Boone & Kurtz Contemporary Business Weekly Updates » Management Leadership and the Internal Organization (p252)

Unions Yield on Wage Scales to Preserve Jobs

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 10:03:55 +0000

Description: Organized labor appears to be losing an important battle in the Great Recession.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 11/19/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/20/business/20wages.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

According to the report, how have unionized workers adapted to the economic conditions at their places of employment?
Do you think this change will impact aspects in the workplace such as motivation and productivity?
How should management react to these circumstances?
Do you think these changes are likely to be long lasting?

Jobs Outlook Looking Better

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 10:05:21 +0000

Description: Rebecca Jarvis and Barrons associate editor Michael Santori discuss the recent increase in private sector jobs and what we can expect in the future.

Source: BNET.com – video report

Date: 11/12/2010

Link: http://moneywatch.bnet.com/economic-news/video/jobs-outlook-looking-better/481539/

Questions for discussion:

Summarize the reasons companies are starting to hire back more workers now?
What does this say about these companies, their industries, and the economic recovery?

Pogue: Six Factors for Highly Unsuccessful Products

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 10:04:36 +0000

Description: At the FailCon 2010 conference in San Francisco, New York Times technology columnist David Pogue identifies the stumbling blocks to success.

Source: BNET.com – video report

Date: 10/27/2010

Link: http://www.bnet.com/videos/pogue-six-factors-for-highly-unsuccessful-products/479076

Questions for discussion:

Do you agree with the explanations provided in the video?
Provide one additional example that illustrates each of the errors listed in the presentation.
Can you think of other reasons for failures?

digits: Steve Jobs Jabs at Competition

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:04:28 +0000

Description: On yesterday’s earning call, Apple CEO Steve Jobs issued a string of criticisms about Apple’s rivals from Research in Motion and Google to unnamed companies making seven-inch tablets. Plus: what analysts have to say this morning about Apple’s growth overriding concerns. Peter Kafka and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries discuss on Digits.

Source: Marketwatch..com – video report

Date: 10/19/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-steve-jobs-jabs-at-competition/CB58AF5B-10DF-44C8-858C-F87DB7BFBFA4

Questions for discussion:

What were the reasons given that might explain Steve Jobs’ criticisms of competitors?
What is your understanding of the financial situation at Apple?
Given financial conditions described, what would suggest to the firm?
What is your view of a merger between Apple and Facebook?
Why would this deal make sense for both parties?
What does the loss of senior management at Microsoft mean for the firm?

7 Ways Companies Miss Out on Huge Opportunities

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 10:01:06 +0000

Description: More often than not, companies manage to lock themselves into unnecessarily narrow market segments and, in so doing, lock themselves out of huge growth opportunities. It’s so prevalent it’s like an epidemic out there. I see it all the time.

Source: BNET.com

Date: 10/21/2010

Link: http://www.bnet.com/blog/ceo/7-ways-companies-miss-out-on-huge-opportunities/5848?promo=713&tag=nl.e713

Questions for discussion:

Do you agree with the arguments presented in this article?
Why else do you think some companies miss out on great opportunities?

A day with Stan Lee at Comic Con

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 10:05:00 +0000

Description: The comics legend is still going strong, and still spends entire days promoting his new products and meeting his fans.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 10/15/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/10/15/n_cmr_stan_lee_comiccon.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

How important is Stan Lee as a leader for his company and industry?
Why do you suppose there is such reverence for the man?
How do you explain the longevity of this industry?
Who is the target audience?
What is the “product” they are buying?
What do you think of the new products mentioned in the video clip?

What J&J’s CEO didn’t say

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:05:47 +0000

Description: CEO William Weldon admitted to lawmakers that his company made mistakes involving numerous recalls, but never explained how they happened.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 10/01/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/09/30/n_tylenol_recall_hearing.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

Summarize the plan at Starbucks to expand into other businesses by using the web?
Do you think this plan will be successful?
What other online strategies would you recommend to Starbucks that allows it to leverage its brand and stores.

HP taps outsider as CEO

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 10:04:42 +0000

Description: Although ex-SAP Chief Leo Apotheker lacks experience in the key consumer market, analysts say he will bring much-needed leadership to the tech giant.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 10/01/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/10/01/mkts_hp_apotheker.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

According to the report, what are the positive and negative aspects of the recent appointment of Leo Apotheker to head HP?
On the whole, do you think he is a good choice?
Do you think his lack of expertise in consumer markets is a serious concern?
How important is his international experience?

Oprah Blesses Facebook Founder Zuckerberg’s $100 Million School Gift

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 10:03:40 +0000

Description: You have to be impressed with Mark Zuckerberg. Not just because the 26-year-old has packed a lifetime of achievement into a period when most late adolescents are still trying to find themselves. In seven years he’s gone from being an awkward college freshman to a reported net worth of nearly $7 billion.

Source: BNET.com

Date: 09/24/2010

Link: http://www.bnet.com/blog/business-decision/oprah-blesses-facebook-founder-zuckerberg-8217s-100-million-school-gift/250?tag=content;feature-roto

Questions for discussion:

Do you think Zukerberg’s motivation is altruistic?
What value does Facebook receive in exchange for Zukerberg’s generosity?
What additional value is there to making this announcement on Oprah?
Do you think there is an educational application for Facebook?

Why Great Companies Don’t Stay Great

Brahm Canzer — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 10:03:42 +0000

Description: Ever wonder why there are so few perennially successful companies like Cisco and Microsoft? Or why so many once-great companies, like Dell and Nortel, suddenly hit a wall? No, it’s not about innovation or culture, although they are factors.

Source: BNET.com

Date: 09/17/2010

Link: http://www.bnet.com/blog/ceo/why-great-companies-dont-stay-great/5585?tag=content;feature-roto

Questions for discussion:

Summarize the arguments made in this article?
Do you agree with the analysis presented?
What strategies should be applied by managers, with these arguments in mind?