Articles
The Race to a Perfect EV: Investigating Chinese Development and the Road Ahead
In this new article, QBR Editor Tomas Serrano investigates China's rapid advancement in the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The article explores how substantial government support and innovative manufacturing have positioned China as a leader in EV development, despite challenges in global market penetration due to high tariffs and ethical concerns. Serrano contrasts China's progress with the slower growth in Western markets, emphasizing the impact of political and infrastructural uncertainties. As the world shifts from gas-powered cars to EVs, this analysis provides insight into the future of sustainable transportation and the lessons the West can learn from China's approach.
Duo, Please Let My Family Go: Tiptoeing the Extremes of Social Media Marketing
If good marketing looks like a green owl bossing people around, this may be the future. Duolingo's language-learning app showcases how mastering social media is not one-size-fits-all. QBR Editor Ninglee Weng discusses how consumer values are changing, and traditional tactics aren’t working. Companies are challenged with navigating new ways of marketing without doing too much, being branded cringe or not enough, and staying irrelevant; what’s the secret to going viral?
Sky’s The Limit: Soaring Costs in Canada's Aviation Industry
Exploring the “user-pay” cost structure used to fund Canadian air travel infrastructure, QBR Editor Simon Ing illustrates how lack of public funding passes premiums to consumers in the form of heightened airfare and ancillary fees. With high costs levied to airport authorities and airlines, which ultimately disincentivizes competition, the nationwide duopoly of Air Canada and WestJet hold dominant power within a highly consolidated industry. Though there are arguments for and against levying costs to fliers, a major shift towards public subsidization is unlikely to take place – exemplifying the role and ramifications of business strategy in our everyday lives.
The Hermès Birkin: At the Forefront of Fashion for 41 Years
French fashion house, Hermès, launched the Birkin in the 1980s and the purse has become one of fashions most sought-after items. In this editorial, Katie Libitz describes the Birkin’s hold on fashion-forward individuals around the world, including a bizarre purchase routine that requires wait times that can last years and thousands of dollars in purchase history – excluding the minimum price of $10,000 USD for the purse alone. This phenomenon can be attributed to Hermès’ use of a unique and quiet marketing strategy that upholds the Birkin’s extraordinary image, even becoming a status symbol itself.
Climate Change and Fine Wine: An Industry That May Not Age Well After All
Grappling with the potentially cataclysmic impacts of climate change on the global wine industry, Mayson Sattler delves into the unstable future of European viticulture. The article hones in on France, Italy, and Spain, nations that have traditionally dominated international wine exports but are now struggling to adapt to increasing temperatures. Will the top 3 employ innovative strategies to maintain their market shares, or will they fall behind, thereby creating an opportunity for competitors to gain prominence?
Navigating The Venture Debt Market Post-SVB Collapse
QBR Editor Aaron Black explores how SVB’s collapse in 2023 shook the venture debt market and created a large void in the early-stage lending ecosystem. Though non-bank lenders swiftly capitalized on the opportunity, traditional banks re-entered the scene, fostering a balanced coexistence in the market. The question emerged: would there ever be a new SVB? Now, over a year following the collapse, the answer seems unlikely, but only time will tell.
Unlocking Sustainable Success: How Productive are ESG Funds?
In this new article, QBR Editor Ethan Chan examines the productivity of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) funds, providing a comprehensive analysis of their financial performance and impact. It aims to explore the background and context of ESG investing, present arguments and content regarding their effectiveness, and finally, conclude with insights into the value and future potential of these funds.
Haunting of the Dot-Com Era: Comparing Yesterday’s Tech Bubble with Today’s AI Craze
Discussing the influence of AI in different financial markets, Reed Allen compares the preceding dot-com bubble to the current AI boom. The article outlines how established tech giants are driving AI growth with diverse revenue streams, suggesting a more stable and sustainable market, unlike the dot-com era.
Artificial (Military) Intelligence in the Defence Industry
Analyzing the increasing involvement of AI in military operations, Isaac Moore discusses how AI has progressed from handling simple tasks to taking on complex military roles. While it has notable efficiency and potential to reduce casualties, the editorial examines the ethical concerns and risks.
Cooked Innovation: How Apple Lost its Magic
In this editorial, Jason Garner analyzes Apple's decline in innovation since Tim Cook became CEO after Steve Jobs. While Jobs fostered a culture of tension and creativity, Cook's emphasis on harmony has led to imitation over invention, with various products facing legal challenges. The article comments on Apple's shift in focus from innovation to profitability, calling for visionary leadership to restore its spirit.