Description: IBM is entering new businesses to stay competitive. However, it is trying break away from its past by changing the way it thinks about innovation. Changing culture is extremely difficult in large companies like IBM, which houses more than 370,000 employees. Source: New York Times Date: November 14, 2015 Text Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/11/15/business/ibms-design-centered-strategy-to-set-free-the-squares.html?ref=business Questions for… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Change (pp275-276)
WestJet face union concerns
Description: WestJet was often exemplified as culturally more vibrant than Air Canada; it also had no unions and employees had ownership rights over the fortune of its company. However, recently, a group of WestJet pilots have applied to unionize. This could mean a significant transformation in WestJet’s organizational culture. Source: Financial Post Date: June 26,… Read more »
The Turnaround of Air Canada
Description: Air Canada broke out of its sluggish performance and in 2014 posted a record annual profit of $531 million. Source: CBC Date: March 05, 2015 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2657291092/ Questions for Discussion: Discuss the growth and then the decline of Air Canada over the years? Which factors led to Air Canada’s recent surge in performance? In… Read more »
The McDonald’s Slump
Description: It seems one of the world’s most recognizable brand is in decline – McDonalds faces a severe challenge; it warned that business will be weak in the near future as it reported a 21 per cent drop in fourth-quarter earnings. Source: CBC Date: February 28, 2015 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/the-mcdonald-s-slump-are-golden-days-of-golden-arches-over-1.2975314 Questions for Discussion: Discuss the reasons for… Read more »
Scotiabank to cut 1,500 jobs and close 120 branches worldwide
Description: Scotiabank CEO, Brian Porter, announced several important changes to its operations. These changes include cutting 1,500 jobs (two-thirds of these in Canada) and closing 120 branches in foreign markets. Source: Business News Network Date: November 04, 2014 Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/11/4/Scotiabank-to-cut-1500-jobs-close-about-120-branches-amid-writedown-.aspx Questions for Discussion: Analyze the reasons that led Brian Porter to make these changes…. Read more »
Target CEO Hopes for Canadian Christmas Miracle
Description: Target CEO Brian Cornell is hoping the upcoming Christmas holiday season will boost the prospects of Target in Canada. Source: BNN Date: October 08, 2014 Video Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2014/10/8/Targets-CEO-needs-a-Canadian-Christmas-miracle.aspx Questions for Discussion: Analyse Target’s plan to boost sales in Canada? What are some of the problems Target has faced in Canada? Will the upcoming holiday… Read more »
Transformation of Xerox
Description: Xerox has been one of the most successful global brands. However, given the increased competition in the technology industry, it has set about to transform itself to stay competitive. Source: CBC Date: September 15, 2014 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2519524434/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: How has Xerox transformed itself over the years? Discuss how this transformation builds… Read more »
Target appoints a new Canada head
Description: Target’s success in the U.S. has not yet translated to Canada; in fact, they have suffered huge losses in Canada. As a result, Target appointed a new person to revive its falling fortunes in Canada. Source: CBC Date: May 20, 2014 Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2458548998/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: What prompted Target to enter Canada in the… Read more »
CBC to cut 657 jobs and $130 million from its budget
Description: After losing the right to “Hockey Night in Canada” to Rogers Media last year, CBC’s president, Hubert Lacroix, recently announced that CBC will slash 657 full-time positions over two years, shave $130 million from its 2014-15 budget, and will no longer pursue sports broadcasting rights. Source: Canadian Business Date: April 10, 2014 Link: http://www.canadianbusiness.com/business-news/cbc-cuts-657-jobs-and-slashes-130-million-from-its-budget/… Read more »
Windows 7 Launch
The launch of Windows 7 renews debate about technological change in organizations. Many companies skipped the upgrade from Windows XP to Windows Vista and are now wondering whether to make the move to the latest version. At the same time Microsoft competitors are touting Linux as a viable alternative. QUESTIONS: Would upgrading from earlier versions… Read more »
