Description: Should governments play a pivotal role in moving people to greener products? Norway sets an example of how governments can positively encourage its people to switch from gasoline and diesel cars to environmentally cleaner electrical cars. Source: The New York Times Date: October 16, 2015 Text Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/business/international/norway-is-global-model-for-encouraging-sales-of-electric-cars.html?ref=business Questions for Discussion: Discuss how Norway… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Entrepreneurship
Should Canada rebrand itself in the wake of the oil crisis?
Description: Energy has been Canada’s leading export merchandise; at least till recently, when auto sales topped the export numbers. In the wake of the oil slump, should Canada refocus on other strategic industries or skillsets to remain competitive in the global market? Source: The Globe and Mail Date: September 11, 2015 Text Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/rebranding-the-canadian-economy-in-the-wake-of-the-oil-slump/article26340860/ Questions… Read more »
Twitter CEO’s journey from stardom to obscurity
Description: Twitter’s CEO, Dick Costolo, once the darling of the employees, board of directors, media and even the Wall Street—in 2013, he was named Time’s 10 most influential tech CEOs, ran into major trouble with the investors. Recently, Dick Costolo resigned as Twitter’s CEO, much to the delight of the investors. Source: Fortune Date: June… Read more »
Shopify’s initial public offering smashes expectations
Description: Shopify, an Ottawa based company, sold 7.7 million shares at $17 apiece to raise $131 million in its initial public offering, smashing expectations. Shopify provides software for small businesses that helps them sell their products online. Today, more than 160,000 stores across 150 countries use Shopify. Source: CBC Date: May 26, 2015 Video… Read more »
Google’s self-driving cars to hit roads this summer
Description: In a significant step towards their goal of introducing self-driving cars to consumers in the next five years, Google will test their two-seater self-driving cars in Mountainview, California. This will be the first time that people will actually see these cars on the road. Source: Huffington Post Date: May 15, 2015 Video Link: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/05/15/google-s-pod-like-two-seater-is-next-step-to-driverless-car-to-hit-public-roads-this-summer_n_7290218.html?utm_hp_ref=canada-business… Read more »
Google Glass – a product that failed to take off
Description: Google Glass, a device mounted on your eyeglasses that has a camera, processor and a computer screen, does not seem to have a market. Google has decided to push back the Google Glass roll out to the mass market Source: Financial Post Date: November 14, 2014 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2014/11/14/google-glass-market/?__lsa=e829-e8e1 Questions for Discussion: What are your… Read more »
Alibaba – a channel for Canadian companies targeting China
Description: China-based e-commerce giant, Alibaba, is the biggest hub for online shopping worldwide. It offers an attractive opportunity for Canadian companies to sell their products to the large Chinese market. One Nova Scotia company announced that it sold more than 90,000 lobsters through the Alibaba shopping website in one day. Source: CBC Date: November 15,… Read more »
Tesla’s New Electric Car
Description: Tesla’s Elon Musk unveils the latest model of his electric car. This model has some outstanding features such as radar sensors and dual motors. Source: CBC Date: October 10, 2014 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2549956732/ Questions for Discussion: Compare and contrast Tesla’s marketing strategy with that of other major automobile companies such as General Motors and Toyota?… Read more »
Alibaba’s Tremendous Start on the New York Stock Exchange
Description: Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce company, had an amazing opening to its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange, making it one of the biggest U.S.-listed initial public offering in history. At its present market value, Alibaba is larger than some of the most successful technology companies in the U.S., such as eBay, Amazon… Read more »
Children’s recreation market booming
Description: Typically thought to be populated by small businesses, non-profits and community run programs, Children’s recreation sector is now a booming market with large and more professionalized businesses stepping in. With Canada lagging behind other English-speaking and European countries in terms of its investments in early childhood education as a percentage of its GDP, there… Read more »
