Japan Tries Cars That Make the Mini Look Maxi

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

Description: Japan, always huge in the business of making compact cars, is thinking even smaller. The so-called ultracompact—picture a street-legal golf cart—this month is set to become Japan’s first new vehicle niche to win government approval in 50 years. That’s drawn the attention of both established automakers and a new generation of startups eager to provide low-powered transportation for Japan’s aging population.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Oct. 4, 2012

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-10-04/japan-tries-cars-that-make-the-mini-look-maxi#r=read

Questions for Discussions:

  • How should management of conventional car companies look at the development in the ultra-light sector?
  • Do you believe it represents a developing niche in the transportation marketplace?
  • Where in North America might it find acceptance?
  • Should it be distributed through conventional car dealerships or would other channels make more sense?

H-P’s services meltdown offers no easy fix

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

Description: The magnitude of the meltdown of Hewlett-Packard Co.’s services business has surprised many analysts and is a major reason why the tech giant has stretched its turnaround plan into at least the next two fiscal years.

Source: Moneywatch.com

Date: Oct 04, 2012

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/h-ps-services-meltdown-offers-no-easy-fix-2012-10-04

Questions for Discussions:

  • Explain the reasons for HP’s situation.
  • What would you advise management to do in response?

 

The farmers market goes digital

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

Description: Mobile apps can shorten the food chain, skipping grocery stores and connecting farmers directly to consumers.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Sep 27, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/09/27/n-farmigo-digital-farmers-market.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Which marketing functions are being provided by the Internet system that is connecting farmers directly with consumers?
  • How is this system more socially responsible?
  • Do you believe the farmer deserves more than the 20% mentioned in the report currently divided by the industry?
  • How different is this supply chain compared to the traditional weekend farmer’s market common in most of the world.

How a tech co. ended up in Concord, Mass.

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

Description: Concord, Mass. wasn’t co-founder Paul English’s first choice for Kayak’s HQ, but he did it for the sake of recruiting the best talent.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: Sep 27, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/magazines/fortune/2012/09/26/ldrshp-kayak-4.fortune/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this report say about the way in which businesses are formed and business people are recruited?
  • Why do you think Concord, Mass was considered a desirable location?
  • Why would senior managers leave a higher paying job for one paying less?
  • What does this report say about recruitment, leadership, motivation, and the team-concept?

U.S. Is Tightening Web Privacy Rule to Shield Young

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

Description:  Federal regulators are about to take the biggest steps in more than a decade to protect children online. Source: NYTimes.com

Date: Sep 27, 2012

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/28/technology/ftc-moves-to-tighten-online-privacy-protections-for-children.html?ref=technology

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the social concerns that Web managers will have to deal with as a result of this movement in legislation?
  • Do you believe web site operations will be substantially affected?
  • How should managers approach developing solutions for their web sites?

More Dismal Science for Would-Be Entrepreneurs

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

Description:  Teaching entrepreneurship is a growth business for U.S. business schools. The number of the nation’s undergraduate entrepreneurship programs grew 15.3 percent from 2007 to 2011, while the number of master’s programs increased 19.1 percent, according to the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: Sep 25, 2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-09-25/more-dismal-science-for-would-be-entrepreneurs#r=hpt-fs

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the main teaching points directed at potential entrepreneurs?
  • Do you agree with these points?

How to argue with the boss — and win

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

Description:  (MoneyWatch) The whole problem with advice on how to deal with boss issues is it’s usually black and white. That’s because writing without a distinct point of view is usually very boring. In social media terms, that means it’s not very “clickable.”

Source: CBSMoneyWatch.com

Date: Sep 25, 2012

Link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505125_162-57519430/how-to-argue-with-the-boss-and-win/?tag=nl.e664&s_cid=e664

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the advice being offered.
  • Do you agree with these sentiments?
  • What else would you add to this discussion?

Harley-Davidson Revs Up for Leaner Times

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description: Harley-Davidson has fine-tuned its operations for smooth riding should the economy slip back into a slump. James Hagerty has details on The News Hub. Photo: Bloomberg.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: Sep 21, 2012

Link: http://on.wsj.com/ONkNP3

Questions for Discussions:

  • How has Harley-Davidson changed production in order to improve productivity?
  • Why do you think they still test gas-tanks the same way they always have?

Starbucks Gives Single-Serve a Shot

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

Description: Starbucks is planning a big ad campaign to launch its Verismo single-cup espresso-based beverage machines–the coffee company’s first foray into selling machines–which CEO Howard Schultz claims will be a “game changer” for its ability to make lattes with milk pods. Julie Jargon has details on Lunch Break.

Source: Moneywatch.com – video report

Date: Sep 21, 2012

Link: http://on.wsj.com/S7oyiR

Questions for Discussions:

  • Do you think this product will be a big success for Starbucks?
  • What are the challenges the company faces as it launches this product?
  • Is there a risk that the product will cannibalize their existing sales?

Wal-Mart stops selling Amazon Kindles

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

Description:  Wal-Mart is joining Target in the decision to stop selling Amazon Kindles, in a move that appears to have come after a pricing dispute.

Source: CNNMoney.com

Date: Sep 20, 2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/2012/09/20/technology/walmart-kindle/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River

Questions for Discussions:

  • Do you think management has made a wise decision to halt sales of Kindles at Wal-Mart?
  • What should Amazon do to mitigate the loss of this distributor?