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[VIDEO] Why Wall Street Is Investing in Trash

October 20, 2023

This video looks at the evolving operations of North America’s largest landfill operator, WM. Using capital provided by federal subsidies, the waste management company is investing in tech that could change the future of trash disposal, from sophisticated scanners that sort recycling to capturing methane gas to convert into fuel.

Questions:

Why is WM upgrading its operations to include more automation as well as methane gas extraction?
Do you think WM’s operational upgrades will make the company more sustainable Continue reading →

Entrepreneurship, Energy, Manufacturing, Product Distribution, Supply & Demand, Recycling, Subsidies, Operations Management, Ethics, Product Development

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Videos

Rising Sugar Prices Increase Halloween Candy Costs

October 18, 2023

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Last year, we looked at how rising candy prices and increased enthusiasm for spooky season led Americans to spend big on Halloween. And by all accounts, it looks like 2023 will be no different: not only are consumers expected to buy lots of costumes and candy, but they will also pay more for the privilege. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, candy and chewing gum prices jumped by 7.7 percent from Continue reading →

Pricing, Supply chains, Global, Product Distribution, Manufacturing, Halloween, Holidays, Food & Drink, Supply & Demand, CPI

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution

Kaiser Permanente Unions Reach Tentative Deal with Management

October 13, 2023

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From Hollywood screenwriters to American autoworkers, the last few months have seen a huge increase in union activity. Not least among these labor actions was a strike held last week by the Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions, which represents 40 percent of the healthcare giant’s non-physician workforce. The unions’ 75,000 members went on strike for three days, which was how long the action was scheduled to run. But the coalition threatened to hold another strike for eight days next month Continue reading →

Healthcare, Medical industry, Ethics, Unions, Labor Relations, Strikes

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 10: Motivation, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management, Chapter 12: Labor Management and Unions

[VIDEO] How Electric Vehicles Could Affect the UAW’s Future

October 11, 2023

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Since the United Auto Workers (UAW) began striking against the Big Three car companies in September, the union has expanded its action to two more plants as workers continue to fight for better contracts. This video explains one of their central concerns: the expansion of automakers into the electric vehicle (EV) market. While members of the union are worried about their wages in an EV-driven future, American car companies fear that increased labor costs could make them uncompetitive with foreign Continue reading →

Strikes, Electric vehicles, Global, Ethics, Product Development, Manufacturing, Cars, Unions, Transportation, Labor Relations

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media, Videos

Retailers Question the Benefit of Self-Checkout

October 6, 2023

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Shoppers have two options when it comes to ringing up their items at the grocery store: pushing their cart to a cashier or opting for a self-checkout kiosk. The latter path became particularly popular during the pandemic when overwhelmed supermarkets sought to keep customers and employees at a distance. Store owners also figured that self-checkout stations would cut down on labor costs as shoppers did the scanning and bagging themselves. Walmart, for instance, retooled its cashier lanes to accommodate more Continue reading →

Product Development, Pricing, Product Distribution, Marketing, Self-checkout, Operations Management, Inventory loss

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

“One Chip Challenge” Pulled from Store Shelves

October 4, 2023

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Over the last few years, thousands of people have attempted to go viral on social media by eating an unbelievably hot tortilla chip. Branded the “One Chip Challenge” by the Austin-based company Paqui, the super spicy snack came packaged in a coffin-shaped box that dared eaters to wait as long as possible before drinking anything after ingestion. This led to countless videos online where people pleaded for water or shoveled ice cream into their mouths as a result of this Continue reading →

Legal, Product Distribution, Food & Drink, Marketing, Promotions, Ethics, Packaging, Entrepreneurship

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law

[VIDEO] Airlines Sell Legroom at a Premium Price

September 28, 2023

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In the early days of air travel, carriers provided passengers with luxurious amounts of legroom. As the video below explains, however, today’s planes have far more seats with far less space between them, potentially resulting in uncomfortable experiences for tall travelers.

Questions:

Why do modern airlines “unbundle” the costs of travel by charging additional fees for luggage and seat selection?
Do you think government regulators should require air carriers to provide passengers with “comfortable” amounts of legroom? Why or why not?

Product Development, Global, Regulation, Ethics, Transportation, Product Distribution, Air Travel, Supply & Demand

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law, Videos

WGA and Hollywood Studios Reach Tentative Agreement

September 26, 2023

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For 146 days, members of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have picketed in front of Hollywood movie and television studios, demanding increased financial security and more control over their work. Talks mostly broke down as the months stretched on, until last week when the two parties met over five straight days and brokered a tentative deal. Although this agreement still needs to be written into a contract and ratified by the WGA’s more than 11,000 members, industry observers Continue reading →

Film & Television, WGA, Management, Motivation, Product Development, Ethics, Entertainment, Unions, Streaming, Strikes

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 7: Management & Leadership, Chapter 10: Motivation, Chapter 11: Human Resource Management, Chapter 12: Labor Management and Unions, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Unimpressive Instacart Debut Decreases Confidence in IPOs

September 22, 2023

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For years, going public on the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq was the culmination of a longtime dream for many companies. After all, initial public offerings (IPOs) gave stakeholders a good chance to get rich quick while also bringing in new capital to expand their businesses even further. Unfortunately, this has not been the case for the last 18 months as rising inflation and growing economic uncertainty has created a poor environment for IPOs. In recent weeks, though, several Continue reading →

Global, Interest Rates, Ethics, IPO, Inflation, Stock Exchange, Instacart, Regulation

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 5: Forms of Business Ownership, Chapter 19: Securities Markets, Chapter 20: Money and Financial Institutions, Bonus Chapter A: Business Law

[VIDEO] Why Sweetgreen Struggles to Earn a Profit

September 20, 2023

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The fast-casual dining chain Sweetgreen has developed a nationwide following of fans by selling fresh salads that start at $15 apiece. Although the company certainly charges a hefty amount for one of its signature bowls, Sweetgreen still struggles to make a profit due to high labor costs and expensive ingredients. This video examines the chain’s money troubles while also looking at its plans for profitability, including automation and expanding outside of major cities.

Questions:

What are some reasons why Sweetgreen Continue reading →

Rising Sugar Prices Increase Halloween Candy Costs

Retailers Question the Benefit of Self-Checkout

[VIDEO] Why Sweetgreen Struggles to Earn a Profit

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