TOPIC: Strategy ARTICLE SUMMARY: Kraft Foods initiated a buy offer for British candy maker Cadbury. The offer, valued at $17 billion, would give Cadbury shareholders cash and Kraft stock. The offer was rejected on the grounds that it undervalued Cadbury and that Kraft’s strategy was too conservative to capitalize on the full potential Cadbury offers…. Read more »
Posts By: admin
Disney & Marvel
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Disney created quite a stir in the entertainment industry by acquiring Marvel Entertainment. While some analysts contend that Disney overpaid, many believe the fit is good and Disney is poised to create plenty of value provided it can work out existing licensing agreements. Proponents of the deal see this as an opportunity for… Read more »
Penalizing Pfizer
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer will pay $2.3 billion to settle a lawsuit brought against the drug manufacturer by the Department of Justice. The suit alleged that Pfizer engaged in unlawful practices to market its products to doctors. The penalty reflects the fact that Pfizer is a repeat offender. Allegations of wrongdoing were exposed by… Read more »
The Fight for Healthcare Reform
ARTICLE SUMMARY: After a brief honeymoon period in which everything seemed to go his way, President Barack Obama finds himself in a fight to get healthcare reform approved. The rhetoric is strong on both sides of the debate and, apparently, words are carefully chosen for the impression they will create on those still considering the… Read more »
Lessons from Katrina
ARTICLE SUMMARY: On the four-year anniversary of the event, President Barack Obama reflected on how government, the Federal Emergency Management Agency in particular, responded to the crisis that emerged from Hurricane Katrina. He pledged that progress in the long, drawn-out recovery process would be more efficient. The lessons of Katrina offer an excellent opportunity to… Read more »
Is Kevin Lamson a whistleblower?
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Oregon car salesman Kevin Lamson was fired by Crater Lake Motors. Company owner Jim Coleman claims Lamson was released for reasons related to performance. Lamson counters that his firing was because he refused to participate in a sales program he considered to be unethical. Lamson sued, claiming wrongful discharge, and won in trial… Read more »
Don Hewitt’s Impact
ARTICLE SUMMARY: This week the world mourns the passing of another television giant. Unlike Walter Cronkite, Don Hewitt worked behind the scenes at CBS. Those that knew him, claim that many standard practices in television news reporting were innovations introduced by Hewitt. QUESTIONS: What are some of the ways the environment at CBS might have… Read more »
Conducting business in China
ARTICLE SUMMARY: Four executives of Australian mining company Rio Tinto were arrested by the Chinese government and charged with bribery and corporate espionage. Chinese government officials claim the actions of the arrested gave Rio Tinto an unfair advantage in negotiating prices for the sale of iron ore. The case is causing many firms to rethink… Read more »
Cash for Clunkers
ARTICLE SUMMARY: In June, Congress approved the “Cash for Clunkers” program. The program was so popular that funding ran out within one week and Congress had to approve an extension. Opponents contend, as with the stimulus package, that the Government acted too hastily putting the program in place. The White House countered by arguing the… Read more »
Diversity and multicultural organizations
SUMMARY: On August 7, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She becomes the third woman and first Hispanic to serve in that capacity. Her nomination and swearing in offer an excellent opportunity to discuss diversity and multicultural organizations. QUESTIONS: When President Obama hailed Sotomayor’s confirmation by saying… Read more »
