Billions in Hidden Riches for Family of Chinese Leader

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Description:  The mother of China’s prime minister was a schoolteacher in northern China. His father was ordered to tend pigs in one of Mao’s political campaigns. And during childhood, “my family was extremely poor,” the prime minister, Wen Jiabao, said in a speech last year. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Oct 25, 2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/26/business/global/family-of-wen-jiabao-holds-a-hidden-fortune-in-china.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »

Airbnb, Coursera, and Uber: The Rise of the Disruption Economy

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Description: Uber is being threatened by the taxi industry, Aereo by the TV broadcasting industry, and Airbnb by the hotel industry. … Of course, regulations that truly protect the public interest are necessary. But many regulations are created by incumbents to protect their market position. To try new things, entrepreneurs need to find a back… Read more »

Citi Chairman Is Said to Have Planned Chief’s Exit Over Months

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Description:  Vikram Pandit’s last day at Citigroup swung from celebratory to devastating in a matter of minutes. Having fielded congratulatory e-mails about the earnings report in the morning that suggested the bank was finally on more solid ground, Mr. Pandit strode into the office of the chairman at day’s end on Oct. 15 for what… Read more »

Models on Abercrombie Jet Had Rules on Proper Underwear

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Description:  The actors and models who worked on an Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) Gulfstream G550 jet had crystal-clear rules for serving Chief Executive Officer Michael Jeffries. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 18, 2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-18/models-on-abercrombie-jet-had-rules-on-proper-underwear.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the affect this publicity might have on the firm’s management. Why would the firm’s management indulge… Read more »

The Car From Google That Drives Itself

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Description: See one of Google’s self-driving cars, which the Internet giant has been developing since 2009. While the self-driving technology won’t be available for years, the company hopes such vehicles will revolutionize the way humans get around. (Photo & Video: Google) Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: Oct 11, 2012 Link: http://on.wsj.com/SUMHjd Questions for Discussions:… Read more »

For Some Drivers, an Electric Motorcycle Could Be the Best of Both Worlds

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Description:  Zipping around on a motorcycle can be fun, but being in a downpour or an accident on one is not. Driving a car is safer and more comfortable, but traffic and parking can be annoying. What if you got rid of the bad parts of both? Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 10, 2012 Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/11/technology/start-ups/for-some-drivers-electric-motorcycle-could-be-the-best-of-both-worlds.html?ref=business… Read more »

Japan Tries Cars That Make the Mini Look Maxi

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Description: Japan, always huge in the business of making compact cars, is thinking even smaller. The so-called ultracompact—picture a street-legal golf cart—this month is set to become Japan’s first new vehicle niche to win government approval in 50 years. That’s drawn the attention of both established automakers and a new generation of startups eager to… Read more »

The farmers market goes digital

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Description: Mobile apps can shorten the food chain, skipping grocery stores and connecting farmers directly to consumers. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 27, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/27/n-farmigo-digital-farmers-market.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Which marketing functions are being provided by the Internet system that is connecting farmers directly with consumers? How is this system more socially responsible?… Read more »

How to argue with the boss — and win

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Description:  (MoneyWatch) The whole problem with advice on how to deal with boss issues is it’s usually black and white. That’s because writing without a distinct point of view is usually very boring. In social media terms, that means it’s not very “clickable.” Source: CBSMoneyWatch.com Date: Sep 25, 2012 Link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57519430/how-to-argue-with-the-boss-and-win/?tag=nl.e664&s_cid=e664 Questions for Discussions: Summarize… Read more »