How Google Xs Megan Smith is Helping Women in Tech - Book Report/Review Example

How Google X’s Megan Smith is Helping Women in Tech, One Story at a Time. Retrieved from http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/02/10/megan-smith-makers/ In the article, How Google X’s Megan Smith is Helping Women in Tech, One Story at a Time by Mangalindan, Megan Smith advocates for women recognition as business innovators. Published on February 10, 2014 in the Fortune, the article points out to the biasness that has been directed towards women. The vice president of Google X points out that very little attention has been given to women that have demonstrated excellent innovation such as Susan Kare- a Mackintosh pioneer, Susan Wojcicki- You Tube head, and Diane Greene- VMWare founder and ex-CEO. Through her program, Women Techmakers, Smith has been able to improve the visibility of women innovators. Mangalindan talks about the attributes of Smith as a woman leader in the Silicon Valley. She heads a lab that is focussed on developing technological innovations at Google X. Smith; a MIT trained mechanical engineer has facilitated the acquisition of Google Maps, Google Earth and even was among the first to secure deals for Android. Levin, D. (January 2, 2014). How GM is Making it near Impossible to Steal a Tahoe. Retrieved from http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/02/gm-chevy-tahoe-theft/ The January 2, 2014 article, How GM is Making it near Impossible to Steal a Tahoe, by Levin Doron of the Fortune exposes the new security measures that have been placed on GM’s Chevrolet Tahoe. The car has been a potential target by thieves but with the enhanced security measures, an improvement is anticipated. It has been added a new standard locking steering column that makes it difficult to push the car away. In addition, the third row seats have been bolted to ensure that thieves do not smash the rear window and steal them. On the other hand, a compartment behind the infotainment screen can be used for storage of valuables. It is also fitted with sensors (glass breakage sensors, tilt sensor and interior motion sensors). To tighten the security GM’s On-Star satellite based system is an addition intervention to facilitate tracking of stolen cars. These additional security features have the capacity to attract buyers. Isidore, C. & Fox, E. (January 13, 2014). Chevrolet Corvette Stingray wins Car of the Year Honors. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/13/autos/car-and-truck-of-the-year/index.html Chevrolet Corvette Stingray wins Car of the Year Honors, A CNNMoney article by Isidore and Fox dated January 13, 2014 features the GM’s vehicles that won the Automobile Magazine’s Car of the Year Honors. Based at the Detroit auto show, the awards went to Chevrolet Corvette Stingray and the Chevrolet Silverado for the Car of the Year honors and the Truck of the Year awards respectively. This ward is very influential in enhancing car sales. The Stingray has been improved from the earlier versions with the quality of the interior being enhanced, has 455-horse power and is less costly. In addition, it has better fuel consumption compared to its equals. Despite its qualities, the car is not viewed by the company as a major sales boost, it lies below the Cadillac CTS. On the other hand, the Silverado means more to the company than the car. It has made huge sales in the US despite being overtaken by Ford F-150. Solomon, J. (March 30, 2014). March Stocks: In like a Lion, out with Whiplash. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/30/investing/stock-market-lookahead/index.html Solomon’s March 30, 2014 article, March Stocks: In like Lion, out with Whiplash was published in CNNMoney geared towards shedding light on the anticipated March stock market outcomes. Some unpredictable aspects of the economy were witnessed in the first two months of the year causing anxiety on the trend of the economy. Some have expressed optimism that the economy is recovering. The growth in employability despite the decline in the unemployment rate is a positive sign that the economy is on a positive trend. Construction industry has done well so far despite bad weather. The dynamics in the Eurozone are also anticipated to affect the economy including the announcement of their economic policy. Federal Reserve stimulus would also be a boost to the economy. The fall of the Euro against the dollar is also anticipates positivity. The announcement of a EU monetary policy has been faulted as a mind game. Isidore, C. (March 28, 2014). GM halts some Chevy Cruze sales. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/28/autos/gm-cruze-sales-halt/index.html CNNMoney reporter Isidore Chris reported that, GM halts some Chevy Cruze sales, which featured on March 28, 2014. This article reports the halt of sale of Cruze by the manufacturer, GM. Despite being the best-selling car in the US, company spokesman Alan Adler reported the halt. About 20,000 Cruzes were affected and Adler did not identify the reason. It was a consecutive bad news for GM after a recall of its about 1.6 million of its cars with an ignition problem. The move to stop the sale is seen as positive and abrupt response to flaws, which may spare the company from criticism. Defending the position handler mentioned that the problem could be either minimal or could be a complex one. On the other hand, GM had recalled about 700 of its Cadillac ELRs. For this case, Adler reported that it was a 20-minute software update procedure. Taylor III, A. (February 11, 2014). Execs get the ax as Car Sales Slow. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/11/autos/auto-execs-fired.fortune/index.html This CNNMoney report by Taylor III talks about the company executives that have left their jobs due to declining sales. Execs get the ax as Car Sales Slow, dated February 11, 2014 is a feature of the exit from employment of senior executives in Hyundai, Kia, Volkswagen, Chevrolet, and Nissan. Analysts have pointed out that the executive turnover in most of these companies is based on dwindling sales. At GM, head of sales at Chevrolet, Don Johnson was retired and replaced by Brian Sweeney, who takes the position as the fifth in less than five years. The US sales chief Steve Hill was also placed in the capacity not long time ago. At Kia, Tome Loveless, America’s executive vice president of sales resigned and was replaced by Michael Sprague. At Hyundai Motor America, president and CEO, John Krafcik resigned. Volkswagen has also changed its CEO Jonathan Browning with Michael Horn. Finally, Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn axed Colin Donge and replaced with Jose Munoz. Taylor III, A. (February 14, 2014). The Bear Market for Classic American Cars. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2014/02/14/classic-cars-bear-market.fortune/index.html According to Taylor III article, The Bear Market for Classic American Cars, which appeared on February 14 CNNMoney, the Baby boomers are reshaping the economy for another time by opting to reduce the prices of the collector cars. The market has continually changed causing adjustments in the demand of the classic cars. The pricing of the classic cars is seen to depreciate. However, the Big Three as well as Studebaker and Packard are having good fortunes. Despite making the big part of the market, the baby boomers have reduced their purchase power. The advice that one can have in case they prefer having a classic car is to consider the one that they love most. The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air costs an average of between $56,248 and $ 82,458. On the other hand, we have the 1955 Packard Caribbean ($71,204), 1957 Ford Thunderbird ($35,383-$84,219), 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II coupe ($43,932), 1957 Chrysler 300C ($132,298), 1954 Buick Skylark Sport ($89,005), 1957 Ford Fairline 500 Skyliner ($59,586), 1958 Studebaker Golden hawk coupe ($31,968), 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz ($126,290), and 1953 Hudson Hornet ( $79,039). Wallace, G. & Isidore, C. (March 31, 2014). Documents show GM, Regulator Dropped Ball before Fatal Crashes. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/30/autos/general-motors-recall-documents/index.html In this edition of CNNMoney, Wallace and Isidore, places the blame of the crushes of GM motors on both the company and the regulator. In Documents show GM, Regulator Dropped Ball Before Fatal Crashes, dated march 31, 2014, an investigation done by the House Energy and Commerce committee showed that the federal regulators had stake in the faulty ignition switches linked to loss of lives. A National Highway and Safety Authority official noticed a flaw in 2007 but was hindered from opening investigations. On the other hand, GM was reluctant to fix the switches on basis of cost. GM engineers but the cost of recalling noticed the flaw as early as 2004 and fixing would have been too high. The report also indicates that the company was aware of the situation of the switch even before 2004. Having noticed the flaw GM reported to be in full cooperation and will recall the cars fitted with the faulty ignition switch. Wallace, G. (April 8, 2014). GM to invest in Detroit Auto Plant. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/08/news/companies/general-motors-detroit/index.html GM to invest in Detroit Auto Plant, is a report by Wallace Gregory on CNNMoney on April 8, 2014. In this report, GM is said to have announced its expansion plan of the Detroit plan with $ 384 Million. This plan will entail an expansion of Chevrolet’s assembly line plus other products in development. It is a huge investment for GM with the entire plant projected to cost over $ 1 billion. Despite the poor sales for electric cars, GM is committed. At some instances, like on the case of Volt, the company opted to trim down the cost of the car down to $ 35,000 from $ 45,000. Michigan Governor, Rick Snyder, has applauded the establishment of the plant. The recalling of over 7 million vehicles comes months after Marry Barra was made the company’s CEO. Primack, D. (February 26, 2014). Deals of the Day: J. Crew Considers IPO. Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/02/26/deals-of-the-day-j-crew-considers-ipo/ Primack in his article Deals of the Day: J. Crew Considers IPO, dated February 26, 2014 analyses the deals that had been made during the day, including IPOs, venture capital deals and private equity deals among others. Venture capital deals captured include the raising of finances ($75 million) by Tradeshift, Seno Medicare ($34.6 million), NuoDB ($ 14.2 million), If You Can Company ($6.5 million), Respiratory Motion Inc ($ 5.8 million), CyberSense ($ 5 million), Spree Commerce ($ 5 million), Hickies ($4.2 million), Workboard Inc. ($ 2.75 million), and Ed Surge ($ 1.5 million). The private equity deals includes the bid by Berkshire Partners and Silver Lake to buy Catalina marketing, acquisition of Bateman Agency Inc by AssurredPartners, The Carlyle Group is in talks about buying Tyco International Inc, and The Paslin Co. has private equity funding that comes from Tower Three Partners. Various companies have also had or planning to have IPOs, including, Coupobs.com Inc, Achaogen Inc, Abengoa SA, and J. Crew Partners. Sophia, Y. (March 7, 2014). China has First Corporate Default. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/07/investing/china-solar-default/index.html Addressing the woes of Chaori Solar Energy on March 7, 2014, Sophia reports to CNNMoney. China has First Corporate Default, is an intriguing report that, the solar-energy based company failed to raise $ 164 million owed to its investors. According to analysts, the company would default despite them not having an official statement. In the past, the company has been on a loss-making trend for two years running which caused a suspension of its share trading in 2013. The government has failed on board to rescue the company hence making it the first defaulter in the history of Chinese companies. Some financial experts have argued that the lack of government intervention is based on the lack of the company to trigger any financial crisis. The timing of the default coincides with the government’s effort to develop a market driven economy. The government has also been pushing for economic reforms in the country. Primack, D. (March 11, 2014). Deals of the Day: Chobani for Sale. Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/11/deals-of-the-day-chobani-for-sale/ In this episode of Primack’s analysis of the deals of the day featuring in the Fortune, many deals have been highlighted. Deals of the Day: Chobani for Sale is the headline of the march 11, 2014 report. Various companies have been able to receive funding from venture capitals. These include, Exosome Diagnostics, Persimmon Technologies Corp, Complete Solar Solution, DataRPM, CityAds Media, Spritz, Surfingbird.ru, and Ulmon. The companies have been able to receive various amounts from different venture capitalists. Other deals include the acquisition of Kel-Tech Inc by Arsenal Capital Partners, 80% stake of Accuvant Inc being taken by the Blackstone Group, CareCore has received equity funding from General Atlantic, Gemini Investors advanced a sponsorship to Ultracor Inc, Incline Equity Partners sponsored Hartland Controls, Antarctica capital has funded Lanear Parking Solutions, SCT Holdings acquired Bully Dog, the Checkers Drive-in restaurants have been acquired by Sentinel capital Partners, and an acquisition of 25.8% of Copperbelt Energy by Standard Chartered Private Equity. There also a number of listed IPO as well as other deals such as the sale of 20% of Chobani. Sophia, Y. (March 13, 2014). China Fears Slam Copper Prices. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/13/news/economy/china-copper/index.html Sophia in this edition of the Fortune points at the anticipated drop in the Prices of copper as a result of China’s economic reforms. Dated March 13, 2014, the article China Fears Slam Copper Prices, addresses the pros and cons of China’s changing economic policy on the prices of copper. The lack of support by government to defaulters is seen to be the cause of the 4.3% reduction in the copper prices. The use of copper as collateral by Chinese companies is the reason why there is a possibility that the metal may be auctioned to repay the debts. The decreased pace of the manufacturing sector would be the factor that will lead to a reduction in the prices of copper. This means that the use of copper has declined in China. Ultimately, less use of copper means lower prices. The previous month had demonstrated a reduction in the importation of the metal. Primack, D. (April 4, 2014). Deals of the Day: Giant Cement Merger ahead? Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/04/04/deals-of-the-day-giant-cement-merger-ahead/ Primack has put various deals into perspective on Deals of the Day: Giant Cement Merger ahead? Article dated April 4, 2014. The CNNMoney reports features major changes in the business world. Deals on venture capitalism have been executed as follows; Sungevity Inc ($ 70 million), Holaira Inc ($ 42 million), Wealthfront ($ 35 million), Nujira Ltd ($ 20 million), RefleXion Medical ($ 11.6 million), Newlight Technologies ($ 9.2 million), Bloglovin ($ 7 million), GameChanger Media ($ 6.8 million), Ceros ($ 6.4 Million), Personal genome Diagnostics Inc ($ 2.8 million), and 3Gear Systems ($ 1.9 million). Ares has acquired undisclosed stake in Guitar Centre. Negotiations on the acquisition of Schneider Electric by either PAI Partners or the Carlyle Group are in place. In addition, Yellow Point Equity partners have acquired Bravo Oilfield safety Services while Hunter’s Specialties Inc has been taken over by Peak Rock Capital. On the other hand, Corium International Inc raised $ 52 million in IPO. Sellers, P. (March 28, 2014). Method is the new Green Giant in Chicago. Retrieved from http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/28/stengel-method-chicago/ Sellers article appears on the Fortune’s blog. Method is the new Green Giant in Chicago, dated March 28, 2014 features the milestones made by Method, an eco-friendly company in Chicago. The company is geared toward establishing not only environmental sustainability but also ensuring ethical business practices. Their focus is that they will achieve in getting business as they adhere to acceptable ideals. Method usually subcontracts in the manufacture of its goods. Their Brand Ideal is a testimony of their ventures. Its founders instil on the building of the company brand. This goes a long way to even the way they have built their factories. The Pullman’s neighbourhood in Chicago has attracted the company founders to develop a factory there. The company is in the process of developing an area where the community would participate in eco-friendly engagements such as greenhouses. Solar panels and wind turbines characterize the new development. Riley, C. (March 20, 2014). Risks in Focus as China’s Economy Slows. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/20/news/economy/china-slowdown-reform/index.html Riley points out an anticipated economic slow-down in the world as the second largest economy of China reduces in its growth. Risks in Focus as China’s Economy Slows, is an article by Riley that was posted on CNNMoney on March 20, 2014. China has demonstrated a slow-down in the economy for the first three months of the year. The manufacturing sector as well as the real estate sectors have demonstrated substantial decline. Most of other sectors of the economy also have not demonstrated stability. The 7.5% GDP growth for 2014 in China has been faulted by economics. The country is now embarking on market reforms instead of relying on quick fixes that have aided the economy in the past. Most of the investors anticipate that the set GDP growth will be achieved. The economic slowdown has affected the pricing of iron ore and copper. The trading of the currency has been made freer; this is in an effort to boost the currency markets for the Chinese’s Yuan. Sophia, Y. (March 14, 2014). China’s High Wire act on Failing Companies. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/14/news/economy/china-defaults-economy/index.html The concept of waiting the government to come and bail for companies in China is being phased out by the Chinese government market reforms. Reporting on the China’s High Wire act on Failing Companies, Sophia gets into the details of these reforms through on her March 14, 2014 publication on CNNMoney. There are chances that companies will continue to default but the government intervention is not guaranteed. However, failure by several companies would be detrimental to the economy while compromising on social stability. The investors would also withdraw in masses resulting to an economic turmoil in China. Despite the government being keen on reforms, the overall effects on the economy should be focussed. One major implication of the defaulting scenario has been witnessed through the falling of the copper prices. There has been intensive borrowing in China with the government being on the frontline to encourage it. More on the Chinese economy remains to unfold especially on the defaulters and overall effects to the economy. Sophia, Y. (April 8, 2014). China’s Economy Losing Steam. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/08/news/economy/china-economy-survey/index.html This April 8, 2014 article by Sophia demonstrates the growth trend in China since the beginning of 2013. China’s Economy Losing Steam, was published in the CNNMoney website. The report presents the survey by economists which forecasts that the first quarter of 2014 will have a 7.3% growth rate as compared and a full-year growth rate of the same figure. This means that this will be a decline in the economic performance of the country and way below the official anticipated target of 7.5% . the trend of growth is not promising; 2010 (10.5%), 2011 (9.3%), and 7.7% in both 2012 and 2013. The government mentioned that it was in the process of reforming the economy with aspects such as the support for social housing, pipeline projects, and tax exemptions for small and medium organizations being on the pipeline. Economists have pointed out monetary easing in the second quarters as a potential way out for China’s economy. Cendrowski, S. (April 10, 2014). Business Created China’s Pollution. Now it Needs to Fix it. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/10/news/world/china-pollution.pr.fortune/index.html The article, Business Created China’s Pollution. Now it Needs to Fix it, featuring on CNNMoney by Cendrowski on April 10, 2014 features the pollution situation in China. The author uses World Bank statistics, which indicates that China is among the twenty most polluted cities, sixteen of them are in China. There is even a bigger danger, the pollution rates continue to rise without sufficient measures being enacted. Despite the magnificent constructions and prestige, that China holds it is a shame that pollution is quite rampant. The coal-dependent industries have contributed greatly to air pollution. The view by the government that the businesses should fix the pollution issues is completely out of order. The author proposes that a private company should be contracted to contain the situation while developing strategies of dealing with pre-existing pollution. The pledge by the government to spend up to $ 275 billion on fighting smog should be made a reality. O’Toole, J. (April 16, 2014). Google Stock Sinks as Mobile Struggles Continue. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/16/technology/google-earnings/index.html In this article O’Toole analyzes the predicaments of Google on the basis of its mobile. This article, Google Stock Sinks as Mobile Struggles Continue, was published on April 16, 2014 by CNNMoney. There was a 3% fall in the share price of Google resulting to a decline in ad returns. The shift is based on the changing use of ads from the traditional desktop computers to smartphones. The company points out that there are developments that are required towards the achievement of better returns. Through the ‘enhanced campaigns’, Google is sensitizing on the need to buy across many platforms. Despite the drawback, Google had an estimated $ 15.4 billion in sales, an improvement from a similar period in the previous year. Since the split of its shares, the company posted promising results. However, there had been a fall in the Google stock by 5.5% in the previous month. The company is expanding its strategies through diversification. References Cendrowski, S. (April 10, 2014). Business Created China’s Pollution. Now it Needs to Fix it. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/10/news/world/china-pollution.pr.fortune/index.html Isidore, C. & Fox, E. (January 13, 2014). Chevrolet Corvette Stingray wins Car of the Year Honors. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/01/13/autos/car-and-truck-of-the-year/index.html Isidore, C. (March 28, 2014). GM halts some Chevy Cruze sales. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/28/autos/gm-cruze-sales-halt/index.html Levin, D. (January 2, 2014). How GM is Making it near Impossible to Steal a Tahoe. Retrieved from http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/01/02/gm-chevy-tahoe-theft/ Mangalindan, JP. (February 10, 2014). How Google X’s Megan Smith is Helping Women in Tech, One Story at a Time. Retrieved from http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2014/02/10/megan-smith-makers/ O’Toole, J. (April 16, 2014). Google Stock Sinks as Mobile Struggles Continue. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/16/technology/google-earnings/index.html Primack, D. (April 4, 2014). Deals of the Day: Giant Cement Merger ahead? Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/04/04/deals-of-the-day-giant-cement-merger-ahead/ Primack, D. (February 26, 2014). Deals of the Day: J. Crew Considers IPO. Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/02/26/deals-of-the-day-j-crew-considers-ipo/ Primack, D. (March 11, 2014). Deals of the Day: Chobani for Sale. Retrieved from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/11/deals-of-the-day-chobani-for-sale/ Riley, C. (March 20, 2014). Risks in Focus as China’s Economy Slows. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/20/news/economy/china-slowdown-reform/index.html Sellers, P. (March 28, 2014). Method is the new Green Giant in Chicago. Retrieved from http://postcards.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/28/stengel-method-chicago/ Solomon, J. (March 30, 2014). March Stocks: In like a Lion, out with Whiplash. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/30/investing/stock-market-lookahead/index.html Sophia, Y. (April 8, 2014). China’s Economy Losing Steam. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/08/news/economy/china-economy-survey/index.html Sophia, Y. (March 13, 2014). China Fears Slam Copper Prices. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/13/news/economy/china-copper/index.html Sophia, Y. (March 14, 2014). China’s High Wire act on Failing Companies. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/14/news/economy/china-defaults-economy/index.html Sophia, Y. (March 7, 2014). China has First Corporate Default. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/07/investing/china-solar-default/index.html Taylor III, A. (February 11, 2014). Execs get the ax as Car Sales Slow. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/02/11/autos/auto-execs-fired.fortune/index.html Taylor III, A. (February 14, 2014). The Bear Market for Classic American Cars. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/gallery/autos/2014/02/14/classic-cars-bear-market.fortune/index.html Wallace, G. & Isidore, C. (March 31, 2014). Documents show GM, Regulator Dropped Ball before Fatal Crashes. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/03/30/autos/general-motors-recall-documents/index.html Wallace, G. (April 8, 2014). GM to invest in Detroit Auto Plant. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2014/04/08/news/companies/general-motors-detroit/index.html Read More