Description: U.S. car sharing company, Zipcar, is latching on to a growing trend that sees consumers opting to borrow, rent or share items like automobiles, clothes, their homes and even vacuum cleaners instead of buying them outright. The so-called “sharing economy” has evolved as digital technologies have reduced the cost of finding people to share… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Decision Making
Florists now dread Valentine’s Day
Description: Some flower shop owners hate Valentine’s Day, losing money on big orders that flow in from big e-commerce groups like FTD, 1-800-Flowers and Teleflora. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: Feb 14, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2013/02/14/smallbusiness/order-flowers/index.html?iid=SF_SB_Lead Questions for Discussions: Describe the working relationship between small business shops and e-commerce marketers that feed them orders. How can small business… Read more »
With an Animated Series, Netflix Aims for Kids
Description: Fresh off the launch of its new Kevin Spacey political drama, House of Cards, Netflix (NFLX) is planning an original animated children’s series. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Feb 13, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-02-13/with-a-3d-animated-series-netflix-aims-for-kids#r=nav-f-story Questions for Discussions: How is Netflix attempting to distinguish itself from competitors like Hulu and Amazon? Do you think they will succeed with… Read more »
Taxes crush small businesses in Italy
Description: Increased taxes due to austerity measures are forcing some small businesses in Italy to close for good. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Feb 05, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/02/05/n-italy-small-business-squeezed.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why has austerity caused small businesses to close more so than bigger firms? How should managers handle the situation? Is there any reason… Read more »
BGI’s Young Chinese Scientists Will Map Any Genome
Description: When the workday ends at BGI’s factory in Shenzhen, the headquarters of the largest genome mapping company in the world, it’s like a bell has gone off at math camp. The company’s scientists and technicians spill out of the doorways of the building, baby-faced and wearing jeans and sneakers Source: Businessweek.com Date: Feb 07,… Read more »
Netflix’s Hastings Says Viewer Data Underpins Programming
Description: Netflix Inc. (NFLX) will test whether Machiavelli and math are a winning formula as the world’s largest subscription-video service debuts “House of Cards,” its most ambitious step yet into original online-TV programs. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 01, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-01/machiavelli-meets-math-as-netflix-bets-on-original-shows.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the change in product strategy by Netflix? What are the… Read more »
Will Michael Dell become the Marlboro man of the PC age?
Description: Comment The mooted Dell takeover, the one to take it private again, is now happening. The big question is why? Why come off the public markets to operate as a private company again? The obvious and logical answer here being that the people buying the company think they can make more money this way… Read more »
Bill Gates: U.S. is throwing talent away
Description: Bill Gates says immigration reform is needed to allow ‘high talent’ people to stay and work in the country after they get a U.S. education. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Jan 30, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/01/30/n-bill-gates-immigration.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What is the problem for HR managers looking to recruit graduates? Why do you… Read more »
As Music Streaming Grows, Royalties Slow to a Trickle
Description: Like plenty of music fans, Sam Broe jumped at the chance to join Spotify two summers ago, and he hasn’t looked back. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Jan 28, 2013 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/29/business/media/streaming-shakes-up-music-industrys-model-for-royalties.html?ref=media&_r=0 Questions for Discussions: What does this article have to say about the royalties earned by artists? As small business people on the lower end… Read more »
From the start, Dreamliner jet program was rushed
Description: The 787 Dreamliner was born in a moment of desperation. It was 2003 and Boeing — the company that defined modern air travel — had just lost its title as the world’s largest plane manufacturer to European rival Airbus. Its CEO had resigned in a defense-contract scandal. And its stock had plunged to the… Read more »
