Description: Looking up at the sign on a Costco building in Taipei, Taiwan, you could easily mistake it for one of the warehouse club’s giant U.S. outlets — until you notice the long line of customers snaking around the store, waiting to enter. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 04/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/costco-seeks-to-lure-taiwan-shoppers-2010-04-01?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Bargain Rates for a C.E.O.?
Description: LAST year may have been unnerving for chief executives accustomed to all of the familiar ornaments of corporate life: eight-figure pay packages, corporate jets, memberships in select clubs, and on and on. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/02/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/04/business/04comp.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Do you think CEOs are fairly paid? How would you set compensation for… Read more »
Increase in March Employment Shows U.S. Recovery Is Broadening
Description: Employment in March grew by the most in three years, representing a turning point for the labor market that will help broaden the U.S. economy as it recovers from the deepest recession in seven decades. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 04/03/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=aDCWdea8_JO0 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons given for economic and stock market optimism?… Read more »
Converting Algae to Ethanol and into Money
Description: Algae producers like Algenol — backed by Bill Gates, Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical and the U.S. government, among others — work with the green plant to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into biofuel. Steve Gelsi reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report  Date: 03/15/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/converting-algae-to-ethanol-and-into-money/78B02C2E-F227-4F8F-A952-3B5225E440E5 Questions for discussion: Do you think this sort… Read more »
F.D.A. Says Millions Got Unapproved Heart Pills
Description: Doctors in the United States wrote more than four million prescriptions last year for nitroglycerin tablets, heart drugs placed under the tongue to reduce the chest pain angina or to stop a heart attack. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 03/26/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/27/business/27nitro.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Why do you think the F.D.A. is only now acting on… Read more »
Digits: Who Stands to Win if Google Exits China?
Description: Hopes are fading that Google will be able to reach an agreement with China to remain in business there. With an exit by Google, a big chunk of the search market would be up for grabs, Ben Worthen reports on Digits with Stacey Delo, Eric Savitz and Marcelo Prince. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report… Read more »
Nike jumps to record high as results promise strong demand
Description: Shares of Nike Inc. jumped to an all-time high Thursday after the No. 1 athletic-shoe company reported unexpectedly strong profits and product orders for its fiscal third quarter, driven by improved demand in Western Europe and China. Source: Marketwatch.com  Date: 03/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-jumps-after-results-promise-continued-demand-2010-03-18 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the growth in… Read more »
At Lehman, Watchdogs Saw It All
Description: Almost two years ago to the day, a team of officials from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York quietly moved into the headquarters of Lehman Brothers. They were provided desks, phones, computers  and access to all of Lehman’s books and records. At any given moment, there… Read more »
Profitable do-good biz
Description: B Corporations, a new type of corporate structure, use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems as well as make money. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/08/n_cc_bcorps.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the arguments presented favouring the adoption of the B-Corp code of behavior. What benefits are derived… Read more »
What killed Lehman
Description: Failings by Lehman Brothers executives and its auditor led to the bank collapse that unleashed the worst of the financial crisis, according to a report by a court-appointed investigator. Source: CNNMoney.com  Date: 03/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/12/news/companies/lehman_examiner/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the findings in the report? Who do you believe is mostly to blame for… Read more »
