Description: Taxes on dividends may go up on January 1. And companies are shoveling dividends out to their shareholders before the taxman comes calling. Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 28, 2012 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/28/fiscal-cliff-fears-drive-huge-spike-in-dividend-payouts.html Questions for Discussions: What is the history of dividend payouts and changing tax policies? Do you think the payouts are good for the… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Management Issues
Cyber Monday goes mobile
Description: Online shopping deals can be had even before Cyber Monday and savvy shoppers can get them from their phones. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 23, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/technology/2012/11/23/n-cyber-monday-mobile.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What are the financial implications for the changes in shopping behavior due to online options? How might these affect cash flows,… Read more »
How HPs Disastrous Deal Blows a Hole in Consulting
Description: HP lost $8.8 billion on acquisition gone bad. Are high-priced consultants and accountants like KPMG and Deloitte to blame? Source: TheDailyBeast.com Date: Nov 21, 2012 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/11/21/how-hp-s-disastrous-deal-blows-a-hole-in-consulting.html Questions for Discussions: Who is at fault for this situation? What does this report say about the value of consultants and their effort at due diligence? What… Read more »
More bad news for PC makers
Description: Dell’s latest results were awful, sending shares of the struggling stock even lower. A similar fate likely awaits Hewlett-Packard next week. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/investing/2012/11/16/investing-hp-dell.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: Explain the reasons for stock market declines of Dell and HP? What could turn these stock values around? Would… Read more »
Amazon’s Jeff Bezos: The ultimate disrupter
Description: He’s a pro-customer, tightfisted risk-taker who is conditioning Wall Street to embrace his erratic earnings. If you’re running a business with high margins — watch out. Source: Fortune.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link: http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2012/11/16/jeff-bezos-amazon/?iid=SF_F_River Questions for Discussions: What does the article say about Jeff Bezos’ management thinking and style? Why has Amazon succeeded? Where… Read more »
Twinkie Maker Hostess to Close
Description:Â Hostess Brands Inc., the maker of iconic treats such as Twinkies and traditional pantry staple Wonder Bread, said Friday it is shuttering its plants and firing about 18,000 workers as it seeks to liquidate the 82-year-old business. Source:Â WSJ.com Date: Nov 16, 2012 Link:Â http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324556304578122632560842670.html Questions for Discussions: Summarize the reasons for the demise… Read more »
More Reasons Not to Fudge Business Expenses
Description: It’s easy for entrepreneurs hatching startups to fudge the line between personal and business expenses. Is that laptop really used for your company, or for your kids? Are you discussing business at lunch, or gossiping with a friend? Beyond the typical admonitions about tax audits, running personal expenses through your business can backfire with… Read more »
Google Ventures ups fund to $300m a year
Description: Google Ventures announced in a tweet yesterday it has increased its fund by 50 percent to $300 million a year and plans to invest $1.5 billion in startups through 2017. Source: Smartplanet.com Date: Nov 09, 2012 Link: http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/google-ventures-ups-fund-to-300m-a-year/5174?tag=header;header-sec Questions for Discussions: Explain the rationale for Google’s Venture fund? What primary benefit can Google receive… Read more »
It’s Global Warming, Stupid
Description: Yes, yes, it’s unsophisticated to blame any given storm on climate change. Men and women in white lab coats tell us—and they’re right—that many factors contribute to each severe weather episode. Climate deniers exploit scientific complexity to avoid any discussion at all. Source: Businessweek.com Date: Nov 01, 2012 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-11-01/its-global-warming-stupid#r=hp-ls Questions for Discussions: What… Read more »
Investing a lump sum of money in stocks pays off
Description:Â A mutual fund giant challenges an investment technique financial advisers have used for decades, and many professionals are taken aback. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: Nov 02, 2012 Link:Â http://www.marketwatch.com/story/putting-a-lump-sum-of-money-into-stocks-pays-off-2012-11-02?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: Summarize the highlights of this study. How would you expect investors and advisors to react to the conclusions in the study?
