NickelsMcHughMcHugh - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

Russia Shuts Down Moscow’s McDonald’s

October 15, 2014

Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has been widely condemned by the international community. Besides strongly denouncing the nation’s actions, recent U.N. resolutions hit Vladimir Putin’s government with economic sanctions as well. The Kremlin responded to this punishment by banning the importation of food from the U.S., Canada, Australia, Norway and the European Union. Shortly after news of the ban broke, Russia also announced that it was closing down four McDonald’s locations in Moscow for “sanitary violations.”

For outsiders, the link Continue reading →

Global, Ethics, Food, McDonald’s, Russia, Regulation

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law

Non-Traditional Lenders Fund Risky Ventures

October 11, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

During the recession that began in 2008, traditional banks became wary about awarding risky loans. Not only had bad deals come back to hurt many institutions, but also new regulations required many banks to increase their capital reserves. With less money to lend, banks largely stopped financing risky endeavors like commercial real estate and small business loans.

To fill this void in the market, non-traditional lenders like real estate investment trusts (REITs) and online outlets increased their presence. Fueled by Continue reading →

Venture Capital, Finance, Banking, Real Estate

Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 18: Financial Management, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media, Bonus Chapter C: Managing Risk

Burger King’s Coal-Colored Concoction

October 8, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

As we mention in Chapter 3 of the textbook, culinary tastes can vary wildly all over the globe. Even the largest fast food chains step out of their comfort zones in order to cater to local flavors. For instance, KFC’s menu in China includes a traditional fried duck wrap, while Japan’s Pizza Hut outlets offer squid and sweet mayonnaise as toppings. But even these items pale in comparison to the latest unusual creation presented to Japanese consumers, this time courtesy Continue reading →

Marketing, Food, Product Development, Promotions, Burger King

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion

Multi-Level Marketing: Safe or Scam?

October 5, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Since the onset of the financial crisis of 2008, millions of Americans have looked for ways to earn additional income. For some, multi-level marketing companies like Avon and Herbalife presented a good avenue for making extra cash. In these types of operations, individuals pay the company for a bulk amount of goods that they then sell to other people. According to multi-level marketing firms and their trade groups, the system allows consumers to purchase their favorite products at a Continue reading →

Marketing, Herbalife, Direct Selling, Distribution, Ethics

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Bonus Chapter C: Managing Risk

The Downside of Entrepreneurial Passion

October 2, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Passion and confidence are essential traits for any entrepreneur, but these same qualities can also lead aspiring business owners to ruin. If entrepreneurs are too assured and optimistic, they risk losing sight of the enormity of the task they have undertaken. For instance, passionate people can believe so deeply in their business idea that they become blinded to its actual market viability. They are driven by the notion that since they would love to buy this particular product or Continue reading →

Financial Planning, Startups, Value, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Management

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 5: Forms of Business Ownership, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership

[VIDEO] The Remote Repo Man

October 1, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

As people inevitably default on their subprime auto loans, dealers turn to a variety of ways to retain their merchandise, sometimes with hazardous consequences.

https://nyti.ms/1qwkB8x

Questions:

Do regulatory agencies need to clearly define when a borrower is in default?

Should lenders be able to turn off a moving car?

From The New York Times

Ethics, Retail, Cars, Finance, Subprime

Videos

Oversaturation Leads to Casino Closings

September 30, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

In 1988, just two states allowed casino gambling. Today, New Jersey and Nevada are joined by more than 35 other states that have legalized casinos. Over the years, local governments across the nation promoted gambling as a way to generate additional tax revenue. Plenty of municipalities bought into the idea, leading to a rush of casino construction throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

Like so many other industries, business was good until the recession hit in 2008. Since then, not only Continue reading →

Gambling, Regulation, Oversaturation, Entertainment, Branding, Ethics

Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law

America’s Demand for Ice Cream Cools

September 26, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Although summer is fading, ice cream season remains in full swing for millions of sweet-toothed Americans. Last year consumers in the U.S. bought $13.7 billion worth of the dessert, an enormous number that doesn’t even include restaurant sales. And according to a recent study, 40 percent of Americans will eat ice cream in any given two-week period. Nevertheless, on the whole people consume a lot less of the cold stuff than they did 25 years ago. Back in 1989 Continue reading →

Marketing, Food, Product Development, Health, Froyo, Ice Cream

Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution

The Gradual Return of American Manufacturing

September 23, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

In the 1950s, more than 150 television manufacturers called the U.S. home. Today, not even component parts for TVs are produced on American soil. Still, that hasn’t stopped Wal-Mart from slapping “Assembled in the USA” stickers onto many flat screen TVs stocked in its stores. That’s because the company buys the televisions from South Carolina’s Element Electronics Corporation, which imports all their items from China.

That doesn’t mean Element is simply a middleman operation though. TVs that arrive at the Continue reading →

Global, Manufacturing, Distribution, Wal-Mart, Element Electronics

Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 15: Distribution

Eliminating Waste Through Reselling

September 20, 2014

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Although many Americans make sure to recycle their plastic bottles and aluminum cans, they’re less careful to do so with their more functional possessions. Ninety percent of the nation’s mobile devices get thrown in the trash rather than the recycling bin. The gadgets are joined there by 40 percent of the food produced each year in the U.S., along with the 12 million tons of textiles that get tossed annually.

Over the last few years, a number of new companies Continue reading →

Entrepreneurship, Social Media, Innovation, Startups, Sustainability, Resale

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media