Description: Blockbuster’s announcement that it will close its remaining 300 video stores in the U.S. is a reminder that Netflix and other streaming sites have changed consumer habits. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/11/08/n-end-of-blockbuster.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What is the common theme presented in this report that should concern all… Read more »
Posts Categorized: International Business
Toms’ new marketplace: More than just shoes
Description: Entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie discusses Toms Shoes’ ‘One for One’ program which gives free shoes to a poor children for every pair sold at retail and the company’s new digital marketplace. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 08, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/11/08/n-toms-shoes-blake-mycoskie.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the new business model? What are the critical characteristics… Read more »
A Founder of Twitter Goes Long
Description: Between downtown San Francisco and the new Twitter offices six city blocks to the west, things get sketchy. There is a strip club, a budget motel with weekly rates and, on the gentrified edge of this no-man’s land, the offices of Medium, the new venture of Evan Williams, one of Twitter’s co-founders. Source: NYTimes.com… Read more »
Taking the business case for wellness programs beyond anecdote
Description: Mary Lui is a seasoned accountant who has worked as a manager in various capacities for a number of fast-paced, forward-thinking organizations. Though she loves her job, she also notes that it can be demanding and can place undue stress on her health and lifestyle. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 07, 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/10/02/taking-the-business-case-for-wellness-programs-beyond-anecdote/ Questions… Read more »
Lululemon Lab designers push the boundaries
Description: It’s part store, part factory, and part design studio where shoppers flick through racks of clothes next to a designer quietly sketching at a table. Source: GlobalNews.ca Date: Nov 08, 2013 Link: http://globalnews.ca/news/955533/lululemon-lab-designers-push-the-boundaries/ Questions for Discussions: Describe the operations at this location. What are the benefits for product development? What are other benefits accrue… Read more »
Container Store keeps employees happy
Description: The Container Store thrives as a public company and their employees will benefit as CEO Kip Tindell says about 40% of employees own stock. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/11/01/investing-container-store-ceo-ipo-employees.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How does management differ at The Container Store? How important do you think stock ownership is… Read more »
Wal-Mart: We’re proud of our jobs
Description: Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Bill Simon talks about his company’s plans to promote 25,000 workers and defends its labor practices. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 29, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/10/29/n-walmart-promotion-bill-simon.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think Wal-Mart employees are treated fairly by management? Why do you suppose the company stands out for criticism in… Read more »
Riding the Hashtag in Social Media Marketing
Description: About once a week, Gary Vaynerchuk posts a Twitter message that reads, “Is there anything I can do for you?” He means it literally. He is inviting his roughly one million followers to send requests for any kind of help or favor. And if you respond, he will try to punch you in the… Read more »
People find plenty of time for Internet — at work
Description: (MoneyWatch) Conventional wisdom suggests that as we spend more time on the Internet, we also spend less time on face-to-face interaction and other traditional kinds of socializing. But a new paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research suggests that these online hours come less at the expense of family and friends than they… Read more »
A new electric competitor to Tesla, Porsche, Toyota
Description: Every major carmaker is going green with plans to put batteries next to gasoline engines. Bloomberg Television’s Matt Miller has the story about how Ford is leading the charge. (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Oct 24, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/how-ford-is-leading-the-charge-of-going-electric-4aqZuNaxTAWnew411QHPjg.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think electric vehicle sales will begin to… Read more »