CEO Scott Griffith says the car rental company plans to grow its customer base and become a billion-dollar company. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 8/26/2009 Keys: Marketing, buyer behavior, small business Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2009/08/26/f_tt_zipcar_ceo_griffith.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Who is the target customer for Zipcar? What are the firm’s competitive advantages over alternative customer choices?… Read more »
Monthly Archives: August 2009
UPDATE 2-Time Warner Cable, Verizon to test TV on the Web
Two more U.S. pay-TV providers, Time Warner Cable Inc (TWC.N) and Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N), plan to test systems to offer shows on the Web to paying customers in a bid to protect their subscription revenue. Source: Reuters News Date: 8/27/2009 Keys: Marketing, pricing, new product development, technologies Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/mediaNews/idUSN2732267220090827 Questions for discussion: Do you… Read more »
More questions than answers on Google Books
Google’s Dan Clancy had patiently answered question after question regarding Google’s’ Book Search settlement with publishers and authors until late in the afternoon Friday, when he was finally left speechless. A young man from the University of California at Berkeley’s School of Information asked Clancy what kind of message was sent when Google decided to… Read more »
Intel raises outlook on PC sales optimism
Chipmaker says demand for microchips will be better than expected in the current quarter. Raises sales and gross margin estimates. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 8/28/2009 Keys: Marketing, economy Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/28/technology/intel_raises_outlook/index.htm?postversion=2009082809 Questions for discussion: Why are Intel’s projections an important indication of future economic activity for firms such as computer and other electronics manufacturers? Why do you… Read more »
The birth of Costco
Costco CEO Jim Sinegal on how the wholesale retailer went from concept to $1 billion in just three years. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 8/17/2009 Keys: Management, marketing, small business Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/08/17/sbiz.hwgs.costco.sinegal.smb/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the small business developmental history of Costco into the firm that exists today? What were some of… Read more »
Corporate BlackBerrys to get Google Apps syncing
If your office has given you a BlackBerry for work purposes, you may soon be accessing your Google Apps Gmail, calendar, and contacts via the BlackBerry Enterprise Server. Source: CNET News Date: 8/21/2009 Keys: Marketing, market segmentation, new product development, technologies Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10315236-2.html?tag=newsEditorsPicksArea.0 Questions for discussion: How does this new product development help RIM and… Read more »
Reader’s Digest to File Chapter 11 to Reduce Debt (Update2)
Reader’s Digest Association Inc., the publisher of the pocket-sized magazine, will likely file a Chapter 11 bankruptcy under an agreement with a majority of its secured lenders to reduce debt by 75 percent. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/17/2009 Keys: Marketing, management, finance, bankruptcy Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=asX0oQc5YBZc Questions for discussion: Do you think there is a market for… Read more »
Gap’s denim revamp
The chain’s new line of jeans is designed to compete with $200-a-pair designer models but costs a lot less. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 8/13/2009 Keys: Marketing, pricing, product development, consumer behavior, strategic planning Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/13/news/companies/gap_denim_jeans.fortune/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you think that the new jeans will revive sales at The Gap? Explain your thinking. How can… Read more »
GM: Battery innovation is key
GM’s CEO says leading-edge autos like the Chevy Volt are the right investment of U.S. taxpayer money. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 8/13/2009 Keys: Marketing, international business, economy, government, finance, strategic alliances Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/08/13/n_co_gm_henderson_volt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe the future of the automobile is “electricâ€Â? Explain your answer. Would you invest… Read more »
The top 10 highest paid CEOs are…
Ten CEOs take home more than $70 million in 2008, with Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman topping the list with more than $700 million in compensation. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 8/14/2009 Keys: Management, HR, government Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/14/news/companies/highest_paid_ceos/index.htm?postversion=2009081410 Questions for discussion: Compensation for work done is a controversial topic and often receives great public attention when the numbers are… Read more »
