Description: It is time we took stock. We have poured billions of dollars down this sink hole, and all it has bought us is the right to go on pouring billions more Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Sep 28, 2017 Link: http://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-time-to-bust-the-myth-canada-does-not-have-to-be-in-aerospace Questions for discussion: What are the arguments for subsidizing the aerospace industry in Canada? What… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Operations Management
Ikea May Open Standalone Restaurant
Description: For all you Swedish meatball fans Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Sep 28, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2fvA0Lg Questions for discussion: Do you think this concept will work in North America? Who is the target customer? Would you develop a wider menu choice or stick to the limited options?
Trivago Turns to AI as Travelers Increasingly Book Directly
Description: tripl purchase follows aggressive advertising moves in Europe Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 28, 2017 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Trivago-Turns-AI-Travelers-Increasingly-Book-Directly/1016540 Questions for discussion: How is the online travel business changing? How are businesses like Trivago responding? What other ideas could be applied to the challenges facing the industry?
Nestlé Makes Billions Bottling Water It Pays Nearly Nothing For
Description: The company’s operation in Michigan reveals how it’s dominated the industry by going into economically depressed areas with lax water laws. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Sep 20, 2017 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-09-21/nestl-makes-billions-bottling-water-it-pays-nearly-nothing-for Questions for discussion: What are the ethical issues presented in this article? Do you believe the firm is doing anything improper?
Before Wisconsin, Foxconn Vowed Big Spending in Brazil. Few Jobs Have Come.
Description: Before the Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn pledged to spend $10 billion and create 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin, the company made a similar promise in Brazil. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 20, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/business/foxconn-trump-wisconsin.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: What does the report have to say about strategic management thinking from different parts of the world? Is there… Read more »
Egan: Sell pot just like LCBO, where boss earns $500K and clerks $27 an hour
Description: The government selling weed to anybody is a terrible idea. So is the creation of a subsidiary of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to create and run a retail network. Source: OttawaCitizen.com Date: Sep 11, 2017 Link: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-sell-pot-just-like-lcbo-where-boss-earns-500k-and-clerks-27-an-hour Questions for discussion: What are the arguments against government run businesses, as presented in this… Read more »
Nordstrom’s New Store Won’t Stock Clothes
Description: It will instead offer personal stylists, manicures and beer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2jgDkOZ Questions for discussion: What do you think of this new retailing concept? Do you think existing Nordstrom customers will respond positively? Do you think it will attract new customers?
200 Gap and Banana Republic stores closing
Description: It’s going to be a little harder to find a Gap or Banana Republic store — but expect to see more Old Navy and Athleta locations pop up. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 06, 2017 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2017/09/06/news/companies/gap-banana-republic-stores-closing/index.html Questions for discussion: How is Gap’s management changing operations? What sort of future do you… Read more »
How Rosalind Brewer, Starbucks’ First Woman COO, Got the Job
Description: Rosalind Brewer’s first step toward the COO job at Starbucks(SBUX, -1.55%) happened completely by chance. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Sep 07, 2017 Link: http://fortune.com/2017/09/07/rosalind-brewer-starbucks-coo/ Questions for discussion: Why is Rosalind Brewer a good choice for this job? What does the article say about corporate cultures for executive development?
Apple Is Losing Its Cool Factor And That’s A Problem If They Want To Break Into TV.
Description: Apple spent much of the 00s riding high on a wave of cool. Whether it was MP3 players, smartphones, tablets or laptops, Apple was the brand that everyone wanted and anything else seemed like the “sensible” (read: uncool) pair of sneakers your parents forced you wear in sixth grade. (Growing up in New York… Read more »