Description: A small solar business, once the leading light of President Obama’s green jobs program, is now caught in an international trade dispute. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 24, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/08/23/n-obama-solar-star-not-shining.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the history of this start-up business. What are the lessons to be learned about the globalization of… Read more »
Monthly Archives: August 2012
How AT&T gets new ideas to your phone
Description: AT&T created a unique innovation pipeline for its 250,000 employees to streamline their ideas towards production Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/magazines/fortune/2012/08/23/f-l-att-idea-pipeline.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: Describe the innovation process at AT&T. What lessons are there to be learned by managers when designing innovation processes and product development?
Apple Patent Victory Seen Spurring Wider Range of Smartphones
Description: Apple Inc. (AAPL) scored a clear victory in its patent dispute with Samsung Electronics Co. (005930) yesterday, increasing pressure on smartphone makers around the world to create handsets that stand apart from the iPhone and deliver more choices for consumers in a $219.1 billion market. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Aug 25, 2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-08-25/apple-patent-victory-seen-spurring-wider-range-of-smartphones.html Questions… Read more »
Weak Sales and a Large Write-Down Give H.P. a Loss
Description: The pressure is building for Meg Whitman to make a miracle happen. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 22, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/technology/weak-sales-hurt-hp-in-quarter.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the financial condition at HP and the industry in general. What can management do to affect change in a positive direction? Is this a leadership issue?
Now it’s Dell being told: Junk PCs
Description: What a difference a decade makes for manufacturers of personal computers. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Aug 22, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/now-its-dell-being-told-junk-pcs-2012-08-22?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: What has happened to the PC business over the past decade? What are the possible choices facing management? What would you advise?
Using Facebook & face-scans to offer deals
Description: Facedeals uses cameras in stores to recognize your face and send you targeted deals using your Facebook profile. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 15, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/08/15/t-facedeals.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the ethical issues that management needs to address if they are going to participate in this sort of technology? How… Read more »
Why Progressive defended a client’s killer
Description: Progressive Insurance tried to use twitter to calm public outrage in a controversial death case, but it only made things worse. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Aug 17, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/08/16/n-progressive-insurance-social-media.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the legal issues in this case. What lessons are there for management that does not recognize the public… Read more »
Why Self-Awareness Is Crucial for Entrepreneurs
Description: Richard J. Harrington’s entrepreneurship experience includes starting a plumbing supply business with his brother and nearly three decades of helping transform a Canadian holding company into what is now Thomson Reuters (TRI). Today he is executive chairman at Cue Ball, a venture capital firm in Boston. I spoke recently to Harrington, 65, about his… Read more »
Overcoming obstacles is all about balance
Description: COMMENTARY Some things naturally complement each other. I don’t know why; they just do. Movies and popcorn. Peanut butter and jelly. The Three Stooges. Tuna fish and mayo. The New York Yankees. Okay, so I’m a little biased. When it comes to your career, work-life balance, that sort of thing, there’s a certain combination… Read more »
Is Social Media Marketing at a Saturation Point?
Description: Nearly nine in 10 US companies with at least 100 employees will use social networks for marketing activities this year, eMarketer estimates. With so many companies tapping social networks to build brand awareness, gain new customers and keep current ones loyal, how much room is left for growth? Source: eMarketer.com Date: Aug 17, 2012… Read more »