Apple Is on iCloud Nine

Posted by & filed under Communication.

The annual World Wide Developer Conference is a much anticipated event because it has been the venue of choice for Steve Jobs to announce new offerings by Apple. However, this year’s event has been preceded by carefully timed “leaks” of information indicating that the new announcement by Jobs will relate to the launch of iCloud, a service providing remote access to media. The service will replace the dismal MobileMe.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Does Apple need/have social capital? If so, with whom? How might the timing and location of product/service announcements influence social capital?
  2. From the standpoint of effective and efficient communication, discuss why Apple historically prefers to announce the launch of new products and services at the World Wide Developer Conference. Do you have any idea why Apple chose to make a pre-announcement?
  3. Steve Jobs will temporarily suspend his medical leave of absence to attend WWDC and make Apple’s product/service announcement. Why (i.e., why is it important for Mr. Jobs to make these announcements)?
  4. Discuss how beta testing, pre-announcements, and announcements to developers are consistent with the notion of feedback.

SOURCE: J. Berkow, “Launch of iCloud Seen as a Major Shift for Apple,” National Post (Retrievable online at http://business.financialpost.com/2011/06/06/launch-of-icloud-seen-as-a-major-shift-for-apple/)

Laughter at the Top (of the Hockey World)

Posted by & filed under Teams.

The Vancouver Canucks, leading the Stanley Cup Finals 2-0 over the Boston Bruins, seem to have luck on their side. While the Bruins may come back and win the championship, things definitely seem to be going the Canucks’ way. Few knowledgeable people believe that the success of the Vancouver franchise hinges on luck. Other factors definitely play a role.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Review the many different ways in which Vancouver has been winning and then discuss this in light of teamwork. We often use the term “team” rather loosely. What makes the Canucks a team?
  2. Rather than write off the Canucks previous failures as “bad luck” or the current successes as “good bounces,” examine what is taking place from the standpoint of how teams work. Focus on the inputs and throughputs that produce desired outputs in this case. How do the inputs for the current team different from the past? As you read the final few sentences of the article, what does this example suggest about the way players interact and work together? Why is this important?
  3. While task and maintenance roles seem to apply to team meetings, discuss how the Canucks are able to accomplish several of these activities in order to be successful.

SOURCE: R. MacGregor, “Laughter in Vancouver as Bounces Go All Their Way,” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/roy-macgregor/laughter-in-vancouver-as-bounces-go-all-their-way/article2048073/)

Related video at: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/video/video-burrows-scores-overtime-winner/article2047967/

Ch-ch-changes J.P. Morgan Style

Posted by & filed under Change.

The world-wide recession was driven in large part by numerous failures in two key industries – banking and automotive. In the United States, many of the big players in both industries required substantial bailouts from the Government to survive. On the financial side, J.P. Morgan Chase was considered one of the more stable banks, as its top management team managed to stay intact and avoid much of the scrutiny other companies endured. However, as the global economy remains stifled, Morgan is looking very closely at its management team and making changes that it believes will usher in a new era.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What model of change leadership is J.P. Morgan Chase utilizing? What are its reasons for doing so?
  2. Do you believe the changes likely to occur will be incremental or transformational? Why? Since J.P. Morgan seems to be doing well, what are the drivers of these changes?
  3. What are the likely targets of these changes (i.e., what aspects of the company will the changes influence)?
  4. Assume that J.P. Morgan is attempting to implement broad (organization-wide) change. What is the best change strategy to utilize? What is your rationale?
  5. While we do not know the reasons for Heidi Miller’s pending retirement and Todd Maclin’s job shift, would moving top management out/to other positions be an effective way to deal with resistance change? Why or why not?

SOURCE: D. Fitzpatrick, R. Sidel, & D. Enrich, “Talk of Changes at Stable J.P. Morgan,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304906004576367570268643228.html)

Canada Post, CUPW meet as strike deadline looms

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: With the Canadian Union of Postal Workers in a legal position to strike late Thursday night, the two sides in the dispute met Wednesday, June 1 to seek a solution.

Source: The Canadian Press

Date: 06/01/2011

Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iCzX1De5LFINYipKiZerKTQSoiWg?docId=7021107

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Do you think the strike notice deadline will make it more or less likely that the two sides will reach an agreement without job action?
  • Why?
  • What impact would a postal strike have on you and your friends and family?
  • Who would be hurt most by a postal strike?
  • Who would benefit?

Nova Scotia appoints chair of reorganized labour board

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction.

Description: The Nova Scotia government has named a former provincial ombudsman to head up its reorganized labour board.

Source: The Canadian Press

Date: 05/31/2011

Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5jnEoaXtmWm6OKoZuDVbHw8OkFqPg?docId=7011036

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the role of a labour relations board?
  • What are its powers?
  • What does “quasi-judicial status” mean?
  • Give an example of an employment matter the Nova Scotia board does not deal with.
  • Give a brief description of Nova Scotia’s recent labour tribunal reorganization. Why do you think this was done?

No Snail Mail, No Big Deal

Posted by & filed under Change, Human Resource Management.

With so many other options available for communicating with friends and family, a shutdown of the postal service is not as big a deal as it once was. The Canadian Union of Postal Workers presented their final offer, which was rejected, to Canada Post and issued a strike notice. Months long negotiations have not been productive. Declining mail volume leaves Canada Post needing concessions, but the union calls them excessive and seems unwilling to budge.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Discuss the reasons why the union might strike.
  2. If, as the writer of the article indicates, the bargaining power of the union has been weakened, how can it protect its membership? Is there any alternative other than accepting concessions demanded by Canada Post? Is the situation here indicative of a national trend or is it limited to the postal service? Provide a rationale for your answer.
  3. [Chapter 10] Does the union’s position reflect resistance to change? Why or why not? How should Canada Post respond?

SOURCE: M. Babad, “Would Anyone Care If Postal Workers Strike on Thursday?” Globe and Mail (Retrievable online at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/would-anyone-care-if-postal-workers-strike-on-thursday/article2039904/)

 

The “Stuff” of Business

Posted by & filed under Operations Management.

Entrepreneur Rhonda Abrams points out how “stuff” (materials and inventory) can influence a business from a cost standpoint. She also discusses how “stuff” and uncontrollable events can interrupt the business cycle. She offers practical advice on how to manage this “stuff” to make business more efficient in terms of capital.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Begin by discussing how “stuff” can influence competitive advantage.
  2. Ms. Abrams mentions several consequences (i.e., missed opportunities) that can result from having too much “stuff.” How might this influence value creation?
  3. We typically think of inventory as something related to manufacturing. Discuss why it is important for any kind of business to be concerned with inventory.
  4. Discuss the pros and cons of just-in-time systems for managing the “stuff” problem.

SOURCE: R. Abrams, “Entrepreneurs, Don’t Let Your ‘Stuff’ Control Your Business,” USA Today (Retrievable online at http://www.usatoday.com/money/smallbusiness/columnist/abrams/2011-05-26-entrepreneurs-reduce-your-stuff_n.htm)

Penalty Kick

Posted by & filed under Ethics.

More potential corruption in the world of international sports surfaced this week with charges that two top executives of the Federation Internationale de Football Association offered bribes to voting members. Mohamed bin Hamman is accused of offering to pay $40,000 each for as many 25 votes to become president of the governing body. Jack Warner is also accused of helping to arrange the bribes. The two, along with two other lesser officials, were suspended. Mr. bin Hamman countercharged that Joseph Blatter failed to report payments.

QUESTIONS:

  1. Is it relevant to invoke ethics into an examination of these allegations? What might or might not make this case a question of ethical behavior?
  2. Given that this is an international ruling body, with membership from around the globe, how might differences in values relate to what has taken place? Are there cultural issues to consider?
  3. Is there any kind of ethical dilemma here? If so, what is it and for whom is there a dilemma?
  4. Obviously, word got out that bribes were offered. Why might one of the 25 voters report the offer rather than take the bribe? Use moral development as your explanation. Why might someone blow the whistle?
  5. Most likely, FIFA has some kind of code of ethics. Discuss how this is supposed to prevent unethical behavior and talk about why it did not work in this case.

SOURCE: J. Espinoza, “FIFA Suspends Two Official in Bribery Probe,” Wall Street Journal (Retrievable online at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303657404576353563661829134.html)

See related video:

Canada Post workers hold off on strike notice

Posted by & filed under Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: The Canadian Union of Postal Workers has delayed issuing a 72-hour strike notice and has presented a new contract proposal.

Source: The Canadian Press

Date: 05/24/2011

Link:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5gq5I8PJuRlFbeXz7CyzcDBChZaJg?docId=6926829

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What conditions must be met before a union like CUPW can legally strike?
  • What are the issues in this dispute?
  • What impact do you think a postal strike would have?
  • How have technological developments, such as email and online banking, affected the union’s bargaining position ?
  • How might a union respond to such changes?
  • In the event of a strike, what arguments would be used in favour of a government back-to-work order?
  • What arguments would be used against such an order?

Union claims activist blacklisted

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues.

Description: The United Food and Commercial Workers union has filed a complaint with the B.C. Labour Relations Board claiming that the Mexican government and a B.C. farm have blocked a pro-union seasonal worker from returning to this country.

Source: Macleans.ca

Date: 05/24/2011

Link: http://www2.macleans.ca/2011/05/24/what-happened-down-on-the-farm/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What is the role of the B.C. Labour Relations Board in this case?
  • What would you expect to happen next?
  • We have seen in earlier updates on this site that some people argue that agriculture should be treated differently from other areas of the economy when it comes to industrial relations. Do you think those arguments apply here?
  • Why or why not?
  • How does the alleged involvement of the Mexican government complicate this case?