<April 25, 2012> Almost exactly one year ago, the specialty electronics world was stunned to learn that Lenbrook America, the company that distributes NAD and PSB in the United States and often looked upon as a paragon of the specialty A/V community, had decided to fire its sales manager, public relations company, and independent specialty sales representative sales force to go factory direct. While not the first company – nor likely the last – to make such a decision…the company’s long time commitment to the specialty channel and abrupt announcement sent shock waves around the industry. [Read more…] about Taking Sales Factory Direct at Lenbrook – One Year Later
Management
Best Buy Reveals List of Stores to be Closed
<April 18, 2012> On Monday, Best Buy revealed the specific store locations it planned to close as previously announced by former CEO Brian Dunn, just days before he unexpectedly resigned under potentially scandalous circumstances. In the wake of reporting disappointing financial results, Dunn had announced – among other things – that the company would shutter 50 of its big box superstores, but did not identify specifically which store locations would close. [Read more…] about Best Buy Reveals List of Stores to be Closed
Best Buy’s Dunn is Done, But an Investigation into His Personal Misconduct Continues
<April 11, 2012> Best Buy Company’s abrupt announcement on Tuesday morning that CEO Brian Dunn, a 28-year veteran of the nation’s top electronics retailer, was leaving the company effective immediately, caught industry and financial analysts by surprise. No one saw it coming although in view of Best Buy’s dismal financial performance, the company’s explanation that it needed new leadership to forge a new strategic direction for the company seemed to ring true. [Read more…] about Best Buy’s Dunn is Done, But an Investigation into His Personal Misconduct Continues
The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
<April 4, 2012> In an upcoming issue of Forbes magazine, entrepreneur Jeff Bezos will be profiled and 
analyzed as the technology-industry’s leading “philosopher-CEO.” As part of this coverage, Forbes contributor George Anders solicited the rule-breaking CEO’s lessons of leadership. [Read more…] about The Top Ten Leadership Lessons of Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
Ex-D&M President Weissburg Heads to Gibson Guitar
<March 6, 2012> Gibson Guitar announced yesterday that it has hired ex-D&M President Bob Weissburg as global executive vice president – a new position at Gibson. Although Weissburg’s focus will likely be their consumer electronics and pro divisions, Gibson says he will be in charge of all divisions at the company – including musical instruments. [Read more…] about Ex-D&M President Weissburg Heads to Gibson Guitar
Hiring Managers Reveal Interview Mistakes, and Those That Were ‘Most Memorable’
<February 22, 2012> You’d think in this tough economy with high unemployment, job seekers lucky enough to score that much-needed interview would be on their best behavior…wouldn’t you? Well, then the results of the latest CareerBuilder survey of hiring managers will probably make you, like it did me, shake your head in disbelief. [Read more…] about Hiring Managers Reveal Interview Mistakes, and Those That Were ‘Most Memorable’
TV War Won, Samsung Considers Spinning Off its Money-Losing LCD TV Business
<February 15, 2012> Samsung Electronics Co. surprised many in the industry today when it revealed that it is considering spinning-off its LCD flat-panel television business which is losing money amid a worldwide slowdown in consumer demand according to a report by Reuters. The company says letting the LCD business go will allow it to focus on what it believes will be the next wave in television technology – OLED which it hopes will stimulate consumer demand …and company profits. [Read more…] about TV War Won, Samsung Considers Spinning Off its Money-Losing LCD TV Business
S&P Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating to Just Above Junk, Issues Negative Outlook
<February 8, 2012> Credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s today cut the long-term debt rating on Sony Corporation to BBB+, just two notches above “junk” status, and further issued a negative outlook which suggests a potential further drop in the future. In a statement, S&P said that “the likelihood of a strong recovery in Sony’s earnings is low.” [Read more…] about S&P Cuts Sony’s Credit Rating to Just Above Junk, Issues Negative Outlook
Though Ink Not Yet Dry on Gibson Deal, Onkyo Launches Another Partnership with Teac
<January 22, 2012> Just days after news reports of the formation of a strategic partnership between Osaka, Japan-based Onkyo Corporation and Nashville, Tennessee-based Gibson Guitar Corporation – a new report by the Nikkei says that Onkyo has now formed yet another new strategic partnership with Teac Corporation. While details are sketchy, apparently the two reached an agreement this past Friday, January 20th. [Read more…] about Though Ink Not Yet Dry on Gibson Deal, Onkyo Launches Another Partnership with Teac
Onkyo & Gibson CEO’s Give the ALERT the Inside Scoop on their New Partnership
Gibson Guitar Becomes Exclusive U.S. Distributor of Onkyo & Integra Brands
<January 18, 2012> As one of a select (and very small) group of reporters invited to a hastily-arranged private audience with the CEO’s of both Gibson Guitar Corp. and Onkyo Corp. to discuss their recently announced strategic alliance, I was intrigued. The interview was held on a custom Gibson tour bus literally and figuratively…as the Gibson CEO clearly drove the discussion. [Read more…] about Onkyo & Gibson CEO’s Give the ALERT the Inside Scoop on their New Partnership
