|
|
||
 |
|
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
||
| Note: The FORTUNE Preview Guide is created in HTML. If you are unable to properly view the cover image, Course Connector, or hyperlinks, please view the online version at http://www.fortuneeducation.com/preview_guides/index.html. |
| COURSE CONNECTOR |
| ARTICLE SUMMARIES AND QUESTIONS |
| "America's
Most Admired Companies," pp. 66-70, 85-97: Amid falling prices, shrinking
margins and intense competition, this year's Most Admired Companies are
turning heads. More than 10,000 executives, directors, and veteran analysts
judged their competition on eight attributes, including innovation, use
of corporate assets, and social responsibility. The top nine companies
are the same as last year, although their rankings have changed, and IBM
lost its No. 10 spot to Proctor and Gamble. Dell tops this year's list,
pushing Wal-Mart down to No. 4 after General Electric and Starbucks. The
complete list of 582 industry champions contained a few surprises: FedEx
edged out 20-time winner UPS in the delivery business, Home Depot beat
Lowe's in the specialty retailers group, and embattled Disney remained
No. 1 in the entertainment list. The global survey returned with only
17 of the 52 World's Most Admired Companies coming from outside the United
States; Toyota was the only foreign company to make it in the top ten.
Use FORTUNE's 23rd annual Most Admired list to generate classroom discussions on management, ethics, innovation, strategy, and organizational behavior. Discussion Questions:
"The Education of Michael Dell," pp. 72-82: Michael Dell's mother would be proud. After dropping out of college 21 years ago to start his computer company, Dell has experienced an on-the-job education that rivals those found in most textbooks. Although the company has a leading 17.6% share of the worldwide PC market and is six times more profitable than Apple, it still thinks of itself as an underdog. Dell is finding success in custom making its machines to order, keeping only four days of inventory, versus 20 days at IBM and 28 at HP. That frees up cash for Dell to use in other areas, such as expanding its printer, server, and flat-screen TV businesses and building a new manufacturing facility in Winston-Salem, N.C. Have students explore how Michael Dell combines a solid management style with an entrepreneurial spirit to create a highly admired company. Discussion Questions:
"How the HP Board KO'd Carly," pp. 99-102: In a not-so-surprising turn of events, Carly Fiorina has departed HP, having been asked to resign by board director Pattie Dunn. While FORTUNE doesn't know all of the details, it appears that Fiorina didn't go without a fight. Reluctant to suggestions to reorganize business segments, Fiorina was summarily ousted after a three-hour closed-door board meeting. HP's chief financial officer Bob Wayman has been named interim CEO as the computer giant seeks to secure a first-class CEO from outside the company. Fiorina's departure from HP offers an important lesson to students in management, human resources, and organizational behavior. Discussion Questions:
"Is the $200 Billion Tobacco Deal Going Up in Smoke?" pp. 126-140: The tobacco settlement may have set a precedent for the industry, but as most legal matters go, it's not as easy and simple as it sounds. The Master Settlement Agreement (MSA) orchestrated between states and the larger tobacco companies has a loophole that allows smaller, localized cigarette makers to continue producing and distributing their product with little or no recourse. So, while taxes and settlement fees are driving up the price of some major brands, discounters and smaller-named brands are scooping up the sales. Profits continue to fall, however, and states are ending up with less money than originally anticipated. Through this in-depth report about the agreement between states and cigarette makers, students in law, finance and ethics courses can explore how even the best laid plans can do more harm than good. Discussion Questions:
|
|
|
The FORTUNE Preview Guide
is a biweekly publication of the FORTUNE Education Program, and is
designed to provide professors with the necessary resources
to use FORTUNE Magazine in the classroom. The FORTUNE Education Program
also invites professors and students to subscribe to FORTUNE Magazine at
more than 85% off the cover price. Visit our Website at http://www.fortuneeducation.com.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE GUIDE
CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
OPTIONS WHAT DO YOU THINK?
CONTACT US
|
|
© 2005, FORTUNE Education Program Read our Privacy Policy www.fortuneeducation.com |
