Hewlett-Packard’s battered culture
August 16, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: Founders’ folksy approach became guiding principle for other companies
Source: Marketwatch.com
Date: 08/09/2010
Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/h-p-known-for-its-culture-in-yet-another-scandal-2010-08-09?siteid=nwtwk
Questions for discussion:
- Why do you think H-P has had so much trouble with its recent CEOs?
- Do you think H-P will be hurt by this recent problem in terms of management recruitment of other employees, motivation, control, and so forth?
- Is there something that H-P could do to prevent any future damage by executives?
From Kenmore, Talking Washers and Dryers
August 9, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: They’ll explain their problems via phone—and, the company hopes, result in vastly more efficient service.
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 08/05/2010
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_33/b4191023607461.htm
Questions for discussion:
- How can the manufacturers justify the additional cost of this technology?
- What are the benefits received by the companies and their customers?
- Should manufacturers emphasize this technology as an integral part of their products?
- Which customers would be most affected knowing this technology is built into their appliances?
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?
Mad Man
August 2, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: Why did Alex Bogusky, the most celebrated adman of his era, turn his back on the business?
Source: Businessweek.com
Date: 07/29/2010
Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_32/b4190060449252.htm
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the probable reasons for Alex Bogusky`s decision.
- What do think about his decision?
- What do you think about his criticism about the advertising industry?
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?
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?
D8 Video: Steve Case in Full Session
Description: Steve Case and Kara Swisher meet again onstage at the D8 Conference. What has the Revolution CEO been up to on the 25h Anniversary of American Online?
Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
Date: 07/02/2010
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the history of AOL and the development of the Internet.
- What surprises you the most in this interview?
- What future do you see for AOL and for Steve Case?
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?
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?
Are we friends or colleagues?
Description: As workers spend more time on Facebook and Linkedin, companies are developing social-networking services for the office.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 05/28/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/05/27/tm_social_net_enterprise.fortune/
Questions for discussion:
- Do you think there is a special role for social networking applications in workplace environments?
- What advantages and disadvantages are there to installing social networking in a workplace?
- How could applications like Facebook be marketed to corporate buyers?
