At Rutgers University, online student must download Proctortrack, a new anti-cheating technology, prior to taking exams. Questions: 1. Did you agree or disagree that the software was intrusive? Discuss the pros and cons of it. 2. Do you agree or disagree that human behavior in test taking can be reduced to an algorithm? Discuss. 3…. Read more »
Posts Tagged: strategic management
The Clock is Ticking!
A new legal quirk could bring a surreal ending to foreclosure casess around the country; the debtors may get to keep their homes without ever having to pay another dime. Questions: 1. Why might tens of thousands of homeowners who have missed more than five years of mortgage payments get to keep their homes without… Read more »
The Slump of the Big Mac?
According to the CEO of McDonalds, Steve Easterbrook, McDonald’s has an “urgent need to evolve” after unveiling another slide in worldwide sales, which is the ninth month in a row that sales have fallen at the fast-food chain. Questions: 1. How does McDonalds propose to get out of this slump? 2. What is Mr. Easterbrook’s… Read more »
Huge Food Merger
Heinz is going to buy 51% of Kraft in a deal brokered that is by Berkshire-Hathaway and the Brazilian-based private equity company 3G. As a result, Kraft shareholders will get a $10 billion special dividend (about $16.50 a share) under the deal. Questions: 1. What happened to the price of Kraft shares after this deal… Read more »
A First!
Cathy Engelbert has been named CEO of Deloitte, becoming the first woman CEO of a major U.S. accounting and consulting firm. Questions: 1. What are the names of the Big 4 accounting firms? 2. How long has Ms. Engelbert been with Deloitte? 3. What distinctions does Deloitte hold with respect to hiring? Source: Frizell, S…. Read more »
Maybe its time to flip a coin
According to a recent study, very few professional investors have actually managed to outperform the rising market consistently over the past few years. In fact, based on the updated findings and definitions of a particular study, it appears that no mutual fund managers have. Questions: 1. What is a mutual fund? 2. What does the… Read more »
Urban Outfitters
Questions: 1. What type of public relations problem did Urban Outfitter’s have in September 2014? 2. Explain the importance of Urban Outfitter’s ability to exceed analysts predictions for the fourth quarter. 3. Urban Outfitters announced that its board of directors recently approved a repurchase of 20 million shares under a share repurchase program. What are… Read more »
Is the use of videoconferencing one to improve recidivism or profits?
Jails are replacing face-to-face visits with video conferencing screens and are passing the costs on to inmates and their families. In some cases, these costs are up to $1 per minute. Questions: 1. Where do most videoconferencing companies make their money? 2. Who are the industry giants in prison videoconferencing? 3. Explain the last statement… Read more »
Are you getting what is advertised?
Four major retailers were accused by the New York State attorney general’s office of selling fraudulent and potentially dangerous herbal supplements. The attorney general demanded that they remove the products from their shelves. Questions: 1. Who were the four national retailers? 2. What were the results of tests performed on the supplements? 3. In summary,… Read more »
No More SkyMall?
The parent company for SkyMall filed for bankruptcy protection on January 23, 2015. SkyMall was the entertaining catalogue of everything you never thought about buying, but was in the seat pockets of every plane. As Farhi said, “the value added to this grotesque shlock was SkyMall’s enthusiastic descriptive copy. SkyMall’s writers never let on that… Read more »