Description: A local Taiwanese chain restaurant sees a boost in business as their ever expanding dumpling restaurant continues to gain success across the globe. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/21/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/19/n-dumpling-empire.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What is the recipe for success as described in this report? What are the similarities and differences of this… Read more »
Monthly Archives: March 2012
Why Relationship Marketing is Important for Businesses
Description: In this video I interview Mari Smith, author of The New Relationship Marketing and Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day. Mari shares how relationships have evolved and why businesses need to focus on P2P (people to people) marketing today. You’ll also discover the story of how Mari came to Facebook marketing and pick up… Read more »
Memo to CEOs: Stop Blathering About Innovation and Do Something
Description: I have come to realize how much time is wasted teaching managers about the practical skills of innovation. It is the chief executive officer that needs the lesson. Everything else that is central to reaping the fruits of innovation emerges from this simple observation. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 03/20/2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-20/memo-to-ceos-stop-blathering-about-innovation-and-do-something Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »
Helping One Big Client, but Wanting to Spread Out
Description: THE Four Horsemen Toy Design Studios is a toy company based in New Jersey that creates highly detailed action figures for Mattel while making its own toys that are sold online to adult collectors. Source: NYTimes.com Date: 03/21/2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/22/business/smallbusiness/tied-to-one-big-client-but-wanting-to-cut-the-cord.html?ref=smallbusiness# Questions for discussion: What are the particular problems facing these businessmen? What are the… Read more »
‘Mad Men’ and Ad women: A love-hate relationship
Description: Despite its sexualized portrayal of gender roles in the office, many women in advertising are eagerly awaiting the return of the hit television show. Source: Fortune.com Date: 03/23/2012 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/23/mad-men/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Why do you think this show has become so popular? What message does it send to today’s managers about business ethics… Read more »
What’s driving the manufacturing rebound?
Description: Manufacturing jobs are not close to pre-recession levels, but auto jobs, especially in Michigan, are showing signs of life. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/16/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/16/n-us-manufacturing-autos.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why has manufacturing rebounded? What does this mean for production managers andx the economy as a whole?
Pricey undies, made in the U.S.A.
Description: Hanky Panky is one of very few apparel makers that makes its lingerie in America. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/15/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/14/n-hanky-panky-usa.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How is it that this product category can defy the odds and sell successfully? Are there other products that could do as well, in your opinion?
A Marketer’s Homage to the Soda Can
Description: PepsiCo (PEP) recently announced that it will add an additional $500 million to $600 million to its roughly $2 billion advertising budget to support its soda brands in 2012, in an attempt to catch up with the heavy spending (and sales gains) of archrival Coca-Cola (KO). Meanwhile, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) recently upped… Read more »
Pass the Books. Hold the Oil.
Description: Thomas Friedman: EVERY so often someone asks me: “What’s your favorite country, other than your own?” Source: NYTimes.com Date: 03/10/2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/opinion/sunday/friedman-pass-the-books-hold-the-oil.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=thomas%20friedman&st=cse Questions for discussion: Summarize Thomas Friedman’s arguments about the development of wealth around the world. Do you agree with his assessments?
How having a higher purpose feeds the profit line
Description: Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: 03/13/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/morning-manager/how-having-a-higher-purpose-feeds-the-profit-line/article2367812/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the main message in this report. What is your view? Do you think it can appeal to a wide range of managers?