Description: You’ll have to wait a little longer for a cup of James Freeman’s caffeine from Olympus, but it’s so worth it. Source: Fortune.com Date: 09/23/2011 Link: http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/23/blue-bottle-coffee-james-freeman/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: Summarize the business described in this report. How is the business different from others in the same trade? Who are the target customers for… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Stitching a business from scratch
Description: Fashion designer Eileen Fisher didn’t even know how to sew when she started her clothing company but had the determination to succeed. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/16/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2011/09/16/hwgs_eileen_fisher.fortune/ Questions for discussion: How would you describe the entrepreneurial character of Eileen Fisher? Do you think her success is due more to her… Read more »
Highest Paid Entertainer in Hollywood
Description: Christopher Farley tells us who the highest paid entertainment in Hollywood is. Plus, Ayn Rand gets her own app. Chris Farley has details on Lunch Break’s Speakeasy Roundup. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 09/13/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/highest-paid-entertainer-in-hollywood/E8944865-993C-41F1-862A-1BE40B170E81 Questions for discussion: Explain the success of the entrepreneurs mentioned in this report? Are you surprised that… Read more »
Netflix ‘momentum story’ stalls, analysts say
Description: Subscriber forecast is cut; ‘value proposition is getting worse’ Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 09/15/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/netflix-momentum-story-stalls-analysts-say-2011-09-15?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: Why has the firm’s stock value fallen so dramatically? Summarize the firm’s financial situation. Do you think the firm represents a good investment prospect today?
King of Rinds Has 2 Contenders as Hispanic Surge Fattens Sales
Description: To make Baken-ets pork rinds for No. 1 client Frito-Lay, the $13 billion-a-year snack arm of PepsiCo Inc., Rudolph Foods Inc. uses what it calls a secret two-step process at its flagship plant in Lima, Ohio — “the pork rind capital of the world,†Rudolph claims. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 09/15/2011 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-09-15/king-of-rinds-has-2-contenders-as-hispanic-surge-fattens-sales.html Questions for… Read more »
What Role for Government in American Business?
Description: Washington’s intrusion in business is polarizingâ€â€but most Americans agree that the economy can’t recover without innovative jobs policy Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/15/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/small-business/how-can-washington-help-american-business-09152011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the main points made in this article. Do you agree with the recommendations for change? What advice would you give?
$2K deal? That’s what you think
Description: Author Bill Poundstone sheds light on the psychology of pricing in the retail world. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/07/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2011/09/01/pf_hd_retail_anchors.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Are there any ethical issues in this report? Do you believe this strategy works? Give one example where, as a customer, you have noticed this strategy at work…. Read more »
Amazon Tries On New Web Design
Description: Amazon has updated the classic design of its Website with something cleaner, lighter and more tablet-friendly, WSJ’s Stu Woo reports on digits. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 09/06/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/amazon-tries-on-new-web-design/54CA69F5-BCCA-4D99-915C-91A1438EB76F Questions for discussion: Do you think the new design is superior to the older version? Should Amazon get out of the marketing of… Read more »
The Dangers of Linking Pay to Customer Feedback
Description: What seems like a winning formula can backfire, says Harvard blogger Rob Markey Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/08/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/management/the-dangers-of-linking-pay-to-customer-feedback-09092011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments put forward in this article. Do you agree with the conclusions?
Carol Bartz exclusive: Yahoo “f—ed me over”
Description: Here is what Carol Bartz thinks of the Yahoo (YHOO) board that fired her: “These people f—ed me over,” she says, in her first interview since her dismissal from the CEO role late Tuesday. Source: Fortune.com Date: 09/08/2011 Link:  http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2011/09/08/carol-bartz-fired-yahoo/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: How would you characterize the way Carol Bartz was treated? Do… Read more »