Description: Shares in Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc (GMCR.O) tumbled 14 percent on Friday, on fears that it may lose its near monopoly in the U.S. single-cup coffee market after partner Starbucks Corp (SBUX.O) outlined plans to launch a rival coffee and espresso machine. Source: Reuters.com Date: 03/09/2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/09/us-greenmountaincoffeeroasters-shares-idUSBRE8280MF20120309 Questions for discussion: Why have… Read more »
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Designing a $100 solar-powered tablet
Description: Fuseproject founder Yves Behar shows off the One Laptop Per Child project’s latest invention. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/23/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/02/23/t-ts-nextlist-olpc.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How do you think the creative product development process differs at a not-for-profit business like Fuseproject? How do you think this product will affect development at for-profit manufacturers?… Read more »
Making ‘whoopie’ from home
Description: Staying home with small children while earning an income is a common dilemma among parents. Amy Bouchard of Garinder, Maine, figured it out, turning her knack for whoopie pies into a profitable business. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/22/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2012/02/22/smb_sbt_wicked_whoopies.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the formula for this entrepreneurial success story? How… Read more »
YouTube bets $100 million on original content
Description: YouTube is enlisting Hollywood’s help to reach a generation of viewers more familiar with smartphones than TV remotes. Source: USAToday.com Date: 02/20/2012 Link: http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/story/2012-02-20/youtube-original-content/53170394/1 Questions for discussion: Do you think this production strategy can work? What other YouTube channel concepts do you think would succeed? Who are the target markets for these concepts? How… Read more »
Entrepreneurship Isn’t About Money, It’s About Changing the World
Description: Entrepreneur Matt Mullenweg recently said that his motivation isn’t to make money, it’s to change the world. Source: Sprouter.com Date: 02/22/2012 Link: http://sprouter.com/blog/matt-mullenweg-wordpress-automattic-profile/?utm_source=MadMimi&utm_medium=email&utm_content=22+February+2012+%2F%2F+Hottest+StartUps%2C+Events+%26+Resources&utm_campaign=Sprouter+Weekly%3A+February+22%2C+2013&utm_term=_0D_0AEntrepreneurship+Isn_E2_80_99t+About+Money_2C+It_E2_80_99s+About+Changing+the+World_0D_0A Questions for discussion: Describe the characteristics that make Matt Mullenweg an entrepreneur. Are any of these unique when compared to the general description of entrepreneurs?
Total Worldwide Social Network Ad Revenues Continue Strong Growth
Description: Worldwide social network ad revenues are still going strong and set to grow nearly 50% this year, according to eMarketer estimates. Source: eMarketer.com Date: 02/24/2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008862 Questions for discussion: What explains this rate of growth? At what point do you think it will level off? How should marketing managers deal with this information?
A wonderland of chocolate
Description: Koppers Chocolate factory is the oldest and largest factory left in New York City. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/14/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2012/02/13/sbiz_koppers_chocolate.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Describe the business model for this company. Why do you think it has remained relatively small when compared to bigger competitors? What advantages are there to choosing to… Read more »
A new jobs program for people trapped in unemployment
Description: The chances of finding a job are grim for the four million long-term unemployed in the U.S., but Joe Carbone is looking to change that in his Connecticut town. Scott Pelley reports. Source: MoneyWatch.com Date: 02/19/2012 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399352n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox Questions for discussion: Summarize the problems faced by the long term unemployed. Why does this paid-internship… Read more »
America’s Blue Collar Nostalgia Masks Future Challenges
Description: The U.S. manufacturing sector needs more skilled workers and can’t support middle class living standards as it once did. Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/finance/americas-blue-collar-nostalgia-masks-future-challenges-02172012.html Questions for discussion: What message is there here for managers? How would you expect HR managers to respond to this report?
For Small Theaters, the Digital Future Is Dark
Description: Independent movie houses scramble to pay for expensive new gear Source: Businessweek.com Date: 02/17/2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/for-small-theaters-the-digital-future-is-dark-02162012.html Questions for discussion: Why are smaller theatres having problems? Will these strategies work, in your opinion? What else could management do?
