Description: Adam Schwartz’s t-shirt company was struggling. Instead of saving it, he built something new — and better. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/331231 Questions for discussion: What does the article say about creative thinking and business evolution? Could these businesses succeed without low-cost online advertising from companies like Google?
Posts Categorized: Planning
This new technical fabric replaces polyester with banana plants
Description: The abacá plant grows without needing lots of water or pesticides, helps stop erosion, and is now being used to replace fossil fuels in clothes. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90333645/this-new-technical-fabric-replaces-polyester-with-banana-plants?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=7&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04122019 Questions for discussion: What are the major attributes that differentiate this new product? How should managers market this new product so… Read more »
Here’s the best Canadian city to start a small business in (no, it’s not Toronto or Waterloo)
Description: Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and Montreal don’t even make it into Canada’s 10 most entrepreneurial cities’ list Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/heres-the-best-canadian-city-to-start-a-small-business-in-no-its-not-toronto-or-waterloo Questions for discussion: What are some of the key criteria for identifying the “best” cities to start a small business in Canada? Why would businesses willingly pay higher taxes in… Read more »
Facebook sets its sights on housing. Should Zillow be worried?
Description: Americans may start to become more ‘social’ in the way they shop for homes, one analyst thinks Source: MarketWatch.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/facebook-sets-its-sights-on-housing-should-zillow-be-worried-2019-04-03?mod=mw_theo_homepage Questions for discussion: What are the competitive advantages favoring Facebook in the real estate business? Do you think consumers will respond to Facebook advertising for housing? Explain.
GE bets on offshore wind as fossil fuels business stumbles
Description: New York (CNN Business)General Electric is a tiny player in the booming offshore wind market. But that will change soon — and it needs to, if the company wants to outgrow its exposure to fossil fuels. One major investment that illustrates GE’s interest: The Haliade-X, the world’s largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine. Source: CNNMoney.com –… Read more »
Social Recommendations Influence One in Three Mothers to Buy
Description: When it comes to shopping, social media seems to have somewhat limited influence on parents’ purchasing behavior—but they’ll use it (and other online resources) for researching. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-recommendations-influence-one-in-three-mothers-to-buy Questions for discussion: What does the report say about the influence of social media on parental behavior? What should strategic planning… Read more »
Inside Ikea’s plan to reinvent itself as a circular company
Description: From rental furniture to modular couches, the company is finding more and more ways to limit its use of raw materials. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90328244/inside-ikeas-plan-to-reinvent-itself-as-a-circular-company Questions for discussion: What is driving the new business model? What are the constraints the company will have to deal with? Do you think the… Read more »
SNC-Lavalin needs to be held criminally liable: Lawyer
Description: Kenneth Jull, counsel at Gardiner Roberts, talks about the different paths SNC-Lavalin may face with a remediation agreement. He say that there is a right and a wrong way to handle this, but Canadians need to understand the consequences of each. Source: BNNBloomberg.ca – video report Date: Mar 28, 2019 Link: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/video/snc-lavalin-needs-to-be-held-criminally-liable-lawyer~1646690 Questions for… Read more »
McDonald’s will no longer lobby against minimum wage hikes
Description: McDonald’s will no longer take part in efforts to lobby against raising the minimum wage at the federal, state or local level, the fast-food giant told the National Restaurant Association Tuesday. Source: CNBC.com Date: Mar 27, 2019 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/27/mcdonalds-reportedly-to-stop-lobbying-against-minimum-wage-hikes.html?__source=iosappshare%7Ccom.apple.UIKit.activity.Mail Questions for discussion: What does this decision mean for the firm and the industry at large?… Read more »
Everything you need to know about the Apple credit card, TV Plus and news subscription launch
Description: Apple has today unveiled its secretive, decade-long effort to build a TV subscription service that will rival the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime. Source: Telegraph.co.uk – video report Date: Mar 26, 2019 Link: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2019/03/26/everything-need-know-apple-credit-card-tv-plus-news-subscription/ Questions for discussion: What are the competitive advantages for Apple in these markets? How well do you think Apple will be… Read more »
