According to the WSJ, General Electric Co. said it was freezing its pension plan for about 20,000 U.S. workers and offering pension buyouts to 100,000 former employees, as the conglomerate joins the ranks of U.S. companies phasing out a guaranteed retirement. Questions: Who is the CEO? The video said the CEO has been aggressive. What has he… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Liabilities
Another Walmart PR disaster
Walmart’s disabled greeters are being replaced by “customer hosts,” with growing responsibilities. Questions: 1. Why has this been such a PR disaster for the company? 2. How many days were the greeters given to find new jobs? 3. What is the new job of “customer hosts” meant to do? 4. What are your thoughts about… Read more »
A Story That will Tug at your Heart Strings!
In Germany, a family owing a debt had the family dog seized by the city of Ahlen. The City then sold the dog on EBay in order to pay for the debt. Questions: 1. What were the other assets that they considered seizing? 2. Who bought the dog and what was the new owner skeptical… Read more »
Millennials: New Results from the Federal Reserve
Millennials have preferences for consumption that differ significantly from those of earlier generations because: (a) they are anti-materialists and want less stuff. (b) they are less well-off than members of earlier generations were when they were young. (c) they have lower earnings, fewer assets, and less wealth. (d) answer choices (b) and (c) are correct…. Read more »
Delicious Contingent Liabilities
According to Buzz Feed.com, instant noodles are convenient, tasty, and…potentially dangerous? The sick-day staple and college student favorite may provide warmth and comfort, but new research suggests that ramen and other instant soups and noodles may be risky for young kids. Questions: 1. How many children are sent to the emergency room as a result… Read more »
Free Shipping!
As Walmart, Target and Amazon launch a price war for merchandise in the weeks before Thanksgiving, they are now wooing customers with the promise of fast, efficient, no-cost shipping. On Monday, Amazon upped the ante by expanding free shipping to all customers through the holidays, with no minimum purchase required. Questions: 1. What do Prime… Read more »
The End is Near
The fall of Sears has been well documented. But who else is feeling the grip of Amazon on their once thriving retail business and who will be next to declare bankruptcy? Questions: 1. According to the article, what is the toxic combination that will take the eight named retail companies out of the game? 2…. Read more »
The New Twist in Airline Rates
While the list of things not included with your plane ticket seems to be constantly growing, there is a new twist in ticket rates. As if it isn’t becoming difficult enough, now some airlines have started bidding sites for seat upgrades! Questions: 1. What are the extra fees associated with airline transportation called? 2. What… Read more »
Vehicular Homelessness
As housing costs soar in major cities, more Americans are living behind the wheel. Although the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development doesn’t collect national data on vehicle residency, unsheltered homelessness—a category that includes people sleeping in vehicles—is on the rise. Questions: 1. Are all of these individuals poor? What are some of the… Read more »
A long-term strategy for electric scooter travel
According to Axios, Uber is planning a shift in emphasis from cars to electric bicycles and scooters for shorter journeys. Questions: 1. What was the company that Uber acquired? 2. What were Uber’s losses last year? 3. How much did Uber pay for the electric bike-sharing company? 4. What types of risks do you anticipate… Read more »