Description:  After the White House jobs summit, Eric Schmidt explains small biz needs increased lending to stimulate economy. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 12/03/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/03/n.schmidt.jobs.google.obama.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why are small businesses key to the recovery? Why are they having difficulty? Summarize the reasons that explain why Google is growing more than… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 1 Business in a Global Environment
P&G’s plan: 1 billion new users
Description: The global consumer products company wants to grow its consumer base from 4 billion to 5 billion in the next five years. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2009/11/18/f_sl_procter_gamble_growth.mov.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Discuss P&G’s effort to expand internationally in terms of ethical and social responsibility? What are the arguments for and… Read more »
Ferrero family steps out of shadows for Cadbury
Description: The Ferrero family’s round Rocher chocolates are recognized worldwide but Italy’s richest man, Michele Ferrero, and his two sons, have shunned publicity and kept their company very private — up until now. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/ousivMolt/idUSTRE5AH4U220091118 Questions for discussion: What advantages and disadvantages are there for the Ferrero company, should it go… Read more »
Panama remakes its famous canal for giant ships
Description: One of the world’s greatest engineering marvels is being overhauled as work crews blast through hills to widen and deepen the Panama Canal to make room for a new generation of mega-ships. Source: Reuters.com Date: 11/18/2009 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN1834602520091118 Questions for discussion: Summarize the economic value of this project to local as well as international… Read more »
From fashion passion to profit
Description: An enthusiasm for vintage threads led entrepreneurs to create the successful online clothing retailer, ModCloth.com. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/10/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/11/10/sbiz_makeover_modcloth.smb/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think this small business has succeeded? What problems are these entrepreneurs facing, now that they are beginning to grow their business? How would… Read more »
McDonald’s: 1,000 new restaurants in 2010
Description: Fast food giant plans to increase sales by 5% and invest $2.4 billion to enhance its brand. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/13/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/12/news/companies/McDonalds/index.htm Questions for discussion: What do these plans at McDonald’s suggest to you about management’s sense of its future? Explain your thinking.  Do you believe McDonald’s will find more growth outside of… Read more »
Google eyes China as Baidu fumbles
Description: In 2005, China administered a spelling test that asked respondents to spell “Google” for a search market report: only 60 percent took the test and more than 20 percent got it wrong. Four years later, Google Inc (GOOG.O), whose whimsical name is synonymous with Internet search in much of the world, is still struggling… Read more »
Vivendi May Decide to Sell NBC Stake as Sale Window Opens Today
Description: Vivendi SA, owner of the world’s biggest music company, can decide as soon as today to sell its 20 percent stake in NBC Universal, paving the way for General Electric Co. and Comcast Corp. to combine their media assets. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 11/15/2009 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=a4UvueFpO4oE Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategic thinking behind a… Read more »
Steve Jobs – CEO of the Decade
 Description: Apple’s CEO is Fortune’s top business leader of the last 10 years for his impact on computing, movies, music and cell phones. Source: CNNMoney – video report  Date: 11/04/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2009/11/04/tt_steve_jobs_apple_ceo.fortune/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the contribution made by Steve Jobs to Apple? What motivational role has Jobs played as CEO at Apple?… Read more »
Stop the ‘jobless recovery’ madness!
Description: An economy that isn’t creating employment opportunities simply isn’t doing its job. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 11/06/2009 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/11/06/news/economy/jobless.recovery.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2009110614 Questions for discussion: Summarize the concern for economic recovery that was expressed in this report. Why is it so critical that employment start improving? What do you believe would cause businesses to increase hiring? Explain your… Read more »
