Alfa plots “Il Ritorno” as U.S. re-entry takes shape

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Description: As Italian automaker Fiat SpA (FIA.MI) plots the U.S. relaunch of its sporty Alfa Romeo brand there is plenty riding on its success, from a justification of the Chrysler acquisition to the business reputation of its CEO Sergio Marchionne. Source: Reuters.com Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/us-fiat-us-alfaromeo-idUSBRE85R0BP20120628 Questions for Discussions: What is the logic… Read more »

Encana probes collusion accusation

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Description:  Encana Corp. has launched an internal investigation after the State of Michigan said it is examining allegations that the company worked with rival Chesapeake Energy Corp. to avoid competing in state land auctions for shale gas. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: June 26, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/encana-probes-collusion-accusation/article4368056/ Questions for Discussions: What are the financial implications for both… Read more »

Linkedin’s management secrets

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Description:   Linkedin CEO Jeff Weiner explains how he and founder Reid Hoffman split responsibilities at the company. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 18, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/06/07/ctd-linkedin-weiner-hoffman.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What does the interview tell you about leadership and managerial relationships in the firm? Do you think decisions about operations should belong to the… Read more »

Bayo in Hot Water Over Controversial Ads, Again

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Description:  Fashion brand Bayo’s latest ad campaign is causing a furor because of its racially charged content. Weeks earlier, the company had to pull an earlier phase of its advertising campaign. The WSJ’s Patrick Barta tells Deborah Kan what the controversy is all about. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: June 18, 2012 Link: http://live.wsj.com/video/bayo-in-hot-water-over-controversial-ads-again/B06B0867-917E-4A8A-8F2D-299DD51C900A.html… Read more »

Want a 9% Raise? Hit the Gym

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Description:    Workers who exercise regularly earn 9% higher pay on average than those who don’t. Jack Hough on Lunch Break explains why. Source: Marketwatch.com – video report Date: June 08, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/want-a-9-raise-hit-the-gym/175E5A0D-F5A3-4B43-A7D9-3FB63B74671C Questions for Discussions: Why do people who exercise earn more, according to the report? Can you suggest other reasons?  

Pfizer Sees Harvard Collaboration As Spark For New Drugs

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Description:  When Hal Dvorak, a Harvard scientist whose ideas helped spur the advance of targeted cancer drugs, sought a partner recently to help him develop new treatments, he only had to walk two blocks to find one. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: June 15, 2012 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-06-15/pfizer-sees-harvard-collaboration-as-spark-for-new-drugs.html Questions for Discussions: Describe the relationships between educational institutions and… Read more »

Stanford President: Bubble? Maybe

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Description:    Stanford University president John Hennessy says there may be a tech bubble going on right now, but not a “catastrophic” one. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 07, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/06/06/ctd_stanford_president.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What role does Stanford University play as an incubator of new technologies? Why does the arrangement work so well?… Read more »

Behind the World’s Most Comfortable Thong

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Description:   Hanky Panky CEO Lida Orzek talks with Bloomberg’s Stephanie Ruhle about the prospects for the company of which 90 percent of the customers are based in the U.S. (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: June 06, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/L3aXso Questions for Discussion: Explain how this American apparel manufacturer has been able to maintain… Read more »

Why Mellody Hobson is on Groupon’s board

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Description: Mellody Hobson of Ariel Investments talks about her involvement on boards of Groupon, Starbucks and Estee Lauder. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/29/f-mellody-hobson.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What did you learn about the decision-making activities of board members, as described by Mellody Hobson? How do these boards benefit from her… Read more »