NickelsMcHughMcHugh - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

[VIDEO] Why the NBA Is Facing a Difficult Choice in China

October 11, 2019

This week, Houston Rockets owner Daryl Morey sparked an international controversy when he tweeted his support for the protests in Hong Kong. His words angered both Chinese officials and businesses, leading a number of companies and government organizations to suspend ties with the Rockets. The NBA tried to ease the situation by calling Morey’s comments “regrettable,” which then caused outrage among Americans. This short video explains how the NBA must walk a fine line between appealing to its core Continue reading →

Sports, Entertainment, China, Global, NBA, Ethics, Social Media

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 13: Marketing, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Average American Commute Climbs to Record Levels

October 10, 2019

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In 2018 Americans spent an average of 27 minutes commuting one-way to work, an increase of about two minutes since 2009. While that may not sound too significant, it causes commuters to spend 20 more minutes per week on the road. That adds up to 17 additional hours a year compared to just a decade ago. In total, the average American worker spent 225 hours commuting in 2018, amounting to more than nine calendar days.

Analysts attribute this recent Continue reading →

Transportation, Sustainability, Commuting, Facility Location, Office Culture, Human Resources, Telecommuting

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Apple Gets Rid of iTunes in Latest Computer Update

October 8, 2019

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When Apple launched the iTunes store in 2003, the music industry was not in a good state. Rampant online piracy sent CD sales plummeting and caused many to wonder whether record companies could compete against the freedom of the Internet. Fortunately for the industry, the iTunes strategy of selling individual songs for just 99 cents made buying digital music mainstream and limited the reach of piracy. The app also drove sales of the iPod, which was Apple’s signature product at Continue reading →

Product Distribution, Apple, Spotify, iTunes, Product Development, Entertainment, Streaming, Music

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Food Delivery Startups Expand into Groceries

October 4, 2019

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In recent years food delivery startups like Postmates and Doordash have grown into multi-billion dollar operations by bringing takeout from all sorts of places directly to customers’ doors. But these companies don’t just service restaurants: people can also order everyday items from Walgreens or 7-Eleven and receive them hours later. Of course, consumers are more familiar with Postmates and Doordash as takeout services, not grocery delivery companies.

As a result, both startups are brokering deals with retailers and supermarkets Continue reading →

Food & Drink, Product Development, Retail, Transportation, Entrepreneurship, Product Distribution, Delivery, E-commerce

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

WeWork Withdraws IPO after CEO Scrutiny

October 3, 2019

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

This past summer, the startup WeWork heavily promoted what it promised would be a historic initial public offering (IPO). Analysts seemed to agree: Goldman Sachs estimated the office space leasing company could reach a valuation of $96 billion upon its stock market debut. When WeWork submitted the first documents for its IPO, though, the company settled on a potential valuation of $47 billion as it promised to change the world as well as the office leasing industry. Co-founder and CEO Continue reading →

Management, CEO, Ethics, Leadership, Compensation, Turnover, Office Culture, IPO, Stock Market, WeWork, Startups

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 8: Organizational Culture and Structure, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management, Chapter 19: Securities Markets

Forever 21 Files for Bankruptcy

October 1, 2019

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In the early 2000s, fast fashion brands like Zara and Forever 21 exploded in popularity by providing the latest trends at cut-rate prices. But while the former continues to thrive, this week Forever 21 announced that it would declare bankruptcy after years of declining sales. Along with closing up to 178 stores in the U.S., the retailer will also cease operations in more than 40 countries. Hundreds of domestic locations, as well as Forever 21’s website, will remain open. “What Continue reading →

Clothing, Retail, Fashion, Global, Product Distribution, Bankruptcy, E-commerce, Forever 21

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

[VIDEO] The Future of Factory-Made Bread

September 27, 2019

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Baking bread is a difficult enterprise under the best circumstances, but baking on an industrial scale is so complicated that only a few long-standing companies have truly mastered it. At the same time, the products made by brands like Wonder Bread are often packed with chemicals that many health-conscious consumers want to avoid. That’s where La Boulange comes in, a San Francisco bakery that runs 24 hours a day and operates like a factory. The video below shows how La Continue reading →

Product Development, Food & Drink, Factories, Operations Management, Manufacturing

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price

Analytics Firm Comscore Settles Fraud Charge with SEC

September 26, 2019

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

In the lucrative world of data analytics, few companies are more prominent than Comscore. The Virginia-based tech firm analyzes much of the country’s web traffic which then serves as a key reference for pricing online ads. Similar to the television ratings tracker Nielsen, Comscore measures how many people visit a website, the amount of time they spend on it, and other important metrics that can determine its popularity. As a result, the company’s data is vital for media companies and Continue reading →

Accounting, Management, Regulation, Ethics, Advertising, Social Media, Fraud, Leadership, Comscore, SEC

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 17: Accounting, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Managers Advised to Stay Polite When Competing for Promotions

September 24, 2019

NickelsMcHughMcHugh

Over the last few decades, countless movies and TV shows have portrayed cutthroat corporate characters who will stop at nothing to advance up the company ladder. According to many top managers, however, today’s firms aren’t looking to promote anyone as ruthless as this. Although obtaining executive positions at major companies remains extremely competitive, modern businesses want collaborative managers who are willing to work with everyone. That especially includes colleagues who could be seen as their competition for promotions.

“Today, Continue reading →

CEO, Leadership, Collaboration, Management, Ethics, Hiring

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management

Streaming Services Pay Big Money for Classic Shows

September 20, 2019

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This week Netflix announced that it spent $500 million to acquire the streaming rights to Seinfeld, which broadcast its last episode way back in 1998. While it may seem strange to spend so much money on a decades-old show, Netflix is far from the only streaming service to splash cash on a classic sitcom. Along with paying $425 million for Friends, HBO Max also acquired the streaming rights to The Big Bang Theory for $1 billion. Meanwhile, NBC-Universal Continue reading →

Television, Marketing, Advertising, Product Distribution, Product Development, Entertainment, Netflix, Streaming

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media