Description: Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe said Thursday his agency is in “the midst of a financial disaster” and may need an emergency increase in postage rates to keep operating. Source: AP.com Date: Sep 19, 2013 Link: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/postmaster-says-usps-may-need-emergency-rate-hike Questions for Discussions: What is the problem at the USPS? Why is it important to keep the service… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Budgets
A Social Entrepreneur’s Quandary: Nonprofit or For-Profit?
Description: In 2002, at the age of 18, Saul Garlick started a program to fight poverty by building schools in rural South Africa. Source: NYTimes.com Date: July 10, 2013 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/11/business/smallbusiness/a-social-entrepreneurs-dilemma-nonprofit-or-for-profit.html?ref=smallbusiness Questions for Discussions: What are the financial advantages and disadvantages of the switch to for-profit in this case? What would your advice be?
Why We’ll Be Better Off if the Walmart Protests Fail
Description: Employees of the big box store are planning a national day of protest for higher wages. Economist Richard Vedder on why we’ll all be in trouble if they get their way. Source: Thedailybeast.com Date: Sep 05, 2013 Link: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/05/why-we-ll-be-better-off-if-the-walmart-protests-fail.html Questions for Discussions: How would a jump in minimum wage to $12/hour affect companies now… Read more »
Without Seamless, Fewer Customers and Higher Margins
Description: Earlier this month, Pedro Muñoz told customers that his restaurant, Luz, would no longer use popular online food-delivery service Seamless because the site took a 14 percent commission and waited too long—more than a month, a lifetime in the overhead-heavy restaurant business—to give Luz its cut. Source: Businessweek.com Date: August 23, 2013 Link: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-08-23/without-seamless-fewer-customers-and-higher-margins#r=hp-ls… Read more »
It’s dawn of the dead for J.C. Penney
Description: Commentary: Kraft exec won’t make zombie story any less cheesy Source: Marketwatch.com Date: August 07, 2013 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/its-dawn-of-the-dead-for-jc-penney-2013-08-07?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: What is the financial state of the firm and the reasons given for its condition? How critical is “management” of the firm to any chance of recovery? Would you be an investor today?
H-P rally: Turnaround, or sugar high?
Description: Hewlett-Packard Co. was the star on Wall Street Thursday, as the stock rallied on the tech giant’s results despite a broad market slump — closing the day with its biggest one-day gain in more than a decade. Source: Marketwatch.com Date: May 23, 2013 Link: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/h-p-rally-turnaround-or-sugar-high-2013-05-23?siteid=nwtwk Questions for Discussions: What is the basis for concern… Read more »
Berkshire CEOs Spend Quietly, Match Buffett on Heinz
Description: Warren Buffett stole headlines when he committed $12.1 billion in a deal to take ketchup maker HJ Heinz Co. (HNZ) private this year. Managers at his Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK/A) spent as much in 2012 while attracting less attention. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: May 10, 2013 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-10/berkshire-ceos-spend-quietly-match-buffett-on-heinz-deal.html Questions for Discussions: What does this report… Read more »
Inside America’s off-the-books economy
Description: Companies are relying more and more on skilled freelance laborers in order to cut costs. These laborers, however, generally don’t report their cash earnings. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: May 03, 2013 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2013/05/03/n-cmr-shadow-economy.cnnmoney/ Questions for Discussions: What does this report say about the shadow economy and the financial incentives that drive it?… Read more »
New Critical Warning as 2013 shocker looms
Description: (MarketWatch) — Yes, another dark “shocker” before the end of the year, an unexpected “black swan.” And sadly for Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke — who hopes his “I saved America from economic collapse” illusion stays intact till he leaves office — he’s not going to get a dream ending to his Fed career. Source: … Read more »
Spinoff of Time Inc. Rattles Employees
Description: It was an elite reception at a glittery Manhattan setting: prominent media figures like Gayle King and Lesley Stahl gathered on the 10th floor of the Time Warner Center on Monday night to toast Sheryl Sandberg, the Facebook executive who recently released a book about her life. Source: NYTimes.com Date: Mar 13, 2013 Link:… Read more »
