U.S. and Europe Battle Over Carbon Fees for Airlines

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

Description: Sharply divergent climate change policies on opposite sides of the Atlantic are setting off political fireworks as European environmental regulators prepare to extend their reach across the ocean. Starting Jan. 1, the European Union will require all carriers entering or leaving its airports to either reduce their emissions or pay a charge — whether… Read more »

3 big stocks facing Borders-like trouble

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Borders Group Inc., like Blockbuster before it, failed to surprise Wall Street as it has limped into oblivion. The second-biggest U.S. bookstore chain won bankruptcy court approval last week to liquidate hundreds of stores in an attempt to bring in $175 million to satisfy its creditors. Source: Marketwatch.com   Date: 07/28/2011 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3-big-names-about-to-go-bust-like-borders-2011-07-28 Questions… Read more »

Spotify CEO: Music access, not ownership, is the future

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

Description: Daniel Ek, the CEO of the online music service Spotify, has ambitious plans for penetrating the U.S. market. Profitability, for now, isn’t a concern. Source: Fortune.com   Date: 07/21/2011 Link:  http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2011/07/21/spotify-daniel-ek-brainstorm/ Questions for discussion: Describe the key differences between the Spotify and Pandora business model. Which company do you think the market will subscribe… Read more »

Nokia to Cut Costs More After Loss

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: The two largest European makers of telecommunications equipment, Nokia and Ericsson, announced plans Thursday to continue or accelerate cost-cutting efforts in the face of rising competition, internal reorganizations and weak demand in North America. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 07/21/2011 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/22/technology/nokia-and-ericsson-announce-cost-cutting.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: How can management mitigate the stress on cash flow during this… Read more »

Meet the world’s last pinball maker

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description:  Stern pinball – the last pinball manufacturer in the world – has found its key to success is to make machines featuring popular brands and names. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/06/30/t-tt-stern-pinball.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why is there only one remaining producer of this device? What does this say about the… Read more »

BlackBerry maker’s struggles

Posted by & filed under Part 1 Business in a Global Environment, Part 3 Management: Empowering People to Achieve Business Objectives, Part 4: Marketing Management, Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Shares of BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion are down 50% from the start of the year, largely due to disappointing smartphone and tablet sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 07/01/2011 Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for the demise of company’s share value. Given that the product sells well outside of North America, what… Read more »

Men’s Wearhouse is in fashion

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

Description:  Shares of Men’s Wearhouse surge after the retailer reported profits that doubled from a year ago, helped by strong sales across the board. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/09/2011 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/06/09/mkts_midday_menswear.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How has the company managed to succeed while other retailers have faced problems? How has the product and customer… Read more »

Toyota Expects 31% Profit Slump

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

Description: Toyota Motor said Friday that it expected its annual net profit to fall almost a third from the previous year, hurt by production disruptions after the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan in March. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 06/10/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/11/business/global/11toyota.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Explain the reasons for Toyota’s drop in profits. Do you think… Read more »

Groupon IPO: Tech boom or bubble?

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Deal site Groupon and music service Pandora could continue the tech IPO boom started by LinkedIn and Renren. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2011/06/03/mkts_groupon_pandora.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think there is a bubble forming in these tech stocks? Do you think these firms are raising sufficient funds for growth purposes?… Read more »

Chrysler CEO on paying back the bailout

Posted by & filed under Part 6 Managing Financial Resources.

Description: Chrysler Sergio Marchionne says the government bailout was a ‘great deal’ for U.S. taxpayers, and we won’t recognize the carmaker in a few years. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/03/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/06/03/n_fiat_ceo.cnnmoney Questions for discussion: Do you believe this was a good deal for US taxpayers? Do you believe that alternative financial restructuring… Read more »