Posts by Adam Hartung
How this Zebra Changed Its Stripes – Bold Move
Zebra Technologies is a company most people don’t recognize. Yet, I bet every product you buy has the product on which they specialize. Since 1982 Zebra has been the leader in bar code printers and readers. Zebra was a pioneer in the application of bar codes for tracking pallets through warehouses, items used in a manufacturing line, shipment tracking and other uses for manufacturing and supply chain management.
Read MoreTesla is Smarter Than Other Auto Companies
“Car dealers are idiots†said my friend as she sat down for a cocktail. It was evening, and this Vice President of a large health care equipment company was meeting me to brainstorm some business ideas.
Read MoreLike Sbarro, Will You Be the Next Domino to Fall?
Understanding trends is the most important part of planning. Yet, most business planning focuses on internal operations and how to improve them, usually neglecting trends and changes in the external environment that threaten not only sales and profits but the business’ very existence.
Read MoreThe Smart Leadership Lessons from Facebook’s WhatsApp Acquisition
Facebook acquired WhatsApp, a company with at most $300M revenues, and 55 employees, for $19billion. That’s billion – with a “b.” An astonishing figure that is second only to HP’s acquisition of market leader Compaq, which had substantial revenues and profits, as tech acquisitions.
Read MoreHow Cable TV is Deaf to the Market Roar of Change
Do you really think in 2020 you’ll watch television the way people did in the 1960s? I would doubt it. In today’s world if you want entertainment you have a plethora of ways to download or live stream exactly what you want, when you want. Why would you even want someone else to program you entertainment if you can get it yourself?
Read MoreVision Beats Numbers – How Apple Showed Intel A Better Way to Grow
Can you believe it has been only 12 years since Apple introduced the iPod? Since then Apple’s value has risen from about $11 (January, 2001) to over $500 (today) – an astounding 45X increase. With all that success it is easy to forget that it was not a “gimme” that the iPod would succeed. At that time Sony dominated the personal music world..
Read MoreWhy Apple Investors Are Deservedly Worried
Apple announced the new iPhones recently. And mostly, nobody cared. Remember when users waited anxiously for new products from Apple?
Read MoreOctopus Pants: A Great Lesson for Business & Win for Ralph Lauren
If you’re not a golfer, you may not understand the title. But it is important.
Read MoreMicrosoft ReOrg – Crafty or Confusing?
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer appears to be planning a major reorganization. The apparent objective is to help the company move toward becoming a “devices and services company” as presented in the company’s annual shareholder letter last October. But, the question for investors is whether this is a crafty move that will help Microsoft launch renewed profitable growth, or is it leadership further confusing customers and analysts while leaving Microsoft languishing in stalled markets?
Read MoreHow Samsung Changed the Game on Apple
Following very successful launches of the iPod (which transformed music from CDs to MP3) and iPhone (which turned everyone into smartphone users,) the iPad’s transformation of personal technology made Apple look like an impenetrable juggernaut – practically untouchable by any competitor! But things look very different now.
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