Should You Compete With (and Potentially Kill) Your Own Business?

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Description: Adam Schwartz’s t-shirt company was struggling. Instead of saving it, he built something new — and better. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/331231 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about creative thinking and business evolution? Could these businesses succeed without low-cost online advertising from companies like Google?

This new technical fabric replaces polyester with banana plants

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Description: The abacá plant grows without needing lots of water or pesticides, helps stop erosion, and is now being used to replace fossil fuels in clothes. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90333645/this-new-technical-fabric-replaces-polyester-with-banana-plants?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=7&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04122019 Questions for discussion: What are the major attributes that differentiate this new product? How should managers market this new product so… Read more »

Awash in Data, Marketers Still Find Ad Targeting Capabilities Lacking

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Description: The push for more effective ad targeting remains one of marketers’ chief priorities, evidenced by two reports released this year. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 11, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/better-ad-targeting-remains-a-top-priority-for-marketers?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What does the research say about data gathering issues facing management? How can managers deal with the problems they face?

“I had 15 years of professional experience, but no one cared when I became a mom”

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Description: A finance professional turned entrepreneur reflects on the motherhood bias and stereotypes she faced during her return to work Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90324442/former-goldman-sachs-employee-on-the-motherhood-penalty?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04032019 Questions for discussion: What is the “motherhood bias” according to the report? How can management deal with this social issue?

Facebook sets its sights on housing. Should Zillow be worried?

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Description: Americans may start to become more ‘social’ in the way they shop for homes, one analyst thinks Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-sets-its-sights-on-housing-should-zillow-be-worried-2019-04-03?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What are the competitive advantages favoring Facebook in the real estate business? Do you think consumers will respond to Facebook advertising for housing? Explain.

GE bets on offshore wind as fossil fuels business stumbles

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Description: New York (CNN Business)General Electric is a tiny player in the booming offshore wind market. But that will change soon — and it needs to, if the company wants to outgrow its exposure to fossil fuels. One major investment that illustrates GE’s interest: The Haliade-X, the world’s largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine. Source: CNNMoney.com –… Read more »

Social Recommendations Influence One in Three Mothers to Buy

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Description: When it comes to shopping, social media seems to have somewhat limited influence on parents’ purchasing behavior—but they’ll use it (and other online resources) for researching. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-recommendations-influence-one-in-three-mothers-to-buy Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the influence of social media on parental behavior? What should strategic planning… Read more »

Inside Ikea’s plan to reinvent itself as a circular company

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Description: From rental furniture to modular couches, the company is finding more and more ways to limit its use of raw materials. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90328244/inside-ikeas-plan-to-reinvent-itself-as-a-circular-company Questions for discussion: What is driving the new business model? What are the constraints the company will have to deal with? Do you think the… Read more »

YouTube Executives Ignored Warnings, Letting Toxic Videos Run Rampant

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Description: Proposals to change recommendations and curb conspiracies were sacrificed for engagement, staff say. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Apr 02, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-04-02/youtube-executives-ignored-warnings-letting-toxic-videos-run-rampant Questions for discussion: Summarize the key points made in this report related to the way management dealt with this issue. What would you advise, going forward?

McDonald’s will no longer lobby against minimum wage hikes

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Description:  McDonald’s will no longer take part in efforts to lobby against raising the minimum wage at the federal, state or local level, the fast-food giant told the National Restaurant Association Tuesday. Source: CNBC.com Date: Mar 27, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/27/mcdonalds-reportedly-to-stop-lobbying-against-minimum-wage-hikes.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail Questions for discussion: What does this decision mean for the firm and the industry at large?… Read more »