SPOS #665 – Cal Newport On Digital Minimalism

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #665 – Host: Mitch Joel. Cal Newport is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Georgetown University. In addition to researching cutting edge technology, he also writes about the impact of these innovations on society. Cal is the author of six books, including the recently published bestseller, Digital Minimalism and (a personal… Read more »

TaylorMade CEO: Split from Adidas gave us ‘freedom and independence’

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Strategy, Teams.

Description: When Tiger Woods won The Masters on Sunday, it was an instant boon to everyone in business with him, directly or even indirectly, from sponsors like Nike and Monster Beverage to broadcaster CBS. Source: YahooFinance.com – video report Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/taylormade-golf-ceo-adidas-sale-gave-us-freedom-to-sign-tiger-woods-jason-day-203237110.html Questions for discussion: How much “stock value” should investors attribute to… Read more »

Inside Tesla’s 100% renewable design for the Gigafactory

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: The factory, which currently makes battery packs and electric motors for the Model 3, will eventually be the biggest building in the world–with the world’s largest rooftop solar array. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 15, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90334858/inside-teslas-100-renewable-design-for-the-gigafactory?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04162019 Questions for discussion: How has Tesla designed for sustainability at the plant? Do you think that by… Read more »

The World’s Biggest Electric Vehicle Company Looks Nothing Like Tesla

Posted by & filed under Industrial Relations, Leadership, Management, Planning, Teams, Technology.

Description: BYD, which built the battery in your ’90s cellphone, now produces more EVs than anyone—and it wants to sell them to you, soon. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: Apr 16, 2019 Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2019-04-16/the-world-s-biggest-electric-vehicle-company-looks-nothing-like-tesla?srnd=businessweek-v2 Questions for discussion: Summarize the growth story and the reasons for the firm’s success. What are the messages to management at competitors like… Read more »

Why the fight over Mexico’s labour reforms is the latest threat to new NAFTA deal

Posted by & filed under Chapter 1 - Introduction, Chapter 13 - Future Issues, Chapter 2 - Theories of Industrial Relations, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: Depending how hard the U.S. Democrats dig in, the demands could throw an already troubled ratification process completely off course this year Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Apr 11, 2019 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/why-the-fight-over-mexicos-labour-reforms-is-the-latest-threat-to-new-nafta-deal Questions for discussion: Why is changing Mexican labour laws so critical to moving forward with North American trade? How different are Mexico’s laws in… Read more »

Kristen Bell and Her Cofounders Built a Company to Save Lives. But Growing It Wasn’t So Simple.

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility.

Description: With an entrepreneurial can-do mindset, the four Hollywood vets have built a business with soaring sales and global impact. Source: Entrepreneur.com Date: Apr 09, 2019 Link: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/331237 Questions for discussion: Summarize the strategic decisions made to develop the company. How would this story be different if it was managed as a for-profit start-up? How… Read more »

You can’t take anything home from Ikea’s new store

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Decision Making, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, New product, Planning, Strategy.

Description: The company’s first Manhattan store is nothing like any Ikea you’ve ever been to. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 10, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90332083/i-went-to-ikeas-first-small-store-and-it-answered-all-my-prayers?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=6&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04112019 Questions for discussion: Explain the change in thinking – by management and customers – that has led to this store design. Should Ikea develop this concept at its suburban stores as well?

This new technical fabric replaces polyester with banana plants

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

Description: The abacá plant grows without needing lots of water or pesticides, helps stop erosion, and is now being used to replace fossil fuels in clothes. Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 12, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90333645/this-new-technical-fabric-replaces-polyester-with-banana-plants?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=7&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04122019 Questions for discussion: What are the major attributes that differentiate this new product? How should managers market this new product so… Read more »

Awash in Data, Marketers Still Find Ad Targeting Capabilities Lacking

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Decision Making, Management, Technology.

Description: The push for more effective ad targeting remains one of marketers’ chief priorities, evidenced by two reports released this year. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Apr 11, 2019 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/better-ad-targeting-remains-a-top-priority-for-marketers?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What does the research say about data gathering issues facing management? How can managers deal with the problems they face?

“I had 15 years of professional experience, but no one cared when I became a mom”

Posted by & filed under Communication, Compensation & Benefits, Ethics, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Social Responsibility.

Description: A finance professional turned entrepreneur reflects on the motherhood bias and stereotypes she faced during her return to work Source: FastCompany.com Date: Apr 03, 2019 Link: https://www.fastcompany.com/90324442/former-goldman-sachs-employee-on-the-motherhood-penalty?utm_source=postup&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Fast%20Company%20Daily&position=1&partner=newsletter&campaign_date=04032019 Questions for discussion: What is the “motherhood bias” according to the report? How can management deal with this social issue?