Fed up with shrinking sales, McDonald’s replaces head of its U.S. business

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: McDonald’s is turning to an alumnus to fix a struggling U.S. business bedeviled by more competition, operational errors and annoyed customers.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: August 22, 2014

Link: http://fortune.com/2014/08/22/mcdonalds-mike-andres/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why is McDonalds changing leadership?
  • What does this say about strategic thinking at the firm?

What 13 successful people do before going to sleep

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Morning routines are important — but bedtime rituals can have a serious impact on your success. That’s because the very last thing you do before bed affects your mood and energy level the following day, since it often determines how well and how much you sleep. Knowing that, we decided to find out how the most successful spend their nights before surrendering to sleep.

Source: FinancialPost.com

Date: Aug 22, 2014

Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/08/23/what-13-successful-people-do-before-going-to-sleep/

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report have to say about the connection between successful people and their behaviors?
  • Do you think this all makes sense?
  • How does your behavior compare?

Why big media is a ‘Game of Thrones’

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Bigger, bigger, bigger: that’s the battle cry of today’s media corporations. Brian Stelter maps out the war between the entertainment producers and the cable distributors. But who will sit on the Iron Throne?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: August 06, 2014

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/media/2014/08/06/why-big-media-is-a-game-of-thrones.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Describe the changing relationship between content creators and distributors.
  • What do you think the industry will look like in ten years?

Lululemon seeks a leg up on knockoffs

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Lululemon Athletica Inc. has filed a lawsuit in a U.S. federal court in Illinois targeting a sealed list of unidentified defendants that it says are China-based knockoff artists selling fake versions of its ubiquitous yoga pants and other merchandise online.

Source: BNN.com – video report

Date: July 19, 2014

Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/7/19/Lululemon-seeks-a-leg-up-on-knockoffs.aspx

Questions for Discussions:

  • After watching the video and reading the article, how would you describe the leadership and management culture at Lululemon?
  • How can management deal with knockoff artists selling fake versions online, other than through the courts?

Arrogance Is Good: In Defense of Silicon Valley

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Sam Altman sits behind his desk with his knees pulled up to his chest, eating dried apricots. He’s 29, but even the most laissez-faire bartender would card him. His hand is forever grabbing his hair while he thinks, making it stick up in Einsteinian tufts.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: August 07, 2014

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-08-07/silicon-valley-tech-entrepreneurs-behind-the-stereotype

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this article say about management styles and success?
  • Do you agree with the arguments presented?

Why P&G can grow by shrinking

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: The Ohio-based consumer goods company recently announced it would shed up to 100 brands, creating room to potentially become a leaner and more efficient company.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: August 07, 2014

Link: http://fortune.com/2014/08/07/why-pg-can-grow-by-shrinking/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this report say about strategic thinking at P&G?
  • Does it make sense to you?
  • What are the possibilities for the firm going forward with this revised plan?

Big-box stores may see dark days ahead

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) gained dominance by offering everything from groceries to children’s toys, often putting smaller, local stores out of business in the process. Now, it’s the revenge of the smaller retailers.

Source: CBSNews.com

Date: July 19, 2014

Link: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/are-there-dark-days-ahead-for-big-box-stores/?tag=nl.e713&s_cid=e713&ttag=e713&ftag=TRE4cf7aca

Questions for discussion:

  • What is happening in retailing today that is reflected in the issues facing Walmart and Target?
  • Do you think changes to management will have a positive effect on these firms?
  • What would you recommend these firms do as the marketplace continues to evolve?

How two ‘hippies’ created Whole Foods

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Co-CEO of Whole Foods John Mackey discusses his original vision for the health foods market.

Source: Fortune.com – video report

Date: June 05, 2014

Link: http://fortune.com/video/2014/06/06/how-two-hippies-created-whole-foods/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is your impression of John Mackey as an entrepreneur and leader?
  • Do you think his character has impacted on the culture within the organization?

GM CEO: 15 axed after recall report

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: In a public town hall of General Motors employees, CEO Mary Barra shared some details of the internal investigation into the ignition switch recall and announced personnel changes.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: June 05, 2014

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2014/06/05/general-motors-mary-barra-investigation-report-ignition-switch-recall.cnnmoney/index.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does the report claim is the fundamental reason GM management did not act on the problem?
  • Do you think the dismissals solve the problem?
  • What else should GM do to change the culture within the company?