After the Financial Meltdown, Where’s America’s Outrage?
September 13, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources
Description: Andrew Ross Sorkin of The New York Times noted that 49% of people surveyed had a negative view of Goldman Sachs. Financial companies are busily trying to rebuild their reputations by, among other things, running lots of advertisements touting their lending activities, but numerous reports show that banks are cutting credit lines to both individuals and businesses.
Source: BNET.com
Date: 09/09/2010
Questions for discussion:
- What do you think about the theories presented that explain public reaction to the financial crisis and the business people involved?
- What is your view about this matter?
- Should government have reacted differently?
Labor Day’s violent beginnings
September 6, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: The bloody Pullman strike in 1894 spurred the national holiday that recognizes American workers.
Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
Date: 09/03/2010
Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/09/03/n_labor_day_history_2010.cnnmoney/
Questions for discussion:
- Summarize the historical successes of organized labor that are highlighted in the video.
- Why do you think the general public is often critical of organized labor?
- Do you believe there is a problem in because some unionized workers enjoy better benefits than others?
- How can the gap between benefits enjoyed by unionized and non-unionized workers be closed?
- What role is there for governments?
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?
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?
CEO Pay Breaks Glass Ceiling as Bartz Gets $47.2 Million in ‘09
May 17, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: Chief executive officers’ pay is shattering the glass ceiling. Boosted by a $47.2 million package for Carol Bartz of Yahoo! Inc. and $26.3 million for Irene Rosenfeld of Kraft Foods Inc., compensation for woman CEOs at the biggest U.S. companies is booming.
Source: Bloomberg.com
Date: 05/13/2010
Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aM3CXlOJRBcs
Questions for discussion:
What does this report have to say about the pay earned by CEO women executives?
On Her Team, It’s All About Bench Strength
May 10, 2010 by Brahm Canzer
Filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Description: This interview with Sharon Napier, chief executive of Partners + Napier, an ad agency based in Rochester, was conducted and condensed by Adam Bryant.
Source: NYTimes.com
Date: 05/07/2010
Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/business/09corner.html?ref=business
Questions for discussion:
- What lessons did you learn by reading this article?
- Which comment do you think was the most insightful?
- What would add to the commentary about the relationship between sports and management?
