Description: Japanese motor maker Minebea Co. chose Cambodia over Vietnam to build a plant for 5,000 workers in a sign growing labor disputes are hurting Vietnam’s appeal as a low-cost alternative to China. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 06/16/2011 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-15/vietnam-cheaper-than-china-appeal-diminishes-as-labor-strikes.html Questions for discussion: What does this article teach you about the global nature of business? How… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Production and Operations Management (p314)
Men’s Wearhouse is in fashion
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 »
Behind Google’s tablet war with Apple
Description: Google chairman Eric Schmidt says that Android’s open-tablets will ultimately “bring more volume, more users, and more investment” to the platform. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 05/17/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2011/05/17/f_schmidt_gps.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the differences between the strategies to gain customers followed by Google and Apple. Do you think one strategy is superior… Read more »
Rebirth of the American-made mitt
Description: Insignia Athletics of Worcester, Mass., is one of the few athletic manufacturers in the U.S. to make high-end, premium-leather baseball gloves. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 05/12/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2011/05/05/sbiz_baseball_mitt.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How has this company managed to compete in the marketplace against lower-priced imports? How important do you think the “Made in… Read more »
How Frito-Lay makes potato chips
Description:  Watch how potato chips are made in an environmentally friendly way at a factory run by PepsiCo, no. 43 on the Fortune 500. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 05/05/2011 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/05/04/f_500_frito_lay.fortune/ Questions for discussion: What kind of production process is used at Frito-Lay? How does the process exercise efficiencies? How much do you… Read more »
Taco Bell and the Golden Age of Drive-Thru
Description: Operational innovations at restaurants like Taco Bell rival those at any factory in the world. A view from the drive-thru window at how they do it. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 05/05/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_20/b4228064581642.htm Questions for discussion: How is the Drive-Thru process similar to the production process? Why is it so important to Taco Bell to… Read more »
The Unstoppable Rise of the Celebrity Trainer
Description: The likes of Jake Steinfeld and Gunnar Peterson have created a micro industry of personal trainers as celebrated as the celebrities they train. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/28/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_19/b4227065670730.htm Questions for discussion: What is the secret to becoming a celebrity trainer? How does marketing yourself as a celebrity come into this strategy? Can anyone… Read more »
Parties Seeking to Blame Each Other’s Policies for Gas Prices
Description: Congress returns next week to a flaring brawl over oil industry profits and tax breaks, with both parties hoping to capitalize on growing public ire at high gasoline prices. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 04/29/2011 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/30/business/30gas.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Summarize the reasons for concern over rising gasoline prices? How do rising fuel costs affect businesses… Read more »
Point of Sale
Description: When most successful athletes endorse a brand, they usually lend their faces and names to commercials and print ads, and show up to smile and shake hands with fans for public appearances. They choose brands that align well with their image  for example, Wayne Gretzky and Skechers or Serena Williams and Gatorade. They… Read more »
Twelve Ways Leaders Fail New Managers
Description: When you place a colleague or a new hire into a management position, you’d better not abandon the poor soul. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 04/19/2011 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/apr2011/ca2011044_047640.htm Questions for discussion: What are the lessons for managers in this report? Do you disagree with any? What other ways can leaders fail new managers?
