Stop blaming Big Business

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

Description:  The top-grossing movie in the world, Avatar, is on screens now, and it clearly identifies the most evil force in the universe. It’s business.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 01/29/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/28/news/economy/business_populism.fortune/index.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you agree with the argument presented by the reporter?
  • Do believe attitudes toward “big business” have changes because of the crisis?
  • What are the possible consequences for the management if they have?

Just blowing the froth off?

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: January has been the worst month for stock investors since February last year just before markets took off on a stellar risk rally.

Source: Reuters.com

Date: 01/29/2010

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60S42520100129

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the reasons given for why the stock market might be poised to advance in February or continue on its decline.
  • What do you think will happen? Explain your thinking.

The Places They Go When Banks Say No

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

Description: IN the glory days of the digital photo frame business, when his products were still a novelty and shoppers were flush with cash, getting a bank loan to manufacture them was a cinch, Michael Levy says.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 01/30/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/31/business/smallbusiness/31order.html?ref=business

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the problems facing small businesses since the financial crisis hit?
  • What alternatives are small business owners employing as a result of the credit freeze?
  • What are the possible consequences of these changes?
  • Do you believe they are permanent or will borrowing practices return to what they were before eventually?

Tablets, not smartphones, key for HP

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:   The world’s largest computer company bets that tablet computers will be a better revenue stream than smartphones.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 01/22/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2010/01/19/ctd_hp_hurd_tablet.fortune/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the thinking presented by Mark Hurd?
  • Which items do you agree with and which do you think are incorrect? Explain your thinking.
  • What do you think the industry that HP competes in today will look like in five years from now?

Burger King bar debuts in Miami

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  Burger King Corp. said Friday it plans to open a Whopper Bar in the South Beach area of Miami next month.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 01/23/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/22/news/companies/burger_king_whopper_bar/index.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think this is a good strategy for Burger King?
  • What are the possible problems that can emerge?

Tablet launch, earnings mean big week for Apple

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: Few events can steal the thunder from an Apple Inc quarterly earnings day — an Apple product launch is one of them.

Source: Reuters.com

Date: 01/22/2010

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE60L43Y20100122

Questions for discussion: 

  • Examine the news this week about Apple and report the reaction by consumers and investors?
  •  How did Apple stock perform in the stock market?

Now at Starbucks: A Rebound

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

Description: Young people wearing hoodies and chunky glasses are sipping microbrew beers and espressos, nibbling on cheese and baguettes made at a local bakery and listening to a guitarist strum and sing.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: 01/20/2010

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/business/21sbux.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the new “entrepreneurial” approach at Starbucks will be successful?
  • What are the risks and benefits of moving away from one model for all store outlets? 
  • What would you suggest be done at your local Starbucks to increase sales and profits?

Google vs. China’s great firewall

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

Description:  Google’s dispute with the Chinese government highlights some obstacles that Western companies face in China.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 01/15/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/15/f_sl_google_china.fortune/

Questions for discussion: 

  • How do you think Google and other foreign companies trying to develop their businesses in China should deal with these issues? Explain your thinking.
  • Does the “controlled” presence of a foreign company in China advance freedom there or obstruct its development?

NBC’s late night mess

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

Description:   Fortune editors say the bungling of the Jay Leno – Conan O’Brien dustup is the latest in a series of network missteps.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 01/13/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/01/13/f_sl_nbc_leno_conan.fortune/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Why do you think Leno’s show failed to generate audience ratings?
  • What would you do with these entertainers in terms of times slots?
  • Do you think Internet viewership has anything to do with the success for failure of these shows? Explain your answers.

Chrysler buys 60-second Super Bowl ad

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

Description:  Chrysler will be the only U.S. automaker to advertise in this year’s Super Bowl, forking over millions of dollars to restore its image following its bankruptcy and the federal bailout that followed.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 01/14/2010

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/01/14/news/companies/chrysler_super_bowl_ad/index.htm

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think Chrysler is making a wise decision? Explain your answer.
  • How else could Chrysler recharge its brand and image using about the same amount of money it will be spending for the Super Bowl ad?