Trading Four Wheels for Two

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Bicycle sales in Europe are on a high. In Italy, for the first time since the early post-war era, sales for bicycles have overtaken sales for cars. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 03 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/car-mad-italians-trading-four-wheels-for-two/article4584829/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss some of the reasons why bicycle sales have increased in Europe? Do… Read more »

Canada should boldly embrace emerging markets

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management.

Description: Canada should follow a more balanced approach where they need to move beyond its focus on the U.S. and more actively pursue opportunities in emerging markets. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 25 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/lets-boldly-embrace-emerging-markets/article4565058/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss some of the reasons why Canada needs to pursue emerging markets more actively?… Read more »

Should Canada be protecting ownership of its oil sands?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Management, Strategy.

Description: Although they support the proposed $15.1-billion acquisition of Nexen Inc. by China’s CNOOC Ltd., top industry executives want Ottawa to protect ownership of major oil sands companies. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 25 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/protect-canadian-ownership-of-oil-sands-firms-executives-urge/article4568562/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with the executives that Ottawa should not allow foreign ownership… Read more »

Bombardier sees upside in city congestion

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Bombardier sees growth as major cities try to overcome increasing congestion. It presently has orders worth U.S. $31.9 billion to build better public transportation to reduce people’s over reliance on cars. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 19 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/bombardier-sees-upside-in-city-congestion/article4553201/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss how Bombardier has sustained such impressive growth despite the slow… Read more »

Is risk necessary in era of slow growth?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Management, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Scotiabank CEO Rick Waugh says banks need to take a certain amount of risk to stimulate growth. He asserts that Canadian banks have managed risk well. Source: Business News Network Date: September 18 2012 Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/9/18/Risk-necessary-in-era-of-slow-growth-Scotia-CEO.aspx Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with Rick Waugh that banks should take risk to… Read more »

Canada slips in competitiveness rankings?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management.

Description: Canada is now ranked 14th in global competitiveness rankings; it was ranked in the top 10 in 2009. Canada received low scores on its quality of research innovation and its innovation record. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 05 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/canada-slips-in-competitiveness-rankings/article4520181/ Questions for Discussion: Suggest possible actions for Canada to improve its… Read more »

Are there drawbacks for BCE’s buyout of Astral?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Rogers Communications Inc. told Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) that Bell’s $3.4 billion takeover of Astral Media Inc. will limit the competition in the market and will make it difficult for Rogers to offer programming on online devices. Source: Business News Network Date: September 12 2012 Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/9/12/BCE-will-hoard-content-after-Astral-buy-Rogers-tells-CRTC.aspx Questions for Discussion:… Read more »

Lululemon Defies Critics

Posted by & filed under Communication, Environment, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Lululemon overcame some serious setbacks to report an almost 50-per-cent jump in quarterly profit to $57.2-million, resulting in its shares soaring more than 12 per cent. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 07 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/lululemon-to-continue-global-expansion-in-yoga-running-apparel/article4525921/ Questions for Discussion: Explain how Lululemon managed to overcome some of earlier setbacks? What does the following… Read more »

Dollarama a bright spot in struggling retail sector

Posted by & filed under Environment, Strategy.

Description: Amidst shrinking margins for most Canadian retailers and grocers, Dollarama has surpassed expectations with with swelling margins and strong profits.  Source: Business News Network Date:  April 11, 2012 Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/4/11/Dollarama-a-bright-spot-in-struggling-retail-sector.aspx Questions for Discussion: What do you feel are the reasons for Dollarama’s success? Does the success of Dollarama indicates that Canadian consumers are… Read more »