Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

 Description: It took about 20 years before television viewers no longer had to wait for their sets to warm up. Yet here we are, 30-plus years into the personal computer era, and the instant-on PC remains elusive.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: 01/02/2010

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601093&sid=aZ.Y_dCigYME

Questions for discussion: 

  • Do you think “instant-on” technology is an important consideration for buyers? Explain your answer.
  • How much money do you think a buyer would be willing to pay for this product performance improvement?

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: The U.S. stock market is wrapping up what is likely to be its worst decade ever. In nearly 200 years of recorded stock-market history, no calendar decade has seen such a dismal performance as the 2000s.

Source: WSJ.com

Date: 12/20/2009

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704786204574607993448916718.html?mod=WSJ_hp_mostpop_read

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the highlights of the story.
  • Do you think dividends will regain their earlier growth patterns? Explain your answer.
  • How do you think stocks will perform over the next ten years? Explain your answer.
  • Which stock sectors do you think will outperform the averages and which do you think will underperform? Explain your thinking.

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

Description:   Brian Gillett needed some extra money to put his son through private school, so he developed an iPhone app that helps users find a nearby mailbox.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 12/09/2009

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2009/12/09/sbiz_iphone_app_developer_mail.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion: 

  • Why do you think developers of iPhone apps come from such varied backgrounds, as illustrated by Brian Gillett. Explain your answer.
  • How does the growth in successful apps help the growth of iPhone sales?
  • Create an idea for an app that you would be willing to buy for under $5.

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description:  The auto giants plan to field appeals from nearly 2,000 dealerships they shuttered. They’re going to get an earful.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 12/11/2009

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/11/smallbusiness/small_business_auto_dealers/index.htm

Questions for discussion: 

  • What are some pros and cons related to the reduction of the distribution network of franchises?
  • Other than closing, are there any strategic alternatives for these former franchise businesses?
  • What arguments would you make to GM and Chrysler for rethinking this decision? Explain your thinking.

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: Search giant Google, which is making forays into the book world, would happily sell books to readers who own Kindles or other e-readers, said Google Books engineering director Dan Clancy on Friday.
Source: Reuters.com

Date: 12/11/2009

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5BB0DH20091212

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the reasons why collaboration with Google would make sense for Amazon and why it might not.
  • How do you think consumers will respond to a battle between Amazon and Google for readership dollars?
  • Is there a parallel here with other technologies such as iPod/iTunes and other MP3 devices? Explain your answer.

Posted by & filed under Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 5 Managing Technology and Information.

Description: On a gray morning in October, Gordon Ramsay bursts into the kitchen of his south London house, pop music blaring from the radio. At the heart of the room stands a 67,000-pound ($109,000) French cooking range that weighs 2.5 tons and had to be lowered by crane into the celebrity chef’s home.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: 12/11/2009

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aRE.WJ51Hq2s

Questions for discussion: 

  • Do you think Ramsay is a typical entrepreneur? Explain your answer.
  • How is he different? Explain your answer.
  • Summarize the reasons for the risk of bankruptcy.
  • How did Ramsay fix the problem?

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

Description:   After the White House jobs summit, Eric Schmidt explains small biz needs increased lending to stimulate economy.

Source: CNNMoney – video report
 
Date: 12/03/2009

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2009/12/03/n.schmidt.jobs.google.obama.cnnmoney/ 

Questions for discussion: 

  • Why are small businesses key to the recovery?
  • Why are they having difficulty?
  • Summarize the reasons that explain why Google is growing more than other businesses at this time.
  • Compare the major similarities and differences between Google and other businesses with respect to problems and opportunities. Explain your answer.

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

Description:  Lutz taken out of marketing role, head of engineering becomes president of GM North America.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: 12/04/2009

Link: http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/04/autos/gm_management_changes/index.htm

Questions for discussion: 

  • What do you think is motivating the many management changes taking place at GM? Explain your thinking.
  • Do you think the changes are seen as positive developments for the firm by customers or investors? Explain your thinking.

Posted by & filed under Part 4: Marketing Management.

Description: Struggling with slumping sales for the past two years, luxury department store operator Saks Inc is beefing up its less expensive offerings at the risk of diluting its brand.

Source: Reuters.com

Date: 12/06/2009

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE5B51AA20091206

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you believe these changes will damage the brand and the overall image of the firm? Explain your thinking.
  • Describe the target market for Saks. 
  • How would you respond to the challenges facing Saks?

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

Description: AOL Inc. Chief Executive Officer Tim Armstrong is on a mission to show that the company isn’t some dot-com has-been selling Web access and e-mail. It’s a digital- media company with 80 Web sites churning out everything from personal finance advice to bedroom tips for women.

Source: Bloomberg.com

Date: 12/04/2009

Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aWVBISfvb7rM&pos=12

Questions for discussion: 

  • Summarize the current situation at AOL.
  • Where is it suggested that AOL might be in the future?
  • Do you agree with these views? Explain your answer.
  • What would you recommend to AOL management in order to revive its fortunes in today’s marketplace?