Description: In Canada, banks cannot promote insurance products on their websites. Recently, insurance brokers lodged a complaint alleging that RBC and BMO are flouting Ottawa’s rules by promoting insurance on their websites. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: April 23, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/insurers-lodge-complaint-against-rbc-bmo/article2410371/ Questions for Discussion: Do you agree that the Canadian government should… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Strategy
Audi revs electric car engine with synthetic sound
Description: Manufacturers are showing growing interest in Electric cars. However, they are completely silent on the road. This may be a problem for pedestrians. Source: itbusiness.ca Date: April 12, 2012 Video Link: http://bcove.me/ok4f1dck Questions for Discussion: What do you think of Audi’s strategy to rev up the engine sound? Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of… Read more »
RIM Troubles Continue
RIM Troubles Continue Description: RIM continues to perform poorly. RIM CEO, Thorstein Heins, hints that they are open to selling RIM. Wall Street Journalists discuss possible suitors for RIM. Source: Wall Street Journal Video Date: March 29, 2012 Link: http://online.wsj.com/video/can-rim-survive-the-turmoil/C79D4470-7F3B-4898-AA9B-E7E544B952F7.html Questions for Discussion: Discuss important reasons that led to the eventual decline of RIM? Should… Read more »
McDonald’s growth
McDonald’s new chief executive Don Thompson, who has taken over Mr. Jim Skinner, continues to emphasize on diversification despite the reduction in the compound annual growth rate of the firm’s overseas assets. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/international-news/global-exchange/financial-times/mcdonalds-growth-supersize-me/article2379161/) Questions: Do you think having an earlier CEO like Mr. Skinner has raised the bar for Mr. Thompson? How would we have… Read more »
Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A
Description: David Garofalo, CEO of HudBay, discusses the operations of HudBay and presents his arguments for why HudBay focuses on organic growth rather than through large Mergers and Acquisitions. Why HudBay’s CEO avoids ‘value destructive’ big M&A Source: Business News Network Video Date: March 5, 2012 Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/3/5/Why-HudBays-CEO-avoids-value-destructive-big-MA.aspx Questions for Discussion: What is meant by… Read more »
Globally Integrated Business
Description: Bruce Ross, President of IBM Canada, discusses the importance and features of a globally integrated business system in today’s economic environment Globally Integrated Business, part 1 Source: Financial Post Executive Video Link: http://www.financialpost.com/executive/video/index.html?embedCode=o4cTBlMjoEQT7h_uMRjbrj6LZ_TXnLT7 Questions for Discussion: What is meant by globally integrated businesses? How is this new system different from the traditional export… Read more »
Bombardier Inc.’s Showcase Project in South Africa
Bombardier Inc.’s $3.7 billion Gautrain project in South Africa was launched in 2010 during World cup soccer. Gautrain, which runs on an 80 km route covering two cities and an airport, is now facing several problems such as limited train schedules, technical issues, limited bus service connectivity to the train stations and lower than projected… Read more »
RIM’s New Marketing Campaign
Research In Motion Ltd.’s new chief executive, Thorsten Heins, discusses his ideas on how he plans to revive his firm. He does not rule out the possibility of licensing BlackBerry Messenger technology to other platforms. Mr. Heins mentions that RIM needs to take some dramatic steps to regain its lost market share in the U.S…. Read more »
Learning from Kodak’s Collapse
Larry Keeley, consultant at tech.fortune.cnn.com, advises how firms must focus on innovating and developing new platforms. He suggests that the entire focus of the firm must not be on trying to grow in familiar ways. Even though Kodak knew about the rise in digital technology, it failed in its existing strategic approach to combat the… Read more »
Sony’s marketing plan
Sony’s CEO, Sir Howard Stringer’s speech at Wall Street Journal event last week compared and contrasted Sony’s achievements and goals with its admired competitor, Steve Job’s “Apple”. While Sony focuses on multiple products, Apple focuses on a few items with its main emphasis on marketing of those products. Sony has seen a consistent loss in… Read more »
