post bus411 unit 1 discussion latest
2016 july
Strategic
Thinking
Everything we do in a
business environment is done with a strategic purpose. Your taking this course
is to complete a degree program and better your opportunities for career
advancement. At least for most of you. For others it might be purely personal.
So in a sense, you’re all trying to better each other for “that” job. So moving
forward, from a strategic standpoint, what are you going to do to beat every
other person in this course, out for that job? How do you position yourself to
“look better”? Or do you attack this from the opposite side and attempt to make
everyone else look just a bit worse?
post bus411 unit 2 discussion latest
2016 july
Maturity
in the Business Sense
|
How much of an impact does the “maturity” level of How can you be innovative in a mature industry? How can you be conservative in an introductory/rapid growth Should you be conservative??? Back up your assertions with resources and readings from the |
post bus411 unit 3 discussion latest
2016 july
dq 1
Finance and Operations; The Ethical
Cost of Doing Business.
Detecting unethical practices at supplier
factories, to include monitoring and compliance, is a major challenge to say
the least. Yet, wages drive cost and it’s an absolute necessity to maintain the
lowest cost in production of any good. Or is it???
This week, focus on debate! Start or select a
fellow student’s side, and eitther support, or argue against, that position.
Teamwork!
But be constructive in your approach.
Discuss how important is it for companies such
as Nike and Wal-Mart that source extensively from foreign suppliers located in
countries where wages are low and substandard working conditions are common to
institute supplier codes of conduct and undertake programs to monitor and
ensure supplier compliance with these codes of conduct? Would you recommend
that a company join the Fair Labor Association and use FLA’s standards and
program of factory audits instead of trying to set up its own supplier
monitoring and compliance effort? What can a company do to detect and combat
the efforts of unscrupulous foreign suppliers to deceive inspection/compliance
teams?
dq 2
Internal
and External Analyses
Post University in general, and myself
specifically, need your assistance. We continually strive to be better. So
here’s your chance to unload; Identify and give examples of the steps that can
be taken at the functional level to improve Post’s efficiency, product quality,
ability to innovate, and responsiveness to our customers. That is, you!
Remember however, to be practical and pragmatic. This is a business. Draw from
this week’s materials. Funding is not unlimited. This is a real world
environment, so provide real world solutions. Cite specific examples
throughout!
post bus411 unit 4 discussion latest
2016 july
Competitive
Positioning
|
This week, you have a car to sell. You want to purchase a new Describe the competitive positioning you face and are going to |
post bus411 unit 5 discussion latest
2016 july
The
Tailored Business Model
This week we look at
tailoring business models to existing conditions and different industry
environments. But I thought that in starting a business, or in fact growing a
business, you need to “stand out” from the crowd. You need to distinguish
yourself and your business. So just how important then in your opinion, is
tailoring the business models? Select a business that that either already
exists, or you would love to start, and support your thoughts. Show us why it
is, or is not, important to tailor the models!
post bus411 unit 6 discussion latest
2016 july
Horizontal
vs. Vertical Integration
This week let’s discuss integration.
First, name a company the practices horizontal integration. Describe the
structure. Now do the same for a company vertically integrated. In your
opinion, which is better to work for? Which offers workers the better
opportunity to better yourself? Now, if you owned the business, which would you
implement? Think again about the workers opportunities. Does their betterment
also mean what’s best for your business?
post bus411 uint 7 discussion latest
2016 july
Stakeholder
Importance
Are you a stakeholder in Post University?
Next week, in all your courses, you’re going
to be asked to complete your student survey. Big deal… Why should your
instructors care about what you have to say? Why should Post care about what
you have to say? What difference can you, can any stakeholder make, by
conveying your thoughts to the company you’re a stakeholder in? Is there a
better way to reach for a result or action from the company? If you own the
company, why should you listen to whatever anyone say regarding improvement for
the company you’ve poured you heart, should and monies into? Who are we to tell
you??!
Ahhh, perhaps a light goes on here? Who is a
stakeholder and why are they, and their voices, important?
post bus411 unit 8 discussion latest
2016 july
|
Leadership So we end with leadership. Which many would argue should be at |
post bus411 unit 1assignment Develop
a Classroom Lecture latest 2016 july
This week’s materials
focus on Strategic Thinking. This type of thinking employs the principles of
Vision, Values and Mission. Your assignment this week is to develop a classroom
lecture that details each of these principles, and notes how each affects a
person’s leadership style. You are to use, and cite, no less than 4 outside
sources. This will be in APA format and a minimum of 2 pages. That is, the BODY
of your paper is to be a minimum of 2 pages. Title pages, Abstract and resource
pages do not count to the total.
post bus411 unit 2 assignment latest 2016 july
Assignment: Examining Business Strategy and the Five Forces
Model: The Challenges Facing eBay; Time for Changes in Strategy? This week we
look at strategic thinking in the business environment.You
will have two different documents to upload: the presentation and the narrative.
Your assignment this week is to:
1. First, research, and create, a Porter’s Five Forces Model of
eBay in either Visio, Excel, of PowerPoint format. Use external sources to
assist in populating your model.
Next, report and analyze your findings, touching on the
following questions;
1. What does your five forces analysis reveal about the nature
and strength of the various competitive pressures eBay faces? Are the
competitive pressures facing eBay and other online auction company’s conducive
to earning good profits? Why or why not?
2. Based on your analysis of the industry and eBay’s situation,
what problems and issues does eBay’s top management need to address? Which ones
are top priorities?
3. What do you see as the key success factors for firms in the
online auction industry?
You are to use, and cite, no less than 3 outside sources for
your report portion. This will be in APA format and a minimum of 2 pages. That
is, the BODY of your paper is to be a minimum of 2 pages. Title pages, Abstract
and resource pages do not count to the total.
post bus411 unit4 assignment latest 2016 july
Assignment: Finance and Operations: This week we look at finance
and operations, and apply a bit of quantitative analysis to the effort.
Your assignment this week is to analyze current financial ratios
for a given business.
1. Think of a specific business you find interesting, i.e.
Apple, UTC, Southwest Airlines, etc.
2. Search the web for that business’ “Financial Statement”. (You
will find many hits for the data.)
3. Select the “Bloomberg” site offering your company’s financial
statement.
4. Once at the site you will find a box highlighted in blue
termed “Ratios”. Click on that box.
5. You will now see a number of financial ratios for your
company. Below is an example for Apple.
6. Now, define the following ratios, note the ratio for your
business, and explain what the ratio means for the business moving forward:
a) Return on Assets
b) Return on Equity
c) Return on Capital
d) Gross Margin
e) SG&A Margin
f) Current Ratio
g) Quick Ratio
h) Total Debt/Equity
i) Total Revenue
j) Gross Profit
post bus411 unit 5 assignment latest 2016 july
Assignment: Your business strategy in the Global Environment
This week’s materials focus on your innovations and creativity in a global
environment.
Congratulations! You have just started a new business!
Your assignment this week is to:
1. First tell me what your new business is. Do you provide a
service, or a product? Define this business you’ve spent so much time dreaming
of starting.
2. Next develop a PEST Analysis using the template below.
3. Finally, describe how you’re going to grow this business in
the global environment.
Parts 1 and 2 will be a Word Doc. APA formatting is NOT required.
You are to use, and cite, no less than 2 outside sources. Minimum of 2 pages.
That is, the BODY of your paper is to be a minimum of 2 pages. Title pages,
Abstract and resource pages do not count to the total.
post bus411 unit 6 assignment latest 2016 july
Assignment: Case Analysis: The Decision Making Process
You are to write a
minimum, 2 page essay, on this week’s subject matter per below.
Also, please cite at
least two (2) outside sources. This assignment does NOT have to be in APA
format. You will also find a guide for your case study below. Select a case of
organizational decision making from the list of references attached, OR select
a case from your own experience or reading. If you choose to do the latter, you
should obtain the instructor’s approval.
Your case analysis
should cover the following:
1. The context of
the decision making processes, including for example: the goals, activities,
history or culture of the organization; the complexity and special features of
the task or problem; the major stakeholders of the decisions.
2. The main phases
or activities of the decision making process, including for example: the
background leading up to the problem situation; problem recognition;
development and evaluation of alternatives; selection of alternative; and
outcome of the decision. Where possible, analyze the information seeking and
information use behaviors in the decision making process.
3. Analyze your case
using one or more of the models introduced this week. You may also introduce
other theoretical perspectives/cases to enrich your analysis. Show how these
models/perspectives provide insight into your case.
4. Assess the
overall quality of the decision making process. Identify its strengths and
limitations. Suggest ways of improving the process.
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-
Case Study Sources
These are initial
suggestions that might help you to identify cases. You would
typically need to look for additional material after selecting a case to
study.
Bazerman, M. H.,
& Watkins, M. D. 2004. Predictable Surprises: The Disasters You Should Have
Seen Coming, and How to Prevent Them. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School
Press.
Burns, Christopher.
2008. Deadly Decisions: How false knowledge sank the Titanic, blew up the
shuttle and led America into war. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.
Browne, Mairead. 1993.
Organizational Decision Making and Information. Norwood, NJ: Ablex. (Decision
making by a council of a higher education institute in Sydney, Australia.)
Chiles, James R.
2001. Inviting Disaster: Lessons From the Edge of Technology. New York:
HarperBusiness. (Air France Concorde, Apollo 13, Hubble Space Telescope, etc)
Choo, Chun Wei.
2005. Information Failures and Organizational Disasters. Sloan Management
Review 46 (3):8-10.
Choo, Chun Wei.
2009. Organizational Disasters: Why They Happen and How They May be Prevented.
Management Decision, 46 (1): 32-46
Chua, Alton Y.K.,
Selcan Kaynak, and Schubert S.B. Foo. 2006. An Analysis Of The Delayed Response
To Hurricane Katrina Through The Lens Of Knowledge Management. Journal of the
American Society for Information Science and Technology 58 (3):391-403.
Drummond, Helga.
1997. Escalation in Decision Making: The Tragedy of Taurus. Oxford, UK: Oxford
University Press.
Ermann, M. David, and
Richard J. Lundman, eds. 2001. Corporate and Governmental Deviance: Problems of
Organizational Behavior in Contemporary Society. 6th ed.
Evan, William M.,
and Mark Manion. 2002. Minding the Machines: Preventing Technological
Disasters. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall PTR. (Bhopal, Chernobyl,
Ford-Firestone, Love Canal, Three Mile Island, Y2K, and many others.)
Fay, S. 1996. The
Collapse of Barings: Panic, Ignorance and Greed. London: Arrow Business Books.
Finkelstein, S.,
Whitehead, J., & Campbell, A. 2009. Think Again: Why Good Leaders Make Bad
Decisions. Boston, MA: Harvard Business School Press.
Gerstein, M.S.,
& Ellsberg, M. 2008. Flirting with Disaster: Why Accidents Are Rarely
Accidental. New York: Union Square Press. (Chernobyl, Merck Vioxx, Hurricane
Katrina)
E. Frank Harrison.
1999. The Managerial Decision-Making Process. 5th Edition. Boston: Houghton
Mifflin. (Iranian hostage crisis, Philip Morris in 1984, General Motors in
1978)
Kovacs, Beatrice.
1990. The Decision-Making Process for Library Collections: Case Studies in Four
Types of Libraries. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. (Collection development
decision making in public libraries, school libraries, academic libraries, and
special libraries.)
National Geographic.
2004-2013. Seconds from Disaster. Documentary films that “investigate
historically relevant man-made and natural disasters … by analyzing the
causes and circumstances that ultimately affected the disaster.”
Neck, Chris P., and
Gregory Moorhead. 1992. Jury Deliberations in the Trial of US vs. John
Delorean: A Case Analysis of Groupthink Avoidance and Enhanced Framework. Human
Relations 45 (10):1077-1091.
Perrow, Charles.
1999. Normal Accidents: Living with High-Risk Technologies. Princeton, NJ:
Princeton University Press. (Three Mile Island nuclear reactor accident, Bhopal
Union Carbide plant, air traffic control.)
Shrivastava, Paul.
Bhopal: Anatomy of a Crisis. 2nd ed. London: P. Chapman, 1992.
The 9/11 Commission.
2004. The 9/11 Commission Report: Final Report of the National Commission on
Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. New York: W. W. Norton.
The Members of the
Committee of the Inquiry. 2000. BSE Inquiry Report, Volume 1: Findings &
Conclusions. London, UK: The Stationery Office.
Walker, J. S. 2004.
Three Mile Island: A Nuclear Crisis in Historical Perspective. Berkeley, CA:
University of California Press.
post bus411 unit 7 assignment latest 2016 july
Assignment: The “issue” of Stakeholder Management and Corporate
Performance.
You are to write a
minimum, 2 page essay, on this week’s subject matter per below.
Also, please cite at
least two (2) outside sources. This assignment does NOT have to be in APA
format. You will also find a guide for your essay below.
Sociologist Erving
Goffman has pointed out that all social groups, including professionals,
develop a protective attitude toward members of their group, even when what
some of the members do is seen as morally wrong. A sense of loyalty to the
group often overrides what they would otherwise deem immoral.
Consider the
arguments for and against exposing Stakeholders with whom you are personally
close or with whom you have close professional ties. Develop a position on this
issue that could serve as a guide for anyone in such a position with regard to
Corporate Performance.
Essay Guidelines:
What is a critical thinking essay?
Many college
assignments require you to support a thesis. The concept of a critical thinking
essay is that you start without an end in mind. You don’t necessarily know how
you feel about a subject or what you want to say about the subject … you allow
the research and your own thinking to determine the outcome. This is writing to
learn rather than writing to prove what you know.
The critical
thinking essay has you look at and contribute to a range of arguments rather
than just one at a time. Critical thinking essays consider the strengths and
weaknesses of various solutions to a problem or various answers to a question.
It requires thinking … not information reporting.
The critical
thinking essay starts with a question, not a thesis. Your essay shows how your
thinking changes as you research a topic. For example, when you begin
researching capital punishment, you may be in favor of the death penalty
because it is a deterrent. Then you may find some studies that question whether
it has a deterrent effect and that may influence your thinking. You don’t have
to know what you think about your topic when you start writing your critical
thinking essay.
Critical thinking essay format.
Essays are shorter
pieces of writing. Therefore, essays are (by nature) concise and require you to
be clear and to the point. This means that there is no room for your thoughts
to wander or stray … you must be deliberate and stay on topic.
Perhaps it is
helpful to think of an essay in terms of a conversation or debate with a
classmate. If you and I were discussing whether or not there should be a death
penalty in the US, there would be a beginning, middle and end to our
conversation. As with a conversation, your essay must be complete, and
logically so, leaving no doubt as to your intent or argument.
However – again,
think of this as a conversation – your essay shouldn’t be formal. Remember,
you’re talking about your ideas and thought processes. Don’t try to do that in
third person! To help you stay on topic, your critical thinking essay should be
organized as follows.
Essay Outline
Introduction (1-2
paragraphs)
a) Focus on
explaining the topic.
Body (minimum of 4-5
paragraphs but use as many as necessary. Several short paragraphs are better
than 1-2 overly long paragraphs)
Write your body
before your write your introduction and conclusion.
Examine all aspects
of the topic. Show your knowledge and grasp of the material you have read.
a) Discuss the
differing opinions of the topic as reflected in the research.
b) Discuss any
issues or problems.
c) Did you have
enough information?
d) Did the research
raise issues you hadn’t considered?
e) Did the research
contain confusing, incomplete or contradictory information?
f) Explain how your
research influenced your thinking.
g) If your thinking
has changed, what changed it?
h) If your thinking
has not changed, how did what you learned support your original opinion?
i) If you’re not
sure about your opinion, what information might you need to form an opinion?
Conclusion
(generally 1 paragraph)
a) The conclusion
rounds off the essay.
b) Refer back to
your main ideas or points and reiterate your answer to the question.
c) NEVER introduce
new information in your conclusion.
d) The conclusion
moves from specific to general.
post bus411 unit 8 assignment latest 2016 july
One of the main purposes of this course is to allow students who
are about to complete their programs of study at the Malcolm Baldrige School of
Business to demonstrate their familiarity with the Baldrige Core Values that
have been reinforced throughout the program.
For this assignment you are required to write a reflective paper
summarizing your experience of the BUS 411 course. You are expected to refer to
the Baldrige Core Values in this reflective exercise and to discuss how those
Core Values were exhibited in your work in this course and throughout your
program of studies in the Malcolm Baldrige School of Business.
Paper requirements: Your paper will be a minimum of 4 pages, APA
format. That is, the BODY of your work will be 4 pages minimum. Title page,
Abstract and reference pages do NOT count to this total. All papers will be
submitted through SafeAssign to reduce the potential of plagiarism. Be sure to
read the grading criteria (below) by which your paper will be evaluated before
you write the paper and again after you write your paper.
