Wal-Mart woes deeper than winter snow

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Description: It was a rough winter for retailers and Wal-Mart was no exception. But the company also issued weak guidance for the warmer second quarter as it boosts investments to remain competitive against Amazon and Costco. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: May 15, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/05/15/investing-the-buzz-walmart-retailers-kohls.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Why did Wal-Mart miss earnings… Read more »

Sears is in serious trouble

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Description: Sears used to be an American retail icon. Ditto for Sears-owned Kmart. But with sales plunging and losses mounting, the only thing left for Sears to do is sell assets and close stores. That’s not a reason to buy the stock. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 15, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/05/14/investing-the-buzz-sears-kmart-retailer-eddie-lampert.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for… Read more »

Social Not a Big Help to Ecommerce

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Description: Ecommerce traffic and sales as a result of social networks extremely low Source: eMarketer.com Date: May 15, 2014 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article/Social-Not-Big-Help-Ecommerce/1010841/3#sthash.FgYkDA67.dpuf Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the value of social media for ecommerce sales? Why do you think the numbers are so low? Does this suggest that ecommerce managers should rethink… Read more »

Study: CVS has largest CEO-to-worker pay disparity among top companies

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Description: CEO Larry Merlo makes 422 times the median wage for CVS workers. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 15, 2014 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/15/cvs-ceo-worker/ Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest about executive compensation and that of the average worker they manage? Is there a “correct” ratio? How does this research relate to the minimum wage debate?… Read more »

Dairy Queen CEO on the minimum wage

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Description: Dairy Queen CEO John Gainor says ‘people need to be paid a fair wage,’ low wages are connected to turnover, and that the company is currently dealing with rising minimum wages in states. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 07, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/05/07/n-dairy-queen-ceo-minimum-wage.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How does John Gainer see the impact… Read more »

Munger: ‘Finance needs a few prosecutions’

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Description: Warren Buffett’s right hand man, Charlie Munger, says banks are behaving better, but it’s important to charge some individuals with crimes to really change the culture. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: May 06, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/05/06/n-charlie-munger-bank-prosecution-criminal-charges-financial-crisis.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does Charlie Munger have to say about controlling questionable behavior of top corporate… Read more »

How to get your products on Whole Foods shelves

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Description: Barry Turner, co-founder and CEO of Lenny & Larry’s, discusses the company’s organic foods and expansion plans with Pimm Fox on Bloomberg Television’s “Taking Stock.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Businessweek.com – video report Date: May 06, 2014 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/videos/2014-05-06/from-american-gladiator-to-organic-food-co-founder#r=nav-f-video Questions for Discussions: How important is Barry Turner’s identity as a body builder for the success… Read more »

For NBC, a bet on the Olympics is anything but a game

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Description: The network’s extension through 2032 has media outlets gaping at the scope of this big gamble on the future of the Games. But the deal is anything but surprising. Source: Fortune.com Date: May 09, 2014 Link: http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/05/09/for-nbc-a-bet-on-the-olympics-is-anything-but-a-game/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for discussion: According to the report, what motivated NBC management to make this deal? What are… Read more »

Big data CEO says this isn’t 1999

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Description: Informatica CEO Sohaib Abbasi experienced the last bubble, but says technology ‘is a much more mature industry’ that is ‘delivering value in many ways.’ He also talks about cyber security. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2014/05/01/t-informatica-ceo-tech-bubble-data-security.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does Sohaib Abbasi have to say about big data,… Read more »

Why Spotify linked up with Sprint

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Description: Sprint customers will now get a free Spotify trial and it’s all part of CEO Daniel Ek’s strategy of reaching ‘all of the U.S.’ while still innovating in the digital music industry. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: Apr 30, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2014/04/29/t-spotify-sprint-mobile-music-industry-video-ipo-capital.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How has partnering benefited both companies? Describe the… Read more »