Loblaw on Bangladesh

Posted by & filed under Communication, Decision Making, Environment, Ethics, Global Management, Leadership, Social Responsibility, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Following the tragic collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh, Loblaw decided to compensate the families of the victims and to continue their operations in the country. They also stressed that they will increasingly audit the working conditions at their outsourced factories. Source: CBC Date: May 02 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2382985825/?page=2 Questions for Discussion:… Read more »

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: Discuss some of the reasons why bicycle sales have increased in Europe? Do… Read more »

Is risk necessary in era of slow growth?

Posted by & filed under Environment, Management, Strategy, Video Report.

Description: Scotiabank CEO Rick Waugh says banks need to take a certain amount of risk to stimulate growth. He asserts that Canadian banks have managed risk well. Source: Business News Network Date: September 18 2012 Video and Text Link: http://www.bnn.ca/News/2012/9/18/Risk-necessary-in-era-of-slow-growth-Scotia-CEO.aspx Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with Rick Waugh that banks should take risk to… Read more »

Insurers lodge complaint against RBC, BMO

Posted by & filed under Conflict, Environment, Strategy.

Description: In Canada, banks cannot promote insurance products on their websites. Recently, insurance brokers lodged a complaint alleging that RBC and BMO are flouting Ottawa’s rules by promoting insurance on their websites. Source: The Globe and Mail Date: April 23, 2012 Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/insurers-lodge-complaint-against-rbc-bmo/article2410371/ Questions for Discussion:   Do you agree that the Canadian government should… Read more »

Glencore Acquiring Canadian Company Viterra

Posted by & filed under Global Management, Social Responsibility.

After the abortive takeover attempt by BHP Billiton of Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Glencore has a tough task to convince the Canadians on the net benefits of acquiring Viterra. Glencore explains what these benefits are. Link: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/investment-ideas/streetwise/glencore-explains-net-benefits-to-canada-in-viterra-deal/article2375052/ Questions: Do such global acquisitions need to benefit the Canadian economy? Can these acquisitions not be carried out with… Read more »

What Will the Federal Budget Bring?

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

Description: Wallace Conway, a senior manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers discusses the forthcoming federal budget and how the government will have to balance both expenses and growth. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/video/video-cuts-coming-in-federal-budget/article2366360/ Questions for Discussion: Should the government cut expenditures or focus on growing revenues? What policies can the government adopt for increasing business growth? Where should the government cut expenditures?

An Investing Buffett

Posted by & filed under Decision Making.

The much anticipated annual letter to shareholders from Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett is out and the picture is quite rosy. Berkshire reported a 61% increase in earnings for 2010 and net income swelled to $13 billion. The company is poised to make major acquisitions in 2011. The success of 2010 is due largely to… Read more »

Let’s Go (Packing) Hoyas!

Posted by & filed under Decision Making.

One of the most intriguing aspects of March Madness is the potential, in any given game, for the lower-seeded team to beat the higher-seeded team. After all, that’s what makes the NCAA Division I Basketball Tournament special – upsets. In this year’s edition, arguably there is no bigger upset than 14-seeded Ohio University’s win over… Read more »

Disaster Decisions

Posted by & filed under Decision Making.

In the aftermath of the worst earthquake in Haiti in two centuries, relief agencies are desperately racing against time to assist those that need help. However, veteran relief workers characterize the situation as “especially complicated” because all key influence factors have been affected by the disaster. There is no working government. There are no communications…. Read more »