Taiwan dumpling sensation goes worldwide

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

Description:  A local Taiwanese chain restaurant sees a boost in business as their ever expanding dumpling restaurant continues to gain success across the globe.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 03/21/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/19/n-dumpling-empire.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the recipe for success as described in this report?
  • What are the similarities and differences of this business in comparison to say, MacDonald’s or other successful international fast food chains?

Why Relationship Marketing is Important for Businesses

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

Description:  In this video I interview Mari Smith, author of The New Relationship Marketing and Facebook Marketing: An Hour a Day. Mari shares how relationships have evolved and why businesses need to focus on P2P (people to people) marketing today.  You’ll also discover the story of how Mari came to Facebook marketing and pick up some useful social media marketing tips.

Source: SocialMediaExaminer.com – video report

Date: 03/15/2012

Link:  http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/why-relationship-marketing-is-important-for-businesses/

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the lessons for managers presented in this interview?
  • Do you think there is any down-side to this type of communications?

Memo to CEOs: Stop Blathering About Innovation and Do Something

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:   I have come to realize how much time is wasted teaching managers about the practical skills of innovation. It is the chief executive officer that needs the lesson. Everything else that is central to reaping the fruits of innovation emerges from this simple observation.

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: 03/20/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-20/memo-to-ceos-stop-blathering-about-innovation-and-do-something

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the key findings reported.
  • What do you think is the single most import lesson management can learn from this research?

Helping One Big Client, but Wanting to Spread Out

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

Description:   THE Four Horsemen Toy Design Studios is a toy company based in New Jersey that creates highly detailed action figures for Mattel while making its own toys that are sold online to adult collectors.

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: 03/21/2012

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/22/business/smallbusiness/tied-to-one-big-client-but-wanting-to-cut-the-cord.html?ref=smallbusiness#

Questions for discussion:

  • What are the particular problems facing these businessmen?
  • What are the solutions being considered?
  • What would you advise them to do?

‘Mad Men’ and Ad women: A love-hate relationship

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:   Despite its sexualized portrayal of gender roles in the office, many women in advertising are eagerly awaiting the return of the hit television show.

Source:  Fortune.com

Date: 03/23/2012

Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/03/23/mad-men/?iid=SF_F_Lead

Questions for discussion:

  • Why do you think this show has become so popular?
  • What message does it send to today’s managers about business ethics and social responsibility?
  • Do you think the show affects behavior today?

What’s driving the manufacturing rebound?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:  Manufacturing jobs are not close to pre-recession levels, but auto jobs, especially in Michigan, are showing signs of life.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 03/16/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/16/n-us-manufacturing-autos.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

Why has manufacturing rebounded?

What does this mean for production managers andx the economy as a whole?

Pricey undies, made in the U.S.A.

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

Description:  Hanky Panky is one of very few apparel makers that makes its lingerie in America.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 03/15/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/03/14/n-hanky-panky-usa.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • How is it that this product category can defy the odds and sell successfully?
  • Are there other products that could do as well, in your opinion?

A Marketer’s Homage to the Soda Can

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   PepsiCo (PEP) recently announced that it will add an additional $500 million to $600 million to its roughly $2 billion advertising budget to support its soda brands in 2012, in an attempt to catch up with the heavy spending (and sales gains) of archrival Coca-Cola (KO). Meanwhile, Dr Pepper Snapple Group (DPS) recently upped its $445 million ad budget by $25 million to $30 million, having gained market share by raising spending by double digits during the recession. If there’s one thing Big Soda understands, it’s that advertising works.

Source:  Businessweek.com

Date: 03/12/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-03-12/a-marketers-homage-to-the-soda-can

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the packaging strategies used by the soda companies?
  • How do these strategies come together with all of the other marketing thinking?

Pass the Books. Hold the Oil.

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

Description:    Thomas Friedman: EVERY so often someone asks me: “What’s your favorite country, other than your own?”

Source:  NYTimes.com

Date: 03/10/2012

Link:  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/11/opinion/sunday/friedman-pass-the-books-hold-the-oil.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=thomas%20friedman&st=cse

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize Thomas Friedman’s arguments about the development of wealth around the world.
  • Do you agree with his assessments?

How having a higher purpose feeds the profit line

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

Description:   Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies

Source:  GlobeandMail.com

Date: 03/13/2012

Link:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/morning-manager/how-having-a-higher-purpose-feeds-the-profit-line/article2367812/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the main message in this report.
  • What is your view?
  • Do you think it can appeal to a wide range of managers?