Employers step in to prevent staff burnout

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Description: Volkswagen turns off some employees’ email 30 minutes after their shifts end. Goldman Sachs is urging junior staff to take weekends off. BMW is planning new rules that will keep workers from being contacted after hours. Source: VancouverSun.com Date: Dec 07, 2013 Link: http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Employers+step+prevent+staff+burnout/9259561/story.html#ixzz2mnpH6D2r Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about the… Read more »

Facebook’s pain may be Instagram’s gain

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Description: BLOG: Facebook (FB-Q 47.01 0.52 1.12%) may have a problem with teenagers. During its third quarter earnings call, CFO David Ebersman admitted Facebook saw a decrease in daily users in its latest quarter, specifically among younger teens. Since then Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg has been in damage control mode – saying the reaction to Ebersman’s comment… Read more »

McDonald’s CEO: We will continue our expansion

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Description: McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson speaks with Bloomberg Television’s Betty Liu at Bloomberg’s The Year Ahead: 2014 conference at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Nov 21, 2013 Link: http://bloom.bg/18U53UH#ooid=5zNXBqaDreGgymOn83TY2NeE0R4Ff_Qy Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about CEO Don Thompson and his management style by watching this… Read more »

Snapchat, How Quickly You Have Grown

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Description: While some might have been shocked this week by the multi-billion dollar offers the start-up Snapchat turned down, I found something else entirely perplexing about the valuation of this little company: just how quickly it grew. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 15, 2013 Link: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/from-university-class-project-to-billion-dollar-valuation/?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What does this article have to say… Read more »

Toms’ new marketplace: More than just shoes

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Description: Entrepreneur Blake Mycoskie discusses Toms Shoes’ ‘One for One’ program which gives free shoes to a poor children for every pair sold at retail and the company’s new digital marketplace. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 08, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/11/08/n-toms-shoes-blake-mycoskie.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the new business model? What are the critical characteristics… Read more »

Taking the business case for wellness programs beyond anecdote

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Description: Mary Lui is a seasoned accountant who has worked as a manager in various capacities for a number of fast-paced, forward-thinking organizations. Though she loves her job, she also notes that it can be demanding and can place undue stress on her health and lifestyle. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 07, 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/10/02/taking-the-business-case-for-wellness-programs-beyond-anecdote/ Questions… Read more »

Container Store keeps employees happy

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Description: The Container Store thrives as a public company and their employees will benefit as CEO Kip Tindell says about 40% of employees own stock. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 01, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2013/11/01/investing-container-store-ceo-ipo-employees.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: How does management differ at The Container Store? How important do you think stock ownership is… Read more »

Wal-Mart: We’re proud of our jobs

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Description: Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Bill Simon talks about his company’s plans to promote 25,000 workers and defends its labor practices. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 29, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/10/29/n-walmart-promotion-bill-simon.cnnmoney/index.html Questions for Discussions: Do you think Wal-Mart employees are treated fairly by management? Why do you suppose the company stands out for criticism in… Read more »