Walmart Puts Its Eggs in a Time-Saving Basket: Grocery Pickup

Posted by & filed under Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, New product, Planning, Technology.

Description: Seeking an edge against Amazon, the retail giant is pushing a service that delivers your order to your car. Customers never have to step inside the store. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 05, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/business/walmart-grocery-pickup.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: What are the risks to Walmart following this delivery service? Do you think it creates any… Read more »

Andrew Coyne: Time to bust the myth. Canada does not have to be in aerospace

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Global Management, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: It is time we took stock. We have poured billions of dollars down this sink hole, and all it has bought us is the right to go on pouring billions more Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Sep 28, 2017 Link: http://nationalpost.com/opinion/andrew-coyne-time-to-bust-the-myth-canada-does-not-have-to-be-in-aerospace Questions for discussion: What are the arguments for subsidizing the aerospace industry in Canada? What… Read more »

Toys ‘R’ Us versus Amazon: No contest

Posted by & filed under Change, Decision Making, Management, Planning, Technology.

Description: Toys “R” Us chief executive Dave Brandon says the chain’s bankruptcy filing marks “the dawn of a new era” that will free it from crushing debts. Source: GlobeandMail.com Date: Sep 22, 2017 Link: https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/rob-commentary/toys-r-us-versus-amazon-no-contest/article36364306/ Questions for discussion: What is happening to retailing in Canada and to Toys R Us in particular? How should management… Read more »

Elon Musk’s hyperloop could revolutionise public transport | The Economist

Posted by & filed under Change, Entrepreneurship, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Elon Musk’s Hyperloop technology has the potential to revolutionise the way we travel. In a contest he held in Los Angeles, some of the world’s brightest engineers gathered to find the best way to make this billionaire’s pipe dream a reality. Source: TheEconomist.com – video report Date: Sep 20, 2017 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWo6LscqSGg Questions for… Read more »

Before Wisconsin, Foxconn Vowed Big Spending in Brazil. Few Jobs Have Come.

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Decision Making, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Before the Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn pledged to spend $10 billion and create 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin, the company made a similar promise in Brazil. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Sep 20, 2017 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/20/business/foxconn-trump-wisconsin.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=2&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: What does the report have to say about strategic management thinking from different parts of the world? Is there… Read more »

Small Businesses Crowd Facebook, Twitter for Marketing

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

Description: Traditional media channels fare less well Source: eMarketer.com Date: Sep 20, 2017 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/Article/Small-Businesses-Crowd-Facebook-Twitter-Marketing/1016499 Questions for discussion: How are small businesses using social media? What are the reasons for this strategic use of marketing funds?  

Patience is key takeaway these serial entrepreneurs use for success

Posted by & filed under Change, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy.

Description: It’s remarkable how many ways entrepreneurs find to give back after they sell their business; many commit to community and philanthropy. But Calgary entrepreneurs Nancy Knowlton and Dave Martin have taken it to a new level. Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Sep 12, 2017 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/fp-startups/0901-biz-rs-spence-nureva Questions for discussion: Explain the entrepreneurial success of Nancy Knowlton… Read more »

Egan: Sell pot just like LCBO, where boss earns $500K and clerks $27 an hour

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions, Ethics, Leadership, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility.

Description: The government selling weed to anybody is a terrible idea. So is the creation of a subsidiary of the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to create and run a retail network. Source: OttawaCitizen.com Date: Sep 11, 2017 Link: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-sell-pot-just-like-lcbo-where-boss-earns-500k-and-clerks-27-an-hour Questions for discussion: What are the arguments against government run businesses, as presented in this… Read more »

Nordstrom’s New Store Won’t Stock Clothes

Posted by & filed under Management, New product, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Strategy.

Description: It will instead offer personal stylists, manicures and beer. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Sep 11, 2017 Link: http://for.tn/2jgDkOZ Questions for discussion: What do you think of this new retailing concept? Do you think existing Nordstrom customers will respond positively? Do you think it will attract new customers?

Apple’s Real Advantage Is What’s Inside the New iPhones and Watch

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Management, New product, Planning, Technology.

Description: When Apple Inc. unveiled a trio of new iPhones, an Apple Watch and TV set-top box on Tuesday, much was made of the products’ elegance, new features and luxury-level prices. But perhaps the more important story is what’s under the hood: semiconductor technology that could keep Apple ahead of rivals and force people with older phones to… Read more »