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