Research

NETFLIX

Description

In a blend of technologies from multiple eras, Netflix steers couch potatoes away from the video store and straight to the mail box. Its Web site (Netflix.com) offers DVD rentals (70,000-plus titles) to more than 6.3 million subscribers for a monthly fee. The movies are delivered to customers the old-fashioned way: through the US Postal Service. Netflix does not charge late fees or have due dates, and the company's service employs user ratings to predict individual preferences and make movie recommendations. Netflix has more than 40 distribution centers in major US cities. Director Jay Hoag and his Technology Crossover Ventures owns about 20% of the company and CEO Reed Hastings owns about 10%.

ENRON

DESCRIPTION

Enron Creditors Recovery Corp (formerly Enron Corp.) which transformed itself from a gas pipeline operator into the world's #1 energy trader, is now bankrupt and selling off its remaining assets. Once the largest buyer and seller of natural gas and electricity in the US, Enron also traded numerous other commodities. Enron has sold its North American power utility and gas pipeline assets, and its global interests in utilities and power plants. In 2006 former executives Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling were found guilty of the charges in the corporate scandal that led to Enron's demise. Lay died suddenly and the conviction against him was vacated. Skilling was sentenced to more than 24 years in prison.