Andrew Coyne: Time to bust the myth. Canada does not have to be in aerospace

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Global Management, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

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 »

Trivago Turns to AI as Travelers Increasingly Book Directly

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Operations Management, Strategy, Technology.

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

Posted by & filed under Environment, Ethics, Global Management, Management, Operations Management, Social Responsibility.

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.

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Decision Making, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

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&region=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

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions, Ethics, Leadership, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility.

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

Posted by & filed under Management, New product, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Strategy.

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

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Decision Making, Human Resource Management, Management, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

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

Posted by & filed under Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

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.

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Technology.

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 »