Oreo: An iconic cookie turns 100

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:  CNN’s Felicia Taylor explores how Oreo has remained an American favorite for a century. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/06/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/06/happy_100_oreo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think Oreo has endured for 100 years? Are you surprised to find out that Oreo sells well elsewhere in the world? How would you develop… Read more »

End of Days for Independent Pharmacies?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   When patients arrive at Woods Pharmacy & Prescription in Mountain View, Ark., pharmacist Dana Woods greets them by name. In a town of 3,000, where Woods has owned the $2 million pharmacy and soda fountain for 26 years, he usually also knows their parents, their children, and their medications. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 03/08/2012 Link: … Read more »

Hustle and Hustle Smart in Startups

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   Like many other successful entrepreneurs, Brian Wong worked at a startup before branching out on his own. He worked in business development at Digg, and though he was laid off he says he learned a lot from working there. Source:  Sprouter.com Date: 03/07/2012 Link:  http://sprouter.com/blog/hustle-and-hustle-smart-in-startups/ Questions for discussion: What did you learn about entrepreneurship… Read more »

Green Mountain falls as Starbucks takes on Keurig

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

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 »

Designing a $100 solar-powered tablet

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

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 »

YouTube bets $100 million on original content

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

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 »

Total Worldwide Social Network Ad Revenues Continue Strong Growth

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

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?

Gen Y Speeds Up Luxury Goods Spending

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   Flash sale sites and the fashion industry’s maturing web presence boost sales to young consumers Source:  eMarketer.com Date: 02/22/2012 Link:  http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008854&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights in this report. Do you agree with the reasons given? Where do you think the marketplace is headed?

The euro dream that became a nightmare

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great… Read more »

The Business Of Lin

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:  From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last? Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 02/17/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report. Do you think this phenomenon can last? What strategic plans… Read more »