Description: Eric Firestone began a new job at a Web start-up here three weeks ago, and he’s already thinking about what he might do next. But that’s just fine with his new employer. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/26/technology/26recruit.html?_r=1&ref=business Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about the hiring environment in Silicon Valley?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives
Remembering the Triangle Fire 100 years later
Description: As labor unions battle to retain collective bargaining rights in Wisconsin, Ohio and other states, they are marking the centennial of a tragic factory fire that started the movement that first won those rights. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 03/25/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2011/03/24/news/Triangle_fire_centennial/index.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the details of this event. How has it come to influence… Read more »
4-Hour Guru, Tim Ferriss: “Don’t Focus on Personal Branding”
Description: Tim Ferriss‘ first book, The 4-Hour Workweek, hit the bestseller lists in its first weeks of publication in 2007and has remained an influential and talked-about phenomenon ever since (as has Ferriss’ blog).  Memorably dubbed “part scientist and part adventure hunter,†Ferriss developed his manifesto for productivity and personal freedom from his early success as… Read more »
Buffett Says Pricing Power Beats Good Management When Evaluating Companies
Description: Warren Buffett, the billionaire chief executive officer of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., said he rates businesses on their ability to raise prices and sometimes doesn’t even consider the people in charge. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 02/18/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-02-18/buffett-says-pricing-power-more-important-than-good-management.html Questions for discussion:  What does Warren Buffet have to say about the importance of management and the ability… Read more »
Company Perks: Reserved Parking Is So Yesteryear
Description: With office cultures becoming more egalitarian and companies mindful of the bottom line, reserved spaces are becoming harder to find. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/04/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_07/b4215081250566.htm Questions for discussion: What does this article have to say about our attitudes toward car parking privileges? Do you think they are a fair reflection of current attitudes?… Read more »
Super Bowl XLV: The NFL’s Last Game?
Description: A labor dispute between the National Football League and its players is threatening to bleed billions in revenueâ€â€and possibly cancel the 2011-12 season. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 01/27/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_06/b4214058410168.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues in this situation. How do you think it will be resolved? Whose side is likely to win out in… Read more »
Google Finds It Hard to Reinvent Philanthropy
Description: JUST before Google first sold its shares to the public in 2004, Larry Page, one of its founders, excited the nonprofit world with a bold commitment to philanthropy. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/29/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/30/business/30charity.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the basic points made in this report. How would you judge the effectiveness of Google’s philanthropic… Read more »
Hub Extra: How Nervous Should Apple Investors Be?
Description: With many questions unanswered about Steve Jobs’ medical leave of absence, Wall Street Journal ‘ROI’ columnist Brett Arends says the news is ominous for investors. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 01/17/2011 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/hub-extra-how-nervous-should-apple-investors-be/BFCF78EB-4250-4572-83E5-62975923A6E3 Questions for discussion: Summarize the opinions made about the importance of Steve Jobs to the success of Apple. Do you… Read more »
Google’s Schmidt Named Executive Chairman as Co-Founder Page Becomes CEO
Description: Google Inc. co-founder Larry Page will become chief executive officer, taking the reins from Eric Schmidt, who oversaw the transformation of a barely profitable startup with 200 employees into the owner of the world’s most- used search engine, with $29 billion in sales last year. Source: Bloomberg.com  Date: 01/21/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-20/google-profit-tops-estimates-on-ad-demand-page-is-named-ceo.html Questions for… Read more »
Union Membership in U.S. Fell to a 70-Year Low Last Year
Description: The number of American workers in unions declined sharply last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Friday, with the percentage slipping to 11.9 percent, the lowest rate in more than 70 years. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 01/21/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/business/22union.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons reported for union membership decline. Is this a good… Read more »
