Death of the American consumer
August 30, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Fortune’s Andy Serwer says consumers can no longer be counted on to stimulate the economy.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 08/27/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/08/27/f_sl_us_consumer_dead.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the reasons given for the slow economic recovery?
- Why is the spending power of American consumers so important for both American and global economic recovery to take place?
- What reason is given for being optimistic that the economy will improve?
- Why would a “job” program help the recovery?
- Which businesses do you think will be the first to hire more people back?
- Which businesses are likely to be slow to hire people?
- What more do you think can be done to help economic recovery?
Ideas Wanted: Multinationals Open Doors to Entrepreneurs
August 30, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business
Description: Giants such as GE and PepsiCo are sponsoring competitions that let startups strut their stuff.
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 08/26/2010
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2010/sb20100825_281270.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Why does this open-door approach work well for both parties?
- How is this good for customers?
- What are the benefits for the economy as a whole?
Lenovo doesn’t have IBM’s cache
August 23, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: Five years after buying IBM’s PC unit, Lenovo’s a hit in China but still struggles for international success.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 08/19/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/19/n_lenovo.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think Lenovo has had so much trouble establishing its brand in the U.S. market?
- What does the success in China say about the company?
- What marketing advice would you suggest to management?
Eyeglasses for the world’s poorest
August 16, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: The micro-consignment model provides local vendors in remote regions with essential products for resale to the community.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 08/13/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/13/n_cc_microconsignment_model.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- How is micro-consignment different from micro-finance?
- Which one do you believe is superior for encouraging economic development?
- How is micro-consignment similar to more familiar network marketing approaches like Amway and Avon?
Detroit Goes From Gloom to Economic Bright Spot
August 16, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: After a dismal period of huge losses and deep cuts that culminated in the Obama administration’s bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, the gloom over the American auto industry is starting to lift.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 08/13/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/business/14auto.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the key points presented in the article.
- Are you optimistic that the US auto industry will experience a long period of economic recovery?
- What are the global factors that are continuing to challenge the auto industry domestically and internationally?
- How do you think the industry should respond to these challenges?
Building literacy around the world
August 9, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Room to Read has built over 10,000 libraries around the world using big business practices and social networking.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 07/30/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/06/n_cc_room_to_read.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Why is literacy a fundamental pillar of economic development?
- How is the development of literacy skills going to help businesses profit in the future?
- Do you believe that businesses that support John Wood’s effort are motivated by altruistic goals alone?
- How can social networking help with fundraising?
- How else can social networking sites help through publicizing this not-for profit global organization and effort?
But Will It Make You Happy?
August 9, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management
Description: How you spend has a greater effect on your happiness than how much you spend, researchers say.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 08/07/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the key points presented in the article.
- Do you think there is an emerging trend among consumers to reject the levels of consumption that would seem normal to most of us today?
- Why do you suppose consumers behave the way that they do?
BP chooses Dudley, an American, to turn its fortunes around
Description: BP’s new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board.
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 07/27/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-appoints-robert-dudley-as-new-ceo-2010-07-27?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you suppose a new chief executive was chosen?
- Do you agree with the claim that Robert Dudley was chosen as much for his passport as for his other credentials?
- Do you think this decision will make any difference in the public perception of BP?
- What other steps would you recommend to BP to help mend fences in the US and globally?
- Do you think BP will financially recover from this experience?
- Would you be a buyer or seller of BP shares?
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?
Why Andy Grove Is Wrong About Job Growth
July 12, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Description: Reigniting job creation in the U.S. won’t happen by becoming more like China and India.
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 07/09/2010
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2010/tc2010079_953836.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the main arguments presented in this article.
- Do you agree with the points made about entrepreneurialism and economic growth?
- What, if anything, should governments do to encourage entrepreneurial growth?
