Description: B Corporations, a new type of corporate structure, use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems as well as make money. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/08/n_cc_bcorps.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented favouring the adoption of the B-Corp code of behavior. What benefits are derived… Read more »
Monthly Archives: March 2010
What killed Lehman
Description: Failings by Lehman Brothers executives and its auditor led to the bank collapse that unleashed the worst of the financial crisis, according to a report by a court-appointed investigator. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/12/news/companies/lehman_examiner/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the findings in the report? Who do you believe is mostly to blame for… Read more »
Rampaging Toyotas obscure highway safety strides
Description: For drivers living in fear of the rabid Toyotas prowling America’s roadways, the horse-and-buggy era is looking pretty good. But, in reality, there has never been a safer time to get behind the wheel. According to data released Thursday from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the fatality rate on the nation’s roads fell in… Read more »
How Men’s Overconfidence Hurts Them as Investors
Description: MEN and women invest differently, a growing body of research has found. And in at least one important respect, women may be better at it. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/14/business/14mark.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How are men and women investors different from each other? What lessons are there that each gender can learn from… Read more »
Great Time to Buy (Famous Last Words)
Description: “IT’S a great time to buy a home.†Real estate agents were saying that in 2001, as home prices were rising. They also said it when home prices peaked in 2005  in fact, David Lereah, former chief economist of the National Association of Realtors, published a book that year titled “Are You Missing… Read more »
Online video saves business big bucks
Description: Web-conferencing software and cheap digital video cameras are reducing the need for costly business travel. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/03/04/tm_video_conference.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented favouring the growth of online video. What are the reasons for consumer use of online video? How does this compare to business… Read more »
Madoff whistleblower blames regulators
Description: Harry Markopolos, independent financial fraud investigator, says SEC regulators are at fault for failing to protect investors. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/02/n_ss_markopolos_reg.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the arguments presented that explain the fraud? Do you believe government should regulate the financial services industry more? Explain your… Read more »
A fresh (and cheap!) sound for TV soundtracks
Description: Like many aspiring rock stars, Jared Gutstadt, 32, used to split his life in half. He held down a day job editing television shows for clients like Disney, MTV and VH1. He kept his nights free for what he really wanted to do: make music. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/02/smallbusiness/jingle_punks/index.htm Questions for… Read more »
Getting Older Without Getting Old
Description: FACEBOOK now has more than 400 million active users, up from only 50 million as recently as 2007. If social networking still resembled a young, hip downtown nightclub scene  one day a site is hot, the next it’s not  we might expect the crowds to decamp soon. Facebook would become another Friendster,… Read more »
Will ‘fun factor’ or mandates drive electric car sales?
Description: If the green-tech industry had its equivalent of the iPhone, it would be the electric car, a product that has cachet with consumers. But it’s still unclear what will drive sales of plug-ins: will it be consumers willing to pay more for a greener ride or government mandates for fuel efficiency? Source: CNET.com Date:… Read more »