Is the Daily Deals Business Model a Dud?

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Description: Lerer Ventures’ Eric Hippeau discusses the ouster of Groupon CEO Andrew Mason with Deirdre Bolton on Bloomberg Television’s “Money Moves.” (Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Mar 01, 2013 Link: http://bloom.bg/XfvzFM#ooid=RhbmxyOTomASPPAFWyusRDsGacaBx_Au Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the relationship between the CEO and the Board of Directors? Is Groupon… Read more »

Andrew Mason’s quirky legacy at Groupon

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Description:  Groupon founder and former CEO Andrew Mason was known for his eccentric interviews, but the company he leaves behind will need a turnaround. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Mar 01, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2013/03/01/t-mason-groupon-quirky.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Do you think the decline of Groupon share value was primarily due to the management of the… Read more »

A Revolutionary Marketing Strategy: Answer Customers’ Questions

Posted by & filed under Financial analysis, Financial Planning, Management Issues.

Description:   It is an indelible image of the financial crisis: a bird’s-eye view of the backyards of foreclosed houses, their in-ground pools festering with algae and mosquitoes. In Northern Virginia, Marcus Sheridan was in the financial storm. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Feb 27, 2013 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/28/business/smallbusiness/increasing-sales-by-answering-customers-questions.html?ref=smallbusiness Questions for Discussions: How should financial managers structure budgeting for… Read more »

In Dell’s Waning Cash Flows, Signs of Concern

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Description:   The proposed Dell buyout may be motivated more by fear than greed. Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Feb 22, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/22/in-dells-waning-cash-flows-signs-of-concern/?ref=business Questions for Discussions: What are the possible scenarios for Dell investors? Do you believe Dell management is facing a financial crisis? What do you think management will try to do with Dell as a… Read more »

Apple Stock Is Still a ‘Strong Buy’—Here’s Why: Pro

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Description:  Investors have been taking money out of Apple and putting it in other big technology names like Google but Scott Kessler, head of technology equity research at S&P Capital IQ, said he still thinks Apple is a “strong buy.” Source:  CNBC.com – video report Date: Feb 20, 2013 Link: http://www.cnbc.com/id/100475933 Questions for Discussions: Summarize… Read more »

Bridgewater Bets World Stocks Get Lift on Cash

Posted by & filed under Management Issues, Market Analysis.

Description:  Bridgewater Associates the $140 billion hedge fund founded by Ray Dalio, is betting on global stocks and oil as it expects money to move into equities and other assets amid increased economic confidence. Kelly Bit reports on Bloomberg Television’s “Money Moves.”(Source: Bloomberg) Source: Bloomberg.com – video report Date: Feb 12, 2013 Link: http://bloom.bg/14QzkTG#ooid=ZyaDRiOTrQkZ2F0tIDdotR2k3Xkn6-DW Questions… Read more »

Hermes $10,000 Birkin Purse Seen Leading to Record Sales

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Description:  For decades, fashionistas have known that a Birkin bag is a safe style bet — if you can get your hands on one. That demand makes its producer, Hermes International SCA, the surest bet in the luxury industry when it comes to sales growth. Source:  Bloomberg.com Date: Feb 11, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-02-10/hermes-10-000-birkin-purse-seen-leading-to-record-sales-retail.html Questions for… Read more »

Berkshire and 3G Capital in a $23 Billion Deal for Heinz

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Description:  Just days ago, the fate of a 144-year-old American icon was being hashed out in a Pittsburgh conference room as executives spoke by phone to representatives of two global billionaires who went by the code names “Owl” and “Goose.” Source:  NYTimes.com Date: Feb 15, 2013 Link: http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/02/14/berkshire-and-3g-capital-to-buy-heinz-for-23-billion/ Questions for Discussions: Describe the finiancial structure… Read more »

Can Procter & Gamble CEO Bob McDonald hang on?

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Description:  Earnings calls aren’t known for providing catharsis. Indeed, you wouldn’t have detected elation in the nasal, Midwestern tones of Procter & Gamble’s embattled CEO, Bob McDonald, as he answered questions after the ritual presentation of the quarterly numbers on Jan. 25. Source: Fortune.com Date: Feb 08, 2013 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2013/02/08/procter-gamble-mcdonald/ Questions for Discussions: Would you… Read more »

Will Michael Dell become the Marlboro man of the PC age?

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Description:  Comment The mooted Dell takeover, the one to take it private again, is now happening. The big question is why? Why come off the public markets to operate as a private company again? The obvious and logical answer here being that the people buying the company think they can make more money this way… Read more »