Why Data Analytics is the future of everything

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

Description: Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt and Civis Analytics Chief Executive Officer Dan Wagner discuss the way big data can change everything from corporate strategy to the way people vote. They speak with Trish Regan at Bloomberg’s The Year Ahead: 2014 conference at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 21, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/18UgYBV#ooid=9zbnZqaDr-qbVAdi3C9QBBZZ0wZcPHv5

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is “Big Data”?
  • Summarize the how managers should be thinking about the use of Big Data for decision-making.
  • How can organizations like Google, provide data?

McDonald’s CEO: We will continue our expansion

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

Description: McDonald’s CEO Don Thompson speaks with Bloomberg Television’s Betty Liu at Bloomberg’s The Year Ahead: 2014 conference at the Art Institute of Chicago. (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: Nov 21, 2013

Link: http://bloom.bg/18U53UH#ooid=5zNXBqaDreGgymOn83TY2NeE0R4Ff_Qy

Questions for Discussions:

  • What did you learn about CEO Don Thompson and his management style by watching this report?
  • Summarize the strategic management thinking at McDonalds.

2013’s top people in business

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

Description: Fortune’s annual list is filled with executives who defied expectations (buying a newspaper, leaving luxury for Apple), executed big turnarounds, and delivered stellar results for their shareholders.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: Nov 22, 2013

Link: http://money.cnn.com/gallery/leadership/2013/11/21/business-person-year.fortune/index.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What are some fundamental characteristics shared by these managers?
  • Explain their successes?
  • What are the lessons here for aspiring managers?

Facebook, Still Dominant, Strives to Keep Cachet

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

Description: When Evan Spiegel peered into a crystal ball to divine a future for his company, Snapchat, he did not see Facebook.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Nov 17, 2013

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/18/technology/facebook-strives-to-keep-its-cachet.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this report suggest about the future for social websites like Facebook and its partners?
  • How do you think Facebook will change as a result of user fatigue?
  • Do you think Facebook can be pushed aside by another platform?

‘Little Box’ Stores Vie for Black Friday Shoppers

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Three years ago, American Express (AXP) claimed the Saturday after Thanksgiving as Small Business Saturday, enticing shoppers with rebates if they swiped their AmEx cards at local independent stores the day after Black Friday’s big-box doorbuster sales. The next year, shopkeepers in Portland, Ore., asked: Why not make Black Friday for small business, too?

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Nov 21, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-21/little-box-stores-vie-for-black-friday-shoppers#r=nav-fs

Questions for Discussions:

  • Why was the promotional program successful?
  • Are customers at small and large retailers the same people?
  • What determines the decision to shop at a larger or smaller retailer?
  • How should smaller retailers respond to this report?

High tech ‘old-fashioned’ ice cream

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

Description: Smitten Ice Cream in San Francisco is using a super cold liquid nitrogen ‘Brrr’ machine to make ice cream made to order.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Nov 13, 2013

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/11/13/t-high-tech-smitten-ice-cream.cnnmoney/index.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • How does this technology provide competitive advantage to the firm?
  • Do you think a franchise network would be easy to build?

Messages gone in 10 secs worth billions?

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

Description: Messaging app Snapchat turned down a reported buyout offer from Facebook for $3 Billion. Laurie Segall reports.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Nov 14, 2013

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/11/14/t-what-is-snapchat.cnnmoney/index.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is the business model for this software?
  • Are the barriers to entry to existing photo sharing software firms likely to prevent them from developing the same “short-life” technology?
  • How should managers at these firms be expected to respond?
  • Is the $3 billion valuation sensible?

Snapchat, How Quickly You Have Grown

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: While some might have been shocked this week by the multi-billion dollar offers the start-up Snapchat turned down, I found something else entirely perplexing about the valuation of this little company: just how quickly it grew.

Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Nov 15, 2013

Link: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/11/15/from-university-class-project-to-billion-dollar-valuation/?ref=business

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this article have to say to managers about software targeted at teens?
  • Would you have sold the firm for $3 billion?

Fast-Food Chains Inch Toward Healthiness

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

Description: Going cold turkey is hard—especially if it means denying yourself a 730-calorie frozen caramel coffee Coolatta or an 840-calorie steak and cheese sandwich. That’s why restaurants are getting Americans off unhealthy food gradually.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Nov 14, 2013

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-11-14/2014-outlook-fast-food-chains-inch-toward-healthiness#r=hpt-ls

Questions for Discussions:

  • How are fast food retailers dealing with the movement toward “healthier” menus?
  • How have they incorporated customer reactions?
  • Do you think there will be problems with the mixed messages sent to customers by the same brand?

Lululemon Ripped For ‘Alienating The Customer’ As Stock Tumbles

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

Description: Lululemon’s repeated missteps are taking a toll. The yoga-wear retailer is both alienating current customers and “making it tough” to get new ones, an analyst at Sterne Agee, Sam Poser, wrote in a note to clients on Thursday. Poser downgraded the company’s stock and sent Lululemon shares downhill 4 percent to $66.24 on Thursday afternoon.

Source: HuffingtonPost.com

Date: Nov 14, 2013

Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/14/lululemon-alienating-customers_n_4275842.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business

Questions for discussion:

  • What does this article suggest about management’s public pronouncements?
  • How should the firms’ PR department handle this situation?
  • Do you think the damage to the brand is severe?