A car for tree-huggers
June 14, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: The new Smart fortwo EV doesn’t burn gas but an 85-mile range means frequent recharging.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 06/11/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/06/10/n_rw_smart_ev_review.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think the car will only be available for leasing and not for sale?
- Why do you think the majority of leases will be offered to corporate drivers rather than consumers?
- Who do you think is the target market for this car in each segment?
- Do you think the price is “right” given that the car does not involve the purchase of gasoline?
- How much “value” should the company attach to this fact?
- How important is the “social responsibility” factor in this situation for both the company as well as the customer?
Videogames Get Into Motion
June 14, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony are getting ready to show off an array of new motion accessories and 3-D technology next week at the E3 Expo in the hopes of re-energizing the slumping videogame industry. Nick Wingfield and Dan Gallagher have a preview.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 06/11/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Who is the current target market for game consoles?
- Do you think this new technology is aimed at this audience or some new one?
- What sorts of games or applications can you envision being popular with this new technology?
- How would you go about marketing these new games?
Wendy’s shares surge on mystery takeover offer
June 14, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Shares of Wendy’s/Arby’s Group rose 7% Friday on talk that the fast food chain could be taken over.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 06/11/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/11/news/companies/wendys_acquisition_stock/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this merger is a good fit for these companies?
- What are the reasons given in the article that explains the likelihood of more mergers in the fast food industry?
- Why would share prices rise on speculative news reports of a merger?
Business ethics, with a chuckle
June 14, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: The quick videos can be described as “The Office” meets YouTube meets your annual Business Ethics 101 seminar.
Source: MSNBC.com
Date: 06/11/2010
Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37595722/ns/business-small_business/
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think this approach is better than traditional training efforts?
- Do you think this sort of training would appeal more to certain target markets rather than others?
- How would you market these training services?
Study Says Math Deficiencies Increase Foreclosure Risk
June 14, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: IF you can’t divide 300 by 2, should you qualify for a loan? That is one of the questions raised by a new study led by a Columbia University assistant business professor, Stephan Meier, who found that borrowers with poor math skills were three times more likely than others to go into foreclosure.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 06/09/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/13/realestate/13mort.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- What does the study suggest about the ethics of lending money?
- How should lenders and borrowers respond to this information?
- Should the financial services industry use a “test” to establish the risk associated with the borrower?
The Future of PCs
June 7, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business
Description: At the D8 Conference, Apple CEO Steve Jobs indicated we’re heading into a post-PC era. But Steve Ballmer, Microsoft’s CEO, sees more growth for PCs. Is the era of the PC really waning? WSJ’s Nick Wingfield joins Simon Constable on Digits, along with guest host Eric Savitz of Barron’s. And, mobile apps may be all the rage, but they could pose a serious threat to your private data, WSJ’s Spencer Ante reports.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 06/04/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-the-future-of-pcs/C7025751-EE1E-4296-8BA0-DBCCB565FECD
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the main arguments and predictions made in this discussion.
- Which ones do you agree with and explain your thinking?
BP flexes muscle in D.C.
June 7, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Even before the April 20 explosion on its rig off the Louisiana coast, BP spent millions of dollars lobbying Washington’s power players. BP will now tap that power and influence as it tries to repair its image.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 06/04/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/04/news/economy/BP_Washington_power/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Do you believe BP has behaved ethically?
- Do you believe that the public reaction toward BP is fair?
- Do you believe the government and regulatory agencies have treated BP fairly?
- What do you think the long-term impact will be on BP as a brand and as a viable energy company in the US?
McDonald’s recalls 12 million Shrek glasses
June 7, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: McDonald’s is recalling 12 million drinking glasses featuring characters from the “Shrek” movie series because the paint used contains cadmium, which can pose health risks.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 06/04/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/04/news/companies/mcdonalds_recall/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- What are the arguments that could be made that support the notion that this recall might harm McDonald’s brand in the marketplace?
- What are the arguments that suggest the recall might actually benefit the McDonald’s brand?
Dow drops 324 points as euro sinks
June 7, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Stocks slumped Friday after a government report showed employers added fewer jobs than expected last month and the euro plunged to a new 4-year low, reviving worries about the health of the European economy.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 06/04/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/04/markets/markets_newyork/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons given for the decline in the stock market?
- How is the value of the Euro related to these concerns?
- How do you think these markets will perform over the next three months?
- What reasons can you offer for your predictions?
Airlines Work to Catch Up to the Digital Age
June 7, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: Airlines have made great technological leaps in recent years, allowing passengers to check in from home or download boarding passes on their smartphones. But if you’ve ever been stranded at an airport during a raging thunderstorm, chances are you will end up standing in a long line watching a gate agent typing furiously on an outdated computer.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 06/04/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05air.html?ref=business
Questions for discussions:
- What does the report say about the growing importance of technology?
- Summarize how technology has changed the industry.
- What are the key advantages of keeping pace with advances in technology?
