Description: Deep below a lush landscape of ripening Champagne grapes, Thierry Gasco, the master vintner for Pommery, ran his finger over the shoulders of a dark green bottle that looked just like the thousands of others reposing in his chilly subterranean cellars. But to the practiced hand and eye, there is a subtle, if potentially… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Death of the American consumer
Description: Fortune’s Andy Serwer says consumers can no longer be counted on to stimulate the economy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 08/27/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/08/27/f_sl_us_consumer_dead.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for the slow economic recovery? Why is the spending power of American consumers so important for both American and global economic recovery… Read more »
Ideas Wanted: Multinationals Open Doors to Entrepreneurs
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?
Lenovo doesn’t have IBM’s cache
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 »
Eyeglasses for the world’s poorest
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 »
Detroit Goes From Gloom to Economic Bright Spot
Description: After a dismal period of huge losses and deep cuts that culminated in the Obama administration’s bailout of General Motors and Chrysler, the gloom over the American auto industry is starting to lift. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 08/13/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/14/business/14auto.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the article. Are you optimistic… Read more »
Building literacy around the world
Description: Room to Read has built over 10,000 libraries around the world using big business practices and social networking. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/30/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/06/n_cc_room_to_read.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why is literacy a fundamental pillar of economic development? How is the development of literacy skills going to help businesses profit in the future?… Read more »
But Will It Make You Happy?
Description: How you spend has a greater effect on your happiness than how much you spend, researchers say. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 08/07/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/08/business/08consume.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points presented in the article. Do you think there is an emerging trend among consumers to reject the levels of consumption that would seem… Read more »
BP chooses Dudley, an American, to turn its fortunes around
Description: BP’s new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 07/27/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-appoints-robert-dudley-as-new-ceo-2010-07-27?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose a new… Read more »
Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly
Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 07/23/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm  Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms? How… Read more »
