Brazil’s luxury goods boom

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Description:    The luxury market in Brazil is growing faster than the rest of the economy, despite import and sales taxes near 100%. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: July 03, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/07/03/n-brazil-luxury-goods.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: How are operations of this luxury mall similar and different, in comparison to North American luxury malls? Describe the… Read more »

Expedia’s Megibow on Social Media, Travel Industry

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Description:  Joe Megibow, general manager at Expedia Inc., talks about the impact of technology and social networks on the travel industry. He speaks with Cory Johnson on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg West.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://bloom.bg/M9D8F6 Questions for Discussion: Describe the Expedia model today and how it… Read more »

3 things that doomed BlackBerry maker RIM

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Description: As Research In Motion Ltd. tries to reverse its slide, it’s tough to find anyone betting on its ability to recover. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: July 03, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3-things-that-doomed-blackberry-maker-rim-2012-07-03?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the criticisms aimed at RIM’s management. Do you believe the firm can recover from setbacks in the market? What would you… Read more »

5 Gen-Y corporate refugee entrepreneurs

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Description: For several reasons, many members of Generation-Y are looking to quit their full-time jobs and start out on their own. Here are five millennials who have successfully done just that. Source: Fortune.com Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/smallbusiness/1206/gallery.gen-y-entrepreneurs.fortune/?iid=SF_SB_River Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the management at some firms and the… Read more »

The Amazon Smartphone Launches Tech’s Costliest War

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Description:  As Foxconn (2038:HK) prepares to start cranking out smartphones for Amazon.com (AMZN), as reported by Bloomberg, the rest of us should prepare for a spending spree the likes of which the technology industry has yet to see. Source: Businessweek.com Date: July 06, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-06/amazons-smartphone-so-begins-techs-costliest-war Questions for Discussions: Are the managers at these firms… Read more »

Why your hospital bill is so high

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Description:    From IV bags to chest tubes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why even basic medical equipment adds thousands to your medical bill. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 28, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/27/n-medical-equipment-cost.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the way hospitals allocate costs in order to cover all operating expenses. Is this a form of insurance?… Read more »

United CEO won’t buy a refinery

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Description:  United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek says he wouldn’t buy an oil refinery and talks about why he believes consolidation is good for business. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: June 26, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/26/n-united-airlines-ceo.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What does this report say about operational decision-making at United? How does United perceive and deal with… Read more »

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 »

Microsoft loses EU battle, fine trimmed by 4.3 percent

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Description: Microsoft Corp lost its appeal against an EU decision penalizing it for defying an antitrust ruling, bringing nearer to an end a decade-long battle with the European Commission over the U.S. software group’s business practices. Source: Reuters.com Date: June 27, 2012 Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/27/us-eu-microsoft-idUSBRE85Q0B720120627 Questions for Discussions: Summarize the case against Microsoft and the current… 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 »