Description: For drivers living in fear of the rabid Toyotas prowling America’s roadways, the horse-and-buggy era is looking pretty good. But, in reality, there has never been a safer time to get behind the wheel. According to data released Thursday from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the fatality rate on the nation’s roads fell in… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
Madoff whistleblower blames regulators
Description: Harry Markopolos, independent financial fraud investigator, says SEC regulators are at fault for failing to protect investors. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report  Date: 03/02/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/03/02/n_ss_markopolos_reg.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the arguments presented that explain the fraud? Do you believe government should regulate the financial services industry more? Explain your… Read more »
Will ‘fun factor’ or mandates drive electric car sales?
Description: If the green-tech industry had its equivalent of the iPhone, it would be the electric car, a product that has cachet with consumers. But it’s still unclear what will drive sales of plug-ins: will it be consumers willing to pay more for a greener ride or government mandates for fuel efficiency? Source: CNET.com Date:… Read more »
Bloom box challenges: Reliability, cost
Description: In the wake of Wednesday’s star-studded, feel-good rollout of Bloom Energy’s “Bloom box” server, the start-up now faces the gritty task of delivering products that are reliable and cheap. Source: CNET.com Date: 02/24/2010 Link: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10458980-64.html?tag=rtcol;pop Questions for discussion: What are the implications for the conventional energy suppliers in the marketplace if these products prove… Read more »
Making wheels for wheelchairs
A 30 year GM veteran is applying his auto industry knowledge to a company that makes vehicles for the disabled. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 02/19/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/19/n_vpg_hogan.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think the big automakers have not produced this sort of specialized vehicle? Does this sort of product require a… Read more »
The New Business Of Tiger Woods
Description: As golfer Tiger Woods prepares to return to public view marketing experts say his appeal as a pitchmanhas changed. Source: Marketwatch.com– video report Date: 02/19/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/the-new-business-of-tiger-woods/08EB3914-AA0E-4D73-9DE2-2411AACE2FCA Questions for discussion: Who is the target market that Tiger Woods appeals to? Do you agree with the suggestion that Tiger Woods will never be able to… Read more »
Banks Focus on People Who Can Pay More for Credit Cards
Description: Rewards cardholders take note: the price of perks is about to go up. After years of profiting from debt-ridden credit cardholders, lenders are turning their attention to a potentially lucrative new source of fee income, the moneyed users of rewards programs who spend big and pay their bills on time. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 02/19/2010… Read more »
Vancouver Olympics goes green
Description: The Olympic committee’s $1.8 billion budget includes medals made from recycled circuit boards and a sustainable skating ring. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 02/12/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/02/12/n_ef_vancouver_olympics_green.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you believe these efforts to promote “green-thinking†at the Vancouver Olympic Games will be successful in creating greater consumer awareness and interest?… Read more »
Credit Card Limits for Youth Can Be Opportunity for Parents
Description: This month, large parts of the credit card bill that President Obama signed into law in 2009 go into effect. Among them are rules governing credit card use by anyone under 21 years old. Starting Feb. 22, they can’t get a credit card unless they have an independent source of funds to pay the… Read more »
Google vs. China’s great firewall
Description:  Google’s dispute with the Chinese government highlights some obstacles that Western companies face in China. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 01/15/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/15/f_sl_google_china.fortune/ Questions for discussion: How do you think Google and other foreign companies trying to develop their businesses in China should deal with these issues? Explain your thinking. Does the “controlled  Read more »
