Monthly Archives: October 2011

October ’11-EC

October 13, 2011
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October ’11-EC

Big picture analysis, stakeholder mapping and the online library In working with my online classes this past month, I discovered that many of my students needed a refresher update on defining the big picture. Beyond environmental scanning, the field of stakeholder evaluation requires us to understand the many possible contributors to problem- solution mapping. A…

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Netflix vs. Blockbuster—new chapters in an old rivalry

October 13, 2011
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In their original configuration, Blockbuster (founded 1985)  and Netflix (founded 1997)  approached the video-watching customer with slightly different offers. As the digital support offers evolved (including broadband networks, communication devices, televisions and displays, interface devices), so has the consumer landscape. What began as a rivalry around film/video offers and the right delivery format (physical stores,…

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October 2011 Activities

October 13, 2011
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Using your classroom teams in their online Wiki sites, have students conduct the following studies: Referring to the short case this month, develop stakeholder maps from the perspective of both Netflix and DISH-Blockbuster.  Apply a Porter’s five forces analysis to the same two companies.  What does this analysis suggest might be an appropriate communication plan…

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Stakeholder management with UVA Darden School’s R. Edward Freeman

October 13, 2011
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Stakeholder management with UVA Darden School’s R. Edward Freeman

Identifying and managing relevant stakeholders obliges the manager to think of the decision system from idea to implementation. This series of brief video clips takes the audience through the rationale and developmental aspects of stakeholder theory. Issues such as ethics, stakeholder vs. shareholder interests and trust also impact the manager’s analysis. Source: www.darden.virginia.edu/corporate-ethics/video_stakeholder_theory/index.html Bookmark on…

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Mapping stereotypes

October 13, 2011
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Mapping stereotypes

Irreverent as this website may be, the concept of mapping stereotypes can be useful for understanding a priori ideas and assumptions, before tackling a new market strategy project. Brainstorming efforts could be enhanced through the mapping of cultural biases that then open the discussion to factual validation. Getting participants to reveal their stereotypes might be…

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Real time statistics meters

October 13, 2011
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Real time statistics meters

Privately- held by a group of international researchers, Datax provides online real time counters of important world statistics from sources such as the OECD, the United Nations, the European Economic Commission, UNESCO, The International Trade Center and the World Health Organization. Clicking through on the counter itself, all source data is provided, as well as…

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Stakeholder mapping

October 13, 2011
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Understanding how to work with stakeholders can make or break a strategic plan’s success. Supporting a stakeholder management plan with analytical research provides the strategist with operational decision data. Many theories and approaches to mapping exist. One of the most widely used is the Mandelow Framework on power/interest and power/dynamism. Once stakeholders are identified and…

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Locavesting—growth through locally-based networks

October 13, 2011
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Locavesting—growth through locally-based networks

In an interesting take on investment management, business journalist Amy Cortese looks at a growing old trend toward “citizen finance” in local US communities. Historically, local communities and their businesses were funded by local investors. Since the 1930’s, Cortese suggests that Federal regulation designed to curb investment and trade abuse has resulted in fewer local…

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Congress debates and world markets cringe

October 13, 2011
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Congress debates and world markets cringe

This summer’s Congressional debate on raising the debt ceiling opens up world concerns regarding the dollar’s volatility. Once again, European countries such as France and Germany face marketplace scrutiny over their financial deficits. Short term investments in the stock markets dominate any significant trading activity. The rise in gold futures indicates investor insecurity with the…

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