Quora is similar to Yahoo! Answers in the way that users can ask questions in a wide range of topics. However, many of the answers are provided by experts in their fields and users can follow topics of their choosing that will appear on their news feeds. Some of these experts even include people such as those on the Forbes Top 30 Under 30 list.

In particular, the entrepreneurship section is extremely useful for anyone in the industry and you could ask questions specific to your business and reliable advice will be on its way. This Q&A describes 10 mistakes that entrepreneurs make when dealing with their startup.

4. Failing to realize that successful corporate approachesare inappropriate for small business startups. i.e. You are in a fight for survival not just playing your part in a management committee decision making activities. A startup is not just a small version of a corporate enterprise, it requires a completely different approach in development like business modelling not business plans, customer development not product development and entrepreneurial lean management not strategic/corporate management.

These tips are based on the experience of Peter Baskerville who has started 13 businesses so they can let a young entrepreneur understand realistic challenges they need to overcome instead of their relying on theory or trial and error.

 

 

Most will recognize this brand for their luxury sports cars and supercars that have become a symbol of wealth and status for its owners, but will an increase in the number of models produced allow this automobile manufacturer to maintain their customer base? Ferrari, a company 90% owned by FCA, recently underwent in some changes in senior management with Sergio Marchionne replacing Luca Cordero di Montemezolo as CEO.

“Ferrari to Boost Production to Keep Pace With Super Rich” highlights a new marketing strategy, emphasizing availability over exclusivity, as the company seeks to increase production to meet the demand of their customers. This appears to result in short-term profit but eventually selling out of a brand that has a long successful history behind it.

In light of an IPO release by Ferrari’s parent company accompanied by a 55 billion-euro expansion plan, one can only speculate if the subtle shift in direction that Ferrari is taking might result in a complete shift in company structure to cater to the needs of their parent company.

Enzo would turn over in his grave.

We have seen a significant decline in the use of tobacco as a result of increases taxes, well-advertised health warnings, smoking bans in public areas and negative opinions raised by WHO research.

However, tobacco companies make every last effort to oppose the many measures taken against them, all in the name of profit. Such devious schemes include raising lawsuits against countries who take action towards them, lobbying against measures, and even designing products that they can claim to bypass the regulations on the basis of technicalities. The industry is also revolutionizing to adapt to changes in consumer opinion about cigarettes with the introduction of e-cigarettes which, while assisting people in quitting their smoking habits, may introduce youth to smoking with this latest fad.

If this is how big tobacco reacts to the idea of corporate social responsibility then the tobacco industry is a perfect example of a whole industry that revolves around increasing profit instead of increasing benefits to all stakeholders. While these multi-billion dollar companies may be raking in the money right now, it is my hope that the companies will face long-term hardships as the result of their neglect of ethics.

link to “From lawsuits to e-cigarettes, how big tobacco is fighting back”: http://www.theguardian.com/global-development-professionals-network/2014/sep/01/smoking-tobacco-ecigarettes-public-health?commentpage=1