Description: There’s a fun game I like to play called “Spot the Saturday Night Live Alum.” It’s a simple game, usually played when I’m watching a TV show or movie and suddenly think, “Was Billy Murray on Saturday Night Live or was he just friends with everyone who was?” (Answer: Of course he was. It’s… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Nuclear Plants Across Emerging Nations Defy Japan Concern
Description: Three years after Japan closed all of its nuclear plants in the wake of the Fukushima meltdown and Germany decided to shut its industry, developing countries are leading the biggest construction boom in more than two decades. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 25, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-09-25/nuclear-plants-across-emerging-nations-defy-japan-concern.html Questions for Discussions: Why are developing economies turning to… Read more »
Alibaba Debut Makes a Splash
Description: Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. BABA +38.07% , China’s largest e-commerce company, on Friday became a publicly traded technology powerhouse, launching a blockbuster share offering in New York that drew attention world-wide. Source: WSJ.com – video report Date: Sep 19, 2014 Link: http://www.wsj.com/video/ratings-pro-alibaba-looks-stronger-than-facebook/9A9B4058-603D-4DE0-AD85-1ACBE286EE76.html Questions for Discussions: What is motivating purchasers of the Alibaba IPO? How… Read more »
Robots Work Their Way Into Small Factories
Description: Robots aren’t just for the big guys anymore. A new breed of so-called collaborative machines—designed to work alongside people in close settings—is changing the way some of America’s smaller manufacturers do their jobs Source: WSJ.com Date: Sep 17, 2014 Link: http://online.wsj.com/articles/robots-work-their-way-into-small-factories-1410979100 Questions for Discussions: How have robots improved productivity, as illustrated in the report?… Read more »
Tesla Breaks the Auto Dealer Cartel
Description: It was not entirely surprising that Nevada last week ponied up $1.3 billion in tax breaks to win the business of Tesla Motors. TSLA +0.87% State officials for decades have struggled to diversify an economy based on gambling and tourism, and the prestige of attracting the high-end electric-car company’s massive new lithium battery factory… Read more »
The Government Keeps Helping People Buy Failing Cold Stone Creamerys
Description: Would you loan someone money to buy a Cold Stone Creamery franchise if you knew that more than a quarter of those loans default? If you’re the U.S. government, the answer is yes. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 16, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-09-16/franchises-the-government-keeps-helping-people-buy-failing-brands#r=nav-fst Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose the SBA loans continue to be… Read more »
Lululemon is no longer a downward dog
Description: Is the worst over for yoga apparel maker lululemon after its sheer pants debacle? Perhaps. The stock is up on solid results, but the company faces tough competition from Under Armour, Nike and Athleta. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/09/11/investing-the-buzz-lululemon-athletica-chip-wilson-nike-under-armour-gap.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Do you think the worst is… Read more »
A deep look at poverty in Asia
Description: Interview with Shang Jin Wei, Chief economist with Asia Development Bank. Source: BNN.ca – video report Date: Sep 11, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/Video/player.aspx?vid=438737 Questions for Discussions: Describe the level of poverty discussed in this report. How are governments and businesses dealing with the need to generate wealth? Do you think globally operating businesses are unethical… Read more »
Food trucks and college business majors: A most delicious match
Description: Entrepreneurial undergraduate business students across the country are increasingly trying to break into the crowded market, whipping up cheesy potato latke sandwiches, waffles, burgers, and everything in between. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 10, 2014 Link: http://fortune.com/2014/09/10/food-truck-business-majors/ Questions for Discussions: Why do you suppose these entrepreneurs chose their respective businesses? Which business seems to be… Read more »
CVS CEO: Tobacco an obstacle to health care
Description: Newly re-branded as CVS Health, the pharmacy chain has rid its shelves of tobacco products. Cristina Alesci talks with CEO Larry Merlo. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 03, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/09/03/cvs-ceo-on-tobacco-free-stores.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Is this decision by CVS an example of good corporate social responsibility? How can CVS expand its consumer… Read more »
