Description: The headphones are just part of what Apple is buying as they acquire Beats for $3 billion. They get a streaming service and a powerful music executive too. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 30, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2014/05/29/t-apple-buying-beats-3-billion-headphones-streaming-dr-dre-jimmy-iovine.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the assets acquired by Apple as a result of this… Read more »
Posts Categorized: International Business
Salesforce: L.A. Clippers of software
Description: Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is buying the Clippers. But new CEO Satya Nadella just inked a key partnership with cloud software firm Salesforce. And that might be the smarter deal. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: May 30, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/05/30/investing-the-buzz-microsoft-nadella-salesforce-clippers-steve-ballmer.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How does the Microsoft deal with Salesforce make sense?… Read more »
Look out Lululemon, this exploding Australian fitness brand aims to eat your lunch
Description: An activewear brand with a cult following in Australia is planning a massive global expansion in the U.S., Asia and Europe. Source: NationalPost.com Date: May 29, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/29/look-out-lululemon-this-exploding-australian-fitness-brand-aims-to-eat-your-lunch/ Questions for Discussions: How does this report reflect growing globalization and international business? How should managers approach the challenge? Does the home country of a… Read more »
Effective Marketing Critical for US Telecoms to Remain Relevant
Description: The telecom industry is the fourth-largest spender on digital advertising in the US after the retail, financial services and automotive sectors. Despite telecom’s size, eMarketer expects the industry to lag almost all other US verticals in digital ad spending growth, according to a new report, “The US Telecom Industry 2014: Digital Ad Spending Forecast… Read more »
Top 5 reasons why your CEO just got a big fat raise… and 5 reasons why you didn’t
Description: WASHINGTON — Pay for globe-trotting CEOs has soared to new heights, even as most workers remain grounded by paychecks that are barely budging. Source: NationalPost.com Date: May 27, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/05/27/the-ceo-of-your-company-just-got-a-huge-raise-you-didnt-heres-why/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the overall explanation provided in this report for the wide gap in pay. Do you agree? Should anything be… Read more »
French don’t pan baguette vending machine
Description: A new vending machine serves hot baguettes, and even the fussy French approve. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 23, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/05/23/n-french-baguette-vending-machine.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the advantages and disadvantages to a baker who chooses to install this machine? Do you think the installation of the machine would affect customers who… Read more »
What the heck is going on with GM?
Description: General Motors has now set a company record with the number of vehicles recalled in a single year. But will it cost the auto giant sales or the new CEO her job? Source: CNN.com – video report Date: May 22, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/05/22/gm-recall-hits-record.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How does the report answer the question posed… Read more »
The Trouble With IBM
Description: In the summer of 2012, five American technology companies bid on a project for a demanding new client: the CIA. The spy agency was collecting so much information, its computers couldn’t keep up. To deal with the onslaught of data, the CIA wanted to build its own private cloud computing system—an internal version of… Read more »
McDonald’s and America’s new low-wage economy explained
Description: Who owns your local McDonald’s or builds your cell phone tower does not matter much to consumers. But it has huge implications for workers. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 23, 2014 Link: http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/23/mcdonalds-and-americas-new-low-wage-economy-explained/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: How are wages determined? In your opinion, what are the social responsibilities of the large corporations in this matter?
Can a virtual incubator democratize entrepreneurship?
Description: Zana, a new virtual incubator from a prominent venture capitalist, aims to bring startup education to the masses. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 23, 2014 Link: http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/23/can-a-virtual-incubator-democratize-entrepreneurship/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: How does this concept work? Do you think it is a good tool that can be used by managers?