Description: Fairfax financial has made a $4.7 billion bid for BlackBerry. This bid amounts to an offer of $9 per share. In 2007, BlackBerry boasted a share price of $230.52. This is a remarkable drop for a company that started the smartphone market. Source: CBC Date: Sept. 23, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2408193839/?page=2 Questions for Discussion:… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Change
Reasons to keep working in retirement
Description: Andrew Allentuck discusses five reasons why people need to keep working in retirement. It is evident that more Canadians are unsure whether they’ll save enough to cover their living expenses when they reach their retirement age of 65. It seems working beyond retirement age is fast becoming a new reality. Source: Financial Post Date:… Read more »
Tables may soon overtake PCs
Description: A global research firm expects sales of tablets to surpass those of PCs in the near future. Source: CBC Date: Sept. 12, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2405930474/ Questions for Discussion: Per the product life cycle theory, do you think PCs are in the mature or the decline stage? How can PCs continue to develop its… Read more »
Minimum wage workers protest in the U.S.
Description: A large number of fast food restaurant workers across U.S. are protesting for higher minimum wages. Currently the minimum wage in the U.S. is $7.25/hr. Workers are demanding that minimum wage be raised to around $15/hr. There are arguments both in favour and against such a move. Source: CBC Date: Sept. 5, 2013 Video… Read more »
Blackberry may be going private
Description: The share prices of Blackberry rose on speculation that the company may be going private. Blackberry shares have been erratic over the last few years suggesting that the company is going through an unstable period. Source: CBC Date: August 9, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2400127860/ Questions for Discussion: How would Blackberry benefit by going private?… Read more »
Female representation on corporate boards
Description: Maureen Jensen, executive director of Ontario Security Commission (OSC) , discusses new provisions to increase female representation on corporate boards. Presently, corporate boards across Canada include only 14% females. The OSC is bringing in measures to increase gender diversity. Source: CBC Date: July 30 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2398849816/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Loblaw to acquire Shoppers Drug Mart
Description: Loblaw, Canada’s largest grocery chain is all set to acquire Canada’s largest pharmacy chain, Shoppers Drug Mart for $11.9 billion. This is the second major deal in this sector in recent months: lately, Sobeys acquired Safeway for $5.8 billion. Source: Dealbook Date: July 15 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/loblaw-to-buy-shoppers-drug-mart-in-canada/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Employee turnover likely at Blackberry
Description: With the phasing out of retention bonuses and poor quarter results, several Blackberry executives are likely to leave. Last year Blackberry axed nearly 5000 employees; with low sales of its new Z10 phone, the company is expected to terminate more jobs. Source: Bloomberg Date: July 12 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-12/blackberry-said-to-prepare-for-departures-as-goals-set.html Questions for Discussion: Will it… Read more »
Shakeup at Microsoft
Description: Microsoft is restructuring its organization in the wake of increased competition from Google and Apple. Analyst Frank Gillett of Forrester Research points out that not too long back, 95% of end user technology devices were from Microsoft, today that number is only 30%. Source: The National Date: July 11 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2396418626/ Questions… Read more »
CEO dismissals highest since 2003
Description: A study on CEOs of S&P 500 companies reveals that the number of CEOs dismissed is the highest since 2003. Source: Financial Post Date: June 18 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/18/ceo-dismissals-highest-in-almost-a-decade-study/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of the reasons for the high number of CEO dismissals? Do you see this trend to continue for the… Read more »
