Description: Employees at Google offices around the world held a wave of walkouts on Thursday to protest the company’s handling of sexual harassment. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Nov 01, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/01/technology/google-walkout-sexual-harassment.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: Summarize the issues that precipitated the action by employees. What does this action say about the changing culture in this company?… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Leadership
Reduced holiday temp hiring is a sign Amazon is turning to more automation and robots: Citi
Description: Amazon has reduced the number of temporary hires it needs this holiday shopping season as the company turns to more robots, Citi analyst Mark May told CNBC Friday. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Nov 02, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/02/citi-mark-may-amazon-relies-on-robots-less-temporary-holiday-hires.html Questions for discussion: What does this report suggest is happening to low-paying jobs like sorting and… Read more »
Now Is Not a Good Time to Skimp on Worker Training
Description: With unemployment near a record low, many businesses have no choice but to spend to upgrade employee skills. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 26, 2018 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-26/now-is-not-a-good-time-to-skimp-on-worker-training?srnd=businessweek-v2 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about training in different countries around the world? How should managers interpret the suggestions in this article?
Here’s the Skinny: For Lean Production Processes to Work, a Company Needs to Be All In
Description: For a company in Chesterfield, Mo., it involved something as seemingly simple as attaching a trash can to an employee’s chair. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 11, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/11/business/heres-the-skinny-for-lean-production-processes-to-work-a-company-needs-to-be-all-in.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Ffast-forward Questions for discussion: Summarize the main ideas that would be important to managers of firms interested in improving operations and efficiencies. Which idea for improvement… Read more »
The true cost of an iPhone over your lifetime: $300,000
Description: That’s how much you would make if you invested the money you spent on your smartphone from the age of 18 to 78 Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 02, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-true-cost-of-an-iphone-over-your-lifetime-300000-2018-11-01 Questions for discussion: Do you think consumers understand the “cost” of owning an iPhone in these terms? What is the value received from… Read more »
Tim Hortons parent sees Canadian growth as it works to fix franchisee relationship
Description: The parent company of Tim Hortons saw sales growth at Canadian locations of the coffee-and-doughnut chain as executives say their work to mend fraught franchisee relations is paying off, though more work remains. Source: BNNBloomberg.com – video report Date: Oct 25, 2018 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/tim-hortons-parent-sees-canadian-growth-as-it-works-to-fix-franchisee-relationship-1.1157210 Questions for discussion: Explain the expansion plans at Tim Hortons?… Read more »
How Dara Khosrowshahi’s Iranian heritage shapes how he leads Uber
Description: As CEO Dara Khosrowshahi remakes Uber with an eye toward an IPO, his Iranian childhood and heritage are essential to understanding how he leads. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Oct 23, 2018 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90245381/how-dara-khosrowshahi-iranian-heritage-shapes-how-he-leads-uber?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=10232018 Questions for discussion: Summarize the entrepreneurial character and insight about Dara Khosrowshahi presented in the article. What is “bazaari entrepreneurialism” and how does… Read more »
This is the unbelievable story of beauty, bad business and Bugatti
Description: Bugatti makes the world’s most expensive cars, and, arguably, the most beautiful. But to truly understand the brand you must know its history. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 17, 2018 Link: https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2018/10/17/bugatti-chiron-divo-volkswagen-fastest-production-car.cnn-business/video/playlists/business-drive-cars/ Questions for discussion: What does the Bugatti brand represent? Describe the target customers using segmentation criteria? How would you grow… Read more »
Uber’s shot at replacing personal car ownership starts with Jump Bikes
Description: E-bikes and scooters are a key part of the company’s pivot from ride-hailing giant to mobility platform–and integral to its future vision for cities. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Oct 23, 2018 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90254182/ubers-shot-at-replacing-personal-car-ownership-starts-with-jump-bikes Questions for discussion: How are the two business models good fits for each other? Which other businesses could share this space?
Mobile Ad Spending to Surpass All Traditional Media Combined by 2020
Description: This year, mobile will surpass TV ad spending by more than $6 billion, according to our latest ad spending forecast. By 2020, the channel will represent 43% of total media ad spending in the US—a greater percentage than all traditional media combined. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Oct 16, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/mobile-ad-spending-to-surpass-all-traditional-media-combined-by-2020?ecid=NL1009 Questions for discussion: What… Read more »
