Description: With unemployment near a record low, many businesses have no choice but to spend to upgrade employee skills. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Oct 26, 2018 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-26/now-is-not-a-good-time-to-skimp-on-worker-training?srnd=businessweek-v2 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about training in different countries around the world? How should managers interpret the suggestions in this article?
Posts Categorized: Teams
Here’s the Skinny: For Lean Production Processes to Work, a Company Needs to Be All In
Description: For a company in Chesterfield, Mo., it involved something as seemingly simple as attaching a trash can to an employee’s chair. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 11, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/11/business/heres-the-skinny-for-lean-production-processes-to-work-a-company-needs-to-be-all-in.html?rref=collection%2Fspotlightcollection%2Ffast-forward Questions for discussion: Summarize the main ideas that would be important to managers of firms interested in improving operations and efficiencies. Which idea for improvement… Read more »
How Dara Khosrowshahi’s Iranian heritage shapes how he leads Uber
Description: As CEO Dara Khosrowshahi remakes Uber with an eye toward an IPO, his Iranian childhood and heritage are essential to understanding how he leads. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Oct 23, 2018 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90245381/how-dara-khosrowshahi-iranian-heritage-shapes-how-he-leads-uber?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=10232018 Questions for discussion: Summarize the entrepreneurial character and insight about Dara Khosrowshahi presented in the article. What is “bazaari entrepreneurialism” and how does… Read more »
This is the unbelievable story of beauty, bad business and Bugatti
Description: Bugatti makes the world’s most expensive cars, and, arguably, the most beautiful. But to truly understand the brand you must know its history. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Oct 17, 2018 Link: https://www.cnn.com/videos/business/2018/10/17/bugatti-chiron-divo-volkswagen-fastest-production-car.cnn-business/video/playlists/business-drive-cars/ Questions for discussion: What does the Bugatti brand represent? Describe the target customers using segmentation criteria? How would you grow… Read more »
10 Healthy Habits for People Who Work Remotely
Description: Stay focused and set boundaries. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Oct 22, 2018 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/322119?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email Questions for discussion: Which item to you think is most useful? What else would you add to this list of suggestions? Do you think these suggestions should be any different for people working at a normal office?
SPOS #641 – Planet Funny With Ken Jennings
Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #641 – Host: Mitch Joel. I’m a moron. I did not put two and two together. My buddy, Scott Stratten, let me know that a new book called, Planet Funny, had recently been published. I’m all-in on any non-fiction book that can bridge comedy, culture and things like… Read more »
Why Sears bankruptcy will be bad for J.C. Penney
Description: Struggling J.C. Penney (JCP) best brace for an avalanche that has been set in motion by the death of longtime foe Sears. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sears-bankruptcy-will-rock-j-c-penney-foundation-200803793.html Questions for discussion: Why did Sears fail? Why will the Sears bankruptcy be bad for J.C. Penney?
How Target will try to crush Amazon and Walmart in toys this holiday season
Description: The holiday season is approaching, and with it the holiday toy wars. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/target-will-try-crush-amazon-walmart-toys-holiday-season-160044412.html Questions for discussion: What is the strategy Target is using for this toy buying season? Are they targeting kids or their parents? Do you think they will succeed with this seasonal… Read more »
Quaker Bets Oat Milk Is More Than Just a Passing Fad
Description: Quaker Oats is introducing its milk alternative at a trade show in Washington this weekend, with plans to start selling it in groceries in January.CreditCreditQuaker Oats Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 19, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/business/quaker-foods-pepsi-oat-milk.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: Who is the target customer for this product? Which other products is Quaker competing against for consumer… Read more »
Why Marketers Struggle with Data-Driven Personalization
Description: Personalization is a key part of many marketing strategies, but it remains a very difficult task for marketers to pull off effectively. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/why-marketers-struggle-with-data-driven-personalization?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What should managers take away from this research? How should this information be integrated with strategic plans?
