Description: Thirteen years after abandoning rural Greece for a career in graphic design, Spiridoula Lakka finds herself in the last place she expected to end up – watering a patch of lettuce and herbs in her sleepy village. Source: Reuters.com Date: June 08, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/08/greece-countryside-idUSL5E8GGK1V20120608 Questions for Discussion: How does this report reflect a… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Production and Operations Management (p314)
Why Mellody Hobson is on Groupon’s board
Description:   Mellody Hobson of Ariel Investments talks about her involvement on boards of Groupon, Starbucks and Estee Lauder. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/29/f-mellody-hobson.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about the decision-making activities of board members, as described by Mellody Hobson? How do these boards benefit from her… Read more »
Your Boss Is Snooping On Your E-mail
Description:  Bloomberg’s Gigi Stone takes a look at recent studies on digital etiquette and the dangers that come along with email and social media. (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: June 01, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/LPeh8S Questions for Discussion: Summarize the latest concerns about online communication etiquette? How should employees and managers deal with… Read more »
Apple’s Cook says focus remains on products
Description: CEO does not see himself as replacement for Steve Jobs Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 30, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/apples-cook-says-focus-remains-on-products-2012-05-30?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about the management style of Apple’s new CEO? How do you think this style will affect the performance of the company? Is he a better sort of manager for… Read more »
Facebook Users Interact with Brand Content Over Ads
Description: Facebook is now a public company, and its revenue and advertising plans are under significant scrutiny. However, users are more likely to interact with branded content on the site, not advertising, which may be an obstacle for the social network down the road. Source: eMarketer.com Date: June 01, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009089&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for Discussions:… Read more »
On Facebook, ‘Likes’ Become Ads
Description: On Valentine’s Day, Nick Bergus came across a link to an odd product on Amazon.com: a 55-gallon barrel of … personal lubricant. Source: NYTimes.com Date: May 31, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/technology/so-much-for-sharing-his-like.html?_r=1&hp Questions for Discussions: Explain how “sponsored stories†work. Why are they more effective than regular advertisements? Do you think this strategy is unethical in… Read more »
J.C. Penney buckles under pressure
Description: Commentary: Discounts are back in style Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 30, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/jc-penney-buckles-under-pressure-2012-05-30?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Why did this pricing strategy fail to please customers? What does this report say about the transferability of managers from one business to another? How are Apple and JC Penny different and the same?
Why China can’t let Europe slip
Description:   China has been investing heavily in European debt and opening its markets to retailers in order to diversify its risk. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 24, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/24/n-china-europe-worries.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why is Hugo Boss opening more stores in China? Does this strategy make good sense to you? What does this… Read more »
The agony of Japan Inc.
Description: Companies like Apple, IBM and Microsoft once stood in the shadow of much larger and more powerful Japanese electronics giants. Those days are long gone — and, lately, it looks like they may never come back. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 25, 2012 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/05/25/japan-inc/?iid=SF_F_River  Questions for Discussions: Summarize the strategic arguments presented by… Read more »
Zuckerberg’s right-hand woman
Description:  Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg is the power behind the company’s explosive growth and ad business. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 18, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/05/17/t-ts-sandberg-facebook.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Who is Sheryl Sandberg? Do you think the “character†of Facebook reflects a female view to communications? Do you think she has the momentum to… Read more »
