Description: There are conflicting reports on whether Canada faces a skill shortage. While the Canadian government insists that there is severe shortage of skilled people in Canada, a recent TD report rebuffs that claim. Source: CBC Date: Oct. 22, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2413451599/?page=2 Questions for Discussion: Do you agree with the government or the TD… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Environmental Uncertainty (pp66-67)
BlackBerry to post $1 billion loss in the second quarter
Description: Future looks even bleaker for BlackBerry Ltd. It is set to cut another 4,500 jobs worldwide as it prepares to post a loss of nearly US $ 1 billion for the second quarter. Source: Financial Post Date: September 20, 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/09/20/blackberry-ltd-shares-halted-in-toronto-new-york-pending-news/?__lsa=3e04-944c Questions for Discussion: Why is BlackBerry struggling to find buyers? What… Read more »
Canada Post’s uncertain future
Description: Canada post is facing declining deliveries and imminent losses. It needs to plan how best to survive in the future. Ben Dachis, senior policy analyst at C.D. Howe Institute, discusses possible strategies for Canada Post. Source: CBC Date: August 9, 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2400170014/?page=3 Questions for Discussion: What changes should Canada Post make to… Read more »
Detroit files for bankruptcy
Description: Detroit, once famous for housing one of the largest industrial clusters in the world, became the biggest U.S. city to file for bankruptcy. The filing could mean that municipal employees will be laid off, assets will be sold off and basic services will be scaled back. Source: Financial Post Date: July 18 2013 Link:… Read more »
Employee turnover likely at Blackberry
Description: With the phasing out of retention bonuses and poor quarter results, several Blackberry executives are likely to leave. Last year Blackberry axed nearly 5000 employees; with low sales of its new Z10 phone, the company is expected to terminate more jobs. Source: Bloomberg Date: July 12 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-12/blackberry-said-to-prepare-for-departures-as-goals-set.html Questions for Discussion: Will it… Read more »
China Imports Large Amounts of Gold
Description: Despite the consistent slide in the price of gold, China’s gold imports have increased substantially. At its present rate, by the end of this year, China will hold 35% of world’s total supply of gold. Source: Financial Post Date: July 5 2013 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/07/05/chinas-gold-imports-remain-massive/ Questions for Discussion: In your view why is China importing… Read more »
Canadian Dollar Losing Ground
Description: Loonie has fallen to its lowest level in the last two years against the U.S. dollar. Economists predict that the loonie is likely to fall even further. Source: The National Date: July 4 2013 Video Link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2395784893/ Questions for Discussion: How does the sliding loonie impact the Canadian economy? How will this slide impact… Read more »
PC sales plunge
Description: Sales of personal computers experienced the biggest decline since 1994. There is high uncertainty over the future of personal computers. Source: CBC Date: April 11 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2375459219/ Questions for Discussion: Have PCs reached the decline stage of their product life cycle? Can you suggest any modifications or innovations that can revive the… Read more »
Discouraging job numbers for Canada
Description: Nearly 55,000 jobs were lost in Canada during the month of March 2013. This is in contrast to the rise in the number of jobs for the month of February 2013. Source: CBC Date: April 05 2013 Video link: http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/ID/2371637436/ Questions for Discussion: Why are the job numbers in Canada fluctuating so much? Do… Read more »
BlackBerry Z10 is launched in the U.S.
Description: BlackBerry Z10 has hit the stores in the U.S. Recent reports suggest that the sales have been underwhelming and there are no iPhone-style lines of shoppers outside stores. Source: Financial Post Date: March 23 2013 Text link: http://business.financialpost.com/2013/03/22/blackberry-z10-us/?__lsa=b85e-77e8 Questions for Discussion: What is the importance of the U.S. market to BlackBerry? What can you… Read more »
