Description: American Apparel is returning to the physical realm. The iconic Los Angeles-based brand is preparing to open a flagship store in its home city later this year, its first foray back into brick-and-mortar shops after all its locations closed following a bankruptcy process. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: May 03, 2018 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-03/american-apparel-is-venturing-back-into-brick-and-mortar-stores Questions for discussion:… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Decision Making
How guitar maker Gibson could recover from bankruptcy
Description: Gibson, an iconic American guitar manufacturer, has filed for bankruptcy. The company has at least $100 million of debt, and perhaps as much as $500 million, according to paperwork filed in Delaware on Tuesday. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: May 01, 2018 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/01/news/companies/gibson-guitars-bankruptcy/index.html Questions for discussion: What is Gibson’s financial situation? How can it restructure… Read more »
The self-driving car startup that the auto industry actually trusts
Description: Aurora, a startup developing software for self-driving cars, had barely launched when it found its place among the biggest names in the car industry. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: May 03, 2018 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2018/05/03/technology/aurora-self-driving-cars/index.html Questions for discussion: Why is the company so well connected to the industry? Describe the management culture, as presented in report? Do… Read more »
Netflix-loving tykes tune out Nickelodeon in kid TV’s worst year
Description: Kids like Caleb Moushey are killing cable TV. Not that Caleb knows from cable. After all, he’s 7 years old. But Caleb rarely if ever watches conventional television. “Everything is Netflix,” said his mother, Ally Brown, an insurance agent in the St. Louis area who also has a 5-year-old and a baby on the… Read more »
How NBA teams are using eSports to find new revenue streams
Description: Here is what traditional sports needs to learn from eSports to stay relevant and keep growing. Source: MarketWatch.com – video report Date: Apr 17, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/video/sectorwatch/how-nba-teams-are-using-esports-to-find-new-revenue-streams/658BFE36-7F1A-47A3-AF3B-9B03F9021C13.html Questions for discussion: Explain the growth in popularity of this business model? Who are the target customers? Can real sport teams capitalize on this phenomenon? Should they?
Jeff Bezos reveals Amazon has 100 million Prime members in letter to shareholders
Description: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos has released his latest annual shareholder letter. In the letter, Bezos stressed the importance of having high standards in running a business. By setting high standards, companies are able to live up to “ever-rising customer expectations,” he said. Source: CNBC.com Date: Apr 19, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/amazon-ceo-jeff-bezos-2018-shareholder-letter.html Questions for discussion: What does Jeff Bezos… Read more »
Nintendo’s New DIY Toys Are Mind-Bendingly Imaginative
Description: The Labo series is an addition to Nintendo’s Switch console. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 13, 2018 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/40546285/nintendos-new-diy-toys-are-mind-bendingly-imaginative?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04142018 Questions for discussion: Who is the target customer for this product? How does Nintendo benefit from producing interconnecting products? What other applications would you recommend to the firm in order to generate more growth?
Tim Hortons franchisee organizer has licence revoked amid public squabble
Description: Head office and group of franchisees have been sparring over a number of issues Source: CBC.ca Date: Apr 10, 2018 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tim-hortons-franchisee-kuziora-1.4612559 Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues facing Tim Hortons as an organization? How would you advise management to mitigate the dispute with franchisees? How would you advise management to mitigate the bad… Read more »
SPOS #613 – Tom Peters Is Back And Demands Excellence
Description: There is only one Tom Peters. He’s a legend. Literally. For anyone in business, Tom Peters is the gold standard. From his countless bestsellers (In Search of Excellence, Re-Imagine, and on and on) to his incredible public presentations. Source: Sixpixels.mirumagency.com.com – podcast Date: Apr 08, 2018 Link: http://sixpixels.mirumagency.com/podcast/archives/spos-613—tom-peters-is-back-and-demands-excellence/ Questions for discussion: What did you learn about… Read more »
The Truth About U.S.-China Car Trade
Description: Despite what President Trump says, America is coming out on top. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Apr 12, 2018 Link: http://fortune.com/2018/04/12/china-solar-intelligent-highway/ Questions for discussion: What does the report say about trade between the two countries? Who would benefit from higher tariffs? How would consumers respond to higher tariffs?
