The Business Of Lin

Description:  From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/17/2012

Linkhttp://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report.
  • Do you think this phenomenon can last?
  • What strategic plans would you recommend to the various businesses mentioned?
  • What should they be concerned with?

Is Boeing 787 Really a Dreamliner?

Description:  The Boeing 787 “Dreamliner” was billed as a revolution for travelers, offering a more humid, comfortable cabin and lighting that would lessen fatigue, dry eyes and jet lag. Scott McCartney on Lunch Break looks at the validity of those claims.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: 02/15/2012

Link:   http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/is-boeing-787-really-a-dreamliner/CC9F10E4-0EE5-4F2D-A2C2-62B6C6D49DDB

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the important selling features to managers of airlines buying these planes?
  • What are the features that would be important to passengers?

Google’s Bid to Be Everything to Everyone

Description:  A rumored audio device and new testing facilities hint at the search giant’s hardware ambitions

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 02/16/2012

Linkhttp://www.businessweek.com/magazine/googles-bid-to-be-everything-to-everyone-02162012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Highlight Google’s strategic planning described in this report.
  • Do you think they will be successful with this approach?
  • Who would be Google’s competitors in the future if this approach is launched?
  • How would you expect competitors to respond?

Look to weaknesses to find your leadership strengths

Description:   (MoneyWatch)  Steve Jobs, General Patton, and Mother Teresa. They were leaders who broke the mold, using their uniqueness to do what no one else could do. What they had in common was that they were unique.

Source: MoneyWatch.com

Date: 02/08/2012

Link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57372852/look-to-weaknesses-to-find-your-leadership-strengths/?tag=nl.e857

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the ideas expressed in this article about leadership?
  • What is your opinion of this line of thinking?

How Millennial Men React to Mobile Ads

Description:  eMarketer estimates that the number of US smartphone users will rise 44% this year to over 106 million. And as these users continue to do more activities on their phones, their likelihood of exposure to mobile advertising becomes assured.

Source:  eMarketer.com

Date: 02/13/2012

Linkhttp://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008834&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this research suggest to marketing managers, from a strategic planning point of view?
  • Do you think this phenomenon will affect overall advertising planning in the future?

Japan’s geezers turned gamers

Description:  Japan a nation known for its aging population, arcades have become popular with Japan’s elderly, prompting some to even host ‘senior nights.’

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/08/2012

Linkhttp://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/08/n_japanese_geezer_games.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • How have demographic changes in Japan affected business?
  • What are some ideas you would suggest to the management of malls and game developers?

250,000 ask Apple to change its labor ways

Description:  Petitions with over 250,000 signatures were delivered to Apple stores calling for reforms to working conditions in its suppliers’ factories.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Link:   http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/09/t-ts-change-org-signatures.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think Apple is being singled-out when the concerns likely apply to any company manufacturing in China?
  • How should Apple’s management deal with group?

Sell more stuff by giving it away

Description:  (MoneyWatch)  COMMENTARY We’re all in business to sell something, but sometimes one of the best ways to do that is to give it away. For some owners, that tactic’s anathema — “I’m in business to sell, not to give” — but their attitude is short-sighted.

Source: MoneyWatch.com

Date: 02/07/2012

Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505143_162-57371972/sell-more-stuff-by-giving-it-away/?tag=nl.e857

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you agree with these marketing suggestions?
  • Using an example of a business you are familiar with, list two “give-away” strategies and how the firm would recoup the costs.

Stocks are up, but they’re still cheap

Description:  Stocks are soaring, but investors who buy in now may still be getting a deal of a decade, based on metrics of how pricey the market is.

Source:  USAToday.com

Date: 02/08/2012

Link:   http://www.usatoday.com/money/perfi/stocks/story/2012-02-08/stocks-still-cheap/53017416/1

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the arguments made in this report?
  • Do you agree with them?

Tesla’s Model X: Finally, an electric car we all want

Description:   Commentary Tesla Motors is helping destroy the notion that electric vehicles are green cars with unfortunate compromises.

Source:  CNET.com

Date: 02/10/2012

Linkhttp://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57374536-76/teslas-model-x-finally-an-electric-car-we-all-want/

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think this vehicle is “what we all want”?
  • How should the industry market the concept?

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