A smarter EpiPen

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship, Innovation/Creativity, New product, Video Report.

Description: Sanofi Canada has come to market with Allerject, a new version of the device that gives step by step verbal instructions for how to use it in an emergency.

Source: Global BC

Date: January 23 2013

Video and Text Link:  http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2328540568/

 Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree with Jon Fairest, CEO of Sanofi Canada, that this product fills a gap in the market?
  2. Is it likely that this product can increase sales among parents whose own children are not allergic but their child’s friends might be?
  3. Do you foresee any problems with this product?

SNC Lavalin accused of bribing Gadhafi son

Posted by & filed under Ethics, Global Management, Social Responsibility, Video Report.

Description: It is alleged that SNC Lavalin, one of Canada’s biggest companies, paid $160 million to son of Libya’s dictator to bag engineering contracts in Libya.

Source: CBC

Date: January 25 2013

Video and Text Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2329231193/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you feel such cases—bribing people to win contracts—are common in international dealings?
  2. In your opinion, if the allegation is proven true, what should be the repercussions for SNC?
  3. Do you feel there might be a backlash towards SNC? Will this hurt their brand image, or people will forget this event in due course?
  4. How can corruption be curbed in international dealings?

Hospital can’t ban tattoos, arbitrator rules

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 11 - The Grievance Arbitration Process.

Description: An arbitrator has struck down an Ottawa hospital policy that forced employees to cover up tattoos and piercings.

Source: The Ottawa Citizen

Date: 01/18/2013

Link: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/fashion-beauty/Tattoos+piercings+Ottawa+Hospital+staff+arbitrator+rules/7839060/story.html

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the hospital’s dress code.
  • What was the hospital’s argument in favour of covering up tattoos and piercings?
  • What did the union argue?
  • What does the collective agreement say about this issue?
  • Do you agree with this decision? Why or why not?

 

Nurses, New Brunswick government reach tentative agreement

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: The New Brunswick government and the province’s nurses union have negotiated a tentative collective agreement. The last contract between the two sides was reached in 2009 after the nurses threatened to strike.

Source: CBC

Date: 01/14/2012

Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/story/2013/01/14/nb-nurses-union-tentative-deal.html

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • How long had the nurses been without a contract?
  • What were the main issues in the 2009 negotiations?
  • What were the highlights of the 2009 agreement?
  • Look at the videos on the union YouTube page. Whom do you think they are aimed at?
  • Do you think they are effective?

Lululemon sets its sights on menswear

Posted by & filed under Change, Environment, New product, Strategy.

Description: Lululemon is planning to increase its target market by entering into menswear. Christine Day, CEO of Lululemon, believes future growth will come from this new target market.          

Source: Global BC

Date: January 17 2013

Text Link:  http://www.globaltvbc.com/lululemon+sets+its+sights+on+menswear/6442790625/story.html

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Will men be keen to buy from Lululemon given its strong association with womenwear?
  2. Will this strategy annoy its core target market – Women?
  3. In you view, is this a good or a bad strategy?
  4. Should they launch a separate sub-brand for Men to avoid cannibalizing its sales to women?

Return of hockey should boost business

Posted by & filed under Conflict, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: Hockey returns after a four month lockout. It is expected that local businesses should see an increase in consumer activity and sponsors will finally see some return on their investments.    

Source: thestar.com

Date: January 18 2013

Text: http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1317152–nhl-lockout-return-of-hockey-will-boost-consumer-activity-near-arenas

Questions for Discussion:

  1. There was a lot of skepticism around whether fans would stay away from Hockey. Do you think fan turnout will be less than what it was during last winter’s hockey games?
  2. It is possible that due to a shortened season, the attendance and consumer activity will actually increase over last year’s numbers?
  3. Should NHL be accountable for lost revenues to sponsors and local businesses?

Where can Canada improve in 2013?

Posted by & filed under Change, Entrepreneurship, Environment, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity.

Description: Bill Currie,Deloitte Canada’s vice-chair and Americas managing director; and John Ruffolo, CEO of OMERS Ventures, discussed come of the obstacles and opportunities for Canada in 2013.

Source: National Post

Date: December 18 2012

Text Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/12/18/how-canada-can-improve-its-productivity-in-2013/?__lsa=9bcc-5479

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What are some of the major obstacles facing Canadian businesses?
  2. What are some of the major opportunities for Canadian businesses?
  3. Can you list some other opportunities for Canadian businesses?
  4. Do you agree that Canada has a culture of risk aversion? If yes, how can we change it?

Automakers go green

Posted by & filed under Environment, Innovation/Creativity, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Larger number of auto companies is coming out with their new lines of green cars. To make these cars more attractive, they’re also emphasizing beauty and style.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: November 30 2012

Text and Video Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-auto-makers-looking-for-gold-in-green/article5832130/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you feel there’s a big market for electric cars?
  2. How can car companies encourage larger sales of green cars?
  3. Are consumers willing to pay higher for green cars?
  4. In a slow economy, is it a good strategy to come out with a new line of cars?

LRB declares teachers’ protest unlawful

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process, Chapter 9 - Strikes and Lockouts.

Description: The Ontario Labour Relations Board has declared a planned one-day walkout by elementary school teachers illegal.

Source: CTV

Date: 01/11/2013

Link: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/etfo-osstf-cancel-planned-walkouts-1.1109787

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Who brought the application to the Ontario LRB?
  • What did the Elementary Teachers’ Federation intend to do?
  • Summarize the arguments made by the two sides.
  • What reasons did the board give for its decision?
  • Prof. David Doorey asks: “Do you think the definition of ‘strikes’ should include a protest against a government’s public policies?” What do you think? Why?

CAW seeks to organize Toyota workers

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 5 - The Organizing Campaign.

Description: The Canadian Auto Workers union is trying again to organize workers at Toyota plants in Ontario.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 01/09/2013

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/caw-seeks-to-recoup-lost-membership/article7066923/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • What reasons does this story give for the CAW wanting to organize Toyota and Honda workers?
  • What happened in past attempts to organize Toyota workers?
  • Consult your text: what rules govern an organizing drive like this?
  • If you were a union organizer, what reasons would you give for joining the CAW?
  • What arguments do you think someone opposed to this drive might offer?