Glencore Acquiring Canadian Company Viterra

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Social Responsibility.

After the abortive takeover attempt by BHP Billiton of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Glencore has a tough task to convince the Canadians on the net benefits of acquiring Viterra. Glencore explains what these benefits are. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/streetwise/glencore-explains-net-benefits-to-canada-in-viterra-deal/article2375052/ Questions: Do such global acquisitions need to benefit the Canadian economy? Can these acquisitions not be carried out with… Read more »

McDonald’s growth

Posted by & filed under Change, Leadership, Management, Strategy.

McDonald’s new chief executive Don Thompson, who has taken over Mr. Jim Skinner, continues to emphasize on diversification despite the reduction in the compound annual growth rate of the firm’s overseas assets. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/global-exchange/financial-times/mcdonalds-growth-supersize-me/article2379161/) Questions: Do you think having an earlier CEO like Mr. Skinner has raised the bar for Mr. Thompson? How would we have… Read more »

Air Canada Strike

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Environment, Human Resource Management, Negotiation, Social Responsibility.

Description: Labour Minister Lisa Raitt addresses media on the government’s action to prevent the Air Canada strike. Also, the Air Canada workers in Montreal discuss how their rights are being impeded. Source: The Globe and Mail Video Date:  March 12, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-air-canada-workers-rally/article2367215/ Questions for Discussion: Do you think the government is right to stop… Read more »

What Will the Federal Budget Bring?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Planning.

Description: Wallace Conway, a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers discusses the forthcoming federal budget and how the government will have to balance both expenses and growth. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-cuts-coming-in-federal-budget/article2366360/ Questions for Discussion: Should the government cut expenditures or focus on growing revenues? What policies can the government adopt for increasing business growth? Where should the government cut expenditures?

Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A

Posted by & filed under Management, Operations Management, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: David Garofalo, CEO of HudBay, discusses the operations of HudBay and presents his arguments for why HudBay focuses on organic growth rather than through large Mergers and Acquisitions. Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A Source: Business News Network Video Date:  March 5, 2012 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/3/5/Why-HudBays-CEO-avoids-value-destructive-big-MA.aspx Questions for Discussion: What is meant by… Read more »

Globally Integrated Business

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management, Strategy.

Description: Bruce Ross, President of IBM Canada, discusses the importance and features of a globally integrated business system in today’s economic environment Globally Integrated Business, part 1   Source: Financial Post Executive Video Link: http://www.financialpost.com/executive/video/index.html?embedCode=o4cTBlMjoEQT7h_uMRjbrj6LZ_TXnLT7 Questions for Discussion: What is meant by globally integrated businesses? How is this new system different from the traditional export… Read more »

Full Retirement – A Distant Dream

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, Individual Behavior.

In a recent survey, more than 66% of the Canadians mentioned that they will continue to work beyond the age of 66. Sun Life Financial—Canada’s third largest insurance company—attributes these results to current economic volatility, increasing consumer debts, rising health case cots, longer life expectancy and lack of planning. Governments are also encouraging late retirements… Read more »

Bombardier Inc.’s Showcase Project in South Africa

Posted by & filed under Environment, Ethics, Global Management, Social Responsibility, Strategy.

Bombardier Inc.’s $3.7 billion Gautrain project in South Africa was launched in 2010 during World cup soccer. Gautrain, which runs on an 80 km route covering two cities and an airport, is now facing several problems such as limited train schedules, technical issues, limited bus service connectivity to the train stations and lower than projected… Read more »

Helping Consumers to Complain

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Entrepreneurship, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Dave Carroll, a Halifax based musician and song writer, started “Gripevine”—a company that gave consumers a platform to complain about firms and also gave firms an opportunity to respond to these complaints and resolve them. It started when Mr. Carol’s guitar was broken by United Airlines baggage handlers, and he posted a complaint video on… Read more »