A few weeks ago, we looked at how rising cocoa prices led to price increases for chocolate just before the Halloween season. The video below examines this global issue in great detail, from the struggles of cocoa farmers in Ghana to the effects of rising costs both on independent operators and major candy producers like Mars Wrigley. 

Questions:

1. What are some of the issues affecting the livelihoods of Ghanaian cocoa farmers?
2. How are independent businesses like Li-Lac Chocolates responding to rising cocoa prices? How does their approach differ from big companies like Mars Wrigley?

Walgreens and CVS stores are common sights on American street corners, but in the coming years there will be significantly fewer of them around. The video below takes a detailed look at the recent struggles faced by U.S. pharmacy chains as they plan to shut down thousands of locations nationwide. 

Questions:

1. Why are Walgreens and CVS closing thousands of stores over the coming years? What are some factors that have contributed to their problems?
2. How can entrepreneurs help prevent “pharmacy deserts”?

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:

1. How did the introduction of point-and-shoot cameras change the photography market?
2. Do you see any similarities between the development of point-and-shoot photography and the rise of technology like smartphones?

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:

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

The onset of the Covid-19 pandemic brought the restaurant industry to a standstill as countless kitchens closed and diners largely remained at home. But that didn’t stop some entrepreneurs from finding opportunities in this chaotic situation. The video below breaks down the boom of “pop-up” restaurants that flourished during the pandemic thanks to low overhead and mobile setups that met customers closer to where they lived. 

Questions: 

1. How did the pandemic change the restaurant industry?
2. What are some advantages and disadvantages of running pop-up restaurants?

For most of the past decade, the language learning app Duolingo has ranked as the top education platform on Apple’s App Store. Most people download it for free, with only a small percentage of users opting to pay for a yearly subscription. So how does Duolingo manage to earn more than $500 million in annual revenue? Along with examining the roles that advertising and AI play in Duolingo’s success, the video below also explains how the app keeps its dedicated user base hooked.  

Questions:

1. How does Duolingo earn money even though just a fraction of its users pay for the service?
2. Why does Duolingo remain free to use even though it could easily increase paid subscriptions in a number of ways?

Demand for gold has been rising across the globe, defying economists’ expectations and sending prices soaring to new heights. The video below looks at how the gold trade has changed in recent years as everyday consumers enter the market alongside major investors. Costco, for example, sells $200 million worth of gold bars every month to members on the lookout for what they consider to be stable investments.

Questions:

1. Why have gold prices been rising across the globe recently?
2. Do you think the gold bars sold at Costco are stable investments? Why or why not?

More than one third of Americans cannot afford to pay an unexpected $500 cost out of pocket, so they must often use alternative ways to settle their debts. This video examines the options available to people who need money fast, from overdraft fees that can stack up over time to payday loans that quickly become predatory.

Questions:

1. What are the benefits of maintaining an emergency fund for unexpected costs?
2. Why are payday loans considered predatory? Do you think government regulators should do more to make payday loans safe for consumers?

Although meal kit services like HelloFresh and Blue Apron both enjoyed a boom in business during the pandemic, only one of those companies continues to thrive today. The video below explores the growing dominance of HelloFresh in the meal kit industry even as it struggles to keep customers, who mainly tend to cancel their subscriptions once the sign-on deals end. 

Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of HelloFresh’s strategy of using discounts to attract customers?
2. Why is it easy for companies to enter the meal kit industry but difficult for them to scale up?

With more than 51 million monthly active users in the United States, the Chinese e-commerce outlet Temu has expanded significantly in recent years thanks to its huge selection of cheap goods. This video looks at the platform’s low-price strategy and how it’s winning customers the world over in spite of reports of poor quality products and possible ethical issues.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Temu’s business model is appealing to customers?
2. Which e-commerce strategy do you think is most effective at winning over consumers: Temu’s low prices or Amazon’s quick shipping?

Fast food companies pour billions of dollars into marketing every year, and a big portion of those costs come from expensive video shoots for commercials. This video takes a detailed look at the extraordinary skill that goes into seemingly simple fast food ads, from hand-painting burger patties to moving items precisely with the help of robot technology.

Questions:

1. Why do fast food companies spend so much money to make their menu items appear realistic on camera?
2. How does the crew at the Garage use platforms like Instagram and TikTok to promote their food-filming business?

Large hot air balloons can cost as much as $160,000, requiring huge amounts of high quality materials and lots of time. This video focuses on the Spanish company Ultramagic Balloons, which employs large sewing teams as well as engineers to produce flawless balloon-based aircraft. 

Questions:

1. Why does Ultramagic Balloons prioritize quality control throughout its production process? 
2. What are some factors that contribute to the high costs of hot air balloons?

Two weeks ago, we looked at the terrifying incident that passengers experienced on an Alaska Airlines flight when a door suddenly blew open during takeoff. The incident placed Boeing under renewed scrutiny for its Max line of aircraft, which could have big repercussions for the company going forward. This video looks at the potential consequences Boeing could face, from losing airlines’ confidence to ceding market share to competitors like Airbus.

Questions:

1. How could airlines’ loss of confidence in Boeing affect the company going forward?
2. Why is Boeing unlikely to lose market share to Airbus in the short term? How could things change in the long term?

The German company Aldi is the fastest growing grocery chain in the U.S., expanding at a rate of about 100 stores a year. The following video explains how Aldi keeps prices low by stocking a limited number of products and designing stores for maximum efficiency. 

Questions:

1. How do Aldi’s store layouts help the company keep expenses low?
2. Why does Aldi stock significantly fewer products than most supermarkets?

According to the consultancy firm McKinsey, most mid-sized businesses have an average lifespan of about 18 years as companies change hands and markets evolve. That makes the achievement of the cymbal maker Zildjian all the more impressive: for more than four centuries, the company has served countless musicians across a wide variety of styles and eras. Along with providing a comprehensive overview of Zildjian’s storied history, the video below also examines the company’s fascinating production process and quality control procedures.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Zildjian keeps its metal alloy recipe secret, even from longtime employees?
2. How has Zildjian managed to adapt through the years as both music styles and the business environment change?

The Chinese e-commerce giant Shein (pronounced Shee-In) controls more than 40 percent of the U.S. fast fashion market, with more than $8 billion in sales last year. This video explores how the retailer consistently churns out cheap shirts and dresses, which includes accusations of labor exploitation that has tarnished Shein’s image with some shoppers.

Questions:

1. How does Shein’s “small batch” production strategy differ from other clothing companies? 
2. How has Shein tried to recover its reputation with U.S. consumers? Do you think the company will ultimately be successful in its efforts? Why or why not?

With nearly 2,000 stores across the U.S., more than 75 percent of Americans live within ten miles of a Target. These brick and mortar locations have become surprisingly valuable assets for the company’s e-commerce business, with more than 95 percent of online orders originating from Target stores. This video goes into detail about the retailer’s logistical operations, including the local sortation centers Target is investing in to keep up with increasing demand. 

Questions:

1. How does Target utilize nearly 2,000 stores to fulfill the majority of its online orders?
2. What are some potential advantages and disadvantages of Target’s use of local sortation centers rather than large distribution warehouses like Amazon?

If you’ve taken an over-the-counter (OTC) nasal decongestant recently, you may have been upset to discover that it did not do much to relieve your clogged sinuses. In fact, recent studies by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) show that most OTC decongestants work no better than a placebo. This video explains in detail how store shelves became filled with useless cold medicine, and ways that the FDA are working to make things right.

Questions:

1. Why do most OTC decongestants contain an ingredient that does not provide sinus relief? How did the market get to this point?
2. Do you think the FDA should ban the use of phenylephrine in OTC nasal decongestants? Why or why not?

From counter service restaurants to furniture stores, Americans are prompted to leave a tip for nearly every purchase they make. Along with looking at the history of tipping in the U.S., this video explains “price partitioning” and how it influences the ways that consumers view prices, showing that tipping is likely here to stay despite being consistently unpopular. 

Questions:

1. What is price partitioning, and how does it influence consumers’ views on prices? 
2. Do you think businesses should phase out tipping and simply list total prices instead? What would be the potential advantages and disadvantages of this approach?

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:

1. Why is WM upgrading its operations to include more automation as well as methane gas extraction? 
2. Do you think WM’s operational upgrades will make the company more sustainable and profitable? Why or why not

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 and domestic rivals. 

Questions:

1. Why is the UAW so concerned about automakers’ upcoming expansion into the electric vehicle market?
2. Do you think automakers should work together with battery companies to ensure their workforces are unionized? Why or why not?

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:

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

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:

1. What are some reasons why Sweetgreen struggles to earn a profit?
2. Do you think Sweetgreen’s plans to implement automation will help it earn more money in the future? Why or why not?

When Major League Baseball groundskeepers prepare an infield before a game, not just any dirt will do. 26 out of 30 teams in the league depend on professional grade stuff made by Duraedge Products in Pennsylvania, which mines and processes Pittsburgh red bed claystone to create “infield mix.” This video follows the entire process from mining to mixing, showing how every year Duraedge transforms 30,000 tons of clay into a vital product for baseball teams around the country.

Questions:

1. Why does Duraedge sometimes use satellite facilities far away from its main Pennsylvania plant to finish the mixing process?
2. Why do you think the majority of Major League Baseball teams buy infield mix from Duraedge? What qualities make them such a dependable company?

For nearly a century, car companies all over the world have built life-size clay models of vehicles in order to make all sorts of design decisions. But don’t let the humble materials fool you: luxury brands like Bentley often spend more than $650,000 to make just one model. This video looks at the benefits of building these pricey prototypes during the development process and why virtual reality tools won’t entirely replace clay anytime soon. 

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using clay models during the automotive design process?
2. Do you think life-size clay models of vehicles will eventually be replaced by virtual reality and other sophisticated digital tools? Why or why not?

The trucking company Yellow filed for bankruptcy in July after struggling for years with mounting debts and slim profit margins. The video below looks at how this low-cost carrier butted heads with unions while also failing to integrate acquisitions into its existing business, leading to the collapse of this century-old company. 

Questions:

1. What are some factors that led Yellow to declare bankruptcy last month?
2. Why is it difficult for low-cost carriers like Yellow to operate in the competitive trucking industry?

More than 60 percent of McDonald’s sales come from outside the U.S., making foreign markets just as important to Mickey D’s bottom line as its domestic operations. This video looks at how the fast food giant develops items for its global customers, who often enjoy flavors that can’t be found under the Golden Arches anywhere else in the world. 

Questions:

1. Why does McDonald’s develop menu items for specific global markets?
2. How does “transplanting flavors” from one market to another help McDonald’s develop new products? What are the advantages and disadvantages of this approach?

Experts estimate that as many as 80,000 American retail stores will close over the next five years as companies like Forever 21, JCPenney, and Neiman Marcus struggle to stay afloat. That’s not the case for the British retailer Primark, however, which has 18 locations in the U.S. with plans for a lot more to come. This video looks at how the company became a multibillion dollar brand in Europe by sticking to brick-and-mortar stores stocked with high quality items at low prices. 

Questions:

1. Why does Primark only sell items at its brick-and-mortar locations? What do you think are the benefits and drawbacks of the company’s avoidance of e-commerce?
2. What difficulties did Primark encounter when it initially expanded to the U.S.? How did it overcome these obstacles?

American companies have been hiring lots of new employees this year, making economists hopeful that the country will not experience a recession anytime soon. Still, other experts claim that increased hiring is not as reliable of an economic indicator as some think. The video below explains how total working hours can provide a more detailed picture of the country’s economic health and why fears of an incoming recession could be justified. 

Questions:

1. How do economists use “hours worked” as an indicator for an upcoming recession?
2. If you are currently working, have your hours increased or decreased at your job recently? What do you think this could tell about your company’s financial health?

Since 1868, Tabasco has produced hot sauce by aging a spicy mash of peppers, vinegar, and salt in oak barrels for five years. The video below shows how the company makes this iconic condiment through a combination of time-tested methods and modern assembly line efficiency. 

Questions:

1. Why does Tabasco still depend on using old bourbon barrels to create its hot sauce?
2. Do you think Tabasco should relocate its Avery Island facilities in favor of a place that is more secure from storms? Why or why not?

Retailers have long relied on credit cards and companies like Paypal to provide payment options for customers, but recently these services have faced some new competition. Firms like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay offer “buy now, pay later” models that can be an appealing alternative to credit cards. As the video below shows, though, these services could potentially be dangerous to consumers while also failing to maintain steady profits for investors.

Questions:

1. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of using “buy now, pay later” services? 
2. Do you think services like Affirm, Klarna, and Afterpay will be able to compete with credit card companies in the long term? Why or why not?

From 2011 to 2021, the value of Rolex watches outperformed real estate and stock markets as well as commodities like gold. This video looks at the risks and rewards of the $20 billion used watch industry, from soaring demand and big price tags to small margins and extensive counterfeiting.

 Questions:

1. Why are counterfeit products harmful to luxury brands like Rolex?
2. How does high demand for Rolex encourage counterfeiters to produce knockoffs?

The Writers Guild of America has been on strike for more than a month and a half as they continue to demand better working conditions in modern Hollywood. This video takes an in-depth look at how streaming services like Netflix and Hulu completely changed the business of writing for television, from shorter schedules and smaller residual checks to depriving writers of vital experience by keeping them off set. 

Questions:

1. How does spending time “on set” allow writers to gain experience about making television shows? What effect can it have on a person’s career in the industry?
2. Why are residual payments important for writers working in Hollywood?

The parent company of T.J. Maxx earned more than $50 billion last year, more than Nordstrom and Macy’s combined. This video shows how the retailer lives up to its promise to give customers “the max for the minimum price” through ever-changing inventory and eye-catching deals. 

Questions:

1. What is “price-anchoring,” and how does T.J. Maxx utilize it to drive sales? 
2. Why does T.J. Maxx continuously restock its stores with new inventory?

Lawmakers are once again butting heads about raising the debt ceiling, a limit on the total amount of money that the federal government is authorized to borrow. This video looks at the potential economic consequences that could follow if legislators fail to reach an agreement and default on the nation’s debt. 

Questions:

1. How does debt help drive the U.S. economy?
2. Why are U.S. bonds traditionally seen as reliable investments? How could that change if the country defaults on its debt?

The Super Mario Brothers Movie has earned more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office so far, marking just the latest success for the entertainment juggernaut Nintendo. This video looks at how the Japanese company manages to stay on top of the volatile video game industry thanks to reliable hardware sales as well as classic characters like Mario, Luigi, Link, and many others.

Questions:

1. Why do Sony and Microsoft sell their consoles at a loss? How does Nintendo manage to make money from console sales?
2. Why does Nintendo release games from franchises like Mario and Zelda exclusively on their own consoles?

For a few months every year, legions of Girl Scouts across America set out on entrepreneurial adventures to sell classic cookies like Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs. This video looks at the $800 million Girl Scout cookie operation, which aims to teach kids valuable business lessons and people skills that remain for a lifetime.

Questions:

1. How do the Girl Scouts use scarcity to increase demand for cookies every year?
2. How has e-commerce changed the Girl Scout cookie selling experience?

Since launching its digital payment system in 2014, Apple has steadily increased its market share in a space traditionally dominated by big banks. This video looks at how Apple Pay has frightened Wall Street stalwarts like JPMorgan Chase and caused financial institutions to expand their own digital payment efforts in order to compete. 

Questions:

1. What advantages and disadvantages does Apple Pay have compared to traditional financial firms?
2. Do you prefer to pay with cards or digital platforms like Apple Pay?

In the last few months, we’ve posted videos focusing on small businesses that produce mouthwatering foods by hand, from tasty chocolates to delicious hand-rolled bagels. Today’s video looks at another sort of commercial kitchen, however, a facility owned by Delta Airlines that pumps out more than 3,000 meals daily by relying on robotic machines. 

Questions:

1. Why does Delta rely on automated cooking machines at its Atlanta facility?
2. Do you think small businesses producing food by hand could benefit from the robotic equipment used by Delta? Why or why not?

The video below takes a long look at Li-Lac Chocolate, the oldest chocolate house in New York that thrives by doing things the old fashioned way. Along with observing their unique production processes, this video examines how Li-Lac made it through the pandemic to continue its century-long tradition.

1. What value do the antique chocolate molds owned by Li-Lac Chocolates give to the company?
2. How did the pandemic affect business at Li-Lac Chocolate?

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) does not get much attention unless something goes drastically wrong in the financial world, such as the recent collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB). This video explains how the organization covers customers’ deposits in order to prevent bank runs, and how the fall of SVB presented the FDIC with some unique challenges.

Questions:

1. Why was the FDIC formed, and how does it protect customers’ deposits?
2. How did the FDIC’s handling of the SVB collapse differ from past bank failures?

The video below provides an in-depth look at Silicon Valley Bank’s downfall, from its heavy investments in bonds to the bank run that has sent shockwaves through the market. (For more information on investigations into potential misconduct at SVB, check out this video.)

Questions:

1. How did SVB’s substantial investments in bonds backfire on the bank?
2. Do you think federal regulators should place limits on how much money banks like SVB can invest? Why or why not?

Prices on everyday products like groceries and diapers have increased dramatically in the last couple of years, with inflation often being identified as the culprit. This video takes a close look at the potential causes of the post-pandemic trend of rising inflation, examining why supply chain issues and plain old markups could be responsible for ever-increasing prices. 

Questions:

1. What are the potential causes of inflation outlined in this video? Which factor do you think is the most likely cause of rising prices, or do you think it results from a combination of reasons?
2. Do you think government regulators should investigate if companies have raised prices to unsustainable rates? Why or why not?

Florida’s orange crop is shrinking year after year, sending commodity prices skyrocketing for orange juice concentrate. This video examines the intricacies of commodity markets through the lens of concentrated OJ, looking at concepts like futures contracts and how they affect both farmers and retailers.

Questions:

1. Why has Florida’s plummeting orange production caused juice prices to increase significantly? 
2. What are the benefits of futures contracts for farmers and manufacturers?

While last week we looked at how Domino’s relies on automation to mass produce its pizza dough, today’s video examines the operations at a company that takes the opposite approach. At Utopia Bagels in New York City, a well-trained staff of specialists make thousands of bagels by hand every day, all driven by a passionate owner whose love for his craft comes through in this video.

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of making bagels entirely by hand?
2. What do you think are some challenges of training specialized workers like bagel rollers?

With thousands of locations across more than 90 international markets, Domino’s has become a global powerhouse thanks largely to its innovative production and distribution methods. This video takes an extensive look at how Domino’s makes pizza, focusing especially on a dough-making facility that relies heavily on automation to succeed.

Questions:

1. Why did Domino’s install automated systems in its Indiana dough-making facility?
2. Do you think more food companies should rely on automation like Domino’s? Why or why not?

In 1989, Anheuser-Busch signed an agreement with the NFL giving the brewer exclusive rights to advertise alcohol nationally during the Super Bowl. After 33 years of having a monopoly over big game beer ads, however, AB InBev decided not to renew their license this year. And as the video below shows, the field is now wide open for companies like MillerCoors to reach a big national audience that has previously been unavailable to them.

Questions:

1. Do you think it was wise for AB InBev not to renew their exclusive rights to advertise alcohol during the Super Bowl? Why or why not?
2. How did companies like MillerCoors get around AB InBev’s exclusive rights to advertise during the Super Bowl in previous years?

Lego grew to be the world’s largest toymaker by appealing to many different kinds of customers, from kids and collectors to corporations looking for fun team-building activities. The Danish company manages to reach lots of people by licensing popular properties like Stars Wars and Marvel for a range of content like movies, TV shows, and video games. This video looks at how Lego drives toy sales by branching out into entertainment that reinforces its brand and grows its customer base. 

Questions:

1. How does Lego benefit its toy business by producing movies, TV shows, and video games?
2. What role does licensing play in Lego’s business strategy? Do you think the company would be as successful as it is today if not for the popularity of properties like Star Wars and Marvel?

This video dives deep into the story of M&S Schmalberg, the last artificial flower factory in the U.S. that crafts beautiful blossoms by hand. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this family-owned business serves everyone from top fashion designers and celebrities to individual clients with personal projects in mind. The video below delves into the history of M&S Schmalberg and its artisanal production methods while also examining the rise and fall of the American artificial flower industry over the span of a century.

Questions:

1. What effect did competition from overseas manufacturers have on the artificial flower industry in the U.S.? How has M&S Shmalberg managed to stay afloat through the years?
2. Why is it important for M&S Shmalberg to hire and train new employees to replace their talented but aging staff? 

As the post-pandemic economic recovery slows down, many companies are looking to trim their bottom lines through restructuring and layoffs. Unlike in previous downturns, however, professional employees have largely been on the receiving end of these job cuts. The video below examines why white collar workers are more likely to receive a pink slip than their blue collar brethren.

Questions:

1. Why are white collar workers facing a disproportionate amount of layoffs as the economy slows down?
2. How can the strong job market potentially benefit professionals like tech workers who have recently been laid off?

The members of the K-pop group BTS are more than just entertainers: they’re financial juggernauts who have contributed billions of dollars to the South Korean economy. The video below looks at how BTS leverages their massive global audience to develop lucrative brand partnerships with everyone from McDonald’s to Louis Vuitton. This bonanza of cash might not go on forever, though, with the group announcing they were taking a brief hiatus that could potentially blunt their branding power. 

Questions:

1. What unique value does BTS bring to brands like McDonald’s and Louis Vuitton?
2. Do you think BTS will continue to be a global financial juggernaut after going on hiatus? Why or why not?

The National Retail Federation says that customer returns are increasing across the industry, driven primarily by online returns that have more than doubled in the last few years. Contrary to what many consumers may think, these products don’t simply boomerang back onto store shelves. As the video below shows, returned items take a complicated journey from warehouse to warehouse that frequently ends either at a secondary resale center or a landfill.

Questions:

1. Why do many returned products end up in secondary resale centers or landfills? 
2. Do you think consumers would be less willing to frequently return online items if they knew about the complicated process behind returns? Why or why not?

The New York bakery Junior’s has been selling enormous cheesecakes to customers since 1950, but 2022 has probably been the toughest year for the company since its founding. Along with examining how a cream cheese shortage and skyrocketing ingredient prices have threatened Junior’s bottom line, this video also examines the company’s history and the intricate production processes for its many baked goods. 

Questions:

1. How have rising ingredient costs affected Junior’s business? 
2. What role does automation play at Junior’s New Jersey factory? Do you think adding more robots to the assembly line could lower costs for the company?

The Mississippi River serves as one of the nation’s most vital supply routes, with slow-moving barges carrying everything from agricultural products to oil and building materials. Due to a drastically dry spring and summer, however, the river is running too low at some points to allow vessels to pass through. This video looks at how plummeting water levels on the Mississippi are disrupting the plans of farmers and manufacturers who rely on the river to get their goods to market.  

Questions:

1. Why is the Mississippi River such an important shipping route in the U.S.? 
2. How have farmers been affected by the Mississippi River’s low water levels as they attempt to ship recently harvested crops?

On a stretch of highway near Phoenix, property developers have constructed dozens of industrial warehouses with millions of square feet in storage. These enormous Arizona facilities are attracting big companies like Amazon, UPS, Walmart, and many more tenants that are looking to avoid California supply chain bottlenecks. This video looks at the reasons why some businesses are starting to center their logistical operations in the American Southwest.

Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks for companies that use storage facilities located in Arizona rather than California?
2. Do you think companies should place their warehouses closer to ports or closer to consumers? Which option has more potential advantages?

This fascinating video takes a close look at the painstaking process for making oboes, a woodwind that stands out as one of the most expensive instruments in any orchestra. The artisans depicted below must contend with costly and dwindling supplies as well as limited demand from a small and selective market, factors that make this specialty business even more complicated.

Questions:

1. Why are the material costs for oboes so high compared to other instruments like flutes and clarinets?
2. How does demand from a small and specialty market drive production decisions for oboe makers like Howarth?

In recent months, CEOs at leading corporations have been talking a lot about “elasticity” with their shareholders. As Americans contend with rising prices due to inflation, companies are concerned with just how elastic their pricing practices can be. This video examines the concept of elasticity and the role it plays in determining how companies price products. 

Questions:

1. What is price elasticity, and how is it affected by inflation?
2. What are some ways that companies like Procter & Gamble try to maintain market share as their products become more elastic?

Every month, more than one billion people use Google Maps to find their way around the world. The video below looks at the history of this revolutionary app since its launch 17 years ago as well as the ethical issues that come with gathering location data from millions of unknowing users.

Questions:

1. How do businesses use Google Maps as a promotional tool?
2. Do you think Google’s system of “differential privacy” provides enough protection for users’ location data? Why or why not?

Global supply chains have been all out of sorts since the start of the pandemic, but for the most part traffic and delays have been isolated to ports on the Pacific. As the video below explains, though, bottlenecks have now moved to East and Gulf Coast ports that are unprepared for this influx of ships and container boxes. 

Questions:

1. What are some reasons why shipping traffic and delays have moved from Pacific ports to East and Gulf Coast ports?
2. Why do some experts predict that traffic at East and Gulf Coast ports could start to slow down in the coming months?

Thousands of workers at Amazon warehouses and Starbucks stores across the country have voted to unionize in recent months, potentially reversing decades of declining union membership in the U.S. This video takes a close look at the history of unions in postwar America, examining the reasons why service industries largely stayed unorganized and how that could change in the coming years. 

Questions:

1. Why did union membership start to decline in the 1970s and 1980s?
2. Do you think U.S. legislators should make it easier for Americans to unionize their workplace? Why or why not?

Consumer confidence in the economy has taken a nosedive as prices climb higher due to rising inflation, potentially indicating that the U.S. is on the road to a recession. This video looks at how the government collects data on consumer confidence while also examining the ways that low economic expectations can further fuel inflation.

Questions:

1. Why does the government collect data on consumer confidence? What sort of questions do they ask participants?
2. How can declining consumer confidence potentially drive inflation even higher?

Although the pandemic ushered in a new era of working from home, many companies still want employees to come into the office. This video looks at how the social network LinkedIn redesigned its workplace to include more than 75 different types of seating, combining the comforts of home with the collaborative nature of the office environment. 

Questions:

1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of LinkedIn’s new hybrid office plan?
2. Do you think more companies should follow LinkedIn’s lead and develop hybrid offices with many types of seating? Why or why not?

Last week, we looked at how declining stock prices are signaling to analysts that an economic recession could be on the horizon. This video looks at how the recent downturn has been especially grim for tech companies, whose shares are down significantly due to rising interest rates and global instability. 

Questions:

1. What are some factors that have caused tech stocks to fall sharply in recent months?
2. How have hiring decisions by companies like Facebook contributed to the tech stock downturn

Over the last year, Americans have seen prices skyrocket for everything from food to fuel, leading to higher bills and strained budgets. This video looks at how inflation has played out across the economy, from increased costs for consumer staples like meat and eggs to rising rents that are a result of low housing supplies.

Questions:

1. What long term economic factors have led to increased meat prices in recent months?
2. How has a lack of housing construction since the 2008 financial crisis contributed to rising rents in 2022?

Although the sunny state of Florida is famous for its acres of orange groves, the last few years have been stormy for citrus growers as they fight against a tree disease that damages their crops. This extensive video looks at how “citrus greening” brought on by an invasive insect has put many Florida growers out of business while others struggle to adapt to this new agricultural reality. 

Questions:

1. How has citrus greening impacted the Florida orange industry?
2. What are orange farmers doing to combat citrus greening? Do you think their efforts will be successful?

Although electricity prices usually tend to increase alongside the temperature, this summer Americans could see their utility bills rise to record levels. The video below explains how climbing natural gas costs have made air conditioning more expensive than ever, a situation made worse by tangled supply chains and the war in Ukraine. 

Questions:

1. How do rising natural gas prices impact utility costs for consumers?
2. Do you think utility providers should invest more in renewable energy sources to reduce their dependence on natural gas? Why or why not?

While Crocs have had their fans since launching in 2002, the clog brand really took off during the pandemic as housebound Americans searched for comfortable indoor shoes. This video looks at how Crocs won over a doubting public thanks to its unique design, customization, and exclusive partnerships with brands and celebrities. 

Questions:

1. Why did Crocs close its retail stores and move to a distribution model that focused on online sales? How did it benefit from this switch? 
2. How does customization help make a product like Crocs stand out in a crowded marketplace?

As businesses across the globe contend with rising inflation, many companies are cutting costs by reducing the size of consumer goods and hoping buyers don’t notice. This video looks at this growing trend of “shrinkflation” and the risks that companies take when they downsize snacks. 

Questions:

1. Why are many companies responding to rising costs with “shrinkflation?” 
2. What risks do companies take when they alter the packaging or size of consumer goods like snacks?

Sales of houseplants skyrocketed during the onset of the pandemic, and ever since growers around the world have struggled to keep up with ever-increasing demand. Not only are they reaching production capacity, but growers are also in a race against time to get their plants to market before they die on store shelves. This video takes a detailed look at the advanced growing techniques used on modern houseplant farms as well as the flood of TikTok-driven demand that growers must contend with. 

Questions:

1. What are some production challenges that houseplant farmers face, and how do they deal with these issues?
2. How do social media platforms like TikTok drive demand for houseplants?

With inflation rising to its highest levels in 40 years, the Federal Reserve plans to take action by raising interest rates in an effort to get the money supply under control. This video looks at the ways the Fed guides the economy by influencing the federal funds rate, which then affects everything from banking policies to the housing market. 

Questions:

1. Why is the Fed planning to raise the federal funds rate?
2. How does the federal funds rate eventually affect consumer demand for services like home loans or credit cards?

For years the home workout company Peloton promised customers that it provided more than just a stationary bicycle–it was a way of life. But while Peloton thrived during the height of the pandemic as people stayed indoors, the video below shows how this once promising brand collapsed due to falling demand and mismanagement. 

Questions:

1. What sort of customers did Peloton initially market its product to? How did this change over time?
2. How did the pandemic benefit Peloton, and why did the company collapse after many businesses reopened?

Chowing down on a big bowl of crickets probably doesn’t sound very appetizing, does it? According to a range of experts interviewed in the video below, though, our disgust at the thought of eating insects might just be a matter of perception. This extensive report from the New York Times shows how lobsters went from disgusting to delicious in the eyes of American eaters, a branding journey that bugs might also take in the near future.

Questions:

1. What are some of the factors that contributed to lobster’s transformation into a delicacy?
2. Do you think American consumers can be convinced to include insects in their diets? Why or why not?

With the 2022 Winter Olympics in full swing, this video looks at how the International Olympic Committee (IOC) earns billions of dollars through brand partnerships. Along with providing benefits for both major companies and the IOC, these big-time deals have also led to some challenges during this current edition of the games. 

Questions:

1. Do you think it is worth it for companies to spend billions of dollars on brand partnerships at the Olympics? Why or why not?
2. Why are some brands choosing to distance themselves from this edition of the Olympic Games?

While iPhones and various Android smartphones dominate the current mobile market, in the early days of these devices no brand was bigger than BlackBerry. This video looks at the history of this once ubiquitous gadget that captured early market share but failed to keep pace with its high tech competitors. 

Questions:

1. What features made BlackBerry so appealing to businesspeople when it first hit the market?
2. How did BlackBerry’s resistance to change lead to the downfall of its mobile business?

This video takes an extensive look at Noble & Cooley, an American drum company founded in 1854 that has been going strong for more than 160 years. What began as a toy drum seller evolved over the years into an artisanal manufacturer of high-quality instruments that are sought after by professional musicians around the world. Business Insider examines this progression as well as Noble & Cooley’s commitment to quality that has set it apart from the competition for decades. 

Questions:

1. What role has Noble & Cooley’s commitment to quality played in its success over the last century and a half? 
2. What is the purpose of Noble & Cooley’s rule about not drilling holes into drums on Fridays?

The 2020 edition of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was unlike any in the event’s 97-year history: limited to just one block, no marching bands, and no crowds of cheering spectators. This Thursday, though, the big balloons and bands will largely be back as Macy’s continues one of the longest running promotional efforts in business. The brief video below from 2019 looks at the history of the parade and the various ways it has both evolved and stayed the same over the years. 

Questions:

1. Do you think it is worth it for Macy’s to spend as much as $13 million on the Thanksgiving Day Parade every year? Why or why not?
2. How do other brands besides Macy’s benefit from events like the Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The pandemic completely upended the concept of work in the U.S., resulting first in mass layoffs as companies closed down followed by mass resignations when businesses returned. This video looks at how the first problem may have led to the “Great Resignation” as workers continue to leave their jobs and companies struggle to attract talent.

Questions:

1. Why have employment rates in travel and hospitality struggled to return to pre-pandemic levels?
2. What are some of the causes of the Great Resignation? Are people necessarily exiting the workforce entirely?

As debates in Washington about raising the debt ceiling once again make the news, this video provides a comprehensive and straightforward explanation of the U.S. national debt. Along with examining the sale of government bonds, the video also considers whether or not the country should retain the debt limit. 

Questions:

1. How does the sale of bonds benefit both investors and the government? 
2. Do you think the U.S. should continue to maintain a debt limit? Why or why not?

With supply chains snarled across the globe, food prices are on the rise as businesses contend with interminable shipping delays. Unlike many other items at the supermarket, though, cheese prices have remained relatively stable thanks to a number of factors discussed in the video below. 

Questions:

1. Why does cheese maintain a relatively stable price compared to other staple foods like ground beef and apples?
2. What is “price smoothing” and how does it keep prices stable at supermarkets for consumers?

For weeks, stock markets across the globe have become increasingly volatile as investors await the fate of Evergrande, an enormous Chinese real estate company with more than $300 billion in debt. Analysts predict that the property developer will not be able to pay back what it owes, which would likely have damaging ripple effects across the global economy. The video below looks at Evergrande’s current debt debacle and the possible ways that this situation could be resolved.

Questions:

1. Why are investors across the globe concerned about Evergrande’s mounting debt crisis?
2. How did Evergrande’s practice of pre-selling apartments lead to its current crisis?

Over the course of the pandemic, sports card trading has transformed from a niche hobby to a booming market as people started turning old collections into big money. This video looks at how appraisal companies and online trading platforms have changed collecting forever while attracting the interest of Wall Street investors in the process.

Questions:

1. How did sports card collecting transform from a fading hobby into a lucrative and vibrant market? 
2. Do you think the market for cards will continue to grow in the coming years? Why or why not?

Although demand for wine from California’s Napa Valley has never been higher, supply is low across the region after years of drought, wildfires, and then the pandemic disrupted production. This video looks at the inflationary pressures currently weighing on winemakers as they consider whether or not to raise prices on the latest vintages.

Questions:

1. What inflationary factors are driving winemakers to raise prices on their products?
2. What are the potential advantages and disadvantages for businesses when they raise prices?

Across the country housing prices are skyrocketing to record highs, effectively pricing millions of people out of buying their first homes. This video looks at how this lack of supply in the face of soaring demand can be attributed partly to American zoning laws, which can have the cumulative effect of raising housing costs for everybody. 

Questions:

1. How have American zoning laws contributed to the current lack of affordable starter homes?
2. Do you think zoning laws against multi-family housing should be relaxed in some areas of the country? Why or why not?

Most people probably don’t think about how bunches of bananas make it from farms in Central America to store shelves in the U.S. That’s certainly not the case at Top Banana, a company that handles more than one million pounds of fruit every week. This long but fascinating video takes a look at how Top Banana ripens and ships an enormous amount of bananas through sophisticated logistical processes. 

Questions:

1. Why does Top Banana constantly check to ensure that its fruit is the right temperature, color, and consistency?
2. Why is it important for companies like Top Banana to have well-designed logistical plans in place?

Over the last month, communities across the Western United States have imposed restrictions on water use as a major drought wreaks havoc on the region. This video looks at how the drop in the supply of surface water has hurt California farmers and why their pain could soon ripple out across the country.

Questions:

1. How has the drought in the Western U.S. affected farmers in the region? 
2. Do you think regulators should place restrictions on the use of groundwater by farmers? Why or why not?

Last month, we looked at how the global shortage of microchips has severely restricted production of everything from video game consoles to dog washing stations. This video examines the manufacturing process for these precious components and explains why semiconductor production cannot be easily increased. 

Questions:

1. Why is it difficult for manufacturers to speed up production on microchips and semiconductors?
2. What are some possible solutions for increasing global microchip production?

The Swedish company IKEA is famous across the globe for its meatballs and its wide array of furniture that customers must assemble at home. This video looks at how the retailer encourages sales by creating the “IKEA effect” with its winding floor plan that causes customers to snake through a series of product showrooms. 

Questions:

1. What sort of strategies does IKEA use to keep costs low?
2. How does the “IKEA effect” encourage customers to purchase furniture and home goods?

As the pandemic forced millions of people to stay indoors, virtual worlds like Roblox boomed in popularity with gamers as well as investors. This video looks at how the platform appeals to more than 30 million active monthly users, including independent creators who can earn big bucks by building games within Roblox. 

Questions:

1. Why did games like Roblox explode in popularity last year?
2. What sort of challenges does Roblox face as it looks to expand its user base?

The current vaccine rollout that is going strong throughout the country is largely the result of multi-billion dollar deals struck between economic powers like the U.S. and U.K. with pharmaceutical giants like Pfizer and Moderna. But while bilateral trade agreements across the globe allowed for the largest vaccine rollout in history, this video looks at why these deals are also delaying the vaccination process in struggling countries like Brazil and India.

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of bilateral trade agreements when it comes to developing vital goods such as vaccines?
2. How are organizations like Covax working to fix the global disparity in vaccine distribution?

On any given day since mid-2020, the Port of Los Angeles has had as many as 30 container ships anchored outside and waiting to eventually dock. This video looks at how the pandemic inspired a boom in online purchases while also causing a shortage of shipping workers, leading to the transportation crisis currently taking place at ports across the world. 

Questions:

1. How did the pandemic lead to supply chain problems that caused traffic jams at major ports around the world?
2. How could rising global shipping costs potentially affect prices for businesses and consumers?

Last month, we looked at how NBA Top Shot sells digital basketball cards for thousands of dollars through its online marketplace. Since then, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) like Top Shot cards have skyrocketed in value, with one viral gif selling for $600,000 while a NFT artwork was sold through Christie’s auction house for tens of millions. This video explains how NFTs operate along with their possible drawbacks. 

Questions:

1. How did some NFTs come to be worth thousands or even millions of dollars? Where does their value come from?
2. What are some possible drawbacks of NFTs?

Last week, GameStop stock shot through the roof as users on forums like Reddit bought up shares in droves after some hedge funds shorted the stock by as much as 240 percent. This video takes a look at how both professional and at-home options traders upended expectations for many market observers. 

Questions:

1. Why did GameStop’s stock price skyrocket last week?
2. Do you think stock trading apps like RobinHood should have restricted users from buying shares in GameStop? Why or why not?

Even during the pandemic, the nation’s airports still manage to move tons of cargo across the country every day. This video takes a close look at how Dallas Fort Worth International Airport transports everything from live animals to human remains in this challenging, fast-paced environment. 

Questions:

1. How has the pandemic changed transportation and cargo procedures at American Airlines?
2. Do you think cargo-only flights will continue after the pandemic? Why or why not?

Sony’s PlayStation 5 launched earlier this month and is expected to be one of the blockbuster products of the holiday season. This video looks at the evolution of the console throughout the years and how it became a central focus of Sony’s business.

Questions:

1. How did the PlayStation help Sony transition from a consumer electronics manufacturer into a gaming company?
2. Why did Sony decide to focus closely on the gamer market for future generations of the PlayStation, and how did they accomplish this task?

Jingles were once a regular feature of television and radio advertising, but these catchy tunes are no longer as popular with admakers as they used to be. This video looks at the history of jingles in commercials and why they have slowly disappeared in the age of digital advertising. 

Questions:

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using jingles in modern advertising? 
2. How did the use of music in commercials evolve over the course of the 20th century?

On the surface, food advertisements don’t seem to be overly complicated. As this detailed video shows, though, filming the average food commercial often requires scientific precision as well as robotic assistance. 

Questions:

1. Why is it important for ad makers to stick closely to what their clients want to see in a commercial? 
2. Do you think it is worth the expense for companies to use robots and other complicated and expensive filming techniques in their ads? Why or why not?

In order to assess the state of the economy, analysts often examine how many long-lasting goods are being ordered by retailers and manufacturers. The idea is that companies who are confident enough to stock up on durable goods like appliances and cars are anticipating a consumer base that’s eager to purchase them. This video looks at the durable goods indicator and explains how investors often look beyond it to get a better sense of where the economy is headed.

Questions:

1. What is the durable goods indicator, and why do financial analysts keep a close watch on it?
2. Why do some analysts exclude items like aircraft when examining the durable goods indicator?

The video sharing app TikTok has become a big hit with millions of Americans over the last few years. According to the federal government, however, the Chinese-owned company presents national security risks that could lead to a ban on the app in the U.S. This video looks at the controversy surrounding TikTok’s American operations as well as the larger dangers of a fractured global Internet. 

Questions:

1. Why is the federal government considering a ban on TikTok? 
2. Do you think the federal government should ban TikTok if it does not sell to an American company? Why or why not?

As companies across all industries look for ways to reduce contact between employees during the pandemic, many are turning to automated labor as a way both to stay safe and trim costs. This video looks at how advanced robotic technology could change workplaces in the long term while also examining the potential limitations of automation. 

Questions:

1. Why are many companies investing in automated labor during the pandemic?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of automation?

Since thousands of concert venues around the world remain closed due to coronavirus, many artists have taken to social media to stream live performances. These innovative concerts draw in huge online audiences but are no replacement for the revenue generated by live shows. This video looks at how the music industry is hoping to earn cash from unorthodox venues, such as drive-in concerts and video game tie-ins. 

Questions:

1. Do you think virtual events in video games like Fortnite could be major revenue generators for music companies and artists? Why or why not?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of drive-in concert venues?