Description: One of the interesting side effects of mentoring a group of smart and inspiring young entrepreneurs in The Next 36 program is that I am forced to look at specific business topics with fresh eyes as I attempt to deconstruct them. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 23, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/23/debunking-the-myths-of-company-culture/?__lsa=7a93-d933 Questions for Discussions: What is… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Why Are There So Many Sleepy’s Mattress Stores?
Description: You can’t walk more than a couple blocks in Manhattan without passing a Starbucks, Chase Bank or Duane Reade. But there’s an unexpected chain that’s become ubiquitous in New York City — mattress retailer Sleepy’s. With more than 30 locations in Manhattan alone, the store has more locations in the borough than the Gap… Read more »
4 reasons Walmart is the most-hated retailer in America
Description: If your idea of shopping hell is a trip to Walmart WMT, +0.80% you’re not alone. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 18, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/4-reasons-walmart-is-the-most-hated-retailer-in-america-2015-02-18 Questions for discussion: What are the reasons for customer dissatisfaction? What can management do to improve the ranking?
Your Co-Workers Are Mean to You for a Reason
Description: Some of the biggest complaints about corporate life concern co-workers—and what self-interested jerks they can be. Turns out there’s something to the complaints. People at work act more calculating, are more cynical about favors, and are less likely to reciprocate good deeds to co-workers than they are to acquaintances outside work, Stanford researchers say in a forthcoming Academy of Management… Read more »
Warby Parker named most innovative company
Description: “Fast Company” is releasing its annual list of the world’s most innovative companies, and this year, Warby Parker claims the number one spot. Source: CBSNews – video report Date: Feb 09, 2015 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/warby-parker-named-most-innovative-company/ Questions for Discussions: Why did Warby Parker management pick eyewear as an industry to enter? Why does this industry lend… Read more »
Meet Ha:mo, Toyota’s new electric motorbike
Description: Toyota wants its three-wheel and four-wheel electric vehicles to solve urban transportation problems. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Feb 09, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1vekNgO Questions for discussion: Do you think this concept can be sold as an alternative to taxis? Develop a sketch of a business plan that you think would work in a… Read more »
Betting on the Growth of Microbreweries
Description: When the term microbrewery had scarcely entered the vocabulary, Rich Doyle saw possibilities. Almost three decades ago, he became a co-founder of the Boston-based Harpoon Brewery, which has grown into the 12th-largest craft beer maker in the country. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 05, 2015 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/05/business/smallbusiness/betting-on-the-growth-of-microbreweries.html?ref=smallbusiness&_r=0 Questions for discussion: How have most microbrewers financed… Read more »
Facebook at Work Is Late to the Office
Description: Facebook is making a play for the office. On Jan. 14 the social network unveiled a corporate version of its website and app, Facebook at Work, which ditches travel pics and kitten videos in favor of memos and project updates. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Jan 22, 2015 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-01-22/facebook-at-work-offers-little-new-as-corporate-social-network Questions for discussion: How does Facebook lend… Read more »
The huge challenges and opportunities of the Circular Economy
Description: The core challenge for the global economy is to decouple economic growth from resource constraints. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 20, 2015 Link: http://fortune.com/2015/01/20/the-huge-challenges-and-opportunities-of-the-circular-economy/ Questions for discussion: What is the “circular economy”? Why is it critical from a managerial point of view? What will drive managers to adopt or not adopt this thinking?
5 life lessons you can learn from Taylor Swift
Description: Rebrand yourself like this savvy businesswoman Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Jasn 17, 2015 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/five-lessons-you-can-learn-from-taylor-swift-2015-01-16 Questions for discussion: Summarize the suggestions made in this article. What do you think about this commentary?
