The $10,000 degree – Innovation or Second Rate Degree?

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Texas may be experimenting with an initiative to help students and families struggling with the high costs of college: a bachelor’s degree for $10,000, including tuition fees and even textbooks. Under a plan unveiled in 2011, Republican Gov. Rick Perry is proposing a bachelor’s degree for $10,000, including tuition fees and even textbooks. The governor… Read more »

Martha Stewart- Wildcard, Visionary, but Not a CEO

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There are very few corporate leaders whose interests are more closely aligned with their shareholders’ than the homemaking icon, Martha Stewart. She owns 26 million shares and controls nearly 90 percent of the voting rights of her company Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia. While the company lost $50.7 million dollars in the most recent quarter, this… Read more »

How much are you worth as a Voter?

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This article looks at ad spending on the presidential race from April 10 to Oct. 10, based on data from Kantar Media. According to the video and article, the millions of dollars spent by superPACs and other outside groups send a clear message: There are really only 12 states in this presidential election and it’s… Read more »

Hyundai & Kia overstated mileage

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Hyundai Motors America and Kia Motors America are being forced to lower the fuel economy estimates on the majority of their 2012-13 models after an investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency found that the companies overstated the fuel efficiency numbers for their vehicles in previous years. Based on the audit, they will also have to… Read more »

Who is the most Indebted Man in the World?

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The answer is that man is Former Société Générale rogue trader Jérôme Kerviel, who owes the bank $6.3 billion. His case tells us a lot about financial reform. Questions: 1. According to the article, how exactly do you carry out €50 billion (or about $73 billion) of unauthorized trades? (Focus on the controls mentioned.) 2…. Read more »

Product Chasing a Market – Fuzz Phobia

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When Veet hair removal cream came to China in 2005, sales were sluggish. It turned out that Chinese women did not worry about being too hairy. So the company selling the product promoted a new marketing plan with ads that equate hair-free skin with health, confidence, and “shining glory.” Questions: 1. How fast are sales… Read more »

It Beats Earning $20 an Hour?

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Flipping houses earned a bad reputation during the housing bubble, when speculators bought and sold millions of homes in search of easy profits. But as the real estate market is showing signs of life, the practice is gaining popularity again. Questions: 1. Which areas of the country have seen the most flipping action and why?… Read more »

The Unveiling of the Future?

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Apple’s iPad Mini will likely be unveiled at a special event on October 23. The device is expected to ship with a 7.85-inch screen and costs about half of what the current starting price for an iPad. Questions: 1. According to both articles, what have iPad sales to the K-12 market been doing to PC… Read more »

CEO Quits Effective Immediately

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In a surprise move, Citigroup announced on Tuesday that Vikram S. Pandit, the bank’s chief executive, had resigned, effective immediately. While his unexpectedly fast departure has raised many questions, critics said there were many signs that the end was near for Pandit. Questions: 1. How long had Mr. Pandit been chief executive of Citigroup? 2…. Read more »

Long Island Stock Broker Creates Complex Web of Deceit

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Stockbroker, Mark Hotton, defrauded the producers of a Broadway production of “Rebecca,” through the combination of a fictitious loan and phantom investors, conjured up as part of a sham plan to rescue the financially ailing show. Questions: 1. How was the complex fraud described by federal authorities? 2. How could the producers have been proactive… Read more »