Description: The world’s largest money manager is breaking its silence on the nation’s current gun debate. Source: CNBC.com Date: Mar 02, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/02/blackrock-says-its-time-to-take-action-on-guns-may-use-voting-power-to-influence.html Questions for discussion: What is the significance of this decision by BlackRock? How do you think it will impact investor’s decisions?
Posts By: Brahm Canzer
Ottawa to scrap IBM payroll plan gone awry, costing $1 billion
Description: Canada plans to scrap a major IBM federal payroll plan that created chaos for thousands of government workers and will have cost the government almost $1 billion by the time it’s over. Source: BNN.ca Date: Mar 01, 2018 Link: https://www.bnn.ca/ottawa-to-scrap-ibm-payroll-plan-gone-awry-costing-1-billion-1.1014734 Questions for discussion: What lessons are to be learned from this fiasco by managers at… Read more »
Best Buy says goodbye to mobile phone stores
Description: NEW YORK— Best Buy (BBY) is shuttering all 250 of its small-format mobile phone stores in the U.S., saying the locations have become less profitable. Source: CBS.com – video report Date: Mar 01, 2018 Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-buy-says-goodbye-to-mobile-phone-stores/ Questions for discussion: Why is management taking this action? How have consumer buying behaviors changed since these stores… Read more »
Putting Green in the Tea Party, She Crusades for Clean Power
Description: LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Debbie Dooley’s conservative profile seems impeccable. The gun-owning daughter of a Baptist preacher, she was an early organizer for the Tea Party movement. She voted for President Trump and still supports him. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/energy-environment/debbie-dooley-energy.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: Summarize the business and economic details presented in… Read more »
Gun maker stocks fall after Dick’s Sporting Goods takes a stand
Description: Smith & Wesson parent American Outdoor Brands stock falls to near 5-year low, Sturm, Ruger shares hit 3-year low Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gun-maker-stocks-fall-after-dicks-sporting-goods-takes-a-stand-2018-02-28 Questions for discussion: What impact has Dick’s Sporting Goods decision had on investor’s thinking? Do you think other retailers will simply pick up more sales? How should… Read more »
Bit by Bit, Whole Foods Gets an Amazon Touch
Description: Some signs are subtle, like the “Whole Foods + Amazon” one near the bananas. Others are more obvious, like the kiosk with Amazon devices for sale. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 1, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/technology/bit-by-bit-whole-foods-gets-an-amazon-touch.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: How has the transition strategy unfolded thus far? Do you think the firms are going about the… Read more »
Spotify IPO filing reveals how insanely complicated it is to license music rights
Description: Spotify wants to sell stock to investors — but first it will need to convince them it’s worth buying in to the complex process of selling music. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/28/how-spotify-licenses-and-pays-for-music-rights.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the way in which the firm pays for content will affect the way… Read more »
Just how shallow is the artificial intelligence talent pool?
Description: It might be 10,000 or it might be 300,000. Whichever, ‘the talent shortage is real’ and the only solution is for universities and governments to fund more training Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 07, 2018 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-innovators/just-how-shallow-is-the-artificial-intelligence-talent-pool Questions for discussion: Why is it important for HR managers to know the numbers of skilled AI engineers?… Read more »
Snap CEO snags a $637 million bonus
Description: CNBC’s Julia Boorstin reports on Snap CEO Evan Spiegel’s massive bonus following the company’s IPO last year. Snap CEO snags a $637 million bonus from CNBC. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 23, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/video/2018/02/23/snap-ceo-snags-a-637-million-bonus.html Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose investors would buy shares in a company in which they… Read more »
Starbucks Is Shrinking Its Selection (and So Are Your Other Favorite Stores)
Description: Coming soon to a Starbucks near you: Less variety. Expect to see a narrower assortment of products in the main area of your local coffee chain outpost sometime soon this year. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 24, 2018 Link: http://fortune.com/2018/02/24/starbucks-merchandise-stores/ Questions for discussion: Why is Starbucks reducing variety? How might this decision impact customer behavior? Do you… Read more »
