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5 Mar 23

Updated: 5 Mar 23

The $2B Question:
Who are u at Work

Personality tests revival for
new era of hybrid working 

Employers are finding personality tests, measuring how employees think and feel, more useful than ever while navigating hybrid work. "But the tests are not always up-to-date " writes NYTimes' Emma Golldberg. How do leading assessors meet the challenge of a new office culture measuring engagement, satisfaction, collaboration, productivity? We discuss...

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4 Mar 23

Updated: 7 Mar 23

Downsizing Acco
accepting defeat?

"Happy" ceo cites inflation,
economy not dud strategy?

'OPI Talk' interviewed Acco ceo Boris Elisman last week after disastrous Q4'22 results: down -30% in OP volume v pre-Covid norm Q4'19. The "Happy with our strategy" chief blamed inflation, economic uncertainty, Ukraine war, as key factors, yet hardly mentioned terminal OP decline as a cause for major downsizing activity. Moreover, he ignored price inflation as a huge positive? Tomorrow

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3 Mar 23

Updated: 3 Mar 23

FedEx's foul play
typically fallacious

"Switch service from UPS"
call from desperate ceo Raj

FedEx ceo Raj Subramaniam's moves since succeeding founder Fred Smith have been typically anti-customer and cost cutting. The 'new boss, same as the old boss' blames the economy, not incompetent execution, for continued failings. It's now reached the pits with a shameful attack on UPS, whilst the latter handles potential strike action...

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3 Mar 23

Updated: 3 Mar 23

Paper packaging

replaces plastic

Reckitt's Finish dishwasher
tablets drive sustainability

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 4 Mar 23

Costco's growth
steadies down 

Store traffic & Ecom slows.
Sales +50% v norm 2019

Costco the $230Bn+ international  home & business supplier's growth slowed from its double-digit% roll. "Store traffic steadied with slightly higher ticket values" said ceo Craig Jelenik. Moreover, its logistics acquisition drove lower cost and faster service". Updated inc.Q&A session 

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 3 Mar 23

HPE  H o n e s t

Pace Eventually

Smug ceo delivers from
strong Greenlake platform

Tech relic HP Enterprise ceo Antonio Neri at last substantiated his much hyped progress in Q1'23. It's starting to drive market share growth. The embryonic Aruba SaaS cloud andGreenlake platforms are becoming real growth catalysts. Can it sustain growth through 2024? Updated

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 2 Mar 23

D e l l  down from
weaker PC market 

Infrastructure mkt strong.
'Anywhere' network drive

Dell Technologies, the $102Bn tech giant, reported a weaker sales and profits performance in Q4'23. Whilst the consumer PC market slowed down, the infrastucture solutions group made strong headway in servers and networking. Updated

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 2 Mar 23

Acme recovers
supply backlog

Inventory reductions hurt
cutting tools, safety sales

Cutting tools and safety supplies maker Acme United announced a recovery from its severe China supply shortages in its Q4'22 financial results. CEO Walter Johnsen reported on the difficulties including channel inventory reductions jn the US market. 

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 2 Mar 23

Best Buy: bounce
back  b a u l k e d

Focus: sameday service to
compete w/AMZN & Target

Best Buy, the $46Bn electronics retailer reported declining sales & profits in Q4'23 hit by major supply issues and slow tech demand. CEO Corie Barry is focused on improving user experience and delivery speed to compete with leaders Amazon & Target. Updated

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2 Mar 23

Updated: 2 Mar 23

3 D  P r i n t i n g
s l o w l y sinking?

3DS & Stratasys survive w
rising prices + acquisitions

3D printing leaders Stratasys (MakerBot) & 3D Systems recovered from pre Covid norm, but losses continued in Q4'22. The 3D market bubble has truly burst, yet management is in denial, with optimism rife in spite of reality. Meanwhile, both are consolidating acquistions to deflect from organic decline with continued losses. Updated for Stratasys today

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