Description: To address its falling revenues, U.S. postal service is pondering over the possibility of delivering alcohol through its postal service. They anticipate this venture to bring in nearly $50 million every year. Source: CBC Date: August 2 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2399344954/ Questions for Discussion: What do you think about this new venture? What are… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Operations Management
Amazon Canada Taps Toy Market
Description: Amazon Canada, which entered Canada in 2002, is set to enter the toy market in a big way. It plans to offer the ‘largest section of toys’ in the country: this will include more than 300,000 toys for kids. Source: Financial Post Date: June 27 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/06/27/amazon-canada-taps-toy-market-with-largest-section-of-toys-in-country/ Questions for Discussion: Do you foresee… Read more »
Barrick Gold Corp’s continuing problems with their Chile project
Description: Chile files serious violations against Toronto-based Barrick Gold Corporation (world’s largest gold miner) dealing a blow to their Pascua-Lama mine project. The Pascua-Lama mine is believed to house nearly 18 million ounces of gold reserves. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: May 24 2013 Text link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/chile-freezes-barricks-pascua-lama-orders-urgent-measures/article12129034/ Questions for Discussion: What are some of… Read more »
Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A
Description: David Garofalo, CEO of HudBay, discusses the operations of HudBay and presents his arguments for why HudBay focuses on organic growth rather than through large Mergers and Acquisitions. Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A Source: Business News Network Video Date: March 5, 2012 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/3/5/Why-HudBays-CEO-avoids-value-destructive-big-MA.aspx Questions for Discussion: What is meant by… Read more »
The Transformation of Canadian Manufacturing
Canadian company Transformix knows the secret to making manufacturing work – add value and have a good neighbor. Everything else will take care of itself. So when the tsunami hit Japan, Transformix CEO Peng-Sang Cau did not worry about the impact. She bought more supplies. Ms. Cau does not worry about from where her parts… Read more »
The “Stuff” of Business
Entrepreneur Rhonda Abrams points out how “stuff” (materials and inventory) can influence a business from a cost standpoint. She also discusses how “stuff” and uncontrollable events can interrupt the business cycle. She offers practical advice on how to manage this “stuff” to make business more efficient in terms of capital. QUESTIONS: Begin by discussing how… Read more »
If It Costs More to Make, It Costs More to Buy
As Volkswagen opens its new plant in Tennessee, talks renew about how labor, particularly unionized labor, influence the cost of new vehicles and the viability of automakers. While foreign manufacturers are locating in the South and paying about half the amount a union worker makes, the Big Three in Detroit have been unable to see… Read more »
A Golden Opportunity
Following a hostile takeover attempt by Chinese Minmetals, Equinox Minerals agreed to a friendly takeover by Barrick Gold. The offer, yet to be approved by shareholders, increases the bid made by Minmetals and increases shareholder value. As part of the deal, Equinox agreed to drop its bid for Lundin Mining. QUESTIONS: What level of strategy… Read more »
They Are Not Giggling at Google
Without question, Google is the leading search engine on the internet. Advertisers flock to the company. Businesses (and other websites) clamor to move up in Google’s rankings. Yet not everyone is satisfied that Google’s results are the best they can be. University of California Visiting Scholar Vivek Wadhwa says a lot of spam makes its… Read more »
China’s Cotton Club
Chinese cotton farmers are holding on to their harvest from the past season waiting for prices to climb. Estimates suggest the amount of cotton being held off the market may be close to two million metric tons representing nine percent of the world supply. This hoarding coupled with a lack of production reporting throughout Asia… Read more »
Schermerhorn Management
Management, 3rd Canadian Edition John R. Schermerhorn, Barry Wright
Organizational Behaviour, Canadian Edition
Mitchell J. Neubert, Bruno Dyck, Mary Waller, Thomas Medcof
Entrepreneurship, Canadian Edition
William D. Bygrave, Andrew Zacharakis, Sean Wise
Industrial Relations in Canada
Fiona A. E. McQuarrie