Description: It is that time of year again – when people want to be scared to death and will pay for the experience. Source: L. Petrecca, “Economy Doesn’t Keep Visitors From Haunted Houses,” USA Today Date: October 19, 2011 Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/story/2011-10-17/halloween-haunted-houses/50806578/1 Questions for discussion: The concept of the haunted house has been around for decades…. Read more »

Description: Tim Tebow’s storied collegiate career has yet to propel him to stardom in the National Football League, but when he starts, he wins – in dramatic fashion. For Video: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=7141158 Source: ESPN.com Date: October 23, 2011 Link: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=311023015 Questions for discussion: The jeering crowd seemed to believe that Tim Tebow was incapable of performing… Read more »

Description: New dot com startup TaskRabbit seeks to provide safe, reliable help (for any circumstance) to customers in need of assistance. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Source: FoxNews.com (Business Section) Date: October 15, 2011 Link: http://video.foxnews.com/v/1219460049001/new-website-aims-to-make-life-easier/ Company website: http://www.taskrabbit.com/ Questions for discussion: Which leaf of Handy’s Shamrock Organization do workers like Neville Clubwala represent?… Read more »

The annual World Wide Developer Conference is a much anticipated event because it has been the venue of choice for Steve Jobs to announce new offerings by Apple. However, this year’s event has been preceded by carefully timed “leaks” of information indicating that the new announcement by Jobs will relate to the launch of iCloud,… Read more »

It seems the “new China” is where the old China is focused. Africa is the new emerging economy and China appears to have an early foothold in many markets that American companies would like to tap. Some big names – Wal-Mart, Harley-Davidson, and Google – all want a piece of the action. Apparently, similarities between… Read more »

The world-wide recession was driven in large part by numerous failures in two key industries – banking and automotive. In the United States, many of the big players in both industries required substantial bailouts from the Government to survive. On the financial side, J.P. Morgan Chase was considered one of the more stable banks, as… Read more »

Entrepreneur Rhonda Abrams points out how “stuff” (materials and inventory) can influence a business from a cost standpoint. She also discusses how “stuff” and uncontrollable events can interrupt the business cycle. She offers practical advice on how to manage this “stuff” to make business more efficient in terms of capital. QUESTIONS: Begin by discussing how… Read more »

More potential corruption in the world of international sports surfaced this week with charges that two top executives of the Federation Internationale de Football Association offered bribes to voting members. Mohamed bin Hamman is accused of offering to pay $40,000 each for as many 25 votes to become president of the governing body. Jack Warner… Read more »

As Volkswagen opens its new plant in Tennessee, talks renew about how labor, particularly unionized labor, influence the cost of new vehicles and the viability of automakers. While foreign manufacturers are locating in the South and paying about half the amount a union worker makes, the Big Three in Detroit have been unable to see… Read more »

Labelux, a German luxury goods company, will purchase Jimmy Choo, Ltd. from TowerBrook Capital for a reported $650-895 million. Under Labelux, the high-end women’s shoe and bag maker will be expanding its line and focus on developing the Asian market, particularly in China. Co-founder Tamara Mellon, of British Vogue fame, will retain her minority share… Read more »