Do You Want Wine With Those Fries?

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Who says Big Macs can’t be gourmet? That’s the message McDonald’s pushed at a fancy invitation-only event last week. Abby Haglage on the charm offensive—and why it’s such a tough sell. Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Oct 01, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/10/01/do-you-want-wine-with-those-fries.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the PR strategy and intended goals envisioned by management at McDonald’s?… Read more »

Solar Power Plant in the Mojave Could Power 140,000 Homes

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Description: There’s a new type of solar plant coming online. It’s huge, cool looking, and might be able to provide power at night. Does it have a future? Source: DailyBeast.com Date: Sep 28, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/28/solar-power-plant-in-the-mojave-could-power-140-000-homes.html Questions for Discussions: How has government involvement helped nurture these emerging technologies? Do you think we will likely see… Read more »

J. C. Penney Is on the Brink

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: J. C. Penney (JCP), the centenarian retailer, is reeling from post-traumatic stress disorder. Its sales, stock price, and management credibility are all tanking. The company is in disarray after activist hedge fund manager Bill Ackman installed a chief executive officer (now departed) whose aborted attempt to reinvent the department store failed miserably and alienated… Read more »

BlackBerry leaders, success paved way for failure

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Description: (MoneyWatch) The history of American business is littered with the remains of once-dominant companies suddenly rendered obsolete by powerful new technologies. BlackBerry is not one of those companies. Source: CBSNews.com Date: Sep 25, 2013 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57604642/for-blackberry-leaders-success-paved-way-for-failure/?tag=nl.e713&s_cid=e713&ttag=e713&ftag=TRE4cf7aca Questions for Discussions: According to the report, why did BB fail? How much blame does management rightfully share?

How Cinnabon reinvented itself

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Description: At 880 delectable calories, the classic Cinnabon roll isn’t most people’s idea of an every day treat. President Kat Cole tells how the company has managed to expand its brand into smaller indulgences. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 18, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/09/18/f-cinnabon-president-kat-cole.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: What is the marketing strategy at Cinnabon… Read more »

Revolution Foods’ Quest to Pack More Nutrition Into Kids’ Lunchboxes

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: Kirsten Tobey, 35, and Kristin Richmond, 38, launched Revolution Foods in 2006 to supply healthy lunches to schools in low-income communities. The Oakland (Calif.) business has grown into a national operation, preparing more than 1 million meals weekly for almost 1,000 schools across the country. Now it’s going head to head with Kraft Foods Group (KRFT),… Read more »

POSTMASTER SAYS USPS MAY NEED EMERGENCY RATE HIKE

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Description: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Thursday his agency is in “the midst of a financial disaster” and may need an emergency increase in postage rates to keep operating. Source: AP.com Date: Sep 19, 2013 Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike Questions for Discussions: What is the problem at the USPS? Why is it important to keep the service going… Read more »

Why Steve Jobs still matters

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives.

Description: Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson says the late CEO left a lasting legacy of innovation at Apple. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 09, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/09/t-isaacson-jobs-legacy.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: According to Walter Isaacson, what is the managerial legacy of Steve Jobs? Do you think Apple can produce a new product that revolutionizes… Read more »

A Burger Chain Taps Local Farms to Sell More Franchises

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: Franchise restaurant success usually starts with cutting operational costs and purchasing in bulk from national suppliers. The savings that come from volume and standardization are then funneled into mammoth ad campaigns that send Americans flocking to new outlets. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-11/a-burger-chain-taps-local-farms-to-sell-more-franchises#r=hpt-fs Questions for Discussions: What makes this franchise business… Read more »

How Tim Cook can save himself (and Apple)

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Description: What the confused Apple CEO can do to avoid getting canned and having to slink away with nothing but his $378 million compensation package as comfort. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 12, 2013 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2013/09/12/tim-cook-apple-advice/ Questions for Discussions: What is the criticism levelled at Tim Cook? Do you think he has been a poor leader… Read more »