Description: Randi Zuckerberg, Mark’s sister, talks about her Bravo reality series, ‘Start-ups: Silicon Valley’ and why tech is so hot right now. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/11/09/t-zuckerberg-reality-show.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Who do you suppose these programs will draw for an audience? Do you think watching these sorts of programs… Read more »

Description: How Mattel’s Hot Wheels turns their beloved children’s toys into a real car capable of death-defying stunts. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 07, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/11/06/pf-how-hot-wheels-are-made.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Describe the Hot Wheels design process. How important is the ability to create a real car at the end of the process? How… Read more »

Description:  There was an outcry last year when some retailers opened at midnight on Thanksgiving, with workers and shoppers saying the holiday should be reserved for family, not spent lining up for the start of the Christmas shopping season. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/10/business/make-room-for-deals-after-turkey-this-year.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What does this article have… Read more »

Description:  Google Ventures announced in a tweet yesterday it has increased its fund by 50 percent to $300 million a year and plans to invest $1.5 billion in startups through 2017. Source: Smartplanet.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link:  http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/google-ventures-ups-fund-to-300m-a-year/5174?tag=header;header-sec Questions for Discussions: Explain the rationale for Google’s Venture fund? What primary benefit can Google receive… Read more »

Description:  Asking for a million-dollar salary in jest can actually increase your pay package, according to a recent study. Here’s how. Source:  Fortune.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/09/salary-negotiation/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: What does this study suggest about the psychological influences on salary negotiations? Are you surprised by the results? Do you think they would… Read more »

TOPIC: Control ARTICLE SUMMARY: When the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) took over Georgian Bank, it became the 95th bank to fail in 2009. Banks are failing largely because of bad real estate loans. The FDIC’s insurance fund is rapidly dwindling, reaching its lowest point in nearly two decades, while industry analysts are predicting many… Read more »

ARTICLE SUMMARY: With the economy in a recession, unemployment is high. Despite efforts to stimulate the economy, unemployment numbers continue to rise. This leaves many unemployed for long periods. Congress has had to reauthorize unemployment benefits and extend eligibility for some that used up their benefits. This article describes the plight of the chronically unemployed… Read more »

ARTICLE SUMMARY: Cincinnati-based Proctor & Gamble, the maker of a variety of well-known household products, has been losing market share to competitors and experiencing declining sales growth. As a result, new CEO Robert McDonald introduced plans to cut prices, increase promotional spending, and position new versions of traditional products as low-priced value brands. QUESTIONS: What… Read more »

ARTICLE SUMMARY: After 16 years, boxer Juan Manuel Marquez finally gets his shot at greatness. The Mexican fighter will face formerly retired champion Floyd Mayweather in a pay-per-view event. Mayweather has never lost a professional fight, but has been out of action for two years. Although the fight is a non-title bout, there is a… Read more »