Wattpad’s dreams of becoming the next Disney may be lofty, but then it’s come a long way in 10 years

Posted by & filed under Change, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Motivation, New product, Operations Management, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description:  A year after its launch, Wattpad — an app that allows contributors to upload and share their writing for public viewing — had just 1,000 users. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Nov 30, 2016 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/growth-strategies/wattpads-dreams-of-becoming-the-next-disney-may-be-lofty-but-then-its-come-a-long-way-in-10-years Questions for Discussions: Describe this business model. What managerial services does it provide to creative artists? What other businesses could… Read more »

Meet The Former Investment Banker Who Is Trying To Step Up Men’s Shoe Game

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, Management, Motivation, New product, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Evan Fript is the co-founder and CEO of Paul Evans, a luxury men’s footwear company. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Dec 05, 2016 Link: http://for.tn/2h3rIwH Questions for Discussions: Describe the business model and why you think it has succeeded? Is this entrepreneur typical, in comparison to others?

More than 1.8 million teens are reading books by text messages thanks to this start-up

Posted by & filed under Change, Entrepreneurship, New product, Strategy, Technology.

Description: OK, it’s not exactly Dickens. But how about a great story delivered to you by text message? Source: WashingtonPost.com Date: Dec 02, 2016 Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/on-small-business/wp/2016/12/02/more-than-1-8-million-teens-are-reading-books-by-text-messages-thanks-to-this-start-up/?utm_term=.f8a70ec4abf7 Questions for Discussions: Why do you think this business model is working? What other products or services might work the same way?

Amazon Moves to Cut Checkout Line, Promoting a Grab-and-Go Experience

Posted by & filed under Change, Control, Decision Making, Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Management, Negotiation, New product, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: SEATTLE — There is almost no aspect of retail that Amazon has not upended with online shopping. Now, the company is trying to computerize the experience of buying sandwiches and soda from the corner convenience store. Source: NYTimes.com – video report Date: Dec 05, 2016 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/05/technology/amazon-moves-to-cut-checkout-line-promoting-a-grab-and-go-experience.html?ref=business Questions for Discussions: Describe the operation and… Read more »

McDonald’s Revamps Its $4 Billion McCafe Brand

Posted by & filed under Change, Individual Behavior, Innovation/Creativity, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy.

Description: McDonald’s Corp., losing ground in its battle for the nation’s coffee drinkers, is planning to shake up its McCafe brand — part of a bid to challenge Starbucks Corp. and Dunkin’ Donuts. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Dec 05, 2016 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-12-05/mcdonald-s-revamps-4-billion-mccafe-brand-as-it-lags-starbucks Questions for Discussions: What is McDonald’s plan? Do you think it will work?

Robots won’t kill the workforce. They’ll save the global economy.

Posted by & filed under Human Resource Management, Industrial Relations, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Across the world, the labor pool isn’t growing fast enough to support our needs. Source: WashingtonPost.com Date: Dec 02, 2016 Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/12/02/robots-wont-kill-the-workforce-theyll-save-the-global-economy/?utm_term=.c3c5ad77bd08 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about changing work environments? How should management and unions deal with these changes?

Is Cyber Monday Losing Its Sizzle?

Posted by & filed under Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Other shopping days are winning more and more online sales Source: eMarketer.com Date: Dec 01, 2016 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Cyber-Monday-Losing-Its-Sizzle/1014783?ecid=NL1009#sthash.tM8KJFPR.dpuf Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the changes taking place in retail customer behavior? How should managers respond?

Air Miles cancels points expiry plan following customer uproar

Posted by & filed under Control, Decision Making, Leadership, Management, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Following an uproar from consumers, the company that runs the Air Miles loyalty points program says it is cancelling plans that would have seen collectors lose any miles not used within five years. Source: BNN.ca.com – video report Date: Dec 02, 2016 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/air-miles-cancels-points-expiry-plan-following-customer-uproar-1.621570 Questions for discussion: How do you think this decision will… Read more »

CNN Taps YouTube Influencer to Reach Millennials

Posted by & filed under Change, Human Resource Management, Individual Behavior, Innovation/Creativity, Management, New product, Operations Management, Strategy.

Description: Young viewers are drawn to internet and mobile for news Source: eMarketer.com Date: Nov 30, 2016 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/CNN-Taps-YouTube-Influencer-Reach Millennials/1014781?ecid=NL1009#sthash.8rbbazNK.dpuf Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the way technology is affecting viewing behavior? How should news program managers respond by way of specific product programming?

Here’s How Samasource Is Connecting People in Slums to High-Paying Jobs

Posted by & filed under Change, Communication, Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Strategy, Technology.

Description: CEO Leila Janah explains Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Dec 02, 2016 Link: http://for.tn/2gurP3r Questions for Discussions: How does this business model work? How has technology made this business model possible? Do you think it is a model that will grow in popularity?