Description: VIPKid is the latest gig-economy company to be ensnared in the contractor-versus-employee debate. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 21, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-21/grieving-mother-s-firing-sparks-backlash-against-chinese-education-startup Questions for discussion: What are the managerial issues that distinguish between a contractor versus an employee relationship with a firm? Should companies publicize how they treat contractors and employees differently?
Posts Categorized: Operations Management
The Hidden Victim of Sexual Harassment: Women’s Careers
Description: Yet another industry titan tumbled from his perch on Wednesday as NBC announced the firing of star Today Show host Matt Lauer for alleged “inappropriate sexual behavior.” Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 30, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/11/30/matt-lauer-fired-sexual-harassment-jobs/ Questions for discussion: What does the report suggest may be a consequence of the recent scandals? Do you agree with… Read more »
How Benefit Cosmetics Uses Organic vs. Paid Social
Description: As brands struggle to find the right mix of organic and paid campaigns on social media, Benefit Cosmetics has found an approach that works: Organic social media marketing is critical, supported only occasionally by paid efforts. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Nov 30, 2017 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/How-Benefit-Cosmetics-Uses-Organic-vs-Paid-Social/1016793 Questions for discussion: What is the difference between organic and… Read more »
Amazon.com wants to be your new executive assistant at work.
Description: Now Hiring? Amazon Says Its Voice Aide Alexa Is Ready For the Office Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 30, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/11/30/amazon-voice-aide-alexa-is-ready-for-the-office/ Questions for discussion: How can Amazon serve as an executive assistant? Do you think this is the next big thing in technology for productivity in the workplace?
Canadian companies should be more courageous about diversity, Deloitte report urges
Description: MONTREAL — Canadian business leaders need to take “courageous” actions to make sure their companies are more diverse and inclusive in order to remain competitive amid demographic and technological changes in the workplace, according to a new report released Wednesday. Source: BNN.ca Date: Nov 22, 2017 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/canadian-companies-should-be-more-courageous-about-diversity-deloitte-report-urges-1.922556 Questions for discussion: What does the… Read more »
No soup for you? Campbell plunges on poor sales
Description: When the thing your company is named for is no longer selling all that well, that’s a big problem. Just ask Campbell Soup, which reported lousy earnings Tuesday because of weak soup sales. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 22, 2017 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/11/21/investing/campbell-soup-earnings/index.html Questions for discussion: Why is the company stock value falling?… Read more »
10 psychological retail tricks to make you splurge Black Friday
Description: Watch out for these retail strategies when shopping this holiday season Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Nov 22, 2017 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-retail-tricks-that-make-you-spend-more-2013-12-04 Questions for discussion: Do you think these retailing strategies work? What else would you advise retail managers do to generate more holiday shopping sales?
As ‘Ban the Box’ Spreads, Private Employers Still Have Questions
Description: Tight labor markets and simple compassion are among the reasons that small businesses are getting behind fair-chance employment, a movement to level the playing field for job hunters who have a criminal record. But even advocates acknowledge that, despite the momentum, there are hurdles beyond the expected concerns about public safety. Source: NYTimes.com Date:… Read more »
Your Favorite Radio Hits May Go Silent
Description: Songwriters threaten to withhold their music if stations don’t give them a bigger share of revenue. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Nov 22, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-22/your-favorite-radio-hits-may-go-silent Questions for discussion: Explain how the music industry pays royalties to artists. Do you think the artists can reasonably demand more from distributors? Is this a zero-sum game?
Walmart is killing Target and making Amazon sweat
Description: Many retailers are in a world of pain because of Amazon. Walmart is not one of them. It beat Wall Street forecasts for sales and profit on Thursday and improved its forecast for holiday shopping. The stock rose nearly 9% to an all-time high. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 16, 2017 Link:… Read more »
