Inside RadioShack’s slow-motion collapse: Why the fall of the 94-year-old electronics chain didn’t have to be this way

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Description: Nathan Hill learned a lot about entertaining himself during his time as a RadioShack employee. Source: FinancialPost.com/Bloomberg Date: Feb 06, 2015 Link: http://business.financialpost.com/2015/02/06/inside-radioshacks-slow-motion-collapse-why-the-fall-of-the-94-year-old-electronics-chain-didnt-have-to-be-this-way/ Questions for Discussions: Summarize the history of RadioShack from the beginning. Do you think there is a new business model still possible for the RadioShack brand?

Staples Is Said to Be in Talks to Buy Office Depot

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Description: Staples is in advanced talks to buy Office Depot, potentially uniting two of the biggest names in world of pens, paper clips and yes, staples, people briefed on the matter said on Tuesday. If completed, such a deal would consummate a transaction that was first attempted 18 years ago. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Feb 03,… Read more »

Wall Street Doesn’t Want You Unless You’re a Robot

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Description: Want to work on Wall Street? Suit up, turn your spell check on, and leave your risk-taking, self-starter attitude home. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Jasn 13, 2015 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2015-01-13/wall-street-doesnt-want-you-unless-youre-a-robot#r=hpt-fs Questions for discussion: What does the article say about hiring at Wall Street firms? Are you surprised?

Why SurveyMonkey won’t have an IPO any time soon

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Description: In an interview at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show, CEO Dave Goldberg tells Fortune’s Alan Murray about SurveyMonkey’s strategy to avoid going public. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Jan 08, 2015 Link: http://for.tn/1s6zdDg Questions for Discussions: Why is the company uninterested in going public at this time? What would motivate an IPO?

‘The Interview’ could cost Sony big despite strong opening

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Description: Sony spent about $80 million to make and market the movie but will likely only make a portion of that in sales. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Dec 30, 2014 Link: http://for.tn/1wx6N0z Questions for Discussions: Summarize the budgeting and cash flow for this film. Do you think there is a “long-term” trail of… Read more »

‘The Colbert Report’ leaves us 5 important investing rules to live by

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Description: Sound investing is partly about uncovering ‘truthiness’ Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Dec 17, 2014 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-colbert-report-leaves-us-5-important-investing-rules-to-live-by-2014-12-17?mod=MW_video_trending Questions for Discussions: Summarize the key ideas suggested to investors. Which do you think is most relevant today?

Michael Dell: Growth Rate Accelerating as Private Company

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Description: Dell Chief Executive Officer and Founder Michael Dell discusses being back in charge and the benefits of being a private company. He speaks to Bloomberg’s Erik Schatzker in New York on December 3. (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Dec 06, 2014 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/michael-dell-growth-rate-accelerating-as-private-company-56Vqo_FOSQOvqrqCHnxTAA.html Questions for Discussions: What does Michael Dell say… Read more »

Best Buy soars. Take that, Amazon!

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Description: Best Buy was having a lousy 2014. But it’s no longer Amazon’s showroom. Price matching and excitement about new Apple products have helped the company rebound. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 20, 2014 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2014/11/20/best-buy-stock-soars.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Why has Best Buy stock rebounded in value? What does the report suggest was… Read more »

Hasbro in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation

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Description: According to Deadline Hollywood, Hasbro is “deeply engaged” in talks to acquire the motion picture company DreamWorks, known for huge blockbuster animation movies like Shrek. Source: Fortune.com – video report Date: Nov 13, 2014 Link: http://for.tn/1xSIpJM Questions for Discussions: Does the acquisition make sense for these firms and for investors? Do you think investor… Read more »