A tale of two toymakers: Mattel soars, Hasbro sinks, but there’s more to the story

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: On Friday shares of Mattel continued to soar after a strong earnings beat on Thursday, while shares of rival Hasbro sank, the result of a poor earnings showing before the bell. But there is more going on than these stock moves show. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 08, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/08/a-tale-of-two-toy-makers-mattel-soars-hasbro-sinks.html Questions for discussion: Why did Mattel stock price… Read more »

Early Facebook designer: “Sometimes you don’t know something’s wrong until it’s too late”

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Description: Facebook acquired Maria Giudice’s design firm in 2013. Today, she’s an independent consultant and an advocate for “designing for unintended consequences.” Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 08, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90303374/early-facebook-designer-sometimes-you-dont-know-somethings-wrong-until-its-too-late?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=5&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02082019 Questions for discussion: What has changed online to make design so important to firms like Facebook? Why do you think Facebook acquired the firm, rather… Read more »

Video Game Stocks Get Clobbered, and Fortnite Is to Blame

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Description: Shares of video game makers slid on Wednesday after Electronic Arts and Take-Two Interactive Software delivered disappointing results. Those two stocks, as well as shares of rival Activision Blizzard, were down more than 10 percent. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/06/business/dealbook/electronic-arts-take-two-fortnite-earnings.html Questions for discussion: What does this report say about the sources… Read more »

Esports Playing in the Big Leagues Now

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Description: In 2018, esports captured the attention of nearly 400 million viewers worldwide—and cable and OTT platforms took note, with media rights revenues topping $180 million. Source: eMarketer.com Date: JAN 31, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/esports-disrupts-digital-sports-streaming?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: Summarize what is happening in this industry. What advice is being presented to marketers? Do you agree with… Read more »

These incredible Canada Goose parkas were created by Inuit designers

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Description: Inuit invented the first parkas. With its new collection, Canada Goose highlights the work of Inuit seamstresses keeping their heritage alive. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 07, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90302431/these-incredible-canada-goose-parkas-were-created-by-inuit-designers?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=02072019 Questions for discussion: What are the social and economic benefits derived from this program for all parties involved? Do you think design is a critical… Read more »

This clothing factory cuts waste by machine-knitting sweaters on demand

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Description: In Brooklyn, a company is trying automating knitting sweaters and making them to order instead of making thousands that then have to be trashed if no one buys them. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Feb 06, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90300313/this-clothing-factory-cuts-waste-by-machine-knitting-sweaters-on-demand Questions for discussion: How does this technology improve productivity and customer service? Do you think this orientation… Read more »

Why Isn’t Blockchain Preventing Ad Fraud?

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Description:  With fraud plaguing the digital advertising ecosystem, many advertisers hoped that blockchain’s open and distributed ledger would improve the way they filter and detect unscrupulous activity. But we don’t yet know if that’s possible. Why? Because not enough parties are using blockchain. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 26, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/has-blockchain-stalled-as-an-ad-fighting-tool?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What… Read more »

Millennials may claim another victim: Harley-Davidson and the classic American motorcycle

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Description: The supposed millennial penchant for “killing” industries gets thrown around a lot, but it could really be happening to one American icon: the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Source: CNBC.com Date: Jan 25, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/25/actually-young-people-really-could-kill-harley-davidson.html Questions for discussion: How have changes in demographics and attitudes affected the fortunes of Harley-Davidson in recent years? What is management doing stratgically… Read more »

Hey Siri, What Are Hearables?

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Description:  A new category of wearable emerges Source: eMarketer.com Date: Jan 09, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/hey-siri-what-are-hearables?ecid=NL1009 Questions for discussion: Why is the development of hearable technology a game changer for the industry? What sorts of devices and applications can you image in the future?

How Starbucks went from one coffee bean store to an $80B business

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Description:  In its 47-year history, Starbucks has transformed from a single coffee bean store in Seattle to a 30,000 cafe international coffee power house. But massive expansion hasn’t come without growing pains. How Starbucks went from one coffee bean store to an $80B business from CNBC. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Jan 07, 2019… Read more »