Description: Hilcorp Energy Co., a Houston based private oil exploration company, is awarding nearly 1,400 of its employees a bonus of $100,000 after it met its five-year goals. Source: Financial Post Date: December 10, 2015 Text Link: http://business.financialpost.com/executive/careers/this-houston-energy-company-is-giving-every-one-of-its-1400-employees-a-us100000-bonus Questions for Discussion: Is the bonus too extravagant? Would you prefer to work in a similar company where… Read more »
Posts By: tonym
Chipotle runs into further problems
Description: Chipotle’s problems continue to grow. After an outbreak of E.coli and norovirus at its restaurants, the public health department for Seattle closed down one of its restaurants in Seattle for food-safety violations. Source: Financial Post Date: December 11, 2015 Text Link: http://business.financialpost.com/news/retail-marketing/chipotle-restaurant-shut-down-in-seattle-for-food-safety-violations-adding-to-woes-after-e-coli-outbreak Questions for Discussion: In your view, how will customers react to these concerns?… Read more »
Samsun will pay Apple $548-million in patent dispute
Description: After a drawn out battle, Samsung is finally paying Apple $548 million for infringing Apple patents and copying the look of the iPhone. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: December 04, 2015 Text Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/tech-news/samsung-to-finally-pay-apple-548-million-in-patent-dispute/article27602973/ Questions for Discussion: Will this payout have any impact on Samsung’s sales? Will the realization that Samsung copied the… Read more »
Technology devices designed to addict users
Description: If you wonder why you have a problem getting away from your technology device, there may be a psychological reason. Known as the “network effect”, this psychological process explains how users get sucked into content overload, where they click around and move from content to another. Source: New York Times Date: December 05, 2015… Read more »
Public sector employees take substantially more sick leaves
Description: While private sector employees take 6.4 days of sick leave annually on an average, public sector employees take 10.6 days of sick leave annually. A study finds that the most important determinant of sick leave use is not whether you are exposed to injury or illness in your workplace but whether you are in… Read more »
Biggest deal ever in the pharmaceutical industry
Description: Pfizer (U.S.-based company) will merge with Allergan (Irish-based company) in a $160 billion mega-merger. This is the biggest deal ever in the Pharmaceutical industry. The deal involves Allergan taking over Pfizer – this is being termed as an ‘inversion’ deal. Source: CBC Date: November 23, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2679340898 Questions for Discussion: What is an inversion… Read more »
Tesla recalls all Model S sedans
Description: Tesla is recalling all its 90,000 Model S sedans worldwide after a customer reported that her seat belt became disconnected. This is the largest recall by Tesla yet. Interestingly, the recall was made after only one complaint. Source: CBC Date: November 20, 2015 Text Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tesla-recalls-all-model-s-sedans-to-fix-seatbelt-defect-1.3328058 Questions for Discussion: Will this recall affect Tesla’s… Read more »
Alberta sets tough climate change policies
Description: In a tough stand against anyone who pollutes, Alberta will charge not only large emitters—companies that emit more that 100,000 tonnes of carbon per year, but anyone who pollutes—including anyone who drives a car or a truck. Source: Financial Post Date: November 22, 2015 Text Link: http://http://business.financialpost.com/news/energy/anyone-who-pollutes-will-pay-alberta-says-as-it-releases-tough-climate-change-policies Questions for Discussion: Discuss the new Alberta policy… Read more »
Japan’s Innovative Steps to Tackle Aging Problem
Description: A quarter of Japan’s population includes people above the age of 65. To tackle this problem, Japan is undertaking several innovative steps. These steps will create exciting opportunities for new businesses. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: November 14, 2015 Text Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/retirement/retire-planning/how-japan-is-coping-with-a-rapidly-aging-population/article27259703/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss the steps Japan is taking to tackle… Read more »
IBM Bringing in Innovative Changes
Description: IBM is entering new businesses to stay competitive. However, it is trying break away from its past by changing the way it thinks about innovation. Changing culture is extremely difficult in large companies like IBM, which houses more than 370,000 employees. Source: New York Times Date: November 14, 2015 Text Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/business/ibms-design-centered-strategy-to-set-free-the-squares.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »
