SPOS #641 – Planet Funny With Ken Jennings

Posted by & filed under Communication, Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Negotiation, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation – Episode #641 – Host: Mitch Joel. I’m a moron. I did not put two and two together. My buddy, Scott Stratten, let me know that a new book called, Planet Funny, had recently been published. I’m all-in on any non-fiction book that can bridge comedy, culture and things like… Read more »

Small businesses are struggling to find workers — and the problem isn’t going away any time soon

Posted by & filed under Compensation & Benefits, Human Resource Management, Management, Planning, Social Responsibility.

Description: Business owners need to think differently when it comes to recruiting as the number of new people entering the workforce keeps shrinking Source: FinancialPost.com Date: Oct.16, 2018 Link: https://business.financialpost.com/news/economy/small-businesses-are-struggling-to-find-workers-and-the-problem-isnt-going-away-any-time-soon Questions for discussion: According to the report, why is it more difficult for smaller businesses to attract and hire employees? What hiring advice is directed… Read more »

Why Sears bankruptcy will be bad for J.C. Penney

Posted by & filed under Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Motivation, Negotiation, Operations Management, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: Struggling J.C. Penney (JCP) best brace for an avalanche that has been set in motion by the death of longtime foe Sears. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/sears-bankruptcy-will-rock-j-c-penney-foundation-200803793.html Questions for discussion: Why did Sears fail? Why will the Sears bankruptcy be bad for J.C. Penney?

How Target will try to crush Amazon and Walmart in toys this holiday season

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description:  The holiday season is approaching, and with it the holiday toy wars. Source: Yahoo.Finance.com – video report Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/target-will-try-crush-amazon-walmart-toys-holiday-season-160044412.html Questions for discussion: What is the strategy Target is using for this toy buying season? Are they targeting kids or their parents? Do you think they will succeed with this seasonal… Read more »

Quaker Bets Oat Milk Is More Than Just a Passing Fad

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Innovation/Creativity, Management, New product, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Quaker Oats is introducing its milk alternative at a trade show in Washington this weekend, with plans to start selling it in groceries in January.CreditCreditQuaker Oats Source: NYTimes.com Date: Oct 19, 2018 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/19/business/quaker-foods-pepsi-oat-milk.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Fbusiness&action=click&contentCollection=business&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront Questions for discussion: Who is the target customer for this product? Which other products is Quaker competing against for consumer… Read more »

Las Vegas Becomes the Secret Weapon of Musicians in a Spotify World

Posted by & filed under Decision Making, Management, New product, Operations Management, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Britney Spears is hitting Vegas one more time. And who can blame her? Source: Fortune.com Date: Oct 19, 2018 Link: http://fortune.com/2018/10/19/britney-spears-las-vegas-residency/ Questions for discussion: Why is the “Las Vegas strategy” working well for some artists? How else can they respond to the technology disruption taking place in the industry? How can lesser known artists… Read more »

Why Marketers Struggle with Data-Driven Personalization

Posted by & filed under Communication, Control, Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Global Management, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Planning, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Teams, Technology.

Description: Personalization is a key part of many marketing strategies, but it remains a very difficult task for marketers to pull off effectively. Source: eMarketer.com Date: Oct 18, 2018 Link: https://www.emarketer.com/content/why-marketers-struggle-with-data-driven-personalization?ecid=NL1001 Questions for discussion: What should managers take away from this research? How should this information be integrated with strategic plans?

CEO of Deciem cosmetics brand ousted at request of Estée Lauder

Posted by & filed under Communication, Conflict, Control, Decision Making, Entrepreneurship, Ethics, Global Management, Human Resource Management, Leadership, Management, Negotiation, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Strategy, Teams.

Description: Brandon Truaxe is out after turbulent week, which included shuttering all the company’s stores Source: CBC.ca Date: Oct.12, 2018 Link: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/decium-ceo-removed-abnormal-beauty-company-1.4860687 Questions for discussion: What is the current situation? How did the organization arrived at this managerial breakdown? What should the firm have done to prevent these events? Do you think the brand has… Read more »

How CMOs Can Prepare Their Organisations for AI-Driven Decision Making

Posted by & filed under Change, Decision Making, Environment, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, Operations Management, Organizational Change, Organizational Structure & Design, Planning, Social Responsibility, Technology.

Description: Problem-solving is explorative process. Since my job is to help business and marketing leaders identify and tackle their biggest growth challenges, when I’m not talking to people, I’m absorbed in research or excavating insights from data. Source: 360advertisingweek.com Date: Oct 12, 2018 Link: http://360.advertisingweek.com/how-cmos-can-prepare-their-organisations-for-ai-driven-decision-making/?mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTmpka1pURTFPR0ZqTUdVeCIsInQiOiJkR0VBcHByVzFjS082ZzVCVjdMbWxlZG9JVENoV1JKSGFzeGp4bEFRVnpzOWJ4UEJcL0czMTNuMDRSYlhaSU9LclU4Q2ZnWnNWNmRwZE5PZFIwQk95aFZONzVVVTlUSXdBUHptdGpFMFpjVTF2MlJxWWhWWHFyU0xRU1M5UmVEYmoifQ%3D%3D Questions for discussion: What does the article say to managers… Read more »

Smart mirror streams live fitness classes

Posted by & filed under Communication, Entrepreneurship, Innovation/Creativity, Leadership, Management, New product, Planning, Strategy, Technology.

Description: Smart mirror streams live fitness classes Source: CBSNews.com – video report Date: Oct 11, 2018 Link: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/this-smart-mirror-puts-a-personal-trainer-in-your-reflection/ Questions for discussion: Aside from physical fitness, what are some other applications for this technology that you think can use this technology? Describe the user profile for this product.