Tablets, not smartphones, key for HP
January 25, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: The world’s largest computer company bets that tablet computers will be a better revenue stream than smartphones.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 01/22/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/01/19/ctd_hp_hurd_tablet.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the thinking presented by Mark Hurd?
- Which items do you agree with and which do you think are incorrect? Explain your thinking.
- What do you think the industry that HP competes in today will look like in five years from now?
Burger King bar debuts in Miami
January 25, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Burger King Corp. said Friday it plans to open a Whopper Bar in the South Beach area of Miami next month.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 01/23/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/22/news/companies/burger_king_whopper_bar/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this is a good strategy for Burger King?
- What are the possible problems that can emerge?
Tablet launch, earnings mean big week for Apple
January 25, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Few events can steal the thunder from an Apple Inc quarterly earnings day — an Apple product launch is one of them.
Source: Reuters.com
Date: 01/22/2010
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L43Y20100122
Questions for discussion:
- Examine the news this week about Apple and report the reaction by consumers and investors?
- How did Apple stock perform in the stock market?
Now at Starbucks: A Rebound
January 25, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business
Description: Young people wearing hoodies and chunky glasses are sipping microbrew beers and espressos, nibbling on cheese and baguettes made at a local bakery and listening to a guitarist strum and sing.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 01/20/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/business/21sbux.html
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think the new “entrepreneurial” approach at Starbucks will be successful?
- What are the risks and benefits of moving away from one model for all store outlets?
- What would you suggest be done at your local Starbucks to increase sales and profits?
Google vs. China’s great firewall
January 18, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Google’s dispute with the Chinese government highlights some obstacles that Western companies face in China.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 01/15/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/15/f_sl_google_china.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- How do you think Google and other foreign companies trying to develop their businesses in China should deal with these issues? Explain your thinking.
- Does the “controlled” presence of a foreign company in China advance freedom there or obstruct its development?
NBC’s late night mess
January 18, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Fortune editors say the bungling of the Jay Leno – Conan O’Brien dustup is the latest in a series of network missteps.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 01/13/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/13/f_sl_nbc_leno_conan.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think Leno’s show failed to generate audience ratings?
- What would you do with these entertainers in terms of times slots?
- Do you think Internet viewership has anything to do with the success for failure of these shows? Explain your answers.
Chrysler buys 60-second Super Bowl ad
January 18, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Chrysler will be the only U.S. automaker to advertise in this year’s Super Bowl, forking over millions of dollars to restore its image following its bankruptcy and the federal bailout that followed.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 01/14/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/14/news/companies/chrysler_super_bowl_ad/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think Chrysler is making a wise decision? Explain your answer.
- How else could Chrysler recharge its brand and image using about the same amount of money it will be spending for the Super Bowl ad?
China’s Round-The-Clock Auto Factories Still Cannot Meet Demand
January 18, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Nissan Motor Co.’s factory in central China is making cars almost 24 hours a day, yet Pan Xiaowei still waited three months for her new Tiida compact to arrive at the dealership.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 01/15/2010
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=av3dPlponcBw
Questions for discussion:
- Explain the reasons for growth in the Chinese auto market.
- What does this growth suggest about the overall economic development in China?
- How can American and other international companies capitalize on the opportunities in China?
Verizon, AT&T cut fees, expand price war
January 18, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: The two largest U.S. wireless carriers, Verizon and AT&T, cut their rates on Friday, escalating a price war that began with smaller carriers.
Source: Reuters.com
Date: 01/15/2010
Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN1514325020100115
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think these price cuts will bring in more total revenue for these firms? Explain your thinking.
- What do you think is motivating these firms to offer a flat-fee for wireless services?
- Is it a good choice, or should they be offering stepped prices for low to high volume users? Explain your thinking.
Google Google everywhere
January 11, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: From cell phones to microwaves, the search giant’s Android OS was all over devices at CES.
Source: CNNMoney – video report
Date: 01/08/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/01/08/n_cmr_google_android_ces.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think Google’s Android strategy will be successful?Explain your thinking.
- Google started as a search engine. What sort of business do you think Google will be in ten years from today?
