Description: Blue Nile CEO Mark Vadon discusses Black Friday sales for the online jeweler, and says the ‘healthiest part of the market is the very high-end.’ Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: 11/25/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/11/25/n_blue_nile_ceo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Who is the target market for Blue Nile? How is online shopping for rings different than… Read more »
Monthly Archives: November 2011
The $25 Computer That Plays High-Definition Video
Description:    The Raspberry Pi, a credit-card sized computer that plugs into your TV and a keyboard will be available next year. It’s a PC that does many of the things your desktop PC does and is aimed at the educational sector. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 11/22/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/the-25-computer-that-plays-high-definition-video/7E9D6C97-80D5-4175-9D23-454018240138 Questions for discussion: How might… Read more »
In Some Virtual Worlds, the Thrill Is Gone
Description: Zynga and other social game developers search for the next FarmVille-scale hit Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/23/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/in-some-virtual-worlds-the-thrill-is-gone-11232011.html Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the development of successful games and the customers that play them?
Why gratitude is good for business, year round
Description: Instead of showing appreciation exclusively during the holidays, some businesses are building it into their day-to-day and reaping business benefits on account of it. Source: Fortune.com Date: 11/23/2011 Link:  http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/11/23/why-gratitude-is-good-for-business-year-round/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: What are the management and marketing lessons learned from this article?
Unleash the Entrepreneurs
Description: Bad policies are holding back the ultimate job creators. Source: City-Journal.org Date: Fall 2011 Link: http://www.city-journal.org/2011/21_4_entrepreneurs.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the article about the relationship between job creation and entrepreneurialism. What are the statistical arguments? Why do you suppose government still looks to older industry and big-businesses as the… Read more »
Seeing Clearly–With Lens-Free Glasses
Description:    Hong Kong radio host Chu Fun doesn’t need a prescription for her multiple pairs of eyeglasses. She wears them without lenses as a fashion accessory. WSJ’s Alex Frangos reports. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 11/17/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/seeing-clearly–with-lens-free-glasses/BCC00198-A37C-4D31-9A63-370D8C14F400 Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about eyeglasses as a fashion accessory? Is this… Read more »
1998 all over again for IPOs
Description: Angie’s List is the latest dot-com to go public with a questionable business model, joining the ranks of Groupon, Pandora, and soon Yelp. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report com Date: 11/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/11/18/mkts_am_buzz_angi.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How do you explain the success of these IPOs? Do you think investors are repeating mistakes made in… Read more »
Disney’s Big Ambitions for Swampy, an App Star
Description: The cartoon alligator’s hit game on the Apple App Store may lead to books, toys, and a movie Source: Businessweek.com Date: 11/17/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/disneys-big-ambitions-for-swampy-an-app-star-11172011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize this new business model. Do you think it can be successful? Explain why. What are some other character concepts that could work for Disney?
Counting down to Black Friday
Description: Despite the noise, earlier-than-ever deals may steal the day’s thunder Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 11/18/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/counting-down-to-black-friday-2011-11-18 Questions for discussion: What does “Black Friday†refer to? What are the expected retailing strategies for this year? How are consumers expected to behave? Do you agree with the analysis?
HP: Nowhere to go but up?
Description: I started the week with a column about IBM (IBM, Fortune 500), so it’s only fitting that I end the week with a piece about a company I like to call IBM Lite. Or “Little Blue,” if you will. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/11/18/technology/thebuzz/index.htm?iid=HP_LN Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in… Read more »
