A tale of two toymakers: Mattel soars, Hasbro sinks, but there’s more to the story

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: On Friday shares of Mattel continued to soar after a strong earnings beat on Thursday, while shares of rival Hasbro sank, the result of a poor earnings showing before the bell. But there is more going on than these stock moves show. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 08, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/08/a-tale-of-two-toy-makers-mattel-soars-hasbro-sinks.html Questions for discussion: Why did Mattel stock price… Read more »

Apple needs a new retail strategy

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Description: New York (CNN Business)The Apple Store is at a crossroads. Its CEO is stepping down, and the iPhone, its most important product, is in a major slump. That’s bad news for Apple in the near-term — but a major opportunity for the Apple Store to take on an even bigger role for the company. Source:… Read more »

Podcast | How Much Trust Do Consumers Give Brands?

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Ethics, Global Management, Individual Behavior, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy.

Description: In the latest episode of “Behind the Numbers,” we’re talking about consumer trust in brands and digging into data from a survey by data platform Jebbit. We’re joined in the studio by Jebbit co-founder Jonathan Lacoste to discuss which brands have succeeded in winning customer trust, which have failed, and why. Source: eMarketer.com –… Read more »

Video Game Stocks Get Clobbered, and Fortnite Is to Blame

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Description: Shares of video game makers slid on Wednesday after Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive Software delivered disappointing results. Those two stocks, as well as shares of rival Activision Blizzard, were down more than 10 percent. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/business/dealbook/electronic-arts-take-two-fortnite-earnings.html Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the sources… Read more »

Esports Playing in the Big Leagues Now

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Description: In 2018, esports captured the attention of nearly 400 million viewers worldwide—and cable and OTT platforms took note, with media rights revenues topping $180 million. Source: eMarketer.com Date: JAN 31, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/esports-disrupts-digital-sports-streaming?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Summarize what is happening in this industry. What advice is being presented to marketers? Do you agree with… Read more »

These incredible Canada Goose parkas were created by Inuit designers

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Diversity, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy.

Description: Inuit invented the first parkas. With its new collection, Canada Goose highlights the work of Inuit seamstresses keeping their heritage alive. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90302431/these-incredible-canada-goose-parkas-were-created-by-inuit-designers?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02072019 Questions for discussion: What are the social and economic benefits derived from this program for all parties involved? Do you think design is a critical… Read more »

This clothing factory cuts waste by machine-knitting sweaters on demand

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, New product, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: In Brooklyn, a company is trying automating knitting sweaters and making them to order instead of making thousands that then have to be trashed if no one buys them. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 06, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90300313/this-clothing-factory-cuts-waste-by-machine-knitting-sweaters-on-demand Questions for discussion: How does this technology improve productivity and customer service? Do you think this orientation… Read more »

SPOS #656 – Team Human With Douglas Rushkoff

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Decision Making, Diversity, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Social Responsibility, Teams.

Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #656 – Host: Mitch Joel. It’s the most wonderful time of the year when I get to speak media theorist, Douglas Rushkoff. He is – without a doubt – one of the smartest humans beings on this earth that I get to call a friend. Douglas is… Read more »

BlackBerry beefs up management team with new president

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Description: BlackBerry Ltd. (BB.TO 1.12%) said Bryan Palma would take over as the company’s president and chief operating officer, reporting to chief executive officer and chairman John Chen. Source: BNNBloomberg.com – video report Date: Jan 28, 2019 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/blackberry-beefs-up-management-team-with-new-president-1.1204874 Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the management changes taking place and the reasons… Read more »

Insulin has become so expensive that this diabetic is trying to make his own

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Control, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Insulin is a life-saving drug for diabetics. Since 2002, the price has more than tripled and some diabetics can’t afford it. People have died rationing their doses, and some are turning to other countries to buy it at a cheaper price. Now, there’s a team of biohackers called the Open Insulin Project in Oakland, California who are… Read more »