Description: Smartphone case makers rely on rumors and leaks to get their products on the market first Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/14/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-shadowy-world-of-iphone-cases-10132011.html Questions for discussion: What did you learn in this report about risk-taking and the planning process? How would you make decisions in this business environment?
Posts Categorized: Part 5 Managing Technology and Information
Firing Steve Jobs was “a terrible mistake”
Description:  Former Apple CEO John Sculley reflects on how Steve Jobs recruited him to run the tech company and why its board ultimately fired Jobs in 1985. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 10/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/10/06/t_gc_sculley_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: According to John Sculley, what sort of businessman and entrepreneur was Steve Jobs? Do you think… Read more »
Daniel Gross’s Greplin Is One Smart Search Engine
Description: The precocious Israeli coder is co-founder of a startup building the one search box to rule them allâ€â€and to organize your entire online life Source: Businessweek.com Date: 09/01/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/daniel-grosss-greplin-is-one-smart-search-engine-09012011.html Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about entrepreneurship? Would you invest in this app? What are the difficulties, from a marketing point… Read more »
What Google knows about your eating habits
Description: Google says companies are increasingly using local search data to extract more bang for their online marketing buck. Source: Fortune.com Date: 08/26/2011 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/08/26/what-google-knows-about-your-eating-habits/ Questions for discussion: What do you think of this marketing information? Do you think this information provides real advantage to marketers or consumers? What other applications might also prove to… Read more »
Did you know IBM invented this … ?
Description: Look back at 100 years of IBM’s history and innovative breakthroughs. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/15/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/06/15/n_ibm_100_inventions.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How has IBM managed to remain successful for the last 100 years? How would you define IBM’s business model? What sorts of products could you see IBM developing in the future?
Honda Fails With Toyota to Dominate American Sedan Market: Cars
Description: Stephen Ragsdale is no longer one of Honda Motor Co.’s “Happy Drivers.†A loyal owner for a decade, he ditched a 2009 Accord just 18 months after he bought it. The reason: He coveted his mother’s stylish Kia Optima. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/news/2011-06-10/honda-fails-with-toyota-to-dominate-american-sedan-market-cars.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made about… Read more »
Amazon May Soon Need to Collect Sales Tax
Description: A proposal in the U.S. Senate aims to end the longtime exemption for e-commerce Source: Businessweek.com Date: 06/02/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_24/b4232041319222.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key arguments made in this article about tax collection. What are some of the alternative solutions to the collection of taxes that is fair to all parties?
25 ways of downloading Angry Birds
Description: Rovio has a blockbuster franchise just as notable for its flock of revenue streams as its wildly addictive game play. Source: Fortune.com Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/06/03/25-ways-angry-birds/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the success of this business? Why has it become such a global hit? What other prospects exist for this brand?
Google’s mobile wallet is here
Description: Google and MasterCard unveiled a mobile payment system Thursday that uses consumers’ cell phones to store credit cards, coupons, and other data. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 05/26/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/05/26/t-tt-google-wallet.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this concept of payment will appeal to a mass market of users? What concerns might there be… Read more »
Knut, the $140 Million Polar Bear
Description: The perils of the high-stakes celebrity animal business Source: Businessweek.com Date: 05/26/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_23/b4231085935993.htm Questions for discussion: Summarize the key arguments made in this article. What are the risks associated with this strategy? What are the ethical issues in this story?
