SPOS #665 – Cal Newport On Digital Minimalism

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #665 – Host: Mitch Joel. Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to researching cutting edge technology, he also writes about the impact of these innovations on society. Cal is the author of six books, including the recently published bestseller, Digital Minimalism and (a personal… Read more »

Metro grocery stores in Quebec will allow customers to shop with reusable containers

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: First major grocery store chain in Canada to allow these containers, expert says Source: CBC.ca Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/metro-reusable-containers-grocery-store-1.5098655 Questions for discussion: Why do you suppose the firm is introducing this program at this time? Do you think it will find acceptance with large numbers of customers? How can the firm encourage… Read more »

5 women entrepreneurs on how #MeToo has changed their companies

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Social Responsibility, Teams.

Description: From improving sexual harassment training to creating more collaborative work environments, this is how women are changing their businesses. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90332562/5-women-entrepreneurs-on-how-metoo-has-changed-their-companies?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=4&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04162019 Questions for discussion: Summarize how these businesses have responded to the movement? What lessons should managers at any firm take away from these stories?

Inside Tesla’s 100% renewable design for the Gigafactory

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

Description: The factory, which currently makes battery packs and electric motors for the Model 3, will eventually be the biggest building in the world–with the world’s largest rooftop solar array. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 15, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90334858/inside-teslas-100-renewable-design-for-the-gigafactory?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04162019 Questions for discussion: How has Tesla designed for sustainability at the plant? Do you think that by… Read more »

US Parents Get Digital After Dark

Posted by & filed under Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: What does parents’ downtime mean for marketers? Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 15, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/us-parents-get-digital-after-dark?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What does the research say about social behaviors that would interest marketing management? What are the greatest opportunities for management, according to the research?

Why the fight over Mexico’s labour reforms is the latest threat to new NAFTA deal

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: Depending how hard the U.S. Democrats dig in, the demands could throw an already troubled ratification process completely off course this year Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Apr 11, 2019 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/why-the-fight-over-mexicos-labour-reforms-is-the-latest-threat-to-new-nafta-deal Questions for discussion: Why is changing Mexican labour laws so critical to moving forward with North American trade? How different are Mexico’s laws in… Read more »

Kristen Bell and Her Cofounders Built a Company to Save Lives. But Growing It Wasn’t So Simple.

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility.

Description: With an entrepreneurial can-do mindset, the four Hollywood vets have built a business with soaring sales and global impact. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Apr 09, 2019 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/331237 Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategic decisions made to develop the company. How would this story be different if it was managed as a for-profit start-up? How… Read more »

This new technical fabric replaces polyester with banana plants

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: The abacá plant grows without needing lots of water or pesticides, helps stop erosion, and is now being used to replace fossil fuels in clothes. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90333645/this-new-technical-fabric-replaces-polyester-with-banana-plants?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=7&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04122019 Questions for discussion: What are the major attributes that differentiate this new product? How should managers market this new product so… Read more »

“I had 15 years of professional experience, but no one cared when I became a mom”

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: A finance professional turned entrepreneur reflects on the motherhood bias and stereotypes she faced during her return to work Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90324442/former-goldman-sachs-employee-on-the-motherhood-penalty?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04032019 Questions for discussion: What is the “motherhood bias” according to the report? How can management deal with this social issue?

Facebook sets its sights on housing. Should Zillow be worried?

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Americans may start to become more ‘social’ in the way they shop for homes, one analyst thinks Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-sets-its-sights-on-housing-should-zillow-be-worried-2019-04-03?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What are the competitive advantages favoring Facebook in the real estate business? Do you think consumers will respond to Facebook advertising for housing? Explain.