Why Coca-Cola succeeds in Africa

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

Description:  Former CEO Neville Isdell explains that the franchise system makes business owners in Africa feel more invested in the company. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/06/26/f_gf_coke_africa.fortune/ Questions for discussion: What are the reasons presented that explain Coca-Cola’s success in Africa? Do you agree with the explanation? Are there other reasons that… Read more »

Nestle to Sail Amazon Rivers to Reach Consumers

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

Description: Nestle SA will begin sailing a supermarket barge down two Amazon river tributaries tomorrow as it competes with Unilever to reach emerging-market customers cut off from branded goods. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 06/17/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aBCeN4ZitvSg   Questions for discussion: Do you think this distribution strategy works? Is there anything unethical in bringing consumer goods to… Read more »

Potato Power – Yissum Introduces Potato Batteries for Use in the Developing World

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Description:  Yissum Research Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, introduces solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes. This simple, sustainable, robust device can potentially provide an immediate inexpensive solution to electricity needs in parts of the world lacking electrical infrastructure. The findings were published in the June… Read more »

Oil traders eye $100 a barrel

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

Description: NYMEX traders discuss high crude oil prices and the potential consequences for the economy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/08/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2010/04/08/mkts_oil_traders_nymex.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the arguments presented that favor rising oil prices and arguments for prices heading lower? Which direction do you see oil heading over the next six months? Which… Read more »

Costco mixes bagels, mahjong to woo customers overseas

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Description: Looking up at the sign on a Costco building in Taipei, Taiwan, you could easily mistake it for one of the warehouse club’s giant U.S. outlets — until you notice the long line of customers snaking around the store, waiting to enter. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: 04/01/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/costco-seeks-to-lure-taiwan-shoppers-2010-04-01?siteid=nwtwk Questions for discussion: What are the… Read more »

Converting Algae to Ethanol and into Money

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 2 Starting and Growing Your Business, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Algae producers like Algenol — backed by Bill Gates, Exxon Mobil, Dow Chemical and the U.S. government, among others — work with the green plant to convert carbon dioxide and sunlight into biofuel. Steve Gelsi reports. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report   Date: 03/15/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/converting-algae-to-ethanol-and-into-money/78B02C2E-F227-4F8F-A952-3B5225E440E5 Questions for discussion: Do you think this sort… Read more »

Digits: Who Stands to Win if Google Exits China?

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Description:  Hopes are fading that Google will be able to reach an agreement with China to remain in business there. With an exit by Google, a big chunk of the search market would be up for grabs, Ben Worthen reports on Digits with Stacey Delo, Eric Savitz and Marcelo Prince. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report… Read more »

Nike jumps to record high as results promise strong demand

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Shares of Nike Inc. jumped to an all-time high Thursday after the No. 1 athletic-shoe company reported unexpectedly strong profits and product orders for its fiscal third quarter, driven by improved demand in Western Europe and China. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 03/18/2010 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/nike-jumps-after-results-promise-continued-demand-2010-03-18 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the growth in… Read more »

Google vs. China’s great firewall

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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”… Read more »

China’s Round-The-Clock Auto Factories Still Cannot Meet Demand

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Description: Nissan Motor Co.’s factory in central China is making cars almost 24 hours a day, yet Pan Xiaowei still waited three months for her new Tiida compact to arrive at the dealership. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 01/15/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=av3dPlponcBw Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for growth in the Chinese auto market. What does this… Read more »