Toyota RAV4 EV: Will anyone buy it?

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Description:   For anyone arguing recently that electric cars don’t stand a chance in the U.S. mass market, I would have offered one end-all example: the battery-powered Ford Focus at $40,000. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 11, 2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/toyota-rav4-ev-will-anyone-buy-it-2012-05-11  Questions for Discussions: Who do you think is the likely customer for this product? Is there a… Read more »

Why Delta is buying an oil refinery

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Description: Delta Air Lines tries to take out the middle man by purchasing a Pennsylvania oil refinery, but it could prove to be a risky investment. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/05/01/n-delta-oil-refinery.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: Why did Delta management do this? What are the risks? Do you think it was… Read more »

Rattner: General Motors is undervalued

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Description: Steven Rattner, former ‘auto czar’ for the Treasury Dept., says the government should hold its GM stake until the stock rises further. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/05/01/mkts-rattner-gm-government.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussion: What is the basis for this evaluation of GM? Do you agree with this assessment? How will a… Read more »

Groupon, the Deal That Keeps Getting Cheaper

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Description: Is Groupon (GRPN) too good of a deal to be true? Source: Busineweek.com Date: May 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-05-01/groupon-the-deal-that-keeps-getting-cheaper Questions for Discussions: Summarize the views expressed in this report. Why has the stock value fallen? What new strategies would you recommend to managers?  

The ‘Smartphone Class’: Always On, Always Consuming Content

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Description: Consuming content in frequent, small portions means more touchpoints for marketers Source: eMarketer.com Date: May 02, 2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1009014&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for Discussions: Summarize behaviors of smart phone users. Do you think these behaviors will become common across all users? How should business strategists who distribute mobile content deal with this research?

Shocker! Apple makes billions

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Description: Strong global iPhone sales helped Apple beat expectations, as usual. Doubters beware – it’s hard to hate on AAPL. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 04/25/2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/markets/2012/04/25/mkts-bz-apple-iphone.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results and the reasons there is surprise. Do you see an end for the current success of Apple?

Put Down the Smartphone and Pick Up a Pencil

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Description: Put down that smartphone; pick up that pencil. Employees are being encouraged by their companies to try visual note-taking to explain complicated concepts to colleagues and clients. Rachel Silverman explains on The News Hub. Photo: Getty Images. Source: Marketwatch – video report Date: 04/24/2012 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/put-down-the-smartphone-and-pick-up-a-pencil/784F0652-2269-4061-A5CF-607A22F06B01 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights of the… Read more »

Wal-Mart Bribery Probe Seen as Examining Coverup Claims

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Description:   Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (WMT) may spend hundreds of millions of dollars investigating $24 million in alleged Mexican bribes as the U.S. government weighs whether the company or executives also broke the law by covering up an internal probe, former federal prosecutors said. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 04/24/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-24/wal-mart-bribery-probe-in-u-s-seen-as-examining-coverup-claims.html Questions for discussion: What are… Read more »

Apple Profit Rises 94% on Growing Global IPhone Demand

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Description:   Apple Inc. (AAPL) profit almost doubled last quarter, reflecting robust demand for the iPhone in China as well as purchases of a new version of the iPad tablet, allaying the concerns that fueled a 12 percent two-week slump in the stock. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: 04/24/2012 Link:  http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-04-24/apple-profit-rises-94-on-growing-global-demand-for-iphones.html Questions for discussion: Summarize the financial results… Read more »

Video Is a Rising Star Among Content Marketers

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Description:  Companies have long emphasized the role of content for providing customers and prospects with useful information and meaningful insight, and the rise of digital distribution and production channels over past years has certainly propelled content marketing to new heights and investments. Source:  eMarketer.com Date: 04/23/2012 Link: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008991&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4 Questions for discussion: Why do you think… Read more »