Retired Manitoba farmer battling cancer proposes class action suit against makers of Roundup

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Ethics, Global Management, Leadership, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: A retired Manitoba farmer is hoping to lead a class action lawsuit against the company that owns Monsanto, alleging he developed cancer after using Roundup on his yard and field to get rid of weeds. Source: CBC.ca Date: Aug 29, 2019 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/manitoba-farmer-proposed-class-action-lawsuit-monsanto-1.5269936 Questions for discussion: What are the legal, ethical, and social issues… Read more »

Nordstrom Tests Accepting Online Returns Bought From Rivals

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Description: Nordstrom Inc. is trying an unusual approach to get busy New York City shoppers in its doors: Letting them return merchandise they bought online—from other retailers. Source: Fortune.com Date: Sep 06, 2019 Link: https://fortune.com/2019/09/06/nordstrom-tests-accepting-online-returns-from-rivals-such-as-macys/ Questions for discussion: Is this a good idea? What is the benefit to customers and to Nordstrom? Would an “any-brand”… Read more »

15 Minutes to ‘Mayhem’: How a Tweet Led to a Shortage at Popeyes

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Description: The “chicken sandwich wars” with Chick-fil-A captivated the internet and drove record sales. Then they became a logistical headache. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Aug 29, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/29/business/popeyes-chicken-sandwich-shortage.html Questions for discussion: What does the report say what happened? Was this a “problem”? Do you think it was planned? What should the firm do about the… Read more »

Apple is finally moving beyond the iPhone as the smartphone industry stalls out

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, New product, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Apple’s iPhone is an incredible moneymaking machine. In the first three months of 2019, Apple sold $31 billion worth of iPhones. At the same time, the iPhone is becoming less important to Apple’s total sales as the smartphone industry stalls globally. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: May 01, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/30/apple-earnings-show-company-moving-beyond-iphone.html Questions for discussion:… Read more »

How Social Media Users Have—and Have Not—Responded to Privacy Concerns

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Description: The Facebook Cambridge Analytica revelations changed the way people in the US think about online privacy. And it should come as no surprise that many have grown wary over the mishandling of personal information. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 29, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/how-social-media-users-have-and-have-not-responded-to-privacy-concerns?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Summarize the highlights presented in this article. Do you… Read more »

The best ways to save and spend money in your 20s and 30s, according to financial historian Niall Ferguson

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Description: Niall Ferguson, a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, says there are a few big things that every millennial should keep in mind when they start to earn and spend money. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Apr 29, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/29/niall-ferguson-shares-financial-tips-for-successful-millennials.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail Questions for discussion: Summarize what does Niall Ferguson has… Read more »

Toyota Plans Lexus SUV Investment for Canadian Plant

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Description: Toyota Motor Corp. plans to begin building two more Lexus SUVs in Canada, according to people familiar with the matter, a major win for the nation’s otherwise-struggling auto sector. Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Apr 26, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-04-26/toyota-is-said-to-plan-lexus-suv-investment-for-canada-plant?srnd=premium-canada Questions for discussion: How well is the Canadian auto industry doing these days, according to… Read more »

Amazon on pace to spend $7 billion on video and music content this year, according to new disclosure

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Description: Amazon disclosed on Friday that it spent $1.7 billion on video and music content in the first quarter, providing a new number that investors have previously been forced to predict. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Apr 26, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/04/26/amazon-on-pace-to-spend-7-billion-on-video-and-music-content.html Questions for discussion: What competitive advantage does Amazon have in this marketplace? What strategy… Read more »

Richard Branson’s 8 Keys to Happiness and Success

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Description: It boils down to family, friends, fun, purposeful work and money — in that order. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Apr 22, 2019 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/331932?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email Questions for discussion: What are the keys to happiness and success, according to Richard Branson? What do you think about his thinking? Do you think most successful business leaders subscribe to… Read more »

Startups are racing to commercialize DeepFakes’s powerful, internet-breaking AI

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Motivation, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: A little over a year ago, an anonymous Reddit user named Deepfakes changed the internet. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 23, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90337767/deepfakes-started-a-war-on-whats-real-these-startups-are-racing-to-commercialize-it?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04232019 Questions for discussion: How does this AI software development present opportunities for entrepreneurs? What are the ethical and social issues related to the use of this software?