Description: On Valentine’s Day, Nick Bergus came across a link to an odd product on Amazon.com: a 55-gallon barrel of … personal lubricant. Source: NYTimes.com Date: May 31, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/technology/so-much-for-sharing-his-like.html?_r=1&hp Questions for Discussions: Explain how “sponsored stories†work. Why are they more effective than regular advertisements? Do you think this strategy is unethical in… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
J.C. Penney buckles under pressure
Description: Commentary: Discounts are back in style Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 30, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jc-penney-buckles-under-pressure-2012-05-30?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Why did this pricing strategy fail to please customers? What does this report say about the transferability of managers from one business to another? How are Apple and JC Penny different and the same?
Why China can’t let Europe slip
Description:   China has been investing heavily in European debt and opening its markets to retailers in order to diversify its risk. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 24, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/24/n-china-europe-worries.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why is Hugo Boss opening more stores in China? Does this strategy make good sense to you? What does this… Read more »
The agony of Japan Inc.
Description: Companies like Apple, IBM and Microsoft once stood in the shadow of much larger and more powerful Japanese electronics giants. Those days are long gone — and, lately, it looks like they may never come back. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 25, 2012 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/05/25/japan-inc/?iid=SF_F_River  Questions for Discussions: Summarize the strategic arguments presented by… Read more »
Zuckerberg’s right-hand woman
Description:  Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is the power behind the company’s explosive growth and ad business. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 18, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/05/17/t-ts-sandberg-facebook.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Who is Sheryl Sandberg? Do you think the “character†of Facebook reflects a female view to communications? Do you think she has the momentum to… Read more »
Fishing Industry Aids Iceland’s Recovery
Description: Three years after a spectacular financial collapse, Iceland is coming back, largely on the strength of its strong exports. Video and reporting by Charles Forelle from the island of Vestmannaeyjar. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: May 18, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/fishing-industry-aids-iceland-recovery/E1ED2AC5-D98B-4760-844E-67F8BA64A136 Questions for Discussion: What does this report have to say about economic recovery… Read more »
Inside Facebook
Description: On a Friday morning not long ago, Mark Zuckerberg gathered his troops for a much-anticipated all-hands meeting at Facebook’s brand-new headquarters. It was billed as a not-to-be-missed event. Employees who were traveling were encouraged to return to the mother ship, and those in New York, Dublin, Hyderabad, and other satellite offices were told to… Read more »
Main Street’s uneven recovery
Description: For some small business owners in Sayville, New York, Main Street feels like a “ghost town.” Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/10/n-making-it-on-main-street.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What does this report have to say about economic recovery on Main Street?  How important is small business managerment to explaining why some businesses… Read more »
J.P. Morgan shares slump after $2 bln trading loss
Description: Bank’s loss is embarrassment for CEO, fodder for regulators Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jp-morgan-shares-slump-after-2b-trading-loss-2012-05-11?siteid=nwtwk  Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the loss. What do you believe this event will mean for the company, management, and regulators?
Why Delta is buying an oil refinery
Description: Delta Air Lines tries to take out the middle man by purchasing a Pennsylvania oil refinery, but it could prove to be a risky investment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/01/n-delta-oil-refinery.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Why did Delta do this? What are the risks? Do you think it was a… Read more »
