Response to Zhaopeng’s blog: Is ranking system effective? or is it a failure?

Without competition, an individual will not have the incentive to invent or improve base of his original creation. Microsoft has removed the employee ranking due to the unwillingness of teamwork among workers. While the ranking system can indicate the best of the best within the company, it also become a system of failure. To create something extraordinary, one must collaborate with others, and each member will specialize their speciality in order to maximize the efficiency. Once the ranking system steps into the game, collaboration alters into competition, where everyone treats each other as enemy. Well, isn’t that obvious? Sometimes the CEO needs to take a risk evaluation before continuing with their plans.

This reminds me of myself working in Roots. There is no commission at all, but the manager still keep track of our selling record. This doesn’t make any sense to me in the beginning. After looking at different perspective, one reason is that Roots is attempted to maximize each worker’s capacity by illustrating their retail record, which motivates them to sell more. Meanwhile, this system will lead to excessive advertising, and annoys the customers. In a large cooperation, it is recommended not to established a ranking system.

To read his blog:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/zhaopeng/2013/11/14/microsoft-removes-employee-ranking-system/

To a hardcore video gamer, a trade off between a $5 worth of old game to $60 worth of new game is a dream. As I mention in my previous blogs, Play Station is releasing the new game console. In order to prevent decline in the market demand, the company comes up with a sneaky method to keep customer’s loyalty. Trade old games for new games. According to the PS4 description, the old games for PS3 cannot be used in PS4 and vice versa; as a result, a trap has set to blind consumers and lead them to trade their old PS3 games for the new PS4 games. Consumers feel that there is more opportunity cost for not trading the games, eventually they step into the trap, and they have to purchase the new game console in order to satisfy their gaming desire. Thank god I took econ and not step into this malicious trap.

To read his full blog:

https://blogs.ubc.ca/lucienlu/2013/11/13/best-buy-future-shop-video-game-trade-in/

In response to external blog.

An idea can be brilliant or worse, but whether this idea can turn out to be successful in the market, it is about the packaging and advertisement. Consumers’ first impression on the product is crucial, and it helps consumers to determine whether they want to purchase the item or not. Frankly describe by a guest blogger, in order to increase the consumerism rates in the market, the product must grab consumers’ eyes, not literally of course. As a result, packaging gives a brand positioning in the market and potentially enhance its market value. Why does a same piece of T-shirt cost more than another? Brand name and style. An appealing design can attract multiple customers even the brand name is not well-known, reflecting to what the market so-called, the psychological game. While many consumers only shop for specific brand, the brand new design from a new brand can leads to a trend that influence the popular brand. An example will be Chrome-Heart, a new clothing brand that has recently been published. The price was around $80-$100 few years ago, and now, more than $120 just for a piece of T-shirt. Style and packaging determines the market power in clothing industry.

To read his full blog:

http://sme-blog.com/guest-blog/the-essential-importance-of-packaging-when-developing-your-product

Speaking of entrepreneurship, who could ever thought of turning the movie, Toy Story, into real life? A innovative team call established a new fluffy toy, Ubooly, that is talkative and interactive with kids. This toy allows parents to inspect the actions of their kids remotely, and convenient for parents during work. This innovative idea enhance the lifestyle for both parents and kids as parents do not need to pay for babysitter when they can take care of their kids in distance. For the kids, they can have fun while being safe. Ubooly operates with IPad and IPhone, and with some simple clicks on the phone, parents can access with IPad that stores in Ubooly. Who could ever thought toys can be “alive”. The company has generate more than $2.5 million revenue within years, and it is specifically from idea as simple as this. This is what made a entrepreneur successful: building something that the society is missing.

Want to know more? Click here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/gadgets/sony-playstation-4-review-dawn-of-the-new-console-generation/article15393427/

It’s amazing to see the evolution of video games; from simple colour graphic in Artic Game Console, to fascinating 3D characters in PS4. Play station is intriguing its consumer with every gaming console it introduces. Its value proposition is to deliver a futuristic experience to consumers by projecting 3D objects in the screen. Consumers will likely to interact with objects in the screen by controller or body movement. PS4 attach the concept of motion sensor from Wii and extend the value by connecting the connection between console and controller, which is convenient for consumers as they do not require to purchase and adjust the camera. PS4 also collaborates with Netflix, Crackle, Crunchy Roll, and NHL game center to extend its customer segment. Certainly Play Station is targeting a broad customer base instead of teenagers, and it is guarantee gaming will not be as fun if consumer can share the experience in social media. The features provided by PS4 allow them to generate more than 1 million pre order around the world. Play Station has established a new high selling point compare than other video games company.

Click here to read full article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/gadgets/sony-playstation-4-review-dawn-of-the-new-console-generation/article15393427/?page=3