Description: To generate cash to help turnaround the company, Blackberry has reached an agreement to sell most of its real estate in Canada: this includes more than 3 million square feet of space. This sale will generate nearly $550 million. Source: Financial Post Date: March 21, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/03/21/blackberry-ltd-reaches-deal-to-sell-most-of-its-canadian-real-estate/?__lsa=1d59-37d4 Questions for Discussion: What will become… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Innovation/Creativity
Reasons for Nortel’s demise
Description: Dr. Jonathan Calof, Associate Professor at University of Ottawa, debates that some of the reasons for Nortel’s demise were hubris and arrogance. He argues that although Nortel continued to have strong technological skills but it was poor in managing this technology Source: CBC Date: March 21, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2443679616/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss some… Read more »
“Guilt Tipping”
Description: Technology has made it easier for people to tip. Starbucks will soon allow customers to leave a tip using a mobile app. It is almost impossible today for customers to forget to tip. Source: CBC Date: March 13, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2441753660/ Questions for Discussion: According to Bruce Sellery, what is “Guilt Tipping”? How has… Read more »
Facebook buys WhatsApp for an astounding $19 billion.
Description: In a major deal, Facebook has bought an instant chat service WhatsApp for an astounding $19 billion US. This is a tremendously high price for a recent startup company. Source: CBC Date: Feb 20, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2438554742/ Questions for Discussion: How will you defend Facebook’s purchase of WhatsApp for $19 billion? What are the underlying… Read more »
Shaking up the business of shaving
Description: Shaving is a big business worldwide with two giant players, Gillette and Schick. A new startup Harry’s is planning to shake-up the shaving business by selling razors directly to consumers. Jeff Raider, Harry’s co-founder, explains the company’s innovative strategy. Source: CBC Date: Feb 19, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2438374737/ Questions for Discussion: What sets Harry’s apart… Read more »
Canadian Tire posts high profits.
Description: Canadian Tire Corp. posted a 17-percent rise in quarterly profit. This was driven by strong sales of outdoor equipment, casual clothing and sports footwear. However, despite the positive numbers, Mark McQueen, CEO Wellington Financial, feels that Canadian Tire needs to invest in its stores and update its look and feel. Source: BNN Date: Feb… Read more »
Ten major pharmaceutical companies to collaborate
Description: Ten major pharmaceutical companies have decided to collaborate under the guidance of National Institute of Health to develop new drugs for major diseases. This is a major departure from the way pharmaceutical companies have traditionally worked. Source: CBC Date: Feb 04, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2434950263/ Questions for Discussion: List the benefits of such a collaboration?… Read more »
Procter & Gamble’s chocolate toothpaste
Description: Procter and Gamble soon plans to launch its new line of Crest toothpastes in three flavors: “Mint Chocolate Trek,” “Lime Spearmint Zest,” and “Vanilla Mint Spark.” Considering that the toothpaste industry has high brand loyalty, one way to increase market penetration is by launching new innovative products. Source: BusinessWeek Date: Jan 24, 2014 Link:… Read more »
E-cigarettes – A booming industry
Description: E-cigarettes is now a $2 billion industry in the U.S. and is expected to surpass the traditional cigarette market. Despite the obvious benefits of e-cigarettes, Canada has not yet legalized e-cigarettes with nicotine. Source: Financial Post Date: November 16 2013 Video link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/11/16/how-e-cigarettes-have-become-a-very-wild-west-industry-in-canada/ Questions for Discussion: How do e-cigarettes work? How do e-cigarettes compare… Read more »
Survivability of large corporations
Description: Lifespan of big corporations is fast shrinking: A recent study at Yale university concluded that in 1958, a Fortune 500 company could be expected to survive for at least 60 years; this life span has now come down to less than 15 years. Source: CBC Date: Nov. 04, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2415923003/?page=2 Questions for… Read more »
