Description: The University of California Medical Center in San Francisco spends more than $3 million a year on translation services for thousands of patients who don’t speak English. Since 2009, the demand for foreign language interpreters from the center’s medical personnel has risen by a third, for languages ranging from Farsi to Mongolian. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Economic Challenges Facing Contemporary Business (p70)
The Shadowy World of iPhone Cases
Description: Smartphone case makers rely on rumors and leaks to get their products on the market first Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/14/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/the-shadowy-world-of-iphone-cases-10132011.html Questions for discussion: What did you learn in this report about risk-taking and the planning process? How would you make decisions in this business environment?
Apple hits new high as iPhone 4S launches
Description: Stock up 30% for the year as company builds up mobile business Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 10/14/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apple-hits-record-high-as-iphone-4s-launches-2011-10-14 Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for consumer reaction and sales of the latest model? Do you think this sales rate is likely to fade quickly?
Steve Jobs: In his own words
Description: Steve Jobs’ enthusiasm and sense of humor were on full display at the launch of some of Apple’s greatest hits. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 10/06/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/10/06/n_jobs_in_his_words.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Describe the evolution of product development at Apple? Apple started as a computer company. How would you define the company today? What… Read more »
Firing Steve Jobs was “a terrible mistake”
Description:  Former Apple CEO John Sculley reflects on how Steve Jobs recruited him to run the tech company and why its board ultimately fired Jobs in 1985. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 10/06/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/10/06/t_gc_sculley_jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: According to John Sculley, what sort of businessman and entrepreneur was Steve Jobs? Do you think… Read more »
Toyota Said to Tell Partsmakers to Cut Prices
Description: Toyota Motor Corp. (7203), Asia’s biggest carmaker, is telling parts suppliers in Japan to slash prices or face being replaced by overseas rivals as the yen’s value appreciates, four people involved with the discussions said.. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 10/07/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-10-07/toyota-said-to-tell-partsmakers-in-japan-to-slash-prices-as-yen-advances.html Questions for discussion: Explain the connection between the value of the Japanese currency… Read more »
Five Steps to Job Creation
Description: First off, forget budget-cutting and think about training your existing staff Source: Businessweek.com Date: 10/04/2011 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/management/five-steps-to-job-creation-10042011.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the prescriptions for job creation presented in the article. Do you think small businesses are more likely to respond to these suggestions?
Yearning for Penney
Description: Commentary: How to make a buck on downward mobility Source: Marketwatch.com Date: 10/06/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/yearning-for-penney-2011-10-06 Questions for discussion: Do you agree with the assessment presented in the report? Which strategy would you advise management to pursue?
BullHorn: Battle of the tech heavyweights
Description:  Apple or Amazon? IBM or HP? Three out of the four are knock-out stocks. Can you guess who has the glass chin? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 09/27/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/09/27/mkts_bh_tech_heavyweights.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights reported for each firm. Do you agree with the conclusions reported? What advice would you suggest to… Read more »
Amazon Kindle Fire vs Apple iPad: Who’s on Top?
Description: Amazon’s new Kindle Fire, which will offer magazine content and streaming videos, takes aim at Apple’s tablet dominance. How does the Kindle Fire stack up against the iPad 2? Should Apple be worried? Stu Woo and Dan Gallagher join digits. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: 09/29/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/amazon-kindle-fire-vs-apple-ipad-who-on-top/5C6B6F81-7958-4EDF-93D3-41DD5322F910 Questions for discussion: Do you… Read more »
