This is the second part of the 2017 Round Up where we look at the questions that featured in 2017 under the global section which stand relevant even as we enter 2018. This selection is very limited and reflects my own interests and biases.

Events

Donald Trump dominated the political news. It had it’s benefits to its family, particularly Ivanka Trump, who also made an India trip during the year.

Q1. In which product category is Ivanka Trump’s brands No 1 and No 2 in sales at Amazon after her father’s victory ?

Ans. Perfumes

Fear of Jeff Bezos and the Amazon Armageddon had its impact.

Q 2. By virtually selling stock of which retailer has Warren Buffet signalled the end of organised big retail ?

Ans. Wal-Mart

GE has started falling from the highest perch it occupied.

Q3. After the legendary Jack, it was Jeff for 16 years. Now it will be John from August 1. Which large global company will see this change ?

Ans. General Electric, Jack Welch, Jeff Immelt and now John Flannery

Q 4. Management Guru Jack Trout passed away recently. Name the landmark book he wrote with Al Ries.

Ans. Positioning : The Battle for Your Mind

Q 5. This is only the second occasion that Bank of England has issued a currency note with a woman’s photo on it. Who is the person honoured ? 

Ans. Jane Austen on her 200th birth anniversary

Deals

Q6. Reckitt Benckiser has acquired Mead Johnson. What are the major products of Mead Johnson.

Ans. Baby Food

Q7. Which prestigious university has raised 1 billion $ through an issue of bonds having a coupon Rate of 2.5 % and 100 year tenor ?

Ans.Oxford University

 

Phones

The Chinese phones like Oppo and Vivo were the biggest advertisers. IPhone X launch was a big event of the year.

Q9. Identify this reclusive Chinese entrepreneur. He co-founded two well known mobile phone handset brands. Name him and also the brands he created.

Ans. Duan Yongping co-founder of Vivo and Oppo

Q 10. For whom do Samsung employees use the codename “LO” and what does it stand for ?

Ans. Apple, Lovely Opponent ( LO)

Rich and Famous

The rising stockmarket worldwide led to its changes in the wealth of the businessmen. Some wealthy businessmen continued to make their impact socially through their charity and philanthropy.

Q 11. Identify this fashion retailer and his brand, who has recently overthrown Jeff Bezos to become the second richest man in the world.

Ans. Amancio Ortega of IndiTex, owners of Zara

Q 12. Identify this former billionaire who gave away all his wealth to charity by end 2016 making him being called ‘ James Bond of philanthropy’ by Forbes.

Ans. Chuck Feeney

Q13. Which businessman has a project called Carbon War room that has the tagline “There is no planet B’ ?

Ans. Richard Branson

Controversies

Q 14. Name this India-born family group in South Africa in media, mining and other business in the eye of a storm because of corruption scandal involving president Jacob Zuma 

Ans. Guptas

Q 15. Which brand had to apologise and remove its advt where a black woman turned into a white woman after using the product ?

Ans. Dove Body lotion

Q 16. What was unusual about a Japanese train Tsukuba Express apologizing to its passengers, saying they were sorry for creating “tremendous nuisance” ?

Ans.  The train left a station 20 seconds early

New Technologies

Disruptions continued through new technologies. Electric cars, 3D printing, Robots, Artificial Intelligence all were areas seeing a lot of innovation and new products.

Q 18. What new service has Amazon announced in US which allows delivery of packages inside the house when no one is there to receive ?

Ans. Amazon Key

Q 19. In which product/ service is ROKU a formidable competitor to Apple, Google and Amazon ?

Ans. Video Streaming device