Saving Money through Social Media

The recession has bred a new type of coupon: the group coupon. In recent months, several Web sites have launched nationwide giving customers discounts on restaurant meals, sporting events, spa treatments, golf outings — pretty much any expenditure that many people give up during economic downturns. The catch is that the coupon only applies if a certain number of people use it.

Questions:

1.  After watching the video and accessing http://www.groupon.com, explain the company’s business model. 

2. Do you think that the group coupon trend will continue?  Why or why not?

3.  Go to the “recent deals” in your area at http://www.groupon.com.  Pick one of the deals. If you were a company offering this deal and using the services of Groupon, what accounts would be affected by the  deals you provide?

Sources:

Eklund, Kevin. (2010) Best Social Group Buying Sites For Killer Daily Deals And Deep Discounts. Tomuse.com (Retrievable online at 

http://tomuse.com/group-buying-sites-coupon-deals-discount-savings/#ixzz0wt6rxlKihttp://tomuse.com/group-buying-sites-coupon-deals-discount-savings/)

Trejos, Nancy (2009). The Humble Coupon Joins Social-Media Web, The Washington Post, September 1 (Retrievable online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/31/AR2009083103837.html)

CNN Video. (2010). Group Coupon Business Soars, August 13. (Retrievable online at  http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/tech/2010/08/13/am.group.coupon.business.cnn?iref=videosearch)

New Revenue Recognition Standards on the Way for Contractors

Contractors should be educating themselves on the impact of the new proposed revenue recognition standards and the recently published (June 24, 2010) exposure draft pertaining to revenue from contracts with customers. Public comments are due October 22, 2010, and it is expected the standards will be finalized in 2011.

Questions:

1. What are some of the significant changes in this standard that will affect contractors?

2. How will the proposed standard define the economic unit of measure?

3. Explain what the new cost of capitalization rules will mean for contractors.

 

Source:

Henderson, J. (2010). Proposed Revenue Recognition Rules Would Significantly Affect Contractors, BKD Alerts, June (Retrievable online at http://www.bkd.com/industry/Construction-RealEstate/Insights/2010/2010-06alertsCRE-1.htm)

What Does It Cost To Make An Apple IPhone4?

According to market research firm, Apple’s iPhone 4 wireless handset components cost about  $187.51. The iPhone 4 sells for $199 and $299. The most expensive component is the LG display that costs $28.50. According to the consultant, the iPhone has typically hovered around the $170-to-$180 cost range because Apple seems to be trying to hit some kind of budget.

Questions:

1.  According to the article the firm that put this information together used a teardown analysis.  What is this?

2. What are some of the reasons that Apple would put together this $170-to-$180 cost point budget?

3.  What is the markup on the gyroscope chip? What percent of the total part cost is the display?

4.  What percent profit is made on the iPhone 4 as compared to the iPhone 3GS?

Source:  Hesseldahl, A. (2010). Apple iPhone 4 Parts Cost About $188, Bloomberg Businessweek, June 28 (Retrievable online at http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2010/tc20100627_763714.htm?link_position=link1)

Corporate Sustainability Can Mean Financial Reward, Despite Extra Costs

Tracking efforts in companies like Wal-Mart, Hewlett-Packard and Clorox, authors Ram Nidumulo, C.K. Prahalad, and M.R. Rangaswami, identified a five-stage process that will benefit companies as they navigate through the adoption of green business models.  In the article, the authors contend that early adopters of this process will develop competencies that will be difficult for their competitors to match. They also submit that adoption of these processes by corporate leaders will be key to real change within our economy.

Required:

1. If consumers will not pay more for eco-friendly products, where do the authors suggest that profitability will come from?

2. Give a specific example of how the authors point to redesigning operations can save money.

3.  How would you define “greenwashing?” Is it a good thing or a bad thing?  Explain.

 Source: Nidumulo, Ram, C.K. Prahalad, and M.R. Rangaswami (2009). Why Sustainability Is Now the Key Driver of Innovation. Harvard Business Review, September, pp. 3-10 (Retrievable at http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/blogs/greeninc/harvardstudy.pdf)

Are Things Improving for Sears Holding Corporation?

In the third quarter of 2009, Sears Holding Corporation narrowed its losses from $146 million in the previous quarter to $127 million. Despite this, shares of Sears’ stock have almost doubled during 2009.

QUESTIONS:

1. The article mentioned that because of inventory management, the company’s gross margin widened by 0.4 percentage points to 27.2%. What are some of the things that were done? Explain how each of these examples you cited would affect the financial statements?
2. The article mentioned that Sears cut $101 million of selling, general and administrative expenses. Where does this appear in the financial statements?
3. One of the things that Sears has done to increase sales is to bring layaway back to its K-Mart stores. Explain how revenue recognition works in a layaway situation, where a deposit is required to hold merchandise at the store until it is fully paid for. Include journal entries, where possible, in your explanation example.

SOURCE: Cheng, A. “Sears Loss Narrows As it Controls Inventory, Expenses,” Wall Street Journal – Market Watch (Retrievable online at http://www.marketwatch.com/story/sears-loss-narrows-on-cost-controls-2009-11-19)

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