Description: The venture capitalist says anyone building a startup now must be able to do one thing “uniquely well.” Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/14/t-thiel-advice-to-startups.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What advice does Peter Thiel offer to those seeking to start up new businesses? What does he say is wrong with the… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Strategy
Why Direct Selling Is Booming
Description: While the traditional job market remains stagnant, the direct-selling industry is booming. More than 15 million people now make a full or part-time living as independent representatives for a direct-sales company. Susan Solovic has details on Lunch Break. Photo: Reuters. Source: Moneywatch.com – video report Date: Sep 12, 2012 Link: http://on.wsj.com/OgWDMF Questions for Discussions:… Read more »
Making Better Decisions—Bees Do It
Description: One of the key factors Ben Horowitz uses in evaluating chief executives is their skill at making decisions. Horowitz should know. As a venture capitalist, he is in the business of hiring CEOs—lots of them. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-14/making-better-decisions-bees-do-it#r=hpt-fs Questions for Discussions: What are the highlights of this report that… Read more »
American Retailers Face Challenges in Expanding to Canada
Description: Nordstrom and Target are about to open stores in Canada, J. Crew and Tory Burch just did so, and Ann Taylor and Kate Spade are scouting locations. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/15/business/american-retailers-expanding-to-canada.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: Summarize the challenges facing American retailers entering the Canadian retail market. What are the factors that… Read more »
Savvy Shoppers Drive Robust Online Holiday Sales
Description: Online holiday shopping will account for nearly a quarter of retail ecommerce sales for 2012 Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 14, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009348&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4#XHuCTAGpoq7Hzfoj.99 Questions for Discussions: What explains the projected increase in online holiday shopping? Do you agree with the analysis presented in this report? How can processing of online shopping orders be improved… Read more »
Nokia’s uphill battle with smartphones
Description: The ailing mobile giant needs to convince consumers that its new smartphones are the best if they want to reverse their market share losses. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 05, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/05/nokias-uphill-battle-with-smartphones.fortune/ Questions for Discussions: What are the strategic problems facing management at Nokia? What are the advantages of a partnership… Read more »
No Joke: Jay Leno Took Pay Cut of 50%
Description: Late-night talk show host Jay Leno took a 50% pay cut as part of NBC’s budget-chopping effort last month at “The Tonight Show,” the network said, detailing the scope of the changes for the first time as well as the reasoning behind them. Christopher Stewart has details on Lunch Break. Photo: Getty Images. Source:… Read more »
P&G’s 1,000 PhDs Not Enough to Crank Up New Blockbusters: Retail
Description: For much of its history, Procter & Gamble Co. (PG) didn’t just roll out new products, it created new product categories, from the first mass-produced disposable diapers to Crest teeth-whitening kits. That’s one reason P&G has more than 1,000 Ph.D.’s among the 8,000 employees at its 26 innovation facilities around the world. Source: Bloomberg.com… Read more »
Display Ads’ Dubious In-View Performance
Description: Inventory bought via networks, exchanges most at risk Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 07, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009330&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4#G1BzRdmR79khpm81.99 Questions for Discussions: What is the concern over display online advertising? Is there a way to deal with the measurement of display? What are the implications for those involved?
Yes, We Can Make iPhones in America
Description: In my previous post, “The Real Reason the U.S. Doesn’t Make iPhones: We Wouldn’t Want To,” I argued that the current cost structure does not make any sense to assemble iPhones in America. I argued that we would be better off focusing on designing iPhones but letting the Chinese handle the assembly. The article… Read more »
