Productivity Case Study: Domaine Chandon
For wineries like Domaine Chandon, making sparkling wine requires an enormous investment in everything from vineyards to corks. What makes the investment even riskier is that it takes several years for sparkling wine to mature. And the pursuit of pr...
Startup Capital Case Study: "Didee Snug Diapers"
This clip tells the story of how the company that makes Didee Snug Diapers came to be. The company founder decided early on to give up his original 100% ownership position in order to attract investors who could provide financial support.
Product Development Curve, The
This clip explores the product development cycle, from the accumulation of ideas to product testing.
Product Lifecycle, The
This clip looks at the product lifecycle, noting that its predictability gives the small business owner a valuable planning tool for pricing, promotional activities, and distribution policies.
Strategic Planning
Strategic planning, which often involves looking three to five years into the future, is critical if an organization is to take advantage of opportunities when they arise.
Human Resources Case Study: Four Seasons Hotel
As anyone connected with the Four Seasons Hotel operation will attest, there is nothing casual about the Four Seasons' employment process. It is thorough and in-depth. The goal is to find employees who not only have the technical skills to do the jo...
Human Resources and Planning
The notion that an organization's human resources are vital assets that should be included in each aspect of strategic planning sounds logical and obvious. But, in reality, the idea of integrating human resources into the fabric of strategic plannin...
Impact of Government Policy and Social Issues on Productivity
Because productivity tends to be a national issue, there's an ongoing debate about what role government should play. Clearly, government policies in areas such as interest rates, taxation, capital investment and tariffs have a major impact on produc...
Human Resources and the Law
Once the recruitment and hiring process begins, a whole host of laws and regulations comes into play. The most visible of these are mandates related to equal employment opportunities for minorities and those with disabilities.
Human Resources: Morale and Motivation
Morale in the workplace depends primarily on the working conditions that management creates. In most cases, the deciding factor is whether management treats employees as valued resources, and tries to provide meaningful, satisfying work, or instead ...