Description: Each Vertu smartphone is all assembled by a single person and the finished product can run thousands of dollars. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 02, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/10/02/t-vertu-luxury-smartphone.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How has Vertu managed to succeed in the very competitive smartphone market? Why would it be a mistake to switch manufacturing… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Inside Etsy’s Brooklyn headquarters
Description: Etsy’s Brooklyn headquarters has the perks of an on-site school, live music and handcrafted art and furniture bought from the website. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 03, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/10/03/t-fortune-etsy-brooklyn-culture.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: How would you describe the corporate culture at Etsy? How does this relate to the business model of the… Read more »
Chipotle: The One That Got Away From McDonald’s
Description: AOL (AOL) + Time Warner (TWX).?Daimler (DAI:GR) + Chrysler (F:IM).?Bank of America (BAC) + Countrywide. The Corporate Hall of Shame is wallpapered with press releases from decades of regrettable mergers. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Oct 03, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-10-03/chipotle-the-one-that-got-away-from-mcdonalds#r=hp-lst Questions for Discussions: Why do you think McDonald’s sold off Chipotle when they did? What does… Read more »
Do You Want Wine With Those Fries?
Description: Who says Big Macs can’t be gourmet? That’s the message McDonald’s pushed at a fancy invitation-only event last week. Abby Haglage on the charm offensive—and why it’s such a tough sell. Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Oct 01, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/10/01/do-you-want-wine-with-those-fries.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the PR strategy and intended goals envisioned by management at McDonald’s?… Read more »
Social Media Managers Must Work Around Lousy Business Models
Description: Raise your hand if you’ve ever been screwed over by an airline. Yeah, me too — multiple times. Source: Hubspot.com Date: Oct 01, 2013 Link: http://blog.hubspot.com/social-media-bad-business-models?utm_campaign=blog-rss-emails&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=10441255&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9WDzzcVziskZhTb_4ms0Yrd2oS17ZxaDc6H5t1pPkCxXmPN22OwgjrY8tJgJsQ8H1PAjJsCf_OHAUFgsb_yb7VqBLJQQ&_hsmi=10441255 Questions for Discussions: How can social media be used to attract customers? How can social media be used to empower customers?
Coke CEO: I fear youth unemployment unrest
Description: Coca-Cola CEO Muhtar Kent says it’s important for corporations to take stands on social issues and work with local governments and non-profits to solve problems like youth unemployment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 24, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/09/26/n-coca-cola-ceo-social-problems-youth-unemployment.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the ideas expressed by Muhtar Kent in this report. Do you… Read more »
Nike’s stock goes swoosh!
Description: Shares of Nike are riding high in their first week as a Dow company. The stock’s at an all-time high thanks to strong earnings and a rosy outlook. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 27, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/09/27/investing-the-buzz-nike-earnings.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why are share values doing well? How has the addition of the… Read more »
Solar Power Plant in the Mojave Could Power 140,000 Homes
Description: There’s a new type of solar plant coming online. It’s huge, cool looking, and might be able to provide power at night. Does it have a future? Source: DailyBeast.com Date: Sep 28, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/28/solar-power-plant-in-the-mojave-could-power-140-000-homes.html Questions for Discussions: How has government involvement helped nurture these emerging technologies? Do you think we will likely see… Read more »
J. C. Penney Is on the Brink
Description: J. C. Penney (JCP), the centenarian retailer, is reeling from post-traumatic stress disorder. Its sales, stock price, and management credibility are all tanking. The company is in disarray after activist hedge fund manager Bill Ackman installed a chief executive officer (now departed) whose aborted attempt to reinvent the department store failed miserably and alienated… Read more »
BlackBerry leaders, success paved way for failure
Description: (MoneyWatch) The history of American business is littered with the remains of once-dominant companies suddenly rendered obsolete by powerful new technologies. BlackBerry is not one of those companies. Source: CBSNews.com Date: Sep 25, 2013 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57604642/for-blackberry-leaders-success-paved-way-for-failure/?tag=nl.e713&s_cid=e713&ttag=e713&ftag=TRE4cf7aca Questions for Discussions: According to the report, why did BB fail? How much blame does management rightfully share?
