Conducting business in China

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: Four executives of Australian mining company Rio Tinto were arrested by the Chinese government and charged with bribery and corporate espionage. Chinese government officials claim the actions of the arrested gave Rio Tinto an unfair advantage in negotiating prices for the sale of iron ore. The case is causing many firms to rethink… Read more »

Cash for Clunkers

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ARTICLE SUMMARY: In June, Congress approved the “Cash for Clunkers” program. The program was so popular that funding ran out within one week and Congress had to approve an extension. Opponents contend, as with the stimulus package, that the Government acted too hastily putting the program in place. The White House countered by arguing the… Read more »

Diversity and multicultural organizations

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SUMMARY: On August 7, the United States Senate confirmed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. She becomes the third woman and first Hispanic to serve in that capacity. Her nomination and swearing in offer an excellent opportunity to discuss diversity and multicultural organizations. QUESTIONS: When President Obama hailed Sotomayor’s confirmation by saying… Read more »

Coaching salaries

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SUMMARY: Urban Meyer, head football coach at the University of Florida, recently received a contract extension that will pay him $4 million per year. The coach of the current NCAA national champions will become the first coach at a Southeastern Conference school to earn that amount. The new contract extension highlights just how competitive the… Read more »

The “business as usual” mentality

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SUMMARY: Christian Lacroix, famed Parisian designer of haute couture, has seen change. Eleven chief executive officers could not manage Lacroix’s creativity to a profit. After 22 years in the fashion industry, Lacroix’s future is in doubt. His company, part of the Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A. conglomerate, filed for bankruptcy protection in May. Whether a… Read more »

PayPal will be bigger than eBay

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eBay CEO says that the payment site’s revenue will eclipse that of the online auction site soon. Embedded video from CNNMoney.com Video Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 7/24/2009 Keys: Strategy, planning, growth, organization structure, innovation, global dimensions Link:  http://money.cnn.com Questions for discussion: Explain why PayPal is expected to grow larger than eBay? Given this change, what are… Read more »

Do women do better in a recession?

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Female managers just might have an edge in a rotten economy, says the author of a new book. Here’s why, and how men and women can learn from each other’s strengths. Source:  CNNMoney.com Date: 7/23/2009 Keys: HR, motivation, teams Link: http://money.cnn.com Questions for discussion: Summarize the differences between men and women managers that are presented… Read more »

IBM to buy SPSS for $1.2 billion in cash

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International Business Machines Corp plans to buy technology services company SPSS Inc for about $1.2 billion in cash, the companies said on Tuesday. Source:  Reuters.com Date: 7/28/2009 Keys: Strategy, planning, mergers & acquisitions, organization structure Link: http://www.reuters.com Questions for discussion: Organizations can grow through mergers with and the acquisitions of other organizations. This strategy works… Read more »

Employee Wellness Benefits

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Many executives and business owners are gradually realizing that employee wellness programs that help workers lose weight or quit smoking, for instance, also create robust return-on-investments. Two speakers at an upcoming conference being held in DeKalb, Ill., believe these programs are not only good for workers; they are good for business, too. Source: Illinois State… Read more »