Description: Throw away the cellphone after two years? Not so fast. Ditch the flat-panel TV for an even thinner model? Maybe next year. Replace the blouse with the hole? Darn it! Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/25/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/business/26upgrade.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest amount changing consumer behavior? How should marketers deal with this… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
The Secret to Advertising on YouTube
Description: Since its introduction as little more than a simple and inexpensive way to share videos on the Internet, YouTube has risen to the level of nearly universal name recognition. More important, however, is the increasing use of YouTube for much more than merely sharing videos but rather as a highly effective tool for online… Read more »
American dream still home ownership
Description: KB Home CEO Jeffrey Mezger says recovery is taking place in California and Texas and foreclosed homes are finding buyers. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/02/17/n_kb_home_lookahead.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the analysis presented in this report? How would investors be expected to react to the forecasts presented for… Read more »
BullHorn: Apple bull charging ahead
Description: If worries about Steve Jobs’s health don’t derail Apple’s run, what will? Amazon and Disney are smokin’ too. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/02/18/mkts_bh_aapl_dis_amzn.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the analysis presented for each company. Do you agree with them? Do you agree with the view that some of these companies are… Read more »
Buffett Says Pricing Power Beats Good Management When Evaluating Companies
Description: Warren Buffett, the billionaire chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said he rates businesses on their ability to raise prices and sometimes doesn’t even consider the people in charge. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-18/buffett-says-pricing-power-more-important-than-good-management.html Questions for discussion:  What does Warren Buffet have to say about the importance of management and the ability… Read more »
The Stock Market Is Calm. You’re Warned
Description: Stocks haven’t risen this much with such narrow price swings since 1971. This puts equities at risk for short-term losses.  Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 02/17/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_09/b4217045129476.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the concerns about the current state of the stock market? How should a prudent investor behave if they were in agreement with this… Read more »
Hyundai’s Swift Growth Lifts Alabama’s Economy
Description: Few people in this city 800 miles south of Detroit cared much about the auto industry until Hyundai announced it would build cars here nine years ago. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/19/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/19/business/19hyundai.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Why have these automobile manufacturers thrived in Alabama while others elsewhere in the U.S. have struggled in recent… Read more »
Valentine’s delivery: 14 million roses
Description: Valentine’s Day orders bring 20 percent of annual revenue for ProFlowers. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/11/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/02/11/n_valentines_day_proflowers.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Who is the target market and describe their buying behavior. How important is the Internet for this business? What do you think is the message intended and received when roses are… Read more »
Why food prices have skyrocketed
Description: U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack says corn-based ethanol didn’t cause record food prices, weather and trade policies did. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/10/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/02/10/mkts_usda_food_prices.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Summarize the reasons for the global rise in food prices. Do you think bio-fuel production contributes to higher prices? How does population and… Read more »
The risk of Egypt and Mideast stocks, post Mubarak
Description: Investing in a troubled region with a long-term perspective Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 02/11/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-risk-of-egypt-and-mideast-stocks-post-mubarak-2011-02-11?dist=afterbell Questions for discussion: What does this article have to say about the risks associated with investment and investment in Egypt and the Middle East in particular? Do you agree with these views? What are some good reasons to be… Read more »
