Money managers are optimistic — but their clients aren’t

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  A majority of investment advisers say that a double-dip recession is unlikely and that the stock market will improve over the next six months — but their clients are more worried, according to a survey of money managers released Wednesday by financial-services firm Charles Schwab Corp. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/25/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/money-managers-are-optimistic-but-clients-arent-2010-08-25?pagenumber=1 Questions… Read more »

Ideas Wanted: Multinationals Open Doors to Entrepreneurs

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business.

Description:  Giants such as GE and PepsiCo are sponsoring competitions that let startups strut their stuff. Source: Businessweek.com   Date: 08/26/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2010/sb20100825_281270.htm Questions for discussion: Why does this open-door approach work well for both parties? How is this good for customers? What are the benefits for the economy as a whole?

USA Today to Remake Itself to Stress Digital Operations

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  The history of USA Today is full of firsts for the newspaper business: the first general-interest national paper of its kind, the first to use color widely in charts and photographs and once first in the number of copies printed each day. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/media/28paper.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you… Read more »

Lenovo doesn’t have IBM’s cache

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  Five years after buying IBM’s PC unit, Lenovo’s a hit in China but still struggles for international success. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report   Date: 08/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/19/n_lenovo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Why do you think Lenovo has had so much trouble establishing its brand in the U.S. market? What does the success in China… Read more »

Starbucks looks for pick-me-up

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Despite a run of weak earnings and store closings, the coffee shop operator is gearing up for international expansion. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/08/20/mkts_starbucks_jolt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  Do you think Starbucks is a good investment today? What has the company done to improve its financial condition? Do you think its… Read more »

The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors. Source:  Marketwatch.com   Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20 Questions for discussion:  Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with… Read more »

Intel, After McAfee Deal, May Find Mobile Security a Hard Sell

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business.

Description:  Intel Corp. Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini, with the $7.68 billion acquisition of security software maker McAfee Inc., is betting that customers will pay to guard against attacks that have yet to materialize. Source: Bloomberg.com   Date: 08/20/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/intel-s-otellini-after-mcafee-deal-may-find-mobile-security-a-hard-sell.html Questions for discussion: Do you think this was a wise decision by Intel? Do… Read more »

In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market. Source: NYTimes.com   Date: 08/21/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think the small investor’s attitude toward the stock market will continue to become more negative? What has caused this change in attitude? What could cause a reversal? Why is the… Read more »

digits: Oracle Takes Sweeping Shot at Google

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

 Description:  Oracle Corp. has sued Google Inc. for patent and copyright infringement, on grounds that Google’s Android OS violates Java copyrights. The suit has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Don Clark explains the possible implications of the suit to Simon Constable and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries. Also: are more TV shows and movies coming to the… Read more »

Eyeglasses for the world’s poorest

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment.

Description:  The micro-consignment model provides local vendors in remote regions with essential products for resale to the community. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/13/n_cc_microconsignment_model.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion:  How is micro-consignment different from micro-finance? Which one do you believe is superior for encouraging economic development? How is micro-consignment similar to more familiar network… Read more »