Description: Shares of toymaker Hasbro fell on disappointing fourth quarter sales and layoff news. Rival Mattel was lower too. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 25, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/01/25/investing-buzz-hasbro-mattel-toys-jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why have sales declined for the firm? How should management respond to the trends in customer behavior that were highlighted in the… Read more »
Monthly Archives: January 2013
The Story Behind Smosh, Youtube’s Number One Smash
Description: Smosh President Barry Blumberg talks with Bloomberg’s Jon Erlichman about how Smosh has become a Youtube sensation. They speak on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg West.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Jan 24, 2013 Link: http://bloom.bg/WpPwpk#ooid=w2eGFwODoME4dzTmiBSK3q8HKQLcTu91 Questions for Discussions: How is YouTube different from television? How has the growth in YouTube audience share… Read more »
Grumbling over younger workers: A time-honored tradition
Description: A look at a Fortune feature from 1971 shows that there’s not much of a point in trying to classify generations. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 25, 2013 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/01/25/younger-workers-generations/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: What are similarities and differences between younger employees then and now? What explains this phenomenon? What are the lessons for management –… Read more »
Are Workers Free to Trash Their Employers Online?
Description: The National Labor Relations Board has declared that employees have the right to discuss their working conditions online, even if they use harsh language or insults. In other words, disgruntled workers among us are legally protected by federal regulators to bellyache about their companies and oppressive bosses on Facebook (FB), just as if by… Read more »
This Year, All Publishers Go Mobile
Description: Mobile readership offers publishers new circulation revenue sources.Media businesses have already gone through a first wave of digital transition, and in the last few years, mobile has been the next frontier. Publishers have been tasked with deciding whether to offer their content on the smaller-screen devices—and how. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 25, 2013 Link:… Read more »
P&G CEO in the hot seat
Description: Activist investor Bill Ackman says it’s ‘unlikely’ that Bob McDonald is the right person for the job. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 14, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/01/14/investing-ackman-proctor-and-gamble-bob-mcdonald-ceo.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What does this report tell you about the relationships between the board of directors, CEO, and major investors? Do you think R&D should… Read more »
Video: Lee’s Music puts focus on innovative guitar manufacturing with Riversong Guitars venture
Description: Lee’s Music was simply a retail store with a specialist repair arm until Lee’s son, Mike Miltimore, came up with an innovative technique for building stronger, better guitars in a fraction of the time. The company has big plans for its patent-pending design, and is tooling up a manufacturing plant to scale up production…. Read more »
Mars Incorporated: A pretty sweet place to work
Description: From free candy to pet-friendly perks, working at America’s third-largest private company is a toothsome gig. An exclusive look at the secretive empire of Mars Incorporated. Source: Fortune.com Date: Jan 17, 2013 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/01/17/best-companies-mars/?iid=F_Jump Questions for Discussions: What are the main reasons Mars Incorporated ranks among the top businesses to work for? How would… Read more »
Fix This/Food and Agriculture
Description: It’s clear the food crisis will only become more acute when you consider climate change, population explosion, volatile markets, and lax safety standards. Four experts discuss ways to ensure a growing world doesn’t go hungry. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Jan 15, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/reports/innovation/fix-this-food-and-agriculture#r=hpf-s Questions for Discussions: Review the articles in this special report and… Read more »
Mobile users look to phones to instill habit
Description: January is the month when many New Year’s resolutions stand or fall. This year, people are bringing a new ally to the fight to keep their resolve: their smartphones. A December survey by Prosper Mobile Insights found that more than one in four US smartphone or tablet owners—24% of men and 30% of women—planned… Read more »
