Reading this on a mobile device? Try our optimized mobile version here: http://r.smartbrief.com/resp/sDbQhMrCDrmEnhBeSF

November 3, 2009

We review these sources for you each day.

The Big Idea

Teaching the developing world to shop
The world's 4 billion poor people represent a huge untapped market for Western companies, writes Erik Simanis -- but to succeed in the developing world, companies need to radically change the way their products are perceived. People living in poverty aren't used to the idea of paying for even basic resources such as clean water, so companies need to focus on community outreach if they're to win new customers. "Companies must ... make the idea of paying money for the products seem natural, and they must induce consumers to fit those goods into their long-held routines," Simanis writes. The Wall Street Journal/MIT Sloan Management Review (10/20)

FREE Whitepaper Download: Lessons for Loyalty Online
See how online retailing is different from the physical realm of brick and mortar stores and discover why customers don't always complete a purchase. Also learn about the role of Rich Internet Applications (RIAs) in creating engaging online experiences, and discover how to align your site with shoppers' ever-growing expectations.

Strategic Management

Company outlets may benefit independent retailers
A growing number of manufacturers -- including Apple, Nike and Ralph Lauren -- run their own retail stores, even though there are plenty of independent outlets ready to sell their products. A new study suggests that the extra marketing buzz created by official stores can increase sales across the board, allowing both indie retailers and official outlets to thrive. "When consumer demand is affected by the store's own efforts and competitor marketing efforts at the retail level, it is possible to find 'complementary' benefits for both parties," the researchers write. Knowledge@Wharton (10/28)

Disney gets into the brand management business
Disney CEO Robert A. Iger wants to reinvent his company's movie studio, focusing not just on making great movies, but on creating and managing a stable of world-beating brands. Iger's new studio chief, Rich Ross, already has experience managing company franchises, such as Hannah Montana and High School Musical. Now Ross will need to ensure that Disney's big-name brands -- such as Pixar, Marvel and Dreamworks -- play off each other's strengths instead of treading on each other's toes. BusinessWeek (10/29)

On Leadership

Taking the mystery out of leadership
Clear communication is important in any leadership role, says Harvard President Drew Gilpin Faust, otherwise followers start trying to guess what the boss is thinking. Whether she's hosting ice cream socials in Harvard Yard or holding online Q-and-A sessions with alumni around the world, Faust says she's always trying to make sure that Harvard's different constituencies feel valued and included in the management process. The New York Times (10/31)

Labels get in the way of good communication
Using vague labels to describe yourself can create confusion and undermine your presence, writes Steve Tobak. It's better to take the time to explain yourself and match your words to your audience's expectations, instead of relying on fuzzy generalizations, he notes. BNET/The Corner Office blog (10/29)

Innovation

What will augmented reality mean for your business?
Augmented reality -- "linking and overlaying additional information on top of 'regular' reality" -- could be a powerful tool for businesses, writes John Sviokla. From advertisements that allow a customer to buy products by scanning a code with their phone's camera, to virtual instruction manuals projected onto the product itself, augmented reality has a wide range of potential business uses, he says. HarvardBusiness.org/The Near Futurist blog (10/30)

Daily Diversion

Kissing gives you cooties -- and that's a good thing
Scientists say that kissing may have evolved to help women build resistance to a virus found in male saliva. The Cytomegalovirus germ is normally harmless but can kill unborn babies if it's contracted during pregnancy. Research shows that kissing before pregnancy gives women a chance to inoculate themselves against the virus, helping to ensure the health of their baby. Telegraph (London) (10/31)


CFO - Chief Financial Officer	LAMBDA LEGAL	New York, NY
Chief Operating Officer (COO)	Neighborhood America	Naples, FL
Chief Financial Officer	Members First Credit Union - Manchester NH	Manchester, NH
VP Technical and Professional Services	ezRez Software	San Francisco, CA
Vice President Sales, North America	Claddagh Resources	Boston, MA
Vice President of International Sales	CPP, Inc.	Mountain View, CA
SVP & CMO	Council of Better Business Bureaus, Inc.	Arlington, VA
Director, Business Development	Aloha Air Cargo	Honolulu, Hawaii