Helping One Big Client, but Wanting to Spread Out

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

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

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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 »

What’s driving the manufacturing rebound?

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Description:  Manufacturing jobs are not close to pre-recession levels, but auto jobs, especially in Michigan, are showing signs of life. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/16/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/16/n-us-manufacturing-autos.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why has manufacturing rebounded? What does this mean for production managers andx the economy as a whole?

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?

A Marketer’s Homage to the Soda Can

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Description:   PepsiCo (PEP) recently announced that it will add an additional $500 million to $600 million to its roughly $2 billion advertising budget to support its soda brands in 2012, in an attempt to catch up with the heavy spending (and sales gains) of archrival Coca-Cola (KO). Meanwhile, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) recently upped… Read more »

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 »

Oreo: An iconic cookie turns 100

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Description:  CNN’s Felicia Taylor explores how Oreo has remained an American favorite for a century. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/06/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/06/happy_100_oreo.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think Oreo has endured for 100 years? Are you surprised to find out that Oreo sells well elsewhere in the world? How would you develop… Read more »

SXSW’s hottest new apps

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Description:  Social discovery apps like Highlight and Sonar are getting buzzed about but come with privacy concerns. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 03/10/2012 Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/03/10/ts-sxsw-highlight-sonar.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Do you think these apps will become popular? Where are they likely to be used? Is there a business use for these apps in business settings,… Read more »