POSTMASTER SAYS USPS MAY NEED EMERGENCY RATE HIKE

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Description: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Thursday his agency is in “the midst of a financial disaster” and may need an emergency increase in postage rates to keep operating. Source: AP.com Date: Sep 19, 2013 Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike Questions for Discussions: What is the problem at the USPS? Why is it important to keep the service… Read more »

The digital sorority of Silicon Beach

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Description: The women working in Los Angeles’ booming tech scene are supporting each other in an industry dominated by men. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/11/t-ladies-of-silicon-beach.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about networking strategies of women entrepreneurs? Do you think there is a fundamental difference in managerial… Read more »

Inside America’s first smartphone factory

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Description: The Moto X smartphone is now being manufactured out of a new facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/11/t-ts-moto-x-plant-texas.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the advantages to manufacturing this device in the USA? What allows management the flexibility to choose this location in Texas over… Read more »

Why Steve Jobs still matters

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Description: Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson says the late CEO left a lasting legacy of innovation at Apple. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 09, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/09/t-isaacson-jobs-legacy.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: According to Walter Isaacson, what is the managerial legacy of Steve Jobs? Do you think Apple can produce a new product that revolutionizes… Read more »

Is Social Media Killing Brands?

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Description: This past week, I heard something that I hope to never hear again in my life. I was at Content Marketing World, sitting in on a morning keynote, quietly sipping my coffee when I heard the keynote presenter, the “father of integrated marketing,” say, “Social media is probably killing brands.” Source: Hubspot.com Date: Sep… Read more »

Radical Fast Food Joint Doubles Down on High Wages

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Description: So you thought $12 an hour for a burger place was revolutionary? Try $15. Daniel Gross talks to the owners of Detroit’s Moo Cluck Moo as they supersize starting wages. Source: Thedailybeast.com Date: Sep 09, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/09/radical-fast-food-joint-doubles-down-on-high-wages.html Questions for Discussions: What do you think of management’s thinking here? What does this report say… Read more »

How Spanx’s Sara Blakely made a billion

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Description: After failing to get into law school and overcoming criticism, Spanx founder Sara Blakely built an underwear empire. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: July 26, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/07/26/n-spanx-sara-blakely-billionaire-profile.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does failure have to do with successful entrepreneurs? How significant do you think Oprah was in this venture?

Deere: Dealer network gives us our edge

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Description: John Deere CEO Sam Allen explains the competitive advantages Deere has over its competitors. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 03, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/09/03/f-leadership-deere-ceo-sam-allen-dealer-networks.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: According to Sam Allen, what is the basis for Deere’s competitive advantage? What sort of management culture do you think operates at Deere?

Bank of America to Pay $39 Million in Gender Bias Case

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Description: Bank of America agreed on Friday to pay $39 million to women who worked in its Merrill Lynch brokerage operation, another costly settlement of a discrimination case filed by its employees. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 06, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/09/06/bank-of-america-to-pay-39-million-in-gender-bias-case/?ref=business Questions for Discussions: Are you surprised to see this issue in the news today at… Read more »

Startup Hubs Don’t Spring Up Overnight

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Description: There’s a seemingly endless fascination with the notion of startup hubs, particularly in smaller cities like Des Moines or Boulder, Colo., that aren’t always thought of as industrial centers. There’s good reason for the interest: A growing strain of economic research has highlighted the importance of fast-growth tech firms as engines of job creation…. Read more »