Description: Though he first gained fame as an actor, Ashton Kutcher is also known for making smart investments in startups. However, as he explains to Alan Taylor in this video, it took a few years for those investments to pay off. One thing that helped was finding the right partners. Kutcher says he looks for entrepreneurs… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Planning
Branded Podcasts Are The Ads People Actually Want To Listen To
Description: Podcasts are becoming big business not only for creators, but for advertisers. Podcast advertising is on track to hit more than $220 million in 2017, up 85% from 2016. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Mar 5, 2018 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/40533210/branded-podcasts-are-the-ads-people-actually-want-to-listen-to?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=4&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=03062018 Questions for discussion: Describe this format of communications with targeted customers. Why is this sector of promotion so popular… Read more »
Ottawa to scrap IBM payroll plan gone awry, costing $1 billion
Description: Canada plans to scrap a major IBM federal payroll plan that created chaos for thousands of government workers and will have cost the government almost $1 billion by the time it’s over. Source: BNN.ca Date: Mar 01, 2018 Link: https://www.bnn.ca/ottawa-to-scrap-ibm-payroll-plan-gone-awry-costing-1-billion-1.1014734 Questions for discussion: What lessons are to be learned from this fiasco by managers at… Read more »
Best Buy says goodbye to mobile phone stores
Description: NEW YORK— Best Buy (BBY) is shuttering all 250 of its small-format mobile phone stores in the U.S., saying the locations have become less profitable. Source: CBS.com – video report Date: Mar 01, 2018 Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/best-buy-says-goodbye-to-mobile-phone-stores/ Questions for discussion: Why is management taking this action? How have consumer buying behaviors changed since these stores… Read more »
Putting Green in the Tea Party, She Crusades for Clean Power
Description: LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Debbie Dooley’s conservative profile seems impeccable. The gun-owning daughter of a Baptist preacher, she was an early organizer for the Tea Party movement. She voted for President Trump and still supports him. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/business/energy-environment/debbie-dooley-energy.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: Summarize the business and economic details presented in… Read more »
Gun maker stocks fall after Dick’s Sporting Goods takes a stand
Description: Smith & Wesson parent American Outdoor Brands stock falls to near 5-year low, Sturm, Ruger shares hit 3-year low Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gun-maker-stocks-fall-after-dicks-sporting-goods-takes-a-stand-2018-02-28 Questions for discussion: What impact has Dick’s Sporting Goods decision had on investor’s thinking? Do you think other retailers will simply pick up more sales? How should… Read more »
Bit by Bit, Whole Foods Gets an Amazon Touch
Description: Some signs are subtle, like the “Whole Foods + Amazon” one near the bananas. Others are more obvious, like the kiosk with Amazon devices for sale. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 1, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/01/technology/bit-by-bit-whole-foods-gets-an-amazon-touch.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business®ion=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: How has the transition strategy unfolded thus far? Do you think the firms are going about the… Read more »
Spotify IPO filing reveals how insanely complicated it is to license music rights
Description: Spotify wants to sell stock to investors — but first it will need to convince them it’s worth buying in to the complex process of selling music. Source: CNBC.com Date: Feb 28, 2018 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/28/how-spotify-licenses-and-pays-for-music-rights.html Questions for discussion: Do you think the way in which the firm pays for content will affect the way… Read more »
Just how shallow is the artificial intelligence talent pool?
Description: It might be 10,000 or it might be 300,000. Whichever, ‘the talent shortage is real’ and the only solution is for universities and governments to fund more training Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Feb 07, 2018 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-innovators/just-how-shallow-is-the-artificial-intelligence-talent-pool Questions for discussion: Why is it important for HR managers to know the numbers of skilled AI engineers?… Read more »
Starbucks Is Shrinking Its Selection (and So Are Your Other Favorite Stores)
Description: Coming soon to a Starbucks near you: Less variety. Expect to see a narrower assortment of products in the main area of your local coffee chain outpost sometime soon this year. Source: Forbes.com Date: Feb 24, 2018 Link: http://fortune.com/2018/02/24/starbucks-merchandise-stores/ Questions for discussion: Why is Starbucks reducing variety? How might this decision impact customer behavior? Do you… Read more »
