How HSN’s on-air stars drive business

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Description: HSN CFO Judy Schmeling explains how celebrities and partnerships with iconic brands allows HSN to ‘tap in’ to new consumers. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 26, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/magazines/fortune/2013/12/26/f-l-hsn-brands.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about management thinking at HSN by watching this report? What lessons apply to businesses in general?

Designer makes clothes in New York City

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Description: Nanette Lepore preserves the apparel manufacturing tradition of the garment district in the heart of Manhattan. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 27, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/12/27/n-new-york-city-designer-makes-clothes-in-manhattan.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How has the clothing manufacturing business changed, according to the report? Why would domestic manufacturers still insist on importing goods produced overseas? How important… Read more »

In-App Purchases Take Over App Revenues

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Description:  Free apps with in-app purchases account for nearly all nonadvertising revenues Read more at Source:  eMarketer.com Date: Dec 30, 2013 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article/In-App-Purchases-Take-Over-App-Revenues/1010491#ODxGOkr4cZ3mCQV5.99 Questions for Discussions: Are you surprised by these results? What strategies should managers be developing?

A Holiday Retail Lesson for Small Business: Be More Like Amazon

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Description:   Here are three things we just learned about Christmas commerce in 2013: Source:  Businessweek.com Date: Dec 27, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-27/a-holiday-retail-lesson-for-small-business-be-more-like-amazon#r=nav-f-blog Questions for Discussions: What is the advice presented to small retailers? Do you think small business managers can and will respond?  

BlackBerry Ltd faces another year of uncertainty as CEO launches rescue effort

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Description:  BlackBerry Ltd. hopes to clean the slate again as it heads into the new year with another lease on life and a leader who believes he can do what his predecessors couldn’t — save the company from a slow death. Source:  FinancialPost.com Date: Dec 27, 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/12/27/blackberry-ltd-rescue-2014/?__lsa=2acf-e048 Questions for Discussions: Describe the current… Read more »

90 seconds with GM’s next CEO

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Description: Mary Barra, speaking at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Conference, discusses why she went into the auto industry and her ‘no more crappy cars’ mandate to employees after GM’s bankruptcy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/12/10/n-general-motors-next-ceo-first-female-mary-barra.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about Mary Barra by watching tis… Read more »

How companies can win consumers’ trust

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Description:  Author Stephen M.R. Covey tells Gazelles CEO Verne Harnish that companies need to signal their intentions in order to win the trust of their customers. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2013/12/11/f-verne-harnish-stephen-covey.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the advice presented by Covey in this report. Do you think it makes sense… Read more »

Inside Hammond’s candy-cane factory

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Description:  Watch how Hammond’s Candies has been handmaking candy canes for the last 93 years. Source:  CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Dec 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2013/12/10/smb-hammonds-candies.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How has the candy manufacturing business changed at Hammond since it began operations? Create a list of the key costs of production.  

Exclusive: The Inside Story of GM’s Comeback and Mary Barra’s Rise

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Description: Dan Akerson, the chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors (GM), arrives at the company’s Technical Center on Nov. 13 to address about 1,000 engineers and designers. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: Dec 11, 2013 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-12-12/exclusive-the-inside-story-of-gms-comeback-and-mary-barras-rise Questions for Discussions: How was GM saved? Is the current financial structure sound? Does the firm have the… Read more »

New Lululemon Athletica Inc CEO brings pedigree in top cult brands

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Description: In naming Laurent Potdevin as its new CEO, Lululemon Athletica Inc. has found a seasoned fashion and sporting goods executive with a pedigree in top cult brands. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Dec 10, 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/12/10/lululemon-laurent-potdevin/ Questions for Discussions: Do you think Laurent Potdevin can “save” the brand image? What would you suggest that he… Read more »