Business Archives

Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck: Can It Save Tesla?

What led to the Cybertruck’s protracted production problems? How vital is the vehicle’s success to Tesla’s business strategy? Does the polarizing truck have breakout potential or niche appeal? Elon Musk’s Tesla Cybertruck, unveiled recently, has been besieged by production challenges, largely associated with the company’s use of the notoriously difficult-to-manipulate hardened stainless steel. Tesla confronts economic headwinds and slipping market share, and hopes the Cybertruck can ignite sales growth. Here’s a look at the Cybertruck’s production issues and why sales are so vital for Tesla.

The Rise of the East India Company: From Traders to Rulers

The rise of East India Company illustrated with soldiers and ships on water.

How did England’s East India Company get so powerful? How did it pave the way for colonial rule in India? In his book The Anarchy, historian William Dalrymple traces the ascent of the English East India Company. Originally a modest group of traders, the company transformed over the 17th and 18th centuries into an imperial powerhouse that imposed British rule across the Indian subcontinent. Continue reading to learn about the fascinating rise of the East India Company.

Beyond Meat Sales Drop: The Beginning of the End for Faux Meat?

Has the fake meat revolution been overhyped? Why are sales dropping so rapidly? Will they pick back up? Beyond Meat recently reported a 30% second-quarter sales plunge, leading to doubts about artificial meat’s future. Factors like high prices, inferior taste and texture, and scaling challenges have stunted the product’s growth. Here’s a look at why Beyond Meat’s sales have dropped, along with other fake meat producers.

25 Business Model Questions Every Entrepreneur Must Answer

What should you consider when creating a business model? How should you evaluate and test a new model? A business model defines how a company creates, delivers, and captures economic value. Drawing from concepts in the books Business Model Generation and Running Lean, we’ve created six exercises containing several business model questions that will help you devise a model that fits your vision. Continue reading for these exercises you can do with your team.

44 Questions to Ask About Company Growth: Keep Scaling Up

Has your business stalled out on the path toward your vision? What have you failed to consider? What questions do you need to answer? If you’re a business leader, you’re concerned about your company’s growth—regardless of the phase of growth it’s in. We’ve put together 13 exercises containing a total of 44 questions to ask about company growth that are based on concepts in Built to Last, The E-Myth Revisited, Traction, and Zero to One. Read on for these practical exercises you can do on your own or with your managers.

The Impact of Federal Reserve Interest Rate Hikes on Americans

What toll are the Federal Reserve interest rate hikes having on Americans and businesses? What are the consequences if rates continue to rise? Aggressive Federal Reserve interest rate hikes have driven borrowing costs to painful heights, jeopardizing US household and business finances. Americans are struggling with soaring mortgage, credit card, and auto loan rates, accumulating record-high credit card debt. Here’s a look at the impact the rise in interest rates is having on Americans.

Working Backwards: Book Overview and Takeaways

How does the Working Backwards book describe Amazon’s guiding principles and strategies? What tools do the authors present as Amazon’s keys to success? In Working Backwards, authors Colin Brayr and Bill Carr describe how Amazon’s tools like the deep thinking document, the six-pager, and a rigorous hiring process have helped it get ahead in the industry. Learning more about these strategies can help strengthen and grow any business. Keep reading to learn about the tools and strategies that have led Amazon to success.

John Meriwether and Salomon Brothers’ Contribution to LTCM

How did John Meriwether get his start with the investment firm Salomon Brothers? What role did Meriwether play in forming LTCM? In When Genius Failed, Roger Lowenstein writes that hedge fund manager and arbitrage expert John Meriwether was pivotal in the conception and formation of LTCM. He formed the arbitrage group at the investment firm Salomon Brothers, where he had previously worked. Let’s look at the rise of John Meriwether, Salomon Brothers’ hand in LTCM’s creation, and how they set the stage for LTCM’s rise and fall.

How Amazon Became Successful By Doing Things Differently

What explains how Amazon became successful? What did the company do differently? Amazon became successful by creating a strong business culture based on giving value to the customer before all else. If you take a close look at Amazon’s guiding principles and strategies, you’ll see that many of its tools can be used in other businesses too. Continue reading to see how Amazon grew from a startup into the successful business it is today.

Amazon’s Business Strategy: The 4 Tools for Success

What is Amazon’s business strategy? What tools do they use to grow as a company? Amazon’s business strategy centers on four tools: the product development proposal, the deep thinking document, the DMAIC process, and big-picture planning. Seeing the way that Amazon uses each of these tools is a great way to grow your own business strategy. Keep reading for an in-depth look at each of these tools.