If the United Nations was fully funded, it could support those people who live in undeveloped or developing countries without hope. This is true. However, the question is how many people it can support and how long it can maintain the support. Providing essential assistance to people in need is the responsibility of the whole society instead of only the United Nations. Although the United Nations have enough funds, it cannot cover everything in daily life of these people who are in need. Otherwise, it can only provide the basic support for a living like food and emergencies. The Arc and social enterprise fill the gap. If we say that what the United Nations provides to those people in needs is “fish”, what the Arc or social enterprise provide them is “a fishing rod”. They offer opportunities for these residents to learn how to “fish” instead of giving them “fish” directly. This is actually to give them chances to make a living by themselves. The Arc communicates in South Africa, Ethiopia, Colombia and Rwanda, and builds local business management in order to improve the long-term economic development in local communities. Those social enterprises offer jobs to those people who are unemployed, and also provide better welfare in order to improve their living quality. The Arc and social enterprises not only help those people who live in poverty, but also make great efforts to improve the local economy. This is what the United Nations cannot reach.

(Pictures from www.sauder.ubc.ca; sauderafricainitiative.blogspot.com)

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/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/day-to-day/can-fair-trade-boutique-expand-without-alienating-customers/article4405520/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/going-global/in-a-crowded-market-ethiopian-entrepreneur-finds-a-sweet-way-to-stand-out/article17912688/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-growth/going-global/production-problems-nearly-unravel-high-end-fashion-label/article14286870/

What are the most popular Apple products right now? IPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus! Because too many people want them, the App store has to release limited amount every day. However, people are still crazy about this newest “magical” smart phone. But this blog talked about the “scandal” of iPhone 6 Plus. For 128GB iPhone 6 Plus, when the user download too many applications from the app store, the system will crash and the bug cannot be fixed. Since then, Apple may recall all of iPhone 6 Plus products that they have sold so far. If Apple takes this action, it indicates the bug this time is very serious which cannot fix through updating system. The blog said the reason why there is such a big bug is because Apple used TLC NAND memory for iPhone 6 Plus this time instead of MLC NAND memory which is more stable. Apple tried to reduce cost by replacing a cheaper memory version. However, this decision seems to be a really bad idea because the cost for recall all sold products is much greater than using MLC NAND memory. I do not know whether Apple will recall or not. However, since the quality of iPhone 6 Plus is not as good as people expected, Apple may reflect on their decision. I think this time some people may feel disappointed about Apple products.

(Pictures from the website)

http://bgr.com/2014/11/04/128gb-iphone-6-plus-crash-and-reboot/

I have read an external blog “why Tim Cook’s Coming Out Matters for Apple, and Business”written by Dorie Clark. This blog is the comments on it.

People were shocked that Tim Cook claimed that he is a gay and he feels proud to be gay. Dorie thought that Tim Cook’s personal life including his sexual orientation has nothing to do with his business Apple. Tim Cook should have freedom to choose his life. This is his choice. However, there is an argument. Is “coming out” a kind of scandal? If it is, Apple supposes to be affected. However, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus sell well in fact. Why? I think it is because in today’s society, more and more people think homosexuality is acceptable. Otherwise, whether Cook is gay or not will not affect Apple. People are more likely interested in Apple products rather than the Apple C.E.O., Tim Cook. In addition, his attitude won people’s flavor. People think that he is brave enough to come out in public. This action helps Apple actually. Firstly, Cook’s news drew people’s attention. Secondly, it counts as another type of advertising for new products of Apple. To Cook personally, he does not have to hide his sexual orientation anymore. To this point, it can be considered as a win-win situation for Apple and Cook.

(Picture from www.ibtimes.co.uk)

http://blogs.hbr.org/2014/10/why-tim-cooks-coming-out-matters-to-apple-and-to-business/

My classmate Kamilla Bekbulatova posted a blog “Name and fame, any connection”. This blog is the comments on it.

Kamilla believes that a nice name is important for a business or a company because people are more likely to remember some names that are special or easy to memorize. It seems that a nice brand name can bring a good reputation.

Except brand names, I think an attractive brand symbol or logo is also important. Why is Starbucks so famous? One reason is because its coffee has good taste definitely. I think its logo also plays an essential role for its fame. Everybody will remember the “girl” on the zarf. The girl is called Siren who was a twin-tailed mermaid in 16^th century. The designer used this mystery to mix with a theme of voyage. Starbucks tried to related coffee with Seattle’s nautical history. This is the special thing of Starbucks. If a brand wants to be strong, having good quality is not enough. It also requires a unique brand name which people can easily memorize and a special logo which is associated with the brand history or other things related to the business.

(Picture from www.london-luton.co.uk)

https://blogs.ubc.ca/kamabek/2014/11/03/name-and-fame-any-connection/

http://www.starbucks.com/blog/so-who-is-the-siren

My classmate Bonnie Chen posted a blog “McDonald’s to trademark ‘McBrunch’ for a bigger bite of the breakfast market”. This blog is the comments on it.

McDonald’s plays a leading role in fast food market. However, since there are an increasing number of fast food restaurants coming out, the competitors of McDonald’s are getting more and more. Regard to Bonnie’s perspectives, I think targeting at the breakfast market is a wise decision for McDonald’s. However, I don’t think it is enough. I think McDonald’s should also think about the night snack market. Night owls who don’t go to bed until midnight sometimes feel hungry in the evening. However, it is 11 or 12 o’clock or even later. Where can they get hot, nice food? How about those people who watch a late night movie? How about those students and professionals who just come back from schools and offices? Those people would like to have some hot chocolate with some snacks in the midnight. If McDonald’s can provide special meals for night owls which are not limited to burgers and fries, I think it will be welcomed. If then, McDonald’s may win more favor by both early birds and night owls.

(Picture from the website)

https://blogs.ubc.ca/siyuchen/2014/10/05/mcdonalds-focuses-on-the-breakfast-market/

http://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/sep/16/mcdonalds-mcbrunch-trademark-breakfast-food

This piece of news talked about a special business called marriage detective which is developing quickly in India at present. I have not imagined about this business before because I cannot understand why people would like to hire somebody to check out everything of a person they love. I think this is a kind of cheating in a relationship. How will the person feel if he knows that his girlfriend hires a detective to investigate him? People want a detective because they are afraid that they will get hurt in that relationship. However, hiring a detective has already hurt the person they love. This is probably because Indian people have conservative and traditional concepts to marriages. A bride has to prepare lots of dowries for the marriage. If a girl meets a bad guy who just wants her money, her future life will be unimaginable. On the other hand, the existence of fraudsters stimulates people to hire marriage detectives. Needs and desires foster this business. However, how to define this business? This business sells people’s privacy in order to make money. However, on the other hand, it prevents those victims from deceiving by liar. The thing I can say is that the faith among people is getting less and less. People do not trust others. Everybody tries to protect himself in the society, so these new businesses emerge to satisfy these new requirements which response to the proper time and conditions. To be honest, I admire people who can find business opportunities from this kind of social reality, but I do not like this business.

(High-technologies help detectives do their work. )

(Pictures come from the website)

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29283873

This piece news talked about the B.C. First Nation hoped the Harper government to reject the BC Hydro’s Site C project. First Nation people think B.C. is Indian land and the Site C project will affect their life and environment. To BC Hydro, it is a great impact. If the Harper government agrees with the First Nation, their Site C hydroelectric project which is worth $8 billion will not be able to be held anymore. To BC Hydro, how to make First Nation people feel confident to them is a key problem. How to make First Nation people believe this project is beneficial to them instead of harmful is tough but BC Hydro has to do it. The external force pushes BC Hydro to do better on this project because of the social influence that First Nation brings to them. Since then, BC Hydro needs to pay more attention on protecting environment and bring more benefits to First Nation to win First Nation’s trust. The company has to think about the public opinions which indicate the social concern. Citizens want a good living environment but also the benefits that are brought by Site C. If people believe that the benefits of Site C are greater than its disadvantages, they will agree with the project. To this point, BC Hydro needs to think about more about the social factor and its influences in order to winning support. Otherwise, the technology the company uses should focus on how to maintain environment friendly like clean hydro electronic power. On the other hand, the attitude of the government is important. How will the government respond to First Nation? In my opinion, the government needs to balance the relationship between BC Hydro and First Nation in order to contribute a win-win situation. However, how to balance is a question which needs to solve.

Roland Willson : the chief of the West Moberly First Nation

Stewart Phillip: B.C. Indian Chiefs leader

They opposed Site C.

(Pictures come from the website)

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/First+Nation+chiefs+stage+Site+showdown/10215965/story.html

This piece of news talked about two famous companies Burger King and Tim Horton’s plan to merge and discuss the merger details. Once they merge successfully, their new company will be the third largest fast-food chain in the world. After I read the topic, my first question is that will it have any differences and changes to the public comparing to before after they merge? Can people buy a Burger King hamburger in Tim Horton’s or buy a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee in Burger King? Probably my thought is ridiculous. Another thing mentioned in the news was that the merger of the two companies was considered as a kind of tax avoidance because the corporate tax rate in the U.S. is 35% which is almost 10% higher than that in Ontario where is the headquarter of Tim Horton’s. Probably the people in authority hope that they can save cost and make more benefits for both companies by merging them together. However, the do not realize the negative influence that the merger will bring to their companies. The public will have bad impression to the new merging company because avoiding tax can be considered as a sign of a company which has no business ethics. The question for now is, how to balance the benefits for merger and the bad impression that it brings to the public? Want benefits, or reputation?

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28939538

Myanmar is an Asian country close to China. Since I love travelling, I was attracted by the topic of this piece of news called “Myanmar’s young tourism entrepreneurs”. It reported that recently more and more people go to Myanmar to visit the local attractions like temples, beaches and countryside. It pushes Myanmar to develop its tourism. Some young people took this opportunity to start their own travel business. These young entrepreneurs are forward-looking just like people who are the fashion icon have to know what will be the coming trends for the next year. They can be considered as the pioneer of Myanmar’s tourism. Since these young people are the first in this area, it seems that once they get ahead, their success will be great. However, the process must be tough. Otherwise, if more and more people realize the business opportunity of tourism in Myanmar, how can these entrepreneurs keep their advantages among these various travel agencies? At that time, they probably need to change their orientation for a new future. But then again, to present, developing local tourism for these young people is a good choice if the government is stable and there is no more chaos.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-28756061

The news shared several stories about how different people choose the location for their enterprises. Why is location so important? It reminds me that people use the same method to find their home in a city. The location of a home is important because it related to a person’s life quality. For example, I study in UBC so I would like to rent an apartment which is close to this university. An apartment near UBC is my requirement. To business, it is the same rationale. People choose a location for their enterprise because this location can satisfy their needs. Big cites provide more opportunities but also more challenges and competitions. How to make a wise decision on picking the best location will be a key problem for an entrepreneur to solve. People need to think about the rent cost, convenience, and influence and so on. Otherwise, if the company owns factories, it had better to close to them. Some people will consider that downtown is a good place to set up a company because it is the centre of the city, and so many people pass through there every day. It seems to be true. However, we cannot ignore the cost to setting up in downtown. How to choose a place in a business district in a cheaper price is needed to pay attention to. Before choosing, it had better to conduct some market researches. Statistics is the most convincing evidence to prove how ideal the location is.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-29027463