10 best and worst mergers of all time

http://www.cnbc.com/id/34467713/Top_10_Best_and_Worst_Mergers_of_All_Time?slide=5

Mergers/takeovers - Business link

Interesting article from Business Link - http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1074409643&r.i=1074409624&r.l1=1074404796&r.l2=1079050369&r.l3=1074407579&r.s=m&r.t=RESOURCES&type=RESOURCES

Takeover troubles - Has the Co=operative got Indigestion with the Somerfield Integration?

A fascinating and perfectly-timed article here in the Independent which outlines evidence that the Co-operative Group’s takeover of Somerfield in 2009 might be providing a little less successful than it originally planned…


What is the evidence provided?

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/takeover-troubles-has-the-cooperative-got-indigestion-with-the-somerfield-i

Mergers in Action - All Systems Go for United?

A fabulous example of some of the challenges and potential problems that arise when a merger of two substantial, similar businesses is finally completed…


This short news clip highlights the nature of the change facing management and employees working to merge United Airlines and Continental Airlines as the final stage of the merger - a transfer of booking systems - took place.

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/mergers-in-action-all-systems-go-for-united#extended

Mergers - problems first, synergies later


Among these was an excellent feature on the merger in the USA between Continental and United Airlines.


http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/mergers-problems-first-synergies-later

Is an economic recovery underway?

A ‘crossover’ blog here, since most Business students will be spending at least some of their time thinking about the external environment that firms operate in. For most businesses, the dominating external issue has been the deep recession – a long period in which the UK economy has struggled. Analysis from The Economist suggests that the economy has taken so much damage we’re basically back to where we were in late 2003! A pretty depressing thought, but there are some signs that things might be picking up.

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/economics-for-business-is-an-economic-recovery-underway#extended

Porter's 5 forces model

The Porter's Five Forces tool is a simple but powerful tool for understanding where power lies in a business situation. This is useful, because it helps you understand both the strength of your current competitive position, and the strength of a position you're considering moving into.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTMC_08.htm

Glenstrata - Glencore proposes merger with Xstrata

Yesterday morning’s business news has been dominated by the proposed merger of Glencore and Xstrata. Glencore’s 34% holding of Xstrata shares had made a third party approach for Xstrata very difficult if not impossible.
Xstrata bought coal mines from Glencore in 2001, and after going public in 2002, it grew by a series of acquisitions, including the purchase of the Canadian nickel producer Falconbridge in 2006. Although Xstrata had a market capitalisation of c. $50bn, Glencore’s market capitalisation was $45bn.

http://www.tutor2u.net/blog/index.php/business-studies/comments/glenstrata