A provoking post that I’ve read is written as a challenge to Sauder itself as Jaideep Kular proposes that prospective Sauder hopefuls should write a detailed ethics plan as part of their admission requirements. In his words, “[students] need to lay out a detailed strategy of how they will achieve [their] goals.” Personally, I find the proposal idealistically brilliantly, yet flawed in its underlying assumption that every incoming applicant has at least some idea of how they want their business career to look, if any at all.

It’s completely realistic for each individual to have a general idea of life goals, but isn’t University the place where one finds themselves? I mean, many come into Sauder without a shred of insight regarding what they want to do with their lives, what to major in, and how to get there. In fact, I’m sure plenty chose business as it was the most “practical” choice rather than their number one passion. Yes, we all have a set of moral boundaries which we ought not to cross, but I certainly can’t lay out a detailed strategy as of right now regarding how to achieve my goals beyond the generic one liners. Hey, I WANT to have a clear strategy thought out already, but perhaps the process of discovery through failures, surprises, achievements, and downright life experiences is what I need to formulate that (still) imperfect strategy that’ll be more than just a cop-out.

In the 21st Century, sustainability is a concept that has permeated various industries, fashion included. In an industry such as fashion, plagued with a history of non-sustainable, wasteful, and even unethical practices (use of animal fur), new and sustainable reforms seems only fitting to go along with an increased awareness in adopting eco-friendly everyday practices by many consumers. Nowadays, many business courses offer an independent section regarding sustainable development as that is ultimately the direction in which most firms are headed in the future. An interesting new fashion start-up combines just that, sustainability (at its roots) with a social mission to help fund eye exams and cataracts surgery in less economically developed countries.

Founded by three Georgetown University students, Panda Sunglasses is a sunglasses company manufacturing its frames out of sustainably harvested bamboo. Unlike TOMS, as a social enterprise, Panda aims to help fund medical procedures rather than donating shoes according to sales. In my opinion, I believe that this is a more sustainable form of aid as a corrective medical procedure will result in life changing circumstances for individuals as opposed to a material donation (i.e. shoes) which is restricted to a functional life span. With medical assistance, individuals that were not able to work previously will now be able to contribute to their communities in a productive manner.

Article: http://www.youngentrepreneur.com/startingup/how-green-fashion-startup-panda-landed-on-top-retailers-shelves-in-6-months/

Nina Garcia’s post in the HBR blog highlighted the issue of maintaining the integrity of a brand’s design aesthetics, that it is possible to offer both quality products at an affordable price. However, the most interesting proposal that was made was that consumers don’t simply seek out the cheapest good, but rather, ones where quality has not been compromised for price.

However, considering Garcia’s background as a fashion editor as well as a Project Runway judge, from an everyday consumer standpoint I would argue that such holds true only in each individual market segment rather than the market as a whole. For example, a middle class working man may consider a tailored suit from a regular chain store such as Tip Top as perfectly acceptable in both quality and price, whereas an individual with a much higher income would not consider anything less than designer as “quality.” Furthermore, once a certain threshold has been reached, what even separates the quality in terms of construction of (for example) shoulder bags from Coach and Louis Vuitton other than the brand itself? What exactly constitutes a 500$ difference in pricing? Cost of labour? Perhaps. A 1000$ price difference? Suddenly the difference in cost of labour doesn’t seem to me as such a viable factor anymore.

As a Sauder Grad of ’06, Janice Cheam is the founder of Energy Aware Technology Inc., which aims to promote and facilitate more sustainable consumer practices. The idea behind Energy Aware Technology Inc. came about during a 4th year course known as “New Venture Design.” However, unlike her peers, Janice took the idea (the business plan) which was innovative in itself and actually made it happen, procuring funding through various different outlets.

It is often said that entrepreneurs are a special breed, as they possess both the ability to innovate in terms of either reinventing an existing concept, or creating a wholly new concept, as well as the drive to physically realise the idea. I think deep down, every individual has a dream to be remembered for creating something brilliant. However the inevitable obstacles that lie between the now and the establishment of a successful entrepreneurial venture are more than just a deterring factor. Having had the idea drilled into my head early on that job stability is good and money equates to happiness, it is difficult to fathom diving head first into a plan that may not equate future returns.

Although the fear of failure prevents many from moving forward with their ideas, nothing great ever came out of no risk taken.

A recent post that I’ve read in which fellow classmate Fidele Armstrong wrote highlighted the effective marketing of individual brands (such as Pampers, Mr. Clean, and Crest just to name a few) all belonging to Procter & Gamble. I would certainly agree that when one considers those brands, there are absolutely no ties established in my head relating them to each other, let alone all back to Procter & Gamble. I would argue that such is clearly the sign of effective product diversification, not simply brand positioning. I say this because all the above brands are clearly selling different products, hence by default, the brands would be positioned differently to consumers, and occupy a different level of a household’s consumption (if any) or demand. However, despite the technical disagreement I hold in regards to Fidele’s original post, I would agree that this is clearly a profitable strategy that Procter & Gamble has adopted to appeal to as many markets as possible. In fact, its individual brands have been positioned quite well and are easily recognizable within its respective markets (Pampers in the diaper industry, Crest in toothpaste, and Mr. Clean in household cleaning).

Since the opening of its first Greater Vancouver store in 2007, H&M has been bridging the gap between “fashion-forward” and “affordability,” especially by offering designer capsule collections to further differentiate themselves as proprietors of “affordable high fashion.”

One of its major competitors, Zara also has its own point of difference in the form of a highly efficient supply chain. Because of the short amount of time in between drafting of new designs to the actual creation and supplying of stores with new inventory, Zara is able to provide where H&M falls short, dishing out new items weekly.

However, as of Thursday, a new fashion giant has entered the Vancouver market with both “newness every single week,” as well as being one of the few chain brands to have shown at London Fashion Week. As a fashion consumer, I would certainly agree that Topshop’s embodiment of both H&M and Zara’s major marketing factors has attracted my attention, positioning itself in my mind as “the best of both worlds”. Currently, being the only store in British Columbia, it also possesses the advantage of limited store supply, fueling market demand all the more.

Article: http://www.theprovince.com/life/fashion-beauty/Topshop+biggest+international+store+opens+Downtown+Vancouver/7405346/story.html#axzz2CdtaVOmN

An interesting blog post that I encountered while surfing through the blogroll was Dayah Johal`sregarding Al Ries and Jack Trout`s article on positioning. In both the article and her post, the alarming idea that something as simple as a name may very well affect another`s perception of the individual in question was brought up. Just as how an entrepreneur would need to carefully formulate a business plan to present to potential investors, individuals need to position themselves to the best of their abilities in order to stand out from the rest. Living in a city such as Vancouver, where a large proportion of the population is composed of people of Asiatic descent, my (ethnic) name on a resume or business card may mean absolutely nothing. At that moment, it is about what else I can bring to the table. Making an impression through a concise resume, or through an involved conversation during a networking event may be likened to writing a business plan. The executive summary is where the attention grabbing proposal needs to be laid out. Any section following is only a supplement to the initial proposal. Although it may seem unfair to be judged on the superficial basis of name, or in the case of a business plan, a lackluster executive summary, it is probably important to remember that if you are in the position of asking for the job or investment, you better deliver something that gives the potential employer or investor enough incentive to fork over the money.

The article from last week`s post highlighted one of the many controversies that Urban Outfitters, a popular clothing distributor was involved in recently. An interesting point that the article brought to light was the use of controversy as a marketing strategy. Out of sheer curiosity, I searched up an article that compiled not one but SEVEN controversies that Urban Outfitters has been faced with, in regards to the clothing which they sell. Such controversies includes promotion of under-aged drinking, profanity, racism, so forth. In fact, if it can be named, UO has probably promoted some form of what you are thinking right now through their retail garments and accessories.

However, one might ask, why is it that UO is performing so damn well in a competitive market with other retailers offering similar styles and prices, amidst all the backlash that they`ve received from various social/ activist groups? The answer seems to lie in the controversy itself. The phrase “no publicity is bad publicity” may very well be applicable here. It seems that UO has harnessed the negative attention that they receive periodically as a point of difference against competitors in the same market. The targeted consumer base, aged 18-24 may just interpret UO`s various “offensive clothing” as a no bars realization of designers` imaginations. I mean, fashion is meant to be provocative, so in that sense, UO is doing a very good job in terms of staying a step ahead of its competition.

Article: http://theweek.com/article/index/220370/racist-navajo-attire-and-7-other-urban-outfitters-controversies

A recent article that I`ve read highlighted the issue of Western fashion heavyweights turning traditional ethnic wear into trends and misrepresenting the meaning behind the garments. Many of the cultures in which designers have drawn inspiration from time and time again are quite conservative in comparison to Western societies. However, as an example I shall propose, a garment such as the hijab (which purpose is arguably for obscuring the woman in society), which holds so much cultural significance is adorned with vibrant colours and vivid patterns by Designer X and re-marketed as such to Western consumers, suddenly the meaning behind the garment is distorted. The garment may now be purchased and worn by high profile celebrities, in any manner that they may fancy. Some of these public figures may even be the centre of continuous controversies such as Ke$ha, Rihanna, and Lady Gaga. In fact, many muslim groups may very well find that such celebrities are wearing and promoting what was once the average hijab in profane and offensive ways.

When such iconic cultural garments are portrayed and marketed in such a manner to the consumerist Western society, much of the traditional meanings behind the garments are destroyed. Some may even consider the pulling of inspiration and incorporating Eastern cultural influences into high fashion clothing as another means of the West exploiting the rest. As indicated in the article, when religious symbols, colors, prints, and clothing silhouettes reflecting class and position are casually integrated into skimpy tank tops, underwear (etc.), and then featured on scantily clad print models, the issue of cultural exploitation is showcased tenfold.

Perhaps using global influences as a marketing scheme to appeal to more groups of consumers is clever in itself, however ironically, it is the same marketing scheme that is alienating specific ethnic/ cultural groups that may feel that their religions and traditions are being exploited through the fashion industry`s  reworking of traditional garments. I think perhaps cross-culture copyright should be introduced so that any future  “ethnic inspired” designs in fashion do not freely recreate symbolic accessories and clothing as they see fit (though this would inevitably turn into such messy business).

Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/clothing-controversies-is-exploitation-good-for-business/article4104850/

In today’s consumerist society, advertising and media has more or less convinced the everyday working man that certain purchases are completely “necessary.” Branding in social media has psychologically tricked consumerists into believing that owning goods from specific producers is desirable. For example, upon the announcement of Apple’s Iphone 5 release date, many current Iphone 4S owners were already making plans to trash their phone. It’s perfectly understandable for an individual to want to own the “newest” and “trendiest” products, however at the expense of what? A completely functional phone? 500$ dollars’ worth of hard earned cash? This cycle of buying, purchasing, buying and more purchasing reflects the utterly excessive spending habits of today’s generation in more economically developed countries. Sometimes, I can’t help but question what drives us to live in excess given the sacrifices our parents have made to always provide us with all that we need. Even I fall victim to the buying and spending cycle constantly, only to find myself writing this article as a poor first year student, slightly repulsed by my desire and impulse driven purchases of completely unnecessary items, at the expense of my parents’ hard work.

Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/markets/market-blog/iphone-5-sales-will-blow-past-most-analyst-forecasts-canaccord/article4579946/