SPOS #665 – Cal Newport On Digital Minimalism

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #665 – Host: Mitch Joel. Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to researching cutting edge technology, he also writes about the impact of these innovations on society. Cal is the author of six books, including the recently published bestseller, Digital Minimalism and (a personal… Read more »

Metro grocery stores in Quebec will allow customers to shop with reusable containers

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: First major grocery store chain in Canada to allow these containers, expert says Source: CBC.ca Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/metro-reusable-containers-grocery-store-1.5098655 Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose the firm is introducing this program at this time? Do you think it will find acceptance with large numbers of customers? How can the firm encourage… Read more »

5 women entrepreneurs on how #MeToo has changed their companies

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Social Responsibility, Teams.

Description: From improving sexual harassment training to creating more collaborative work environments, this is how women are changing their businesses. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90332562/5-women-entrepreneurs-on-how-metoo-has-changed-their-companies?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=4&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04162019 Questions for discussion: Summarize how these businesses have responded to the movement? What lessons should managers at any firm take away from these stories?

You can’t take anything home from Ikea’s new store

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

Description: The company’s first Manhattan store is nothing like any Ikea you’ve ever been to. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 10, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90332083/i-went-to-ikeas-first-small-store-and-it-answered-all-my-prayers?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=6&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04112019 Questions for discussion: Explain the change in thinking – by management and customers – that has led to this store design. Should Ikea develop this concept at its suburban stores as well?

Awash in Data, Marketers Still Find Ad Targeting Capabilities Lacking

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Decision Making, Management, Technology.

Description: The push for more effective ad targeting remains one of marketers’ chief priorities, evidenced by two reports released this year. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 11, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/better-ad-targeting-remains-a-top-priority-for-marketers?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What does the research say about data gathering issues facing management? How can managers deal with the problems they face?

“I had 15 years of professional experience, but no one cared when I became a mom”

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: A finance professional turned entrepreneur reflects on the motherhood bias and stereotypes she faced during her return to work Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90324442/former-goldman-sachs-employee-on-the-motherhood-penalty?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04032019 Questions for discussion: What is the “motherhood bias” according to the report? How can management deal with this social issue?

Facebook sets its sights on housing. Should Zillow be worried?

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Americans may start to become more ‘social’ in the way they shop for homes, one analyst thinks Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-sets-its-sights-on-housing-should-zillow-be-worried-2019-04-03?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What are the competitive advantages favoring Facebook in the real estate business? Do you think consumers will respond to Facebook advertising for housing? Explain.

Social Recommendations Influence One in Three Mothers to Buy

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: When it comes to shopping, social media seems to have somewhat limited influence on parents’ purchasing behavior—but they’ll use it (and other online resources) for researching. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-recommendations-influence-one-in-three-mothers-to-buy Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the influence of social media on parental behavior? What should strategic planning… Read more »

Inside Ikea’s plan to reinvent itself as a circular company

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility.

Description: From rental furniture to modular couches, the company is finding more and more ways to limit its use of raw materials. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90328244/inside-ikeas-plan-to-reinvent-itself-as-a-circular-company Questions for discussion: What is driving the new business model? What are the constraints the company will have to deal with? Do you think the… Read more »

SNC-Lavalin needs to be held criminally liable: Lawyer

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Decision Making, Ethics, Leadership, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy.

Description:  Kenneth Jull, counsel at Gardiner Roberts, talks about the different paths SNC-Lavalin may face with a remediation agreement. He say that there is a right and a wrong way to handle this, but Canadians need to understand the consequences of each. Source: BNNBloomberg.ca – video report Date: Mar 28, 2019 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/snc-lavalin-needs-to-be-held-criminally-liable-lawyer~1646690 Questions for… Read more »