In 2014, General Motors lost $4.1 billion and was tied to the deaths of over 100 people (Isidore, 2015). The cause of this calamity was a faulty ignition switch designed by GM and installed in several of their cars. The ignition switch had a detent plunger that was too short, allowing the key in the ignition to easily turn from the on to the off position. Sometimes, the … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: How defective products affect sales force
Recently, I was shopping at a Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market and received a text message offer about a product. My immediate thought was that the security of my smartphone had been compromised. Then I remembered reading an article about how many retail stores use “proximity marketing,” which can be delivered through your smartphone’s Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections. You can … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Smartphones for smart shopping
The degree of project planning necessary for a successful outcome depends on the project and the associated circumstances. A small, uncomplicated project may not require a formalized planning process and project management tools. When a project is large or is one of many assignments, however, formalized structure in the planning phases may help. The structured approach to … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Effective planning the key to project management
By: Richard Ollis Missouri is the latest state to file a lawsuit against pharmaceutical companies that sell and market opioid painkillers, alleging the companies created an addiction crisis by misrepresenting the risks and benefits of their drugs. Widespread opioid addiction has pushed U.S. overdose rates to an all-time high — quadrupling since 1999. And Missouri’s … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: How does opioid addiction affect area business?
By: Jenifer Skiba Purchasing plays a vital, often strategic, role in firm performance as many purchasing departments control half or more of their firm’s total costs. As firms find themselves under pressure to streamline processes, lower costs, and improve quality, especially in the wake of financial crises such as that in 2008, many organizations have turned to … [Read more...] about Bears Business Brief: Organizations turn to collaborative purchasing to streamline business processes