Description: It’s easy to get caught up in the buzz around 3-D printing. It allows everyone from hobbyists to aerospace engineers to create customized products — toys, prosthetics, even jet engine parts — from the convenience of their home or office. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 26, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-09-26/what-3-d-printing-could-mean-for-the-world-s-factory-china.html Questions for Discussions: What are the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Organizational Behavior
BlackBerry leaders, success paved way for failure
Description: (MoneyWatch) The history of American business is littered with the remains of once-dominant companies suddenly rendered obsolete by powerful new technologies. BlackBerry is not one of those companies. Source: CBSNews.com Date: Sep 25, 2013 Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505124_162-57604642/for-blackberry-leaders-success-paved-way-for-failure/?tag=nl.e713&s_cid=e713&ttag=e713&ftag=TRE4cf7aca Questions for Discussions: According to the report, why did BB fail? How much blame does management rightfully share?
How Cinnabon reinvented itself
Description: At 880 delectable calories, the classic Cinnabon roll isn’t most people’s idea of an every day treat. President Kat Cole tells how the company has managed to expand its brand into smaller indulgences. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 18, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/09/18/f-cinnabon-president-kat-cole.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: What is the marketing strategy at Cinnabon… Read more »
Birchbox’s Sample Sale
Description: Birchbox co-founders Hayley Barna and Katia Beauchamp share the secrets behind the success of their rapidly expanding beauty discovery service. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 18, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/09/18/f-birchbox-hayley-barna-katia-beauchamp.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the business model? Why has organic and word-of-mouth growth been so successful? How does social media help the firm… Read more »
Buffett’s 9% Heinz Dividend Means 3G Cutting Jobs, Mini-Fridges
Description: HJ Heinz Co.’s longtime leader Bill Johnson stood in the Veranda ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco, addressing the ketchup maker’s top 50 executives for the last time. Around the corner in a smaller room, his successor as chief executive officer, Bernardo Hees, waited to tell some of the same managers whether… Read more »
Do Amazon’s Lockers Help Retailers? Depends on What They Sell
Description: With two national retailers, Staples (SPLS) and RadioShack (RSH), pulling the plug on Amazon.com’s (AMZN) Locker program, it’s easy to wonder why either decided to experiment in the first place. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 20, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-20/do-amazons-lockers-help-retailers-depends-on-what-they-sell#r=hpt-ls Questions for Discussions: What are the advantages and disadvantages for retailers to associate with Amazon? Which… Read more »
POSTMASTER SAYS USPS MAY NEED EMERGENCY RATE HIKE
Description: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Thursday his agency is in “the midst of a financial disaster” and may need an emergency increase in postage rates to keep operating. Source: AP.com Date: Sep 19, 2013 Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike Questions for Discussions: What is the problem at the USPS? Why is it important to keep the service… Read more »
The digital sorority of Silicon Beach
Description: The women working in Los Angeles’ booming tech scene are supporting each other in an industry dominated by men. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/11/t-ladies-of-silicon-beach.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about networking strategies of women entrepreneurs? Do you think there is a fundamental difference in managerial… Read more »
Inside America’s first smartphone factory
Description: The Moto X smartphone is now being manufactured out of a new facility in Fort Worth, Texas. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/11/t-ts-moto-x-plant-texas.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: What are the advantages to manufacturing this device in the USA? What allows management the flexibility to choose this location in Texas over… Read more »
Why Steve Jobs still matters
Description: Steve Jobs biographer Walter Isaacson says the late CEO left a lasting legacy of innovation at Apple. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 09, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/09/09/t-isaacson-jobs-legacy.fortune/index.html Questions for Discussions: According to Walter Isaacson, what is the managerial legacy of Steve Jobs? Do you think Apple can produce a new product that revolutionizes… Read more »
