Dell Adamo

Dell just dealt the lightweight laptop market a new entry. Not only is it lightweight and much more powerful compared to cheaper netbooks, but it is much more useful to business users than a restricted MacBook Air which also has high repair costs not covered under warranty. The only problem with the Adamo is the cost is much higher than a laptop that weighs only a few pounds more and comes with a DVD drive, so finding the right user who can afford to have their company pay for it or a technophile who has money out of pocket in the down economy could be very interesting.

On the other hand the profit margins on a product like this must be immense, and Dell has a good reputation for quality and service, so hopefully this will take off compared to the Macbook Air.

iPod Shuffle

The new iPod Shuffle shows how crazy Apple is about locking down its product lines. Each one of their products is restricted in the user agreement and physically by means of soldering, voiding warranties if replacing hardware on your own, and just being proprietary to the maximum amount possible.

The new iPod Shuffle can only be controlled by either the included, generally inferior headphones or by headphones that have a proprietary chip to control the device. This then adds complexity, cost, and the purchase of new peripherals, then making a once cheap music player instantly more expensive than the mid-range iPod Nano. Strange, and highly ineffective.

Fiat and Chrysler Tie-up

Chrysler is tanking. What to do? Get in an alliance with a foreign also-ran manufacturer that's barely hanging on? Yes, that's what Chrysler has done. However, given the circumstances, it doesn't seem like either will survive without each other. However that's exactly what Chrysler wants to do, get cheap Fiats to sell as economy cars while still selling their heavy-duty trucks and other signature vehicles.

Check out more here:

Nardelli explains why it's supposed to work

Pizza Hut - Natural?

Pizza Hut is known now as just another take-out pizza place competing with Domino's and Papa John's and every other neighborhood pizza joint. Pizza hasn't really been known to be healthy or organic, but Pizza Hut is looking to change the options available to people all around the country. With a distribution network and availability all over the place, families can look other places for healthier choices, even out in more rural areas, which are unlike big urban areas which are health conscious. This could really open up their opportunities to differentiate themselves as an alternative to greasy, unnatural pizza by rolling out Pizza Hut Natural.

Zion's Bank Extra Hours

A bank is a bank to most people - put money in it, withdraw it from an ATM or using a debit card, and make sure you make any payments on time!

However, being a locally owned and operated bank, Zion's Bank can help its customers out by being open before and after normal business hours. By not having to go take care of transactions on a lunch break or right after work, customers really can feel like their bank cares enough to help them out.

Burger King Burger Shots

Or, how to up your profits by charging people more money for less food.

Burger King has just started selling Burger Shots, which are two miniature hamburgers for $1.49.  However, you can get a single cheeseburger for cheaper, but the marketing strategy seems to go for the unique factor.  Sure, you can get a regular-size, large-size, or double cheeseburger anywhere, but Burger King is taking its chances by introducing an unknown product in a down market.  On the other hand, it could be a win for them if they play their cards right as they will earn an additional 20 or 30 cents per order, and by the sheer volume of burgers they sell, this could really boost their profitability.

Alaska Airlines - revolutionizing company boards?

Well, they may be revolutionizing the way that boards are compensated as long as they follow a recommendation from the shareholders - one that says that executives and board members need some sort of accountability for their actions.

Alaska Airlines has been doing better than the rest of the airline industry, but shareholders want a bigger say in what kind of performance they see from the company and want to choose the rewards for the executives.

Although the suggestion made by shareholders is not binding, it could be well for the executives who really want to show that they are dedicated to the company; on the other hand, given a down economy and an especially more difficult airline industry, Alaska Air could go through executives pretty quickly and not have a better result than they currently have with self-rewarded executives.

Executive reward

Wi-fi Airlines.

Not only is Southwest the industry leader for the airline industry on price, service, and destinations, but they have started to introduce a new service for their passengers.

Wireless internet is being tested on Southwest flights provided by a company called Row 44 that allows for passengers to surf the net on flights, and by testing, it shows that the service should be put into play as a chargeable service in the next few months.  This service is likely to be popular and with a charge of $10 or more per user depending on the length of the flight, this is a way for Southwest to earn more revenue without increasing ticket prices across the board or charging for bags that almost everyone takes.

Instead of charging for a universal service that was previously free (like other carriers with baggage), Southwest is introducing a new service to its customers and charging for an "extra" premium.  This will do well on the PR front and give them a better cushion in a down economy.

Link to article on Information Week