BP chooses Dudley, an American, to turn its fortunes around

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

Description: BP’s new chief executive, Robert Dudley, is an industry veteran with wide-ranging qualifications, but it was his American passport as much as his in-depth knowledge of Russia and his green credentials that sealed the deal for the board.

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 07/27/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/bp-appoints-robert-dudley-as-new-ceo-2010-07-27?siteid=nwtwk
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Why do you suppose a new chief executive was chosen?
  • Do you agree with the claim that Robert Dudley was chosen as much for his passport as for his other credentials?
  • Do you think this decision will make any difference in the public perception of BP?
  • What other steps would you recommend to BP to help mend fences in the US and globally?
  • Do you think BP will financially recover from this experience?
  • Would you be a buyer or seller of BP shares?

Mad Man

Posted by & filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives.

Description:  Why did Alex Bogusky, the most celebrated adman of his era, turn his back on the business?

Source: Businessweek.com
 
Date: 07/29/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_32/b4190060449252.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the probable reasons for Alex Bogusky`s decision.
  • What do think about his decision?
  • What do you think about his criticism about the advertising industry?

Economic Indicator: Even Cheaper Knockoffs

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  In this economy, even counterfeiters are trading down.

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 07/31/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/business/economy/01knockoff.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the reasons presented for the move towards cheaper knockoffs?
  • What can firms do about this problem?
  • How is this activity an economic indicator?

Are Your Sunglasses Worth the Big Bucks?

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  Brett Arends, WSJ’s ROI columnist, tells colleague Adam Najberg that those $200 designer shades you’re wearing may be just like the $20 ones you buy at a Lens Crafter store.

Source:  Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 07/21/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/are-your-sunglasses-worth-the-big-bucks/EE3371B8-D867-409F-860A-F8AE69BC4625

Questions for discussion: 

  • Do you think customers are aware that one firm dominates the supply as much as it does and thereby controls the market price?
  • Why have other retailers not capitalized on this overpriced market condition and offered lower priced product?
  • Do you think price is the most important factor for customers who are shopping for sunglasses?
  • What other factors would influence their buying decision?

AOL Chief: Display ads not dead

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

Description:  Chairman and CEO Tim Armstrong says display advertising will still be dominant, albeit different, in the coming years.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report
 
Date: 07/23/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/07/23/f_bst_aol_armstrong_display.fortune/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the comments made by Tim Armstrong about the future of AOL, online content, and advertising.
  • Do you agree with his opinions?
  • How do you see AOL developing in the future?
  • What would you suggest to AOL if you could talk directly to Tim Armstrong?

Dell and Intel: Big Tech behaving badly

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Thursday’s $100 million settlement between Dell and the Securities and Exchange Commission was a reminder that the government is going after tech’s bad boys — and Intel is likely next on the feds’ list.

Source:  CNNMoney.com

Date: 07/23/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/07/23/technology/dell_intel/index.htm
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons for SEC actions against these firms?
  • How would you expect investors to react to this news?
  • Are the punishments appropriate?

What Mad Men Gets Right About Innovation

Posted by & filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives.

Description:  A scene from the Sterling Cooper ad agency offers a lesson about how leaders can foster creativity.

Source: Businessweek.com
 
Date: 07/23/2010

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/jul2010/ca20100723_186913.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the main findings of the research report.
  • Are you surprised by any of them?
  • What message is there here for managers and for employees?

Even With All Its Profits, Microsoft Has a Popularity Problem

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  MEASURED by profits, Microsoft trounces Apple and Google. In the most recent three months, Microsoft earned $4.52 billion, versus Apple’s $3.25 billion and Google’s $1.8 billion. But, dear investors, where is the love for this beaten-down company?

Source: NYTimes.com
 
Date: 07/24/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/25/business/25digi.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons given for Microsoft’s poor image in many investors’ minds.
  • Do you agree with this view?
  • What are your forecasts for Microsoft?
  • What advice would you pass along to management to improve prospects?

Amazon shares fall after earnings disappoint

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

Description: Online retail giant ramps up investments, sees continued spending

Source:  Marketwatch.com

Date: 07/23/2010

Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amazon-falls-after-earnings-disappoint-2010-07-23?siteid=nwtwk
 
Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the financial conditions of Amazon?
  • Would you be concerned as an investor or as a financial manager in the firm?
  • What would you advise management?

digits: Has Apple Lost Its Mojo?

Posted by & filed under Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  As Apple finally speaks out on the antenna reception controversy surrounding its Apple 4, Simon Constable talks to Alan Murray, Lauren Goode and Rex Crum about whether the company has lost its mojo given this issue and other recent stumbles amid its successes.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report
 
Date: 07/16/2010

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/digits-has-apple-lost-its-mojo/E0F1EF8A-0443-48EE-9766-89A1DD9ED361

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the comments made about Apple’s corporate culture?
  • Do you agree with the views expressed?
  • Do you think it is reflected in the type of customer that buys Apple products?
  • What would you suggest Apple management do to correct the negative publicity it is experiencing today?