M: “Sea”ing Red

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Earlier this month, Japan arrested a Chinese fishing boat captain after his boat slammed into a Japanese coast guard vessel in the East China Sea. The arrest led to a standoff in which China made a number of threats and demands. Japan eventually acquiesced and is now making overtures to the United States. QUESTIONS: M1…. Read more »

M: Eat and Tweet

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When customers Twitter about their experiences, businesses are “listening.” At least restaurants are beginning to pay more attention. Some owners are strategically interacting with customers that Tweet about their restaurants. QUESTIONS: M1. Think about Tweets like the one made by Mr. Bosco. Is it data or information? How much does it really matter to a… Read more »

IB/M: Trade Freeze

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The author suggests that seven countries with lands in the far north of the globe are in a position to capitalize on ecological and demographic shifts that will have the rest of the world looking north by 2050. He offers that these countries meet the requirements necessary for a new civilization to grow. The article… Read more »

IB: Havana Havoc

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The Cuban economy is on life support. Eighty-five percent of the island nation’s workers are employed by the government and President Raul Castro says this is no longer sustainable. The country plans to lay off half a million workers in short order, but more than four million workers will still remain on the government payroll…. Read more »

IB: The Bear Is on the Prowl

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While the economic recession is global, some countries have been hit harder than others. Following the Cold War, Russia embraced capitalism and experienced considerable growth in its economy. Now that growth is being reversed and Russia’s status as an economic power is being eclipsed by other emerging nations. Russia needs a partnership in order to… Read more »

M: Summertime, Summertime

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The slow economy forced many businesses to trim staff to bare-bones levels. Remaining employees wanted their usual end-of-summer vacation time and this left companies shorthanded. Two companies – Quality Buildings in Norman, Oklahoma, and David’s Soundview Catering in Stamford, Connecticut – handled the shortages through job shifting and overtime. The strategy worked but was not… Read more »

M: No Band-Aid Approach

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Johnson & Johnson CEO William Weldon would like to retire next year. Yet a series of recent product quality problems has him concerned. Insiders say Mr. Weldon is very competitive and would not leave the company with lingering problems. So Weldon is working on plans to take corrective action. Johnson & Johnson’s board of directors… Read more »

M/IB: Red One (Times One Million)

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Volkwagen recently revealed an aggressive strategy to become the top automobile manufacturer in the world. Currently, the company is third behind Toyota and General Motors. Volkswagen executives believe they can sell 1 million vehicles per year by 2018, but industry analysts see the company selling considerably less even under the best projections. The company’s strategy… Read more »