Work-Life Balance

Posted by & filed under Change, Human Resource Management, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: A recent survey of 25,000 full-time Canadian workers reveal that Canadian employers are making it increasingly difficult for their employees to balance work and life. Canadians are working longer hours and are taking more work home.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: October 26 2012

Link http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/editorials/companies-need-to-do-more-to-balance-employees-work-life-obligations/article4678720/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Why is maintaining work-life balance important for employers?
  2. What are the costs to the economy if workers can’t manage work and family time?
  3. What could Canadian companies do to encourage better work-life balance for its employees?

Research in Motion Climbs Back

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy, Technology.

Description: According to the latest numbers on shipment of smart phones, Research in Motion Ltd. has climbed back in to a top 5 position. However, with its new line of products such as BlackBerry 10 reaching the market only in 2013, analysts believe that RIM will have difficulty in sustaining its top 5 position.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: October 26 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/business-technology/research-in-motion-climbs-back-into-top-5-in-smartphone-sales/article4680333/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you see RIM falling out of top 5 soon?
  2. Do you feel BlackBerry 10 will revive RIM’s fortunes?
  3. Discuss possible strategies for RIM to revive its market share?

B.C. government wants 10-year contract with teachers

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: B.C. Premier Christy Clark has announced she wants a 10-year collective agreement with the province’s teachers.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 10/17/2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/clark-eyes-unprecedented-10-year-deal-with-teachers/article4619197/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Why does the B.C. government want a 10-year agreement?
  • Why are such long contracts unusual?
  • What are the advantages of a long-term deal for both parties?
  • What are the disadvantages?
  • Do you think it is likely the two sides will reach a 10-year agreement?

CEP votes to join CAW

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 12 - Changes to the Union or the Employer, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 4 - The Structure of Canadian Unions.

Description: Communications, Energy and Paperworkers union members have voted at their annual convention to merge with the Canadian Auto Workers union, forming Canada’s largest private-sector union.

Source: Canadian Labour Reporter

Date: 10/15/2012

Link: http://www.labour-reporter.com/articleview/16458-cep-votes-in-favour-of-super-union-with-caw

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • How many workers will the new union represent?
  • Why does the CEP president believe this move is a “step forward for progressive people” in Canada?
  • What are the next steps in the process of creating the new “super union”?
  • What are the advantages of this merger from the members’ point of view?
  • What could be the disadvantages?

Women Entrepreneurs

Posted by & filed under Diversity, Entrepreneurship, Leadership.

Description: Women entrepreneurs are growing fast. Recent research has found distinct differences between women investors and women business leaders.

Source: Financial Post

Date: October 19 2012

Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2012/10/19/women-in-business-embrace-risk/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. What are possible reasons for such as fast growth of women entrepreneurs?
  2. What in your view are some of the differences among women and men entrepreneurs?
  3. Why do you think women investors are more risk averse than women business leaders?
  4. Do you agree with the writer than women investors need to take more risk in their portfolios?

Drawbacks of Social Media Advertising

Posted by & filed under Communication, Social Responsibility.

Description: Companies have little control over online advertising. They buy space on online websites to reach their potential consumers. However, they do not control where their advertisements appear.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: October 20 2012

Text: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/marketing/social-media-advertisings-big-risk/article4625421/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Discuss how online advertising works?
  2. Will you be upset if brands you like appear next to questionable material?
  3. How can companies better control where their advertisement appears?

Rio Tinto wants to reopen Quebec contract

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 8 - The Collective Bargaining Process.

Description: Aluminum company Rio Tinto Alcan wants to reopen a nine-year contract with the Canadian Auto Workers at its Arvida smelter in Quebec.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: 10/12/2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/rio-tinto-wants-to-reopen-union-deal-in-quebec/article4609199/

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Why is the company considering trying to reopen the contract?
  • What happens when the contract expires in 2015?
  • What effect do think this will have on any discussions between the union and the company?
  • A nine-year collective agreement is quite unusual. Why do you think the two parties agreed to this term?
  • How do you think the union will respond to the company’s concerns?

Alberta LRB allows NHL lockout to continue

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

Description: The Alberta Labour Relations Board has rejected an NHL Players’ Association application to have the NHL lockout ruled unlawful.

Source: Toronto Star

Date: 10/10/2012

Link: http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/1269179–nhl-lockout-alberta-labour-board-steers-clear-of-hockey-faceoff

Related links:

Questions for discussion:

  • Summarize the NHLPA’s argument.
  • What did the Alberta LRB decide?
  • What was their reasoning?
  • What do you think would have happened if the LRB had found in favour of the players’ association?
  • Do you agree with this ruling?

Trading Four Wheels for Two

Posted by & filed under Environment, Global Management, Strategy.

Description: Bicycle sales in Europe are on a high. In Italy, for the first time since the early post-war era, sales for bicycles have overtaken sales for cars.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: September 03 2012

Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/car-mad-italians-trading-four-wheels-for-two/article4584829/

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Discuss some of the reasons why bicycle sales have increased in Europe?
  2. Do you see a similar trend happening in North America?
  3. Will the increase in demand, do you expect the prices of bicycles will increase?
  4. What changes do you see occurring in the bicycle industry due to such rise in demand?

Role of Human Emotions in Strategy

Posted by & filed under Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Professor Quy Huy from INSEAD argues that many strategies fail because senior managers adopt a project management approach in executing their strategies. Managers need to take people in to account as they execute their plans.

Source: The Globe and Mail

Date: September 25 2012

Video: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/video-factor-in-human-emotions-when-planning-strategy/article4566848/?from=4599006

Questions for Discussion:

  1. Do you agree with Professor Huy’s reason for why many strategies fail?
  2. What are some of the softer issues that managers should keep in mind while executing their strategy?
  3. Can a focus on human emotions lead to biases in developing and executing strategies?