Are Your Sunglasses Worth the Big Bucks?
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Brett Arends, WSJ’s ROI columnist, tells colleague Adam Najberg that those $200 designer shades you’re wearing may be just like the $20 ones you buy at a Lens Crafter store.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 07/21/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think customers are aware that one firm dominates the supply as much as it does and thereby controls the market price?
- Why have other retailers not capitalized on this overpriced market condition and offered lower priced product?
- Do you think price is the most important factor for customers who are shopping for sunglasses?
- What other factors would influence their buying decision?
AOL Chief: Display ads not dead
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong says display advertising will still be dominant, albeit different, in the coming years.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 07/23/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/07/23/f_bst_aol_armstrong_display.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the comments made by Tim Armstrong about the future of AOL, online content, and advertising.
- Do you agree with his opinions?
- How do you see AOL developing in the future?
- What would you suggest to AOL if you could talk directly to Tim Armstrong?
Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list.
Source: CNNMoney.com
Date: 07/23/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms?
- How would you expect investors to react to this news?
- Are the punishments appropriate?
What Mad Men Gets Right About Innovation
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: A scene from the Sterling Cooper ad agency offers a lesson about how leaders can foster creativity.
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 07/23/2010
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jul2010/ca20100723_186913.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the main findings of the research report.
- Are you surprised by any of them?
- What message is there here for managers and for employees?
Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company?
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 07/24/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor image in many investors’ minds.
- Do you agree with this view?
- What are your forecasts for Microsoft?
- What advice would you pass along to management to improve prospects?
Amazon shares fall after earnings disappoint
July 26, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Online retail giant ramps up investments, sees continued spending
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 07/23/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-falls-after-earnings-disappoint-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the financial conditions of Amazon?
- Would you be concerned as an investor or as a financial manager in the firm?
- What would you advise management?
digits: Has Apple Lost Its Mojo?
July 19, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: As Apple finally speaks out on the antenna reception controversy surrounding its Apple 4, Simon Constable talks to Alan Murray, Lauren Goode and Rex Crum about whether the company has lost its mojo given this issue and other recent stumbles amid its successes.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 07/16/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the comments made about Apple’s corporate culture?
- Do you agree with the views expressed?
- Do you think it is reflected in the type of customer that buys Apple products?
- What would you suggest Apple management do to correct the negative publicity it is experiencing today?
A Look Inside a Hedge Fund’s Black-Box Trading
July 19, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 5 Managing Technology and Information, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: A hedge fund started by four young math wizards is using a branch of artificial intelligence, called “computer learning,” to make investment decisions. Rebellion Research’s four, 20-something-year-old partners explain how their computer program “thinks” up their strategy.
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 07/13/2010
Questions for discussion:
- What do you think of the concept of a “learning-based artificial intelligence software program” that determines investing decisions?
- How different is this business model than others presented to investors?
- Would you be inclined to invest funds with this firm because of their approach?
- Why do you think some investors would be inclined not to invest with them because of their model?
Droid X adds to the challenge of choosing a smart phone
July 19, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Deciding to buy a smart phone is the easy part. With dozens of models on the market — add one more after Motorola’s Droid X went on sale Thursday — picking your perfect phone requires hours of research on countless details.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 07/16/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/droid-x-adds-to-challenge-of-choosing-a-smartphone-2010-07-16?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- What are the main selling features for each phone?
- Do you think the marketplace is crowded with too many choices for buyers or that there is room for more competitors?
- Why are the sales of these products tied to 2 and 3 years service plans?
- Could they be successfully sold without phone service carriers affiliation?
- Are there other affiliates that could co-market these devices?
Was Steinbrenner Just Lucky?
July 19, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Before he bought the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner tried to buy the Cleveland Indians.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 07/16/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/17/business/17nocera.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- How would you explain the increase in value of the NY Yankees from the time George Steinbrenner bought the team in 1971?
- How important is the team brand to marketing success in baseball?
- Why would someone buy a money-losing baseball team?
