Description: Reigniting job creation in the U.S. won’t happen by becoming more like China and India. Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/09/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jul2010/tc2010079_953836.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the main arguments presented in this article. Do you agree with the points made about entrepreneurialism and economic growth? What, if anything, should governments do to encourage entrepreneurial… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
A Wide-Open Market for Tesla
Description: Fresh off its successful IPO, electric car maker Tesla is finding a receptive market in Europe for its green technology. MarketWatch’s Shawn Langlois gets behind the wheel of the Tesla Roadster to see if it lives up to the hype. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 07/02/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/europe-a-wide-open-market-for-tesla/7A810918-DDB8-426E-944A-B961E5ECE057 Questions for discussion: Who is… Read more »
Dell faces fresh threat from old PC failures
Description: A six-year-old hardware meltdown that plagued millions of computers is coming back to haunt Dell. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 07/01/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/01/technology/dell_lawsuit/index.htm  Questions for discussion: What did this problem “cost†Dell in terms of money, sales, customer loyalty, and brand image? What would you have recommended Dell do to handle the problem better in… Read more »
BP Wants Partners to Help Shoulder Spill Cost
Description: BP has said repeatedly that it will pay for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But its actions show that it does not intend to go it alone. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/04/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/us/05liability.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Who do you believe should be held financially responsible for the oil spill?… Read more »
Andy Grove: How America Can Create Jobs
Description: The former Intel chief says “job-centric” leadership and incentives are needed to expand U.S. domestic employment again Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 07/01/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_28/b4186048358596.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented in this article. Do you think they are self-serving for Intel or a correct way of thinking about the way forward for American… Read more »
Why Coca-Cola succeeds in Africa
Description: Former CEO Neville Isdell explains that the franchise system makes business owners in Africa feel more invested in the company. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/06/26/f_gf_coke_africa.fortune/ Questions for discussion: What are the reasons presented that explain Coca-Cola’s success in Africa? Do you agree with the explanation? Are there other reasons that… Read more »
Vancouver’s Real Estate Bubble Trouble
Description: Brokers are rock stars, cabbies flip condos, and shacks are going for $1 million Source: Businessweek.com  Date: 06/24/2010 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_27/b4185064551500.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented that explain real estate price movements in Vancouver. Do you think a bubble is forming? What might trigger prices to fall? Do you think that any of… Read more »
BP CEO testifies on Capital Hill
Description: CNN’s Larry King and his panel discuss BP chief executive officer Tony Hayward’s testimony on Capitol Hill. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/06/18/lkl.bp.hearing.discussion.cnn Questions for discussion: Summarize the main arguments presented by the panel in this discussion about the appropriation of “blame†for the oil spill and its aftermath. What is… Read more »
Nestle to Sail Amazon Rivers to Reach Consumers
Description: Nestle SA will begin sailing a supermarket barge down two Amazon river tributaries tomorrow as it competes with Unilever to reach emerging-market customers cut off from branded goods. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 06/17/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aBCeN4ZitvSg  Questions for discussion: Do you think this distribution strategy works? Is there anything unethical in bringing consumer goods to… Read more »
Potato Power – Yissum Introduces Potato Batteries for Use in the Developing World
Description: Yissum Research Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, introduces solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes. This simple, sustainable, robust device can potentially provide an immediate inexpensive solution to electricity needs in parts of the world lacking electrical infrastructure. The findings were published in the June… Read more »
