Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   Worldwide social network ad revenues are still going strong and set to grow nearly 50% this year, according to eMarketer estimates.

Source:  eMarketer.com

Date: 02/24/2012

Linkhttp://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008862

Questions for discussion:

  • What explains this rate of growth?
  • At what point do you think it will level off?
  • How should marketing managers deal with this information?

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:  Koppers Chocolate factory is the oldest and largest factory left in New York City.

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/14/2012

Link:  http://money.cnn.com/video/smallbusiness/2012/02/13/sbiz_koppers_chocolate.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Describe the business model for this company.
  • Why do you think it has remained relatively small when compared to  bigger competitors?
  • What advantages are there to choosing to remain a small business?

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:   The chances of finding a job are grim for the four million long-term unemployed in the U.S., but Joe Carbone is looking to change that in his Connecticut town. Scott Pelley reports.

Source:  MoneyWatch.com

Date: 02/19/2012

Link:  http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7399352n&tag=contentBody;storyMediaBox

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the problems faced by the long term unemployed.
  • Why does this paid-internship work well for the company and the individual?
  • Why do you suppose it is not more widely provided by government agencies?

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:  The U.S. manufacturing sector needs more skilled workers and can’t support middle class living standards as it once did.

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 02/17/2012

Linkhttp://www.businessweek.com/finance/americas-blue-collar-nostalgia-masks-future-challenges-02172012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • What message is there here for managers?
  • How would you expect HR managers to respond to this report?

Posted by & filed under Management, Organizational Behavior.

Description:  Independent movie houses scramble to pay for expensive new gear

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 02/17/2012

Link:  http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/for-small-theaters-the-digital-future-is-dark-02162012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Why are smaller theatres having problems?
  • Will these strategies work, in your opinion?
  • What else could management do?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   Flash sale sites and the fashion industry’s maturing web presence boost sales to young consumers

Source:  eMarketer.com

Date: 02/22/2012

Linkhttp://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1008854&ecid=a6506033675d47f881651943c21c5ed4

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the highlights in this report.
  • Do you agree with the reasons given?
  • Where do you think the marketplace is headed?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:   When countries post a 40% youth unemployment rate, you know something is terribly wrong. The last time developed countries experienced such an employment disaster was during the Great Depression, and it is a moot question as to whether the current period will prove to be worse for the southern European countries than the Great Depression. Indeed, one could probably argue that for Greece it already is.

Source:  FinancialPost.com

Date: 02/17/2012

Link:   http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/02/17/the-euro-dream-that-became-a-nightmare/

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the reasons for the economic problems in Greece.
  • Who do you think is mostly at fault?
  • Should Greece withdraw from the euro and go back to the drachma?
  • What would the consequences be for consumers, businesses, investors and governments?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:  From Knicks jersey sales to tickets on the road, many firms are profiting from Linsanity. But can it last?

Source: CNNMoney.com – video report

Date: 02/17/2012

Linkhttp://money.cnn.com/video/news/2012/02/16/n_jeremy_lin_business.cnnmoney/

Questions for discussion:

  • Explain the sudden financial changes to the various businesses mentioned in the report.
  • Do you think this phenomenon can last?
  • What strategic plans would you recommend to the various businesses mentioned?
  • What should they be concerned with?

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

Description:  Style blog Cupcakes and Cashmere has become a destination for fashionistas from around the world. Wendy Bounds talks to founder and author Emily Schuman about the secrets behind her success.

Source: Marketwatch.com – video report

Date: 02/14/2012

Linkhttp://www.marketwatch.com/video/asset/bringing-the-right-recipe-to-style-blogging/24FBE84B-43FB-4C7F-9A5D-AF93E71BDACF

Questions for discussion:

  • Why is Emily Shuman a success?
  • What lessons are presented to entrepreneurs looking to blogging as a strategic tool for building their businesses?
  • Have a look at http://cupcakesandcashmere.com/ and describe what you think is good and perhaps not so good?

Posted by & filed under International Business, Management.

Description:  A rumored audio device and new testing facilities hint at the search giant’s hardware ambitions

Source: Businessweek.com

Date: 02/16/2012

Linkhttp://www.businessweek.com/magazine/googles-bid-to-be-everything-to-everyone-02162012.html

Questions for discussion:

  • Highlight Google’s strategic planning described in this report.
  • Do you think they will be successful with this approach?
  • Who would be Google’s competitors in the future if this approach is launched?
  • How would you expect competitors to respond?