Why Can’t Walmart Be More Like Costco?

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Description:  Because they’re really very different Source: The DailyBeast.com Date: Nov 26, 2012 Link:  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/26/why-can-t-walmart-be-more-like-costco.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the comparison between the operations of Walmart and Costco. Are Costco employees more productive? Should Walmart try to become more like Costco? What would change, if anything at either of these retailers?  

Get paid to play video games

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Description: A video game designer at Riot Games in Los Angeles explains what his job entails and how he landed his dream gig. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/pf/2012/11/01/pf-video-game-designer-best-jobs.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How would you write the job description for a game designer? What criteria would you think an HR… Read more »

As New York City Marathon Sponsor, ING Comes Under Fire

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Description:  ING’s (ING) sponsorship of the New York City Marathon turned into a branding disaster this week as a divided city debated whether the city should hold the ING New York City Marathon on Sunday. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-02/as-sponsor-of-new-york-city-marathon-ing-comes-under-fire#r=hpt-lst Questions for Discussions: What are the public relations lessons to be learned… Read more »

Is Apple starting to unravel without Jobs?

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Description:  Apple Inc.’s shares are now down nearly 15% since they briefly passed the $700 mark in mid-September. Source:  Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 01, 2012 Link:  http://www.marketwatch.com/story/is-apple-starting-to-unravel-without-jobs-2012-11-01?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: What does this report suggest is the reason for Apple’s stock performance? Do you agree with this assessment? Do you see a managerial solution or is… 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 future of rechargeable batteries

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Description: Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory are developing car and smartphone batteries that can hold 50 percent more energy. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 10, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/10/10/t-lithium-battery-volt.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How do you think the development of this new technology will change the transportation and communications industries? Which other industries are likely… 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 »