Product Distribution - McGraw-Hill Introduction to Business

23andMe Struggles to Turn Customers Into Subscribers

October 15, 2024

Since the discovery of DNA’s structure in the 1950s, scientists have predicted a future where doctors could analyze a patient’s genes to identify and even prevent certain diseases. The medical industry seemed to be moving closer to that goal in 2007 when 23andMe became the first company to release a direct-to-consumer genetic test. Named for the 23 pairs of chromosomes in human DNA, 23andMe analyzed saliva samples from customers to show their ancestry and predispositions to diseases like cancer and Continue reading →

Genetics, Product Development, Marketing, Pricing, Ethics, Startups, Entrepreneurship, Product Distribution, Subscriptions

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, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

U.S. Port Strike Ends Quickly but Could Come Back

October 11, 2024

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Over the last few months, companies around the globe kept a close eye on American ports as a key union agreement neared its expiration date. The International Longshoremen’s Association, a union representing 50,000 members, demanded wage increases that met resistance from management. Unable to reach an agreement, the union went on strike at the beginning of last week.

But not for long. Just three days after longshoremen at East and Gulf Coast ports walked out on their jobs, employers represented Continue reading →

[VIDEO] How Kodak Invented the “Snapshot”

October 10, 2024

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Photography was once a specialized field where only trained professionals had the expertise to shoot and develop prints. Then in the late 19th century, Kodak released the first of many “point-and-shoot” cameras that would change the industry forever. The video below explores the fascinating history behind the “snapshot” and how technological innovations can bring niche products to a wider market.

Questions:

How did the introduction of point-and-shoot cameras change the photography market?
Do you see any similarities between the Continue reading →

McDonald’s Tests Cash-Enabled Ordering Kiosks

October 8, 2024

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In 2016, McDonald’s attempted to speed up customer wait times by using touchscreen kiosks to take orders, but guests paying with cash still had to go to the register at the counter. After eight years of waiting, though, the fast food chain is finally testing kiosks that can also accept cash and make change. The cash kiosks are optional for McDonald’s franchisees, who own and manage 95 percent of the company’s more than 14,000 U.S. locations. So far, only 2 Continue reading →

Product Development, Promotions, Marketing, McDonald’s, Operations Management, Product Distribution, Food & Drink

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Pokémon Creators Sue “Copycat” Game Palworld for Patent Violations

October 2, 2024

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While Microsoft is staking the future of Xbox on cloud gaming, Nintendo has long depended on iconic properties like Mario and Pokémon to drive sales of its video game consoles. In fact, the Japanese company has been infamous for filing lawsuits to protect its intellectual property for about as long as video games have been around. In one notable example from the 1980s, Nintendo sued Blockbuster for copyright infringement after the video rental chain added games to its lineup Continue reading →

Entrepreneurship, Product Distribution, Video Games, Patents, Copyright infringement, Marketing, Global, Product Development, Ethics, Entertainment

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

[VIDEO] Xbox Stakes its Future on Cloud Gaming

September 27, 2024

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For decades, the video game console market has been dominated by two major players: Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s Playstation. While the latter has consistently outsold the former, in recent years Microsoft has been buying up game developers in an effort to control the software side of the business. The video below explores Microsoft’s bet on cloud gaming through Xbox Game Pass, and whether the tech giant’s gamble will pay off in the long run.

Questions:

Why do companies like Microsoft Continue reading →

Promotions, Global, Entertainment, Product Distribution, Video Games, Supply & Demand, Microsoft, Sony, Product Development

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 3: Globalization, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

Car Insurance Rates Climb as Vehicle Prices Fall

September 25, 2024

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During the Covid-19 pandemic, the disruption of global supply chains sent car prices soaring as auto deliveries became erratic and spare parts went scarce. Now that worldwide logistics networks are largely back to normal, however, the cost of cars has been steadily going down. According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), used car prices fell by 10 percent over the past year while new vehicles are about 4 percent cheaper compared to 2023. Rental cars costs have dropped as well, Continue reading →

Supply & Demand, Supply chains, Transportation, Insurance, Ethics, Product Distribution, Risk Management

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 2: Economics, Chapter 4: Ethics and Social Responsibility, Chapter 9: Production and Operations Management, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Bonus Chapter C: Managing Risk

Bad Weather and Competing Crops Hurt the Coffee Industry

September 20, 2024

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When it comes to global commodities like coffee beans, even the slightest change in the environment or the economy can drastically change prices and supplies. That’s what happened in 2021 when a sudden and severe frost in Brazil destroyed 500,000 acres of coffee plantations, sending prices for unroasted coffee beans soaring. The extensive damage reduced the country’s coffee production by more than 10 million bags annually for three consecutive years. Brazil is the world’s largest producer of Arabica beans, the Continue reading →

Product Development, Operations Management, Product Distribution, Global, Agriculture, Entrepreneurship, Food & Drink, Supply & Demand

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

The Ups and Downs of Earning Ad Revenue on YouTube

September 18, 2024

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One of the reasons why many content creators are drawn to YouTube is the money they can make from advertisements. Brands buy ads that roll before or during videos, and creators get a share of that revenue based on the number of views. The more views and subscribers a channel gets, the more ad dollars the creator can get. YouTube handles all the ad sales, so creators don’t have to spend time negotiating directly with brands like they do for Continue reading →

Marketing, Branding, Entrepreneurship, Advertising, Social Media, Product Distribution, YouTube, Product Development

Chapter 1: Taking Risks and Making Profits, Chapter 6: Entrepreneurship, Chapter 13: Marketing, Chapter 14: Product and Price, Chapter 15: Distribution, Chapter 16: Place and Promotion, Bonus Chapter B: Technology and New Media

[VIDEO] How a Cork Company Produces 22 Million Stoppers Per Day

September 12, 2024

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Although wine corks might seem like simple items, the video below shows why they’re anything but. Along with examining the production and manufacturing processes around cork, this lengthy video also explains how one company uses it to produce everything from flooring to footwear.

Questions:

What are cork companies like Amorim doing to address the shortage of skilled laborers needed for bark harvesting?
How did Amorim diversify its operations after a fungi infection nearly destroyed its cork stopper business?