Bombardier in stormy skies

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

Description: The Montreal-based transportation giant, Bombardier Inc., is facing one of the biggest challenges in its 73-year history. Under severe attack by global competitors, Bombardier is facing a cash crunch. Source: Business News Network Date: February 07, 2015 Video Link:http://www.bnn.ca/News/2015/2/7/Stormy-skies-Bombardier-flies-a-risky-flight-path.aspx Questions for Discussion: What are some of reasons for the cash crunch faced by Bombardier?… Read more »

Shoppers including fresh food in its stores

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

Description: In a pilot project across Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart has started to include a broad new range of fresh food in its stores. This comes after Loblaw’s acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart last year and may well signal a strategic change for the drug giant. Source: Financial Post Date: February 06, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/06/shoppers-drug-mart-prescription-for-food/ Questions… Read more »

Despite similar degree and experience, women still earn less in finance

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Diversity, Human Resource Management.

Description: The wage gap is still large for women employees in the finance sector. According to data collected by Bloomberg Business last year, women who graduated from business schools earned an average of US$21,872 less than male MBAs. Source: Financial Post Date: January 30, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/01/30/same-job-same-performance-same-experience-same-degree-women-still-make-less-in-finance/ Questions for Discussion: Why is there still a… Read more »

Senior Target managers get large cash payout but no such payouts for front-line workers

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Ethics, Leadership, Management.

Description: Target, which recently decided to close all its stores in Canada, will give out a large cash payout to its senior managers, however, there’s no such payout for its 17,000 front-line workers. Source: CBC Date: January 24, 2015 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/top-target-canada-managers-get-big-cash-payouts-as-stores-close-1.2930064 Questions for Discussion: Provide a rationale for why Target is giving a large cash… Read more »

Bank of Canada cuts rate by a quarter point

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Individual Behavior, Video Report.

Description: In a decision that came as a shock to most economists, the Bank of Canada cut its rate on overnight loans by a quarter point to 0.75%. Canada was the first among the Group Seven countries to cut its interest rate. Source: CBC Date: January 21, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2649342059/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss… Read more »

Target to close shop in Canada

Posted by & filed under Environment, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: After nearly two years of struggle, Target has decided to close all its 133 stores in Canada. It has accumulated nearly $1.5 billion in losses during its short stay in Canada. Source: CBC Date: January 15, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2648076422/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Did Target’s decision come as a surprise – Why or Why… Read more »

Apple to increase the prices of their apps

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Technology, Video Report.

Description: The falling Canadian dollar is forcing Apple to increase the prices of their apps for Canadian customers. Source: BNN Date: January 08, 2015 Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2015/1/8/Canadians-say-goodbye-to-Apples-99-cent-apps.aspx Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with Apple’s decision to increase the prices of their apps? Given that falling Canadian dollar reduces revenues for U.S. based companies,… Read more »

BlackBerry gets a boost from AT&T

Posted by & filed under New product, Strategy, Technology, Video Report.

Description: BlackBerry received some good news when AT&T became the first carrier to agree to sell and promote its oversized Passport smartphone in the U.S. However, as part of the deal, AT&T has asked BlackBerry to round the right-angled corners of the Passport. Source: CBC Date: January 08, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2646722338/ Questions for Discussion:… Read more »