GM: Battery innovation is key

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GM’s CEO says leading-edge autos like the Chevy Volt are the right investment of U.S. taxpayer money. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 8/13/2009 Keys: Marketing, international business, economy, government, finance,  strategic alliances Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/08/13/n_co_gm_henderson_volt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe the future of the automobile is “electric”? Explain your answer. Would you invest… Read more »

The top 10 highest paid CEOs are…

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives.

Ten CEOs take home more than $70 million in 2008, with Blackstone’s Stephen Schwarzman topping the list with more than $700 million in compensation. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 8/14/2009 Keys: Management, HR, government Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/14/news/companies/highest_paid_ceos/index.htm?postversion=2009081410 Questions for discussion: Compensation for work done is a controversial topic and often receives great public attention when the numbers are… Read more »

Robo-copter can navigate inside your home

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Just when you were getting used to the idea of unmanned aerial vehicles patrolling the skies over your city, they’re beginning to enter buildings. Source: CNET News Date: 8/14/2009 Keys: Marketing, market segmentation, new product development, technologies Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10309811-1.html?tag=mncol Questions for discussion: What are the possible market segments that could see uses for these products?… Read more »

U.S. Stocks Fall on Concern Rally Outpaced Recovery Prospects

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

U.S. stocks slid, capping the first weekly drop for the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index in more than a month, as lower-than-estimated consumer confidence added to concern a five-month rally outpaced prospects for the economy. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/14/2009 Keys: Stock market, economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aAXWJXOKPGC4 Questions for discussion: Do you agree… Read more »

China’s $300 billion bullet train

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

Multinationals like IBM and Bombardier stand to profit from China’s new high-speed rail system.  Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 8/05/2009 Keys: International business, economy, government, management, finance, banking, strategic alliances Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/08/05/f_fr_china_bullet_train.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the current and longer term benefits to the Chinese economy associated with the building of the bullet… Read more »

Half of mortgage borrowers will be ‘underwater’

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

An estimated 25 million borrowers will owe more than their house is worth by 2011. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 8/06/2009 Keys: Marketing, pricing, consumer behavior, economy, government Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/06/real_estate/underwaterworld/index.htm?postversion=2009080615 Questions for discussion: Research suggests that the current and expected value of a home influences the homeowner’s attitude towards spending. Explain why this would be true. How… Read more »

Should Starbucks ban laptops?

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In my local Starbucks, there’s a bald man who wears the same pristine white Prince tennis shoes every day. He is always perched on a stool, his PC open in front of him, typing away with the middle finger of each hand. He has one of those Bluetooth thingies in his ear and he’s often… Read more »

S&P 500 Tops 1,000 in Fourth Weekly Gain on Better Labor Market

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

U.S. stocks rose for a fourth week, pushing the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index above 1,000 for the first time since November, as better-than-estimated employment, manufacturing and home sales data boosted confidence that the worst slump since the Great Depression is ending. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 8/08/2009 Keys: Stock market, economy, finance, investing, business cycle Link:… Read more »

Dissecting the ‘Microhoo’ deal

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Microsoft’s gains in its deal with Yahoo are clear, but not so for Yahoo, according to senior writer Jon Fortt. Source: CNNMoney – video report   Date: 7/29/2009 Keys: Marketing, management, finance, strategic alliances, product development Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/07/29/f_microsoft_yahoo_deal_analysis.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons this strategic alliance makes sense for Microsoft and for Yahoo!. What… Read more »

House OKs $2 billion more for Clunker program

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House passes bill to add $2 billion for Cash for Clunkers program. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 7/31/2009 Keys: Marketing, pricing, consumer behavior, economy, government Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/31/autos/cash_for_clunkers_update/index.htm?postversion=2009073114 Questions for discussion: Explain why you think this program has been overwhelmingly successful in stimulating demand for new car purchases? What does price sensitivity suggest to you about why auto… Read more »