and companies should take their responsibility to protect environment. Government should invest in clean energy and subsidize companies that invest in using clean energy, such as IKEA. Business organizations can take the opportunities to join the group of supporting lower-carbon future, not only for own benefit to reduce cost and good reputation, but also for taking corporate social responsibility and save world’s environment.

resource:

http://www.bnn.ca/News/2013/11/14/IKEA-eyes-low-carbon-future-with-Alberta-wind-energy-project.aspx