Starbucks Is Shrinking Its Selection (and So Are Your Other Favorite Stores)

Posted by & filed under Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy.

Description: Coming soon to a Starbucks near you: Less variety. Expect to see a narrower assortment of products in the main area of your local coffee chain outpost sometime soon this year. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 24, 2018 Link: http://fortune.com/2018/02/24/starbucks-merchandise-stores/ Questions for discussion: Why is Starbucks reducing variety? How might this decision impact customer behavior? Do you… Read more »

Boeing Is Killing It by Squeezing Its Suppliers

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Leadership, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy.

Description: Under CEO Dennis Muilenburg, the industrial giant has turned unapologetically hard-nosed. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 14, 2018 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-02-14/boeing-is-killing-it-by-squeezing-its-suppliers Questions for discussion: How has Boeing’s strategic management changed, according to the article? Do you think this way of doing business is sustainable?

4 lessons you can learn from the U.S. Olympic team

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Control, Decision Making, Motivation, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: It might seem like you have little in common with the Olympians competing in the Winter Games this month. Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 15, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/4-lessons-you-can-learn-from-the-us-olympic-team-2018-02-15 Questions for discussion: What are the lessons you can learn, according to the article? Which do you think is the most difficult to learn?

As the Streaming Wars Heat Up, Ryan Murphy Cashes In

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

Description:  The battle between the Hollywood establishment and the streaming-media giants has caused big changes in the entertainment industry in recent months, driving up the prices of major stars and series producers while leaving traditional companies in danger of losing relevance. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 14, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/business/media/streaming-wars-ryan-murphy.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: How has negotiations… Read more »

Why Disclosure Is Essential When It Comes to Influencer

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Ethics, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Many players still don’t reveal their ties to one another Source: eMarketer.com Date: Feb 11, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/why-disclosure-is-essential-when-it-comes-to-influencer-marketing Questions for discussion: What does the article say about influence marketing and the issue of disclosure? What do you think managers should do? Why?

Legacy Media Companies Are Leading the Charge in Advanced TV

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description:  Many marketing tech aficionados believe television ad buying is overdue for a digital overhaul. Dave Morgan, CEO of TV ad targeting firm Simulmedia, spoke with eMarketer’s Ross Benes about which digital applications are likely to find success within TV advertising and which products are overhyped. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Feb 2, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/advanced-tv-is-being-led-by-legacy-media-companies-5 Questions… Read more »

‘Thank you. This confirms your concert-ticket purchase. And your parking. And your t-shirt and beer.’

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

Description: The Showpass app lets anyone buy — and sell — event tickets, and they’re not scalpers or bots Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Jan 23, 2018 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/0120-biz-rs-spence-tickets Questions for discussion: What makes this app different? How should operations change at the firms competing with this app?

Toys “R” Us plans to close more than 180 U.S. stores

Posted by & filed under Change, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Strategy.

Description: Toys “R” Us is planning to shutter a fifth of its U.S. stores. Source: CNNMooney.com – video report Date: Jan 23, 2018 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/24/news/companies/toys-r-us-stores-closing/index.html?iid=hp-stack-dom Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the reasons for the store closures? How can management deal with the challenges facing the firm?

The Facebook News Feed Conundrum

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Control, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: In the latest episode of eMarketer’s “Behind the Numbers” podcast, we consider the changes planned for Facebook’s News Feed and the possible implications for advertisers. Will the shifting focus of the News Feed, with an emphasis on “personal” posts, force changes for marketers? Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 23, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/the-facebook-news-feed-conundrum?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion:… Read more »

Why Facebook Is Cleaning Up The Neighborhood

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Control, Decision Making, Ethics, Global Management, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Teams, Technology.

Description:  Brands (and the people that work for them) are going apoplectic about where Facebook is headed next. Investors are a bit nervous, too. Source: Sixpixels.mirumagency.com Date: Jan 23, 2018 Link: http://sixpixels.mirumagency.com/blog/archives/why-facebook-is-cleaning-up-the-neighborhood/ Questions for discussion: What does the article say is happening at Facebook? How will usage change? How should marketing managers respond to these… Read more »