Description: Facebook Inc. finally has confirmed it will launch a new type of ad for the mobile versions of the social network, but how effective they will be and whether they annoy users is the big question. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-has-to-be-careful-with-mobile-ads-2012-07-06 Questions for Discussions: Describe the new advertising strategy. Do you… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Luring Online Shoppers Offline
Description: As online shopping has surged, traditional retailers have lost millions in sales to so-called showrooming  when shoppers check out products in stores that they then buy from Web sites like Amazon. It has gotten so bad that Best Buy even replaces standard bar codes with special Best Buy-only codes on big ticket items… Read more »
Why your hospital bill is so high
Description:   From IV bags to chest tubes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why even basic medical equipment adds thousands to your medical bill. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/27/n-medical-equipment-cost.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the way hospitals allocate costs in order to cover all operating expenses. Is this a form of insurance?… Read more »
Housing: The worst is over … really!
Description: We know you’ve heard it before. But homebuilder Lennar suggests a slow and steady recovery is beginning. Just don’t get too excited. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 27, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/06/27/investing-bz-lennar.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What does this report have to say about the industry and this company in particular? Why is housing… Read more »
Alfa plots “Il Ritorno” as U.S. re-entry takes shape
Description: As Italian automaker Fiat SpA (FIA.MI) plots the U.S. relaunch of its sporty Alfa Romeo brand there is plenty riding on its success, from a justification of the Chrysler acquisition to the business reputation of its CEO Sergio Marchionne. Source: Reuters.com Date: Jun 28, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/us-fiat-us-alfaromeo-idUSBRE85R0BP20120628 Questions for Discussions: What is the logic… Read more »
Microsoft loses EU battle, fine trimmed by 4.3 percent
Description: Microsoft Corp lost its appeal against an EU decision penalizing it for defying an antitrust ruling, bringing nearer to an end a decade-long battle with the European Commission over the U.S. software group’s business practices. Source: Reuters.com Date: June 27, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-eu-microsoft-idUSBRE85Q0B720120627 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the case against Microsoft and the current… Read more »
RIM’s latest foe: fickle youth
Description: When Emily Davis bought her first smartphone, all of her friends had BlackBerrys, so she got one, too. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: June 26, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/rims-latest-foe-fickle-youth/article4369765/?utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_source=Business%20Ticker&utm_type=text&utm_content=BusinessTicker&utm_campaign=95917966 Questions for Discussions: Why has Blackberry lost its halo with young consumers? Is there a way to revitalize the brand? What should the ideal product package offering look like,… Read more »
How we know you’re afraid to invest
Description:   CNNMoney has a new way to help you gauge whether investors are greedy or fearful. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 20, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/19/n-fear-and-greed.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the methodology used to explain stock market behavior? Do you think it is a useful way of measuring and predicting behavior? Based on the… Read more »
Angry Moms Take On Nutella To Fight Sugary Advertising
Description: Laura Rude-Barbato, a coffee shop owner in Imperial Beach, California, used to feed her children Nutella several times a week. It was easy to identify with the advertising that depicted a frenzied mom serving up the chocolate-hazelnut spread with the tagline “breakfast never tasted this good,†said Rude-Barbato. Then she noticed the 10.5 grams… Read more »
Facebook, Twitter Help Publishers Find Their Audience
Description: On Facebook and Twitter, a significant percentage of users get news they would not have read elsewhere Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jun 22, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009138&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for Discussions: How is Facebook changing consumer behavior? How will this affect the businesses mentioned in the report? How should these businesses respond?
