Money managers are optimistic — but their clients aren’t

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  A majority of investment advisers say that a double-dip recession is unlikely and that the stock market will improve over the next six months — but their clients are more worried, according to a survey of money managers released Wednesday by financial-services firm Charles Schwab Corp.

Source:  Marketwatch.com
 
Date: 08/25/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/money-managers-are-optimistic-but-clients-arent-2010-08-25?pagenumber=1

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the reasons given for money manager optimism and consumer pessimism.
  • What is your perception of the current business environment from an investing point of view?

Ideas Wanted: Multinationals Open Doors to Entrepreneurs

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business.

Description:  Giants such as GE and PepsiCo are sponsoring competitions that let startups strut their stuff.

Source: Businessweek.com
 
Date: 08/26/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz/content/aug2010/sb20100825_281270.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Why does this open-door approach work well for both parties?
  • How is this good for customers?
  • What are the benefits for the economy as a whole?

USA Today to Remake Itself to Stress Digital Operations

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  The history of USA Today is full of firsts for the newspaper business: the first general-interest national paper of its kind, the first to use color widely in charts and photographs and once first in the number of copies printed each day.

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 08/27/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/28/business/media/28paper.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the reorganization effort will revitalize revenues for USA Today?
  • What gives USA Today competitive advantage over other newspapers and news organizations?
  • Is there anything different in their digital effort in comparison to other news sources?
  • What would you recommend to the firm in order to give it some advantage over its competitors?
  • Would you be an investor in stocks of the firm today?

Lenovo doesn’t have IBM’s cache

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  Five years after buying IBM’s PC unit, Lenovo’s a hit in China but still struggles for international success.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 08/19/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/19/n_lenovo.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Why do you think Lenovo has had so much trouble establishing its brand in the U.S. market?
  • What does the success in China say about the company?
  • What marketing advice would you suggest to management?

Starbucks looks for pick-me-up

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Despite a run of weak earnings and store closings, the coffee shop operator is gearing up for international expansion.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 08/20/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/08/20/mkts_starbucks_jolt.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Do you think Starbucks is a good investment today?
  • What has the company done to improve its financial condition?
  • Do you think its current strategy is better than the previous one?

The New GM to hit market with new hopes, old ghosts

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  The second-biggest IPO in U.S. history is finally winding its way toward Wall Street, and while the road ahead is fraught with hazards, some analysts still see big potential in a rebuilt General Motors.

Source:  Marketwatch.com
 
Date: 08/20/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/should-investors-steer-clear-of-gm-ipo-2010-08-20

Questions for discussion: 

Do you think the GM IPO will be successful with small investors? 

  • Should investors stay away from GM?
  • Do you think the IPO is a good choice for small investors?
  • Would the small investor be wiser to wait until the IPO dust has settled and then look at the possibilities of purchase?

Intel, After McAfee Deal, May Find Mobile Security a Hard Sell

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business.

Description:  Intel Corp. Chief Executive Officer Paul Otellini, with the $7.68 billion acquisition of security software maker McAfee Inc., is betting that customers will pay to guard against attacks that have yet to materialize.

Source: Bloomberg.com
 
Date: 08/20/2010

Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-08-20/intel-s-otellini-after-mcafee-deal-may-find-mobile-security-a-hard-sell.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think this was a wise decision by Intel?
  • Do you believe there will be long term need for virus protection?
  • What advantage is there for Intel to place anti-virus software on their chips?

In Striking Shift, Small Investors Flee Stock Market

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Renewed economic uncertainty is testing Americans’ generation-long love affair with the stock market.

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 08/21/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/business/22invest.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the small investor’s attitude toward the stock market will continue to become more negative?
  • What has caused this change in attitude?
  • What could cause a reversal?
  • Why is the small investor’s attitude important to understand?

digits: Oracle Takes Sweeping Shot at Google

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

 Description:  Oracle Corp. has sued Google Inc. for patent and copyright infringement, on grounds that Google’s Android OS violates Java copyrights. The suit has sent shockwaves throughout Silicon Valley. WSJ’s Don Clark explains the possible implications of the suit to Simon Constable and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries. Also: are more TV shows and movies coming to the iPad – via the cable companies?

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
 
Date: 08/13/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-oracle-takes-sweeping-shot-at-google/4D8E3996-FB75-4213-9113-08335577EEF1

Questions for discussion: 

  • What are the financial implications for other firms if Google settles on a royalty payment schedule with Oracle?
  • How will Google and Oracle be financially affected?
  • On the second item, how do you think televisions shows will be distributed in the future?
  • How much market share do you think the cable companies will be able to hold on to in comparison to those firms selling through wifi devices?

Eyeglasses for the world’s poorest

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment.

Description:  The micro-consignment model provides local vendors in remote regions with essential products for resale to the community.

Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 08/13/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/08/13/n_cc_microconsignment_model.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • How is micro-consignment different from micro-finance?
  • Which one do you believe is superior for encouraging economic development?
  • How is micro-consignment similar to more familiar network marketing approaches like Amway and Avon?