http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com Discussion Topics for Today's Classroom Mon, 30 Aug 2010 10:05:19 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 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 ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/30/death-of-the-american-consumer/ Description:  The subscription television industry suffered a drop in total subscribers in the second quarter. Meanwhile, more online TV viewing options abound. Dow Jones Newswires' Nat Worden joins Simon Constable and Spencer Ante on Digits to discuss. Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 08/24/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-pay-tv-loses-subscribers/3B9C3648-A3D8-4A53-937A-CDF2F564C568 Questions for discussion:  Do you think the trend away ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/30/digits-pay-tv-loses-subscribers/ Description:  A majority of investment advisers say that a double-dip recession is unlikely and that the stock market will improve over the next six months -- but their clients are more worried, according to a survey of money managers released Wednesday by financial-services firm Charles Schwab Corp. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/money-managers-are-optimistic-but-clients-arent-2010-08-25?pagenumber=1 Questions ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/30/money-managers-are-optimistic-but-their-clients-arent/ 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? http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/30/ideas-wanted-multinationals-open-doors-to-entrepreneurs/ Description:  The history of USA Today is full of firsts for the newspaper business: the first general-interest national paper of its kind, the first to use color widely in charts and photographs and once first in the number of copies printed each day. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/media/28paper.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/30/usa-today-to-remake-itself-to-stress-digital-operations/ 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 ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/23/lenovo-doesnt-have-ibms-cache/ Description:  Despite a run of weak earnings and store closings, the coffee shop operator is gearing up for international expansion. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/08/20/mkts_starbucks_jolt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Do you think Starbucks is a good investment today? What has the company done to improve its financial condition? Do you think its current strategy ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/23/starbucks-looks-for-pick-me-up/ Description:  The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20 Questions for discussion:  Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with small ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/23/the-new-gm-to-hit-market-with-new-hopes-old-ghosts/ Description:  Intel Corp. Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini, with the $7.68 billion acquisition of security software maker McAfee Inc., is betting that customers will pay to guard against attacks that have yet to materialize. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/intel-s-otellini-after-mcafee-deal-may-find-mobile-security-a-hard-sell.html Questions for discussion: Do you think this was a wise decision by Intel? Do you believe ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/23/intel-after-mcafee-deal-may-find-mobile-security-a-hard-sell/ Description:  Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 08/21/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think the small investor’s attitude toward the stock market will continue to become more negative? What has caused this change in attitude? What could cause a reversal? Why is the small investor’s attitude important ... http://contemporarybusinessupdates.com/2010/08/23/in-striking-shift-small-investors-flee-stock-market/