Getting a Grip on Medicine’s Slippery Price Tag

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

Description:    How much should a diabetes screening cost? Does 50 bucks sound about right? How about $400? Doctors in the same health insurance network charge vastly different prices for common preventive tests, according to a report to be published today by Change Healthcare, a company that helps employers and health-plan providers understand the cost of… Read more »

Taiwan dumpling sensation goes worldwide

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

Description:  A local Taiwanese chain restaurant sees a boost in business as their ever expanding dumpling restaurant continues to gain success across the globe. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/21/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/19/n-dumpling-empire.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What is the recipe for success as described in this report? What are the similarities and differences of this… Read more »

Why Relationship Marketing is Important for Businesses

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Description:  In this video I interview Mari Smith, author of The New Relationship Marketing and Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day. Mari shares how relationships have evolved and why businesses need to focus on P2P (people to people) marketing today.  You’ll also discover the story of how Mari came to Facebook marketing and pick up… Read more »

Memo to CEOs: Stop Blathering About Innovation and Do Something

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:   I have come to realize how much time is wasted teaching managers about the practical skills of innovation. It is the chief executive officer that needs the lesson. Everything else that is central to reaping the fruits of innovation emerges from this simple observation. Source:  Businessweek.com Date: 03/20/2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-20/memo-to-ceos-stop-blathering-about-innovation-and-do-something Questions for discussion: Summarize… Read more »

Helping One Big Client, but Wanting to Spread Out

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Description:   THE Four Horsemen Toy Design Studios is a toy company based in New Jersey that creates highly detailed action figures for Mattel while making its own toys that are sold online to adult collectors. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 03/21/2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/22/business/smallbusiness/tied-to-one-big-client-but-wanting-to-cut-the-cord.html?ref=smallbusiness# Questions for discussion: What are the particular problems facing these businessmen? What are the… Read more »

‘Mad Men’ and Ad women: A love-hate relationship

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:   Despite its sexualized portrayal of gender roles in the office, many women in advertising are eagerly awaiting the return of the hit television show. Source:  Fortune.com Date: 03/23/2012 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/23/mad-men/?iid=SF_F_Lead Questions for discussion: Why do you think this show has become so popular? What message does it send to today’s managers about business ethics… Read more »

Pricey undies, made in the U.S.A.

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Description:  Hanky Panky is one of very few apparel makers that makes its lingerie in America. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/15/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/14/n-hanky-panky-usa.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: How is it that this product category can defy the odds and sell successfully? Are there other products that could do as well, in your opinion?

Pass the Books. Hold the Oil.

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Description:    Thomas Friedman: EVERY so often someone asks me: “What’s your favorite country, other than your own?” Source:  NYTimes.com Date: 03/10/2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/opinion/sunday/friedman-pass-the-books-hold-the-oil.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=thomas%20friedman&st=cse Questions for discussion: Summarize Thomas Friedman’s arguments about the development of wealth around the world. Do you agree with his assessments?

How having a higher purpose feeds the profit line

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Description:   Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies Source:  GlobeandMail.com Date: 03/13/2012 Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/morning-manager/how-having-a-higher-purpose-feeds-the-profit-line/article2367812/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the main message in this report. What is your view? Do you think it can appeal to a wide range of managers?

In Europe, Goldman letter deepens banks’ trust deficit

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Description:   British politicians visiting Wall Street would once have been only too happy to have their photograph taken with the head of Goldman Sachs. This week in New York, Prime Minister David Cameron met Goldman Chief Executive Lloyd Blankfein and other bankers in private. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 03/16/2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/16/us-banks-image-idUSBRE82F0RR20120316 Questions for discussion: What are… Read more »