Description: Tim Hortons plans to open 500 new restaurants in Canada and 300 in the U.S. in its new five year plan—this will increase its outlets by nearly 18 percent. Source: CBC Date: Feb 25, 2014 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2439551808/?page=5 Questions for Discussion: Appraise Tim Hortons five year expansion plan? Compare Tim Hortons strategy with that… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Organizational Change
Staples to close 255 stores in the U.S. and Canada
Description: Unable to compete against online sales, Staples, the largest U.S. office-supply retailer, will close up to 225 stores in North America. This is an effort to cut costs by $500 million by 2015—Staples hopes that it will make the company more efficient. Source: CBC Date: March 06, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/staples-to-close-225-stores-in-u-s-canada-1.2562302 Questions for Discussion: Discuss… Read more »
Shoppers Drug Mart sees a decline in its profits
Description: Shoppers Drug Mart Corp. posted lower profits in its fourth quarter. This is likely to be Shoppers last quarterly results as a separate public company; it is being acquired by Loblaw Cos. Ltd. Source: BNN Date: Feb 06, 2014 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/2/6/Shoppers-profit-squeezed-by-milder-cold-season-stiffer-competition.aspx Questions for Discussion: What are some of the reasons for Shoppers declining profits?… Read more »
Ten major pharmaceutical companies to collaborate
Description: Ten major pharmaceutical companies have decided to collaborate under the guidance of National Institute of Health to develop new drugs for major diseases. This is a major departure from the way pharmaceutical companies have traditionally worked. Source: CBC Date: Feb 04, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2434950263/ Questions for Discussion: List the benefits of such a collaboration?… Read more »
Survivability of large corporations
Description: Lifespan of big corporations is fast shrinking: A recent study at Yale university concluded that in 1958, a Fortune 500 company could be expected to survive for at least 60 years; this life span has now come down to less than 15 years. Source: CBC Date: Nov. 04, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2415923003/?page=2 Questions for… Read more »
Twitter surpasses expectations
Description: Twitter stocks soared by 73% from its initial public offering price on its opening day at the NYSE. This is somewhat similar to how Facebook opened at the stock exchange. What remains to be seen is whether, like Facebook, its shares will nosedive over the next 30 days.? Source: CBC Date: Nov. 07, 2013… Read more »
Canada Post’s uncertain future
Description: Canada post is facing declining deliveries and imminent losses. It needs to plan how best to survive in the future. Ben Dachis, senior policy analyst at C.D. Howe Institute, discusses possible strategies for Canada Post. Source: CBC Date: August 9, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2400170014/?page=3 Questions for Discussion: What changes should Canada Post make to… Read more »
Blackberry may be going private
Description: The share prices of Blackberry rose on speculation that the company may be going private. Blackberry shares have been erratic over the last few years suggesting that the company is going through an unstable period. Source: CBC Date: August 9, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2400127860/ Questions for Discussion: How would Blackberry benefit by going private?… Read more »
Employee turnover likely at Blackberry
Description: With the phasing out of retention bonuses and poor quarter results, several Blackberry executives are likely to leave. Last year Blackberry axed nearly 5000 employees; with low sales of its new Z10 phone, the company is expected to terminate more jobs. Source: Bloomberg Date: July 12 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-12/blackberry-said-to-prepare-for-departures-as-goals-set.html Questions for Discussion: Will it… Read more »
Shakeup at Microsoft
Description: Microsoft is restructuring its organization in the wake of increased competition from Google and Apple. Analyst Frank Gillett of Forrester Research points out that not too long back, 95% of end user technology devices were from Microsoft, today that number is only 30%. Source: The National Date: July 11 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2396418626/ Questions… Read more »
