Description: After a wild week on Wall Street, CNNMoney’s Poppy Harlow finds out where rattled investors are stashing their cash. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/12/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/08/12/mkts_money_trail.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why has gold risen in price recently? What would stimulate a return of investment dollars back into the stock and bond markets?
Monthly Archives: August 2011
Double-dip fears grip Main St.
Description: Four family businesses in suburban New York are worried that they are going to suffer again from economic uncertainty. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/12/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2011/08/12/smb_main_street_reaction.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How are small businesses affected by consumer reaction to financial turmoil? How do they deal with the economic slowdown in business?
First, Make Money. Also, Do Good.
Description: CORPORATE social responsibility efforts have always struck me as the modern equivalent of John D. Rockefeller handing out dimes to the common folk. They may be well-intentioned, but they often seem like small gestures at the margins of what companies are really trying to do: make money. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 08/13/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/14/business/shared-value-gains-in-corporate-responsibility-efforts.html?ref=business Questions… Read more »
Behind Five Guys’ Beloved Burgers
Description: Carnivores keep coming back for the authentic vibe as much as the beef, but maintaining it throughout the franchise is no simple task Source: Businessweek.com Date: 08/12/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/behind-five-guys-beloved-burgers-08112011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key reasons for the success of the business. How might franchising affect growth of the company? How can they maintain… Read more »
CEOs and tea partiers: Shut up and pay taxes
Description: Commentary: Starving the government is not patriotic Source: Moneywatch.com Date: 08/12/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ceos-and-tea-partiers-shut-up-and-pay-taxes-2011-08-12 Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented. Do you agree with them?
Where you’ll feel the downgrade
Description: CNNMoney’s Poppy Harlow explains how S&P’s downgrade of the US credit rating may impact mortgages, car and student loans. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/08/06/n_impact_credit_downgrade.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the expected consequences of the S&P’s downgrade. How would these changes be expected to impact the overall economy? How can this problem… Read more »
Your Smartphone May Soon Be Your Wallet
Description:  Around the world, people use their cellphones to pay for groceries and other retail goods, but the technology has been slow to take hold in the U.S. Google and Visa are among the companies aiming to change that, MarketWatch’s Georgia Wells reports. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: 08/02/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/your-smartphone-may-soon-be-your-wallet/2D4AB7BB-2075-41B3-B303-FBDF27502A9B Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Would You Like a Smile With That?
Description: SOMETHING weird is happening inside a Pret A Manger sandwich shop on Broadway in Midtown Manhattan. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 08/06/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/07/business/pret-a-manger-with-new-fast-food-ideas-gains-a-foothold-in-united-states.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How is the management of this business different from most other`s in this industry? Do you think their approach will allow the company to succeed?
Carlos Slim Lost About $6.7 Billion This Week as S&P 500 Index Fell 7.2%
Description: The Mexican billionaire’s stock portfolio, measured in U.S. dollars, has dropped about 9.5 percent since July 29 and is valued at about $64.4 billion, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compares with a 7.2 percent slide in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 08/05/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-08-05/slim-loses-8-billion-in-four-days-as-mexican-holdings-suffer.html Questions for discussion: What… Read more »
Roaste.com: A Website for Coffee Cognoscenti
Description: The three-year-old online marketplace is selling more java from independent roasters by appealing to opinionated drinkers Source: Businessweek.com Date: 08/04/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/roastecom-a-website-for-coffee-cognoscenti-08042011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in the report. What other marketing ideas would you recommend to these businesses?
