Mobile TV app could upend the cable-broadcast business

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

Description: Barry Diller, the consummate Hollywood deal maker who revamped the TV business in the 1980s, is back in the media spotlight after a federal judge threw out an injunction against Aereo, the online TV service he backs.

Source: GlobeandMail.com

Date: July 13, 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/mobile-tv-app-could-upend-the-cable-broadcast-business/article4414783/

Questions for Discussions:

  • What are the issues facing the industry and consumers as technology continues to disrupt existing business models?
  • How should the managers of existing media companies respond to this threat?
  • How should emerging businesses taking advantage of new technologies respond?

 

Google, FTC Near Settlement on Privacy

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

Description:  Google Inc. GOOG -1.46%is close to a deal to pay $22.5 million to settle charges related to its surreptitious bypassing of the privacy settings of millions of Apple Inc. AAPL -0.36%users, according to officials briefed on the settlement terms

Source: WSJOnline.com

Date: July 10, 2012

Link: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303567704577517081178553046.html

Questions for Discussions:

  • Do you think the decision and fine by the FTC will affect management’s approach to this area of decision-making?
  • Do you think it will affect users?

 

Brazil’s luxury goods boom

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

Description:    The luxury market in Brazil is growing faster than the rest of the economy, despite import and sales taxes near 100%.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: July 03, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/07/03/n-brazil-luxury-goods.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • How are operations of this luxury mall similar and different, in comparison to North American luxury malls?
  • Describe the key differences that distinguish the customer in this market and the service operations that are needed.

Expedia’s Megibow on Social Media, Travel Industry

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

Description:  Joe Megibow, general manager at Expedia Inc., talks about the impact of technology and social networks on the travel industry. He speaks with Cory Johnson on Bloomberg Television’s “Bloomberg West.” (Source: Bloomberg)

Source: Bloomberg.com – video report

Date: July 06, 2012

Link: http://bloom.bg/M9D8F6

Questions for Discussion:

  • Describe the Expedia model today and how it is managed?
  • How has social media changed the online travel business?

3 things that doomed BlackBerry maker RIM

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

Description: As Research In Motion Ltd. tries to reverse its slide, it’s tough to find anyone betting on its ability to recover.

Source: Marketwatch.com

Date: July 03, 2012

Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/3-things-that-doomed-blackberry-maker-rim-2012-07-03?siteid=nwtwk

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the criticisms aimed at RIM’s management.
  • Do you believe the firm can recover from setbacks in the market?
  • What would you advise management do today?

5 Gen-Y corporate refugee entrepreneurs

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

Description: For several reasons, many members of Generation-Y are looking to quit their full-time jobs and start out on their own. Here are five millennials who have successfully done just that.

Source: Fortune.com

Date: July 06, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2012/smallbusiness/1206/gallery.gen-y-entrepreneurs.fortune/?iid=SF_SB_River

Questions for Discussions:

  • What does this report say about the management at some firms and the Gen-Y entrepreneurial spirit?
  • Is this a good thing, in your opinion?

 

The Amazon Smartphone Launches Tech’s Costliest War

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

Description:  As Foxconn (2038:HK) prepares to start cranking out smartphones for Amazon.com (AMZN), as reported by Bloomberg, the rest of us should prepare for a spending spree the likes of which the technology industry has yet to see.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: July 06, 2012

Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-07-06/amazons-smartphone-so-begins-techs-costliest-war

Questions for Discussions:

  • Are the managers at these firms making the right strategic decisions?
  • What might these decisions lead to in the marketplace?
  • What alternatives might make more sense?

 

Why your hospital bill is so high

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:    From IV bags to chest tubes, Dr. Sanjay Gupta explains why even basic medical equipment adds thousands to your medical bill.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: June 28, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/27/n-medical-equipment-cost.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussions:

  • Summarize the way hospitals allocate costs in order to cover all operating expenses.
  • Is this a form of insurance?
  • What would be a fairer way to allocate charges for services and products used by uninsured patients?
  • Is there a technological solution that can help in this environment?

United CEO won’t buy a refinery

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

Description:  United Airlines CEO Jeff Smisek says he wouldn’t buy an oil refinery and talks about why he believes consolidation is good for business.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: June 26, 2012

Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/06/26/n-united-airlines-ceo.cnnmoney/

Questions for Discussion:

  • What does this report say about operational decision-making at United?
  • How does United perceive and deal with risk management?

Alfa plots “Il Ritorno” as U.S. re-entry takes shape

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

Description: As Italian automaker Fiat SpA (FIA.MI) plots the U.S. relaunch of its sporty Alfa Romeo brand there is plenty riding on its success, from a justification of the Chrysler acquisition to the business reputation of its CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Source: Reuters.com

Date: June 28, 2012

Link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/28/us-fiat-us-alfaromeo-idUSBRE85R0BP20120628

Questions for Discussions:

  • What is the logic driving this decision?
  • Do you think this strategy will work out in management’s favor?
  • What are the management issues related to this decision?