Description: Despite a small base of paying users, the VOIP and video chat service is still profitable. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/01/13/t_connected_skype.fortune/ Questions for discussion:  Explain why Skype dominates this marketplace? How is Skype able to be sustainable when only 6% of users pay anything for services? How can Skype convert… Read more »
Monthly Archives: January 2011
Balancing babies and business
Description: Stephanie Sonnabend, CEO of her family’s hotel business, gives advice to women looking to have both a career and a family. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/13/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/13/n_ceo_moms.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What did this report teach you about women striving to reach senior management levels? Do you agree with the tone of… Read more »
The Robot in the Next Cubicle
Description: The new wave of robots for sale is aimed squarely at the office market. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_04/b4212069774202.htm Questions for discussion: What is driving the use of robotics? How different is the introduction of robots in an office environment to other technologies such as computers? Do you think there can be… Read more »
Solar Panel Maker Moves Work to China
Description: Aided by at least $43 million in assistance from the government of Massachusetts and an innovative solar energy technology, Evergreen Solar emerged in the last three years as the third-largest maker of solar panels in the United States. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 01/14/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/15/business/energy-environment/15solar.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for moving… Read more »
Wikipedia, 10 years old, targets India
Description: With China virtually cut off and Western markets maturing, Wikipedia is targeting India first and possibly Brazil next to reach its goal of 1 billion users, Executive Director Sue Gardner says. Source: Reuters.com Date: 01/12/2011 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE70B6DP20110112 Questions for discussion: Explain why Wikipedia’s user base has grown so rapidly. Do you believe this rate… Read more »
P&G’s push into rural China
Description: Procter & Gamble launches its ‘$2 a Day’ project, hoping to serve poor people in the emerging market. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 01/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/01/06/n_proctor_and_gamble_two_dollar_a_day_consumer.fortune/ Questions for discussion: How are consumers in the third world different? Is there anything unethical about a firm like P&G marketing products to this market? What are… Read more »
digits: Tablets, Smart TVs in Spotlight at CES
Description: Lauren Goode reports live from the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and tells Simon Constable and Spencer Ante why tablets and Smart TVs are expected to be in the spotlight at this year’s show, which kicks off Wednesday. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/04/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-tablets-smart-tvs-in-spotlight-at-ces/8A408F6D-A323-49BB-B862-03B1C2446440  Questions for discussion: Which one of… Read more »
The Fresh Prince of Streetwear
Description: Jonathan Koon, auto-pimping mogul and designer, wants to be a billionaire by 30. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 01/06/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_03/b4211074000503.htm Questions for discussion: How do you explain the entrepreneurial success of Jonathan Koon? What characteristics do you think are needed to succeed?
Profits are Booming. Why Aren’t Jobs?
Description: To gaze upon the world of American corporations is to see a sunny place of terrific profits and princely bonuses. American businesses reported that third-quarter profits in 2010 rose at an annual rate of $1.659 trillion, the steepest annual surge since officials began tracking such matters 60 years ago. It was the seventh consecutive… Read more »
America, it’s time to start taking risks again
Description: After bidding farewell to 2010, many Americans are suffering from a hangover — but it isn’t from excessive partying. Quite the opposite: The unemployment rate in December fell to 9.4%, but job gains for the month disappointed. Meanwhile public confidence about the nation’s future has fallen to historic lows. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 01/07/2011 Link:… Read more »
