Description: Avon Products, the iconic door-to-door cosmetic seller, celebrates 125 years in business, Felicia Taylor reports. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/02/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2011/03/09/n_avon_taylor.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: What does the Avon brand represent to women today? What are the benefits to Avon’s participation in social causes?
Posts Tagged: Entrepreneurship
Is your company like ‘The Hunger Games?’
Description: (MoneyWatch) Many of us have been there. Your company decided to do “stretch goals,” or, if an executive had recently read a Jim Collins book, “BHAGs” (big, hairy, audacious goals). Someone — often a senior executive — may have encouraged you to “treat it like a game,” and “make it fun.” The tag line… Read more »
Entrepreneurs jump on co-working bandwagon
Description: In 2008, Chad and Sandra Ballantyne moved their marketing and Web design company, Rhubarb Media, into its first office – a 1,300-square-foot space in downtown Barrie, Ont., which they shared with another small company. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: 04/02/2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/sb-marketing/customer-service/entrepreneurs-jump-on-co-working-bandwagon/article2386076/ Questions for discussion: What lessons are there in this report for entrepreneurs? What are… Read more »
Apple v. RIM: What Canadian companies can learn
Description: There are few games out there that test one’s strategic thinking better than chess. A well thought-out plan, coupled with the ability to anticipate and out manoeuvre your opponent, invariably leads to the capture of your opponent’s king. Game over. The world of business is essentially built on the same basic principles, but in… Read more »
Taiwan dumpling sensation goes worldwide
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 »
Memo to CEOs: Stop Blathering About Innovation and Do Something
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
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 »
Pricey undies, made in the U.S.A.
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.
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
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?
