Description: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, is such a cliché that it has spawned its own cliché: If it ain’t broke, break it. Unfortunately, that’s just what many companies do unwittingly to their branding programs, playing into the hands of public enemy No. 1 in today’s marketing environment: fragmentation. Source: Busineweek.com Date: May… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
J.P. Morgan shares slump after $2 bln trading loss
Description: Bank’s loss is embarrassment for CEO, fodder for regulators Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jp-morgan-shares-slump-after-2b-trading-loss-2012-05-11?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the loss. What do you believe this event will mean for the company, management, and regulators?
Toyota RAV4 EV: Will anyone buy it?
Description:  For anyone arguing recently that electric cars don’t stand a chance in the U.S. mass market, I would have offered one end-all example: the battery-powered Ford Focus at $40,000. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/toyota-rav4-ev-will-anyone-buy-it-2012-05-11 Questions for Discussions: Who do you think is the likely customer for this product? Is there a… Read more »
Why Delta is buying an oil refinery
Description: Delta Air Lines tries to take out the middle man by purchasing a Pennsylvania oil refinery, but it could prove to be a risky investment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/01/n-delta-oil-refinery.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Why did Delta do this? What are the risks? Do you think it was a… Read more »
Rattner: General Motors is undervalued
Description: Steven Rattner, former ‘auto czar’ for the Treasury Dept., says the government should hold its GM stake until the stock rises further. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/05/01/mkts-rattner-gm-government.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What is the basis for this evaluation of GM? Do you agree with this assessment?
Groupon, the Deal That Keeps Getting Cheaper
Description: Is Groupon (GRPN) too good of a deal to be true? Source: Busineweek.com Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-01/groupon-the-deal-that-keeps-getting-cheaper Questions for Discussions: Summarize the views expressed in this report. Why has the stock value fallen? Do you believe the stock will move up, down or stay the same over the next year?
The ‘Smartphone Class’: Always On, Always Consuming Content
Description: Consuming content in frequent, small portions means more touchpoints for marketers Source: eMarketer.com Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009014&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for Discussions: Summarize behaviors of smart phone users. Do you think these behaviors will become common across all users? How should business strategists who distribute mobile content deal with this research?
7 signs of a dysfunctional boss
Description: (MoneyWatch) COMMENTARY I’m going to go out on a limb here and say the word “dysfunctional” probably describes more people than the word “normal” does. When it comes to CEOs and executives, it’s almost certainly true. Source: CBSNews.com Date: April 25, 2012 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57420393/7-signs-of-a-dysfunctional-boss/?tag=nl.e857 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the descriptions of CEOs presented in… Read more »
Shocker! Apple makes billions
Description: Strong global iPhone sales helped Apple beat expectations, as usual. Doubters beware – it’s hard to hate on AAPL. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/25/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/25/mkts-bz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results and the reasons there is surprise. Do you see an end for the current success of Apple?
Put Down the Smartphone and Pick Up a Pencil
Description: Put down that smartphone; pick up that pencil. Employees are being encouraged by their companies to try visual note-taking to explain complicated concepts to colleagues and clients. Rachel Silverman explains on The News Hub. Photo: Getty Images. Source: Marketwatch – video report Date: 04/24/2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/put-down-the-smartphone-and-pick-up-a-pencil/784F0652-2269-4061-A5CF-607A22F06B01 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the… Read more »
