Forum 1
DQ#1: What is Strategic Planning? (250+ by Sunday; 100+ by
Sunday) ( 65 messages – 62 unread )
TOPIC: What is Strategic Planning?
Following the completion of this week’s reading/lessons
assignments, complete each of the following:
Write a one-two sentence personal definition of strategic
planning. Base your definition on what you have encountered in the
reading/materials this week, as well as on what you have already learned about
the topic.
Discuss this statement by Roger L. Martin: “. . . good
strategy is not the product of hours of careful research and modeling that lead
to an inevitable and almost perfect conclusion. Instead, it’s the result of a
simple and quite rough-and-ready process of thinking through what it would take
to achieve what you want and then assessing whether it’s realistic to try. If
executives adopt this definition, then maybe, just maybe, they can keep
strategy where it should be: outside the comfort zone.”
Finally, describe the differences between strategic planning
and business planning.
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following
criterion:
Forum 2
DQ#1: The Five-Task Strategy-Making, Strategy Executing
Process (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 63 messages – 40 unread )
Introduction:
Figure 2.1 in your textbook depicts those tasks/processes
that are associated with making and executing strategy. You could say that
chapter two in our textbook provides the big-picture view of what strategic
planning involves. This forum is straightforward: select any ONE of the five
tasks that you want to investigate, and write a scholarly post about that task.
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in
order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Forum 3
DQ#1: Using the Five Forces Model of Competition (250+ by
Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 65 messages – 22 unread )
Introduction:
Figure 3.3 in your textbook shows the analytical tool that
aids in understanding the various competitive forces that affect strategic
planning. Although all organizational sectors potentially face similar kinds of
competitive forces, each sector and/or organization may face unique factors
that affect competitive pressure at any given time, depending on varying
circumstances.
In this forum, you need to investigate any one element of
Figure 3.3 from the perspective of organizations in the same sector. There may
be some variance in the issues examined, and more than one organization may be
involved, but you need to deal essentially with the same area of competitive
pressure in the same sector of organizations. For instance, you may investigate
“supplier bargaining power from foreign markets” or “dealing with emerging
companies in the cell phone (or tech) industry.” You may utilize your textbook
as needed to support your informed assertions.
[Suggestion: You may want to know more about the developer
of the Five Forces Model—Michael Porter, who is a premier strategy professor at
Harvard. Check him out on YouTube.]
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Forum 4
DQ#1: Examining Competitive Strategies (250+ by Thursday;
100+ by Sunday) ( 64 messages – 57 unread )
Introduction:
Our course textbook, chapter 5, discusses “The Five Generic
Competitive Strategies”: Low-Cost Provider Strategy; Broad Differentiation
Strategy; Focused Low-Cost Strategy; Focused Differentiation Strategy; and,
Best-Cost Provider Strategy (see also Figure 5.1). In this forum, you need to
investigate any one generic competitive strategy from the perspective of
organizations in the same sector. More
than one organization may be involved, but the information you use needs to
deal essentially with the same area of generic competitive strategy in the same
sector of organizations. Here is a great opportunity to investigate one or two
of the businesses that your utilize in your personal life, but who represent
one of the five competitive strategies.
Suggestion: a SWOT analysis could be helpful, as based on the articles
you select, depending on the depth of information available (SWOT: Strengths,
Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).
However, you may utilize your textbook as needed to support your
informed assertions.
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. Please review the forum grading rubrics in
order to understand how your responses in the forum will be graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Forum 5
DQ#1: Which Approach is Best for Competing Internationally
(250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday) ( 64 messages – 18 unread )
Introduction:
Textbook figure 7.2 depicts the three basic approaches for
competing internationally. The textbook describes these three different
approaches along with the accompanying concepts and individualized strategies
that typify those approaches (see also Table 7.1). In this forum, you need to
investigate any one of these international strategies—either using the same
company in both articles, or selecting two different companies. Tell why the
approach used is the best of the three approaches for the company (or
companies) involved in international business.
You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed
assertions. (SUGGESTION: As you read about these three international strategies
in the textbook, there is mention of companies that use these strategies. You
can save yourself the headache of figuring out a company (or companies) to
examine by selecting from companies that are already associated with a given
strategy as specified in the text.)
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you “meet”
with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of the
readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your understanding
of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary level)
for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the following
criterion:
Forum 6
DQ#1: Companies with a Conscience? (250+ by Thursday; 100+
by Sunday) ( 67 messages – 28 unread )
Introduction:
The topic of Ethics continues to increase as an issue of
central importance to strategic planning. Corporate Social Responsibility and
Environmental Sustainability are significant topics that are figured into any
substantive discussion of Ethics in contemporary business practices and
strategy. In this forum, you need to investigate the topic of conscious
capitalism, conscious business, or businesses with a conscience. Tell why the
issue of conscientious business is significant; and, tell where this current theme
is headed in a global application, if possible. Tell why this topic should be
discussed in the context of strategic planning.
You may utilize your textbook as needed to support your informed
assertions.
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe environment
for students to learn. In addition,
instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as encourage
students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Forum 7
DQ#1: Principal Components of Strategy (250+ by Thursday;
100+ by Sunday) ( 67 messages – 7 unread )
Introduction:
Figure 10.1 in our textbook (along with associated writing
on the topic) describes the 10 principal components related to strategy
execution, which comprise the focus of the final three chapters in the first
half of our book. In this forum, you need to select two of the 10 components to
discuss in your post (be clear which ones–#1?, #2?) What does your findings
reveal about the importance of the components you selected? Why are they
important as strategic elements? You may utilize your textbook as needed to
support your informed assertions.
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Forum 8
DQ#1: What Did You Learn? (250+ by Thursday; 100+ by Sunday)
( 64 messages – 19 unread )
Reflect back on the last eight weeks. What were some new
concepts/techniques/processes that you learned in this course, and/or that you
can implement into the strategic planning of your organization (or even in your
personal life)? How will the concepts learned be of value to you as a student
and a professional?
Discuss your impressions of how the course has been useful
to the furtherance of your understanding of strategic planning. What element of
the course should be emphasized to a greater degree? What area(s), if any, do
you suggest be added to the course in the future? (No citations/references
needed.)
Instructions:
What is the purpose of a forum?
Think of the forum as a classroom experience where you
“meet” with your instructor and peers to discuss the weekly topic in terms of
the readings, assignments and resources that have been assigned. The desired outcome is that you are able to
(1) collaborate with peers and the instructor, (2) demonstrate your
understanding of the material, and (3) participate as a member of an online
community.
What are the responsibilities of the instructor?
The instructor’s goal is to create an engaging and safe
environment for students to learn. In
addition, instructors should pose questions promoting deeper thought as well as
encourage students to interact with their peers in the classroom. There should be an active instructor presence
throughout the week.
What are the responsibilities of the student?
Each week, you are required to make a 250 word initial
posting and respond to a minimum of 2 students.
Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct
questions. Please review the forum
grading rubrics in order to understand how your responses in the forum will be
graded.
If you met the
above-mentioned requirements, you will be graded at the proficient level. However, if your desire is to be graded at
the exemplary level, please provide more than what is required. To receive 100% as a grade (the exemplary
level) for the weekly forums, you should ensure that your responses meet the
following criterion:
Week 2- Assignment- MVV-Mission, Vision, and Values
GOAL: Create an 800-1000 word paper that presents a compare
and contrast of three companies’ mission/vision/values statements, utilizing
the tools of strategic planning found in chapters one and two of our textbook.
Instructions: Write a 800-1000 word paper (body content
length) based on researched artifacts from three companies in the same sector
of private or non-profit industry (e.g., restaurants, services, products,
hospitals, etc.) and their individual presentation of mission, vision, and
values. After presenting each company’s brief history, mission, vision, and
values, compare and contrast the various features and differences between the
selected same-sector companies. Using relevant research via peer-reviewed
journals from the online library, conclude your paper with a scholarly
assessment about the strengths and weaknesses of the mission, vision, and
values of the companies researched. Make sure to emphasize the compare/contrast
element of this assignment as you look at the companies alongside each other—that
is where the analytical assessment comes into play; that is the place to
demonstrate your ability to think and write critically.
Suggestions to help your writing:
Use level headings (APA, pp. 62-63) to distinguish the
various parts of your paper. No abstract is required, but a title page and
references page are required.
Visit the following website to help you set up your APA
paper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=related
You may use any level of sources—scholarly, popular press,
or websites—to provide foundational information used to inform you about each
organization. However, make sure to properly cite and reference these sources
according to chapter seven of APA.
Regardless what sources you use to gain information about
the companies, you are still required to list and use three scholarly journal
sources in the assertions you provide at the end of your paper. Be careful to
differentiate between “trade” journals and genuine “peer-reviewed” sources so
that your compare and contrast is based upon theoretical foundations instead of
opinions or advertisements.
The paper should be written in third person and is not
reflective (first person not acceptable).
Other Important Details:
Upload your paper (.doc) in the assignment section for
grading. Follow the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus: The
various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc attachments
in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.
Do not use macros or automatic referencing in your papers
for this course. The auto features usually cause unforeseen problems in format.
Plus, part of the evaluation of this paper involves your acquisition of the
essentials of the APA style format.
Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following
manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if
necessary):
For
example: Smith-Wk02-MissionVisionValues
Week 4: Conceptual Learning Summary
GOAL: Create a concise expose of two strategic planning
concepts that may be utilized in your own organization.
Instructions: Write a 500-600-word summary (body content
length) that discusses research supporting two different strategic planning
concepts. You may draw from any concepts mentioned in the course textbook
through chapter six. Locate a minimum of two scholarly journal articles for
each concept—a minimum of four articles for the paper altogether (these
articles must be new to this assignment for this course). You want to select
research that presents each concept and its usefulness in strategic planning
within organizations. If you elect to write the paper, then keep your writing
in third person if you discuss how these concepts work in your sector.
[Video Instructions: If you elect to record a video in lieu
of the writing for this assignment, then observe the following conditions:
The video (YouTube) needs to be a minimum of 3-4 minutes in
length
Provide a scholarly overview and discussion regarding the
two concepts
Discuss how these concepts work in your organization, or how
they should work.
Upload a References page that verifies your scholarly
support, and that lists the YouTube link for your video.]
Suggestions to help your writing:
Use level headings (APA, pp. 62-63) to distinguish the
various parts of your paper. No abstract is required, but a title page and
references page are required.
Visit the following website to help you set up your APA
paper: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pbUoNa5tyY&feature=related
You may use any level of sources—scholarly, popular press,
or websites—to provide foundational information used to inform you about each
organization. However, make sure to properly cite and reference these sources
according to chapter seven of APA.
Regardless what sources you use gain information about the
companies, you are still required to list and use FOUR scholarly journal
sources in the assertions and references in your paper.
The paper should be written in third person and is not
reflective (first person not acceptable).
Other Important Details:
Upload your paper (.doc) in the assignment section for
grading. Follow the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus: The
various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc attachments
in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.
Do not use macros or automatic referencing in your papers
for this course. The auto features usually cause unforeseen problems in format.
Plus, part of the evaluation of this paper involves your acquisition of the
essentials of the APA style format.
Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following
manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if
necessary):
Week 5: Websites Review
Assignment Instructions
Goal: Locate and review three websites that inform you about
Crafting Strategies for international markets, or multi-business companies, or
diversified companies. You may elect to review websites of specific companies
themselves, but it must be clear that there is a global element to the company.
To verify: The point is to showcase three different websites that demonstrate
any one (or more) of the “Three Approaches for Competing Internationally”
(Figure 7.2). What company or companies you select is secondary.
Instructions: Using the course textbook as a chief resource,
locate three websites in order to complete the goal stated above—international
strategic planning. You may also benefit from conducting your own Internet
search of international marketing strategies. Write a 600-750 word paper as a
memorandum of discovery. No particular format will be observed for this paper,
but organize your writing into three sections that review each of the three
websites, and then write a fourth concluding section that summarizes what you
gleaned from this investigation. The summary conclusion should put together the
benefit of the whole experience. [Note: Keep in mind that this assignment is
not aimed at reviewing articles in websites, but rather, the company websites
themselves, and the international strategies that they describe.]
How To Review Websites For This Assignment:
Summarize the overriding purpose/thesis of each website.
What is the essential message of the site? Provide a link (or address) for each
website reviewed.
Describe what appears to be the crafted strategy based on
what you are informed by the textbook (Global Strategy, Transnational Strategy,
or Multidomestic Strategy). Be as clear on this point as possible, and make
sure that you identify the global involvement mentioned in each website. (If no
global strategy is mentioned, then you should avoid that website source.)
Discuss the material in the website in light of your
understanding and outside research related to the material presented on the
site. Do you agree or disagree with what the website presents?
What do you, the student, benefit from having
viewed/examined this website?
After discussing each of the three websites, write a summary
that combines what you learned from the experience. Present your own views.
First person is accepted for this assignment.
Other Important Details:
Note the Submissions Guidelines as listed in the Syllabus:
The various assignments for this course should be submitted as Word.doc
attachments in the Assignment section of our virtual classroom.
Each file should be named in the following manner: Last
name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if necessary)
Week 6: Ethical News Story Video
GOAL: Create a four-six minute video news story presentation,
accompanied by a 500-600 word written script/text of the video news story (with
minimum three citations/references) that gives an analysis of a recent ethics
scandal, corporate social responsibility scandal, or environment sustainability
scandal. Be sure that your presentation makes a definitive statement connecting
strategic planning to ethical, moral, social responsibility of organizations.
In other words, this is not merely a report, but a scholarly exposé of the
ethical effects of strategic planning. Note: This assignment has two parts.
Instructions: PART ONE—Write 500-600 word paper that is
written as a news story, and give an analysis of a recent (last three years)
management scandal involving ethics, corporate social responsibility, or
environment sustainability. Connect the news story you present with the need
for ethics and social responsibility in strategic planning. How could a more
effective strategic plan affect the issue(s) included in the news story? See
Chapter 9 in the course textbook to introduce the overall subject material, and
to give you suggestions about where to locate appropriate news material (Hint:
you must not write about TOMS Shoes, a topic in the forums). NOTE: This paper
will not be examined for APA compliance, but will be checked for appropriate
source verification. Therefore, show your sources clearly (using citations is
the most effective way to link sources with references). The writing should
contain a minimum of three scholarly citations/references beyond your textbook
(use the APUS Online Library as resource). A title page and references page are
required, but APA will not formally be graded. When you create a YouTube of
your news story (see Part Two), include the link in the paper on the Title Page
as the second line under the title.
Each file OF YOUR WORK should be named in the following
manner: Last name–truncated Week Number-Assignment name (abbreviated if
necessary)
For example: Smith-Wk03-Ethical News Story
QUESTION: Why do students need to submit a paper along with
the video of the news story? ANSWER: So the professor can check for
originality—to ensure that the information presented in the news story is
original (or paraphrased) material from the student.
PART TWO—Create a video using the paper as a news story script.
The video portion of the assignment may be created in YouTube so that only a
link needs to be submitted here (recommended). Or, you may upload an MP4,
QuickTime video, or equivalent (under 25MB; larger files not allowed for
upload).
Submittal of Paper and Video:
Upload your paper (.doc) and video in the assignment section
for grading as a Word.doc attachment. Place the link for the YouTube as the
second line on the Title Page under the title of the paper.
Grading Rubric/Assessment: See Video Grading Rubric (Note
that the quality of the written paper is assessed in the rubric under the
“Preparation” section)
NOTE: If this is your first video, let this serve as a way
to expand your skill capability in management practice. If you need help, you
can always ask. If YouTube is too challenging to figure out, produce your video
on an iPod or SmartPhone and send it in that way. This is your time to shine!
Week 8: Final Project
Week 8 Final Project – Strategic Assessment Project
(PowerPoint presentation plus References page)
Goal: Develop and present via PowerPoint a strategic plan
for your organization, integrating various concepts, components and processes
presented throughout this course. Submit
the presentation (ppt or pptx) along with a Referenc
