Wal-Mart stops selling Amazon Kindles

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Description:  Wal-Mart is joining Target in the decision to stop selling Amazon Kindles, in a move that appears to have come after a pricing dispute. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Sep 20, 2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2012/09/20/technology/walmart-kindle/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River Questions for Discussions: Do you think management has made a wise decision to halt sales of Kindles at Wal-Mart? What should Amazon… Read more »

Medicare Bills Rise as Records Turn Electronic

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Description:  When the federal government began providing billions of dollars in incentives to push hospitals and physicians to use electronic medical and billing records, the goal was not only to improve efficiency and patient safety, but also to reduce health care costs. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 21, 2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/22/business/medicare-billing-rises-at-hospitals-with-electronic-records.html?_r=1&hp Questions for Discussions: What are… Read more »

When Moms Who Run Businesses Take Maternity Leave

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Description:  Kristen McAlister has moved up hiring timelines, increased administrative support, and written reams of instructions for her nine employees at Cerius Interim Executive Solutions, the staffing company she co-owns. Despite all the preparation, she worries how the Irvine (Calif.) business will fare when she gives birth in late December. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 20,… Read more »

PayPal cofounder Thiel’s startup advice

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Description: The venture capitalist says anyone building a startup now must be able to do one thing “uniquely well.” Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/14/t-thiel-advice-to-startups.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What advice does Peter Thiel offer to those seeking to start up new businesses? What does he say is wrong with the… Read more »

Why Direct Selling Is Booming

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Description: While the traditional job market remains stagnant, the direct-selling industry is booming. More than 15 million people now make a full or part-time living as independent representatives for a direct-sales company. Susan Solovic has details on Lunch Break. Photo: Reuters. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2012 Link: http://on.wsj.com/OgWDMF Questions for Discussions:… Read more »

American Retailers Face Challenges in Expanding to Canada

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Description:  Nordstrom and Target are about to open stores in Canada, J. Crew and Tory Burch just did so, and Ann Taylor and Kate Spade are scouting locations. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/15/business/american-retailers-expanding-to-canada.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: Summarize the challenges facing American retailers entering the Canadian retail market. What are the factors that… Read more »

Savvy Shoppers Drive Robust Online Holiday Sales

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Description:  Online holiday shopping will account for nearly a quarter of retail ecommerce sales for 2012 Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link:  http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009348&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4#XHuCTAGpoq7Hzfoj.99 Questions for Discussions: What explains the projected increase in online holiday shopping? Do you agree with the analysis presented in this report? How can processing of online shopping orders be improved… Read more »

Nokia’s uphill battle with smartphones

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Description: The ailing mobile giant needs to convince consumers that its new smartphones are the best if they want to reverse their market share losses. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 05, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/05/nokias-uphill-battle-with-smartphones.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What are the strategic problems facing management at Nokia? What are the advantages of a partnership… Read more »

P&G’s 1,000 PhDs Not Enough to Crank Up New Blockbusters: Retail

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Description: For much of its history, Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) didn’t just roll out new products, it created new product categories, from the first mass-produced disposable diapers to Crest teeth-whitening kits. That’s one reason P&G has more than 1,000 Ph.D.’s among the 8,000 employees at its 26 innovation facilities around the world. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »

Display Ads’ Dubious In-View Performance

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Description: Inventory bought via networks, exchanges most at risk Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 07, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009330&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4#G1BzRdmR79khpm81.99 Questions for Discussions: What is the concern over display online advertising? Is there a way to deal with the measurement of display? What are the implications for those involved?