Red Star Operating System is North Korea’s homegrown computer operating system that mirrors its political one. The latest version (circa 2013) is based on a version of Linux called Fedora and has the feel of Apple’s OSX. Questions: 1. What are the two major challenges the article said that Pyongyang faces? From an international business… Read more »
Posts By: LuAnn Bean
Whistleblower in an Unusual Case
According to Newsweek, David Danon, a former Vanguard tax lawyer, became a whistleblower two years ago when he filed formal complaints with the Internal Revenue Service and many state taxing agencies claiming that Vanguard’s low fees are an illegal tax dodge. Questions: 1. According to a 2006 law, how much could Danon stand to collect… Read more »
Sam’s Club CEO, Rosalind Brewer, Talks about Changes and Lessons Learned
The rivalry between Sam’s Club and Costco comes close to what you find in college sports. Questions: Source: 1. What things did the Sam’s Club CEO say were learned about Black Friday? 2. What happened to CostCo stock versus Sam’s Club Stock in 2015? 3. What are the differentiation strategies that Sam’s Club is implementing?… Read more »
The Great Experiment
Finland has become the latest country to propose a basic income for all. Under the plan, all Finnish citizens would receive an 800 euro stipend, per month, tax-free. Questions: 1. Based on the current exchange rate, what amount of U.S. dollars is this equal to? 2. What incentive does Finland have to implement this proposal?… Read more »
Will the Fed or won’t the Fed?
Ms. Janet Yellen indicated in testimony before Congress on November 4, that an interest rate increase could come in December 2015. But she added that no decision had been made. Questions: 1. When was the last time that the Fed raised interest rates? 2. Where has the benchmark interest rate been since Dec. 16, 2008?… Read more »
Stagefright!
According to Jeff Larson, for the last five months, military officials and officers have continued to use phones that can be attacked by the “Stagefright” bugs, a collection of flaws in the phones’ software code that gives attackers access to everything that flows through compromised devices. Questions: 1. How is the military adding to the… Read more »
Security Chips and Bearing the Cost of Fraud
New payment cards, issued over the last year, come with a small square security chip that can help make in-person transactions more secure. However, retailers complain that they have spent billions of dollars upgrading their payment terminals to accommodate a system that cuts down on the fraud shouldered by banks, but not merchants. Questions: 1…. Read more »
Avoid the crowds with Black Friday Apps
Questions: 1. What are the benefits of Nifti? 2. What are the benefits of ShopSavvy? 3. Based on the information in this article and video, if you were a brick-and-mortar retailer, what would you do to counteract the convenience of these apps and get more traffic (that translate into higher sales)? 4. From an accounting… Read more »
Release Cards: Another High Interest Problem?
As this article points out, unlike consumer debit cards, prison-issued cards are unregulated and subject to exorbitant fees. Questions: 1. What are the typical charges for these cards? 2. For the person that had $120 and was able to use only $70, calculate the percentage of fees. 3. Who is making the money on these… Read more »
Black Friday Worries
According to this article, Black Friday Shoppers are opting out of the usual frenzied shopping day, because stores are diluting its effect with pre-Black Friday deep discounts. Questions: 1. Why did FDR move Thanksgiving? 2. When did Black Friday begin to lose its luster and why? 3. Which of the retailing changes in the article… Read more »