Surfer’s calendar site gives back

Description: Custom calendar site CalendarLink.org raises funds and spreads awareness for the California Surf Life Saving Association.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 12/22/2010

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/12/22/n_cc_tides_of_giving.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• How is this business socially responsible?
• Who are the target customers?
• What makes this business service unique?
• Describe the product strategy and how the Internet allows for customization to match local customer needs.

Long road from Wall St. to jeweler

Description: A laid off banker now designs jewelry after having a difficult time getting a job retraining grant.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 12/16/2010

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/12/15/n_job_retraining_jewelry.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• What are the arguments for and against training for another career after losing one’s job?
• Do you think the person profiled in this report made the “right” decision?

Seattle stadiums greener than grass

Description: Qwest Field and the ShoWare Center are two of the most energy efficient stadiums in sports. See how they do it.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 12/03/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/12/02/n_green_seattle_sports.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Is the effort to “go green” paying these businesses back more than the money saved in operating expenses?
• Why is this socially responsible behavior?
• Is this a good way to educate the broader society?
• What other socially responsible behaviors could be developed by these businesses?

Pirate Bay appeal falls on deaf ears

Description: In another blow to online file-sharing, a Swedish appeals court upheld on Friday the copyright convictions of three of the four founders of The Pirate Bay–perhaps the world’s most well-known and notorious file-sharing Web site.

Source: CNET.com
 
Date: 11/26/2010

Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20023915-93.html

Questions for discussion: 

• What are the legal and ethical issues surrounding file-sharing?
• Do you agree with the comment made in the article suggesting that file-sharing will be finished in a couple of years?
• What drives file-sharing?
• What solutions are available to copyright holders?

Israeli Biotechs Find Partners in Ohio

Description: Government incentives and an Ohio venture capital fund focused on Israel have drawn Israeli entrepreneurs to a state with top research clinics and a flourishing health-care industry.

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: 11/18/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/nov2010/sb20101117_584843.htm?chan=smallbiz_special+report+–+focus+on+entrepreneurs+november+2010_special+report+–+focus+on+entrepreneurs+november+2010

Questions for discussion:

• What are the reasons motivating these parties to collaborate in this effort?
• What are the basic benefits for each party?
• What other types of technologies would likely find international collaboration for the same reasons?

Start a small biz with $500

Description: Tweezerman founder Dal LaMagna says his company grew by being frugal with money and keeping stakeholders interests at heart.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 11/11/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2010/11/11/sbiz_tweezerman_dal_lamagna_500_dollars.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Explain the global success of this game?
• What does its success suggest about consumer behavior?
• What need does this product satisfy for consumers?
• How do you explain the appeal of Monopoly in this age of electronic gadgetry?

A Pistachio Farmer, Pom Wonderful, and the FTC

Description: California philanthropists Lynda and Stewart Resnick own a pistachio empire twice the size of Sacramento. Now they’re facing lawsuits over water control and the health claims of Pom Wonderful.

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: 11/11/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_47/b4204068352545.htm

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize the business, legal, and moral issues in this report?
• Who do you side with in this argument? Explain your reasoning?

75 years later, Monopoly rolls on

Description: A special look inside the Monopoly factory as the legendary board game celebrates its 75th anniversary. 

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 11/05/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/11/05/n_monopoly_birthday_factory.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Explain the global success of Monopoly?
• What does its success suggest about consumer behavior?
• What need does this product satisfy for consumers?
• How do you explain the appeal of Monopoly in this age of electronic gadgetry?

Chasing Pirates: Inside Microsoft’s War Room

Description:  AS the sun rose over the mountains circling Los Reyes, a town in the Mexican state of Michoacán, one morning in March 2009, a caravan of more than 300 heavily armed law enforcement agents set out on a raid.

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 11/06/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/07/technology/07piracy.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

• Summarize how Microsoft deals with piracy?
• Why is fighting piracy so important to Microsoft?
• What are the criticisms of this strategy?
• What are the ethical and social issues related to piracy?
• Are there alternative strategies for the firm to follow that would solve the problem?

Bitten by a billion dollar industry

Description: Stephen Woolley, producer of “Interview with a Vampire,” talks about why we love horror, the supernatural and vampires.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 10/29/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/10/29/n_vampires_halloween.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

• Explain the global success of this genre of film and publishing business.
• Do you agree with the analysis presented in the video?
• What other genres seem to have international and universal appeal to consumers around the world?
• Are there commonalities that these products seem to share?

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