Module 2 discussion
Strategic Objectives
and Control
The Discussion for Module 2 focuses on the control function;
it poses two related questions to be addressed separately.
Two sources that supplement your background reading
assignment are:
Controlling and its importance in management. (2012). Mexus
Education. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_TqI2PqF8g&nohtml5=False
Controlling organizational performance. (2014). Pearson Learning
Solutions, New York, NY.
Week One – Strategic Management
Continuing with the event you discussed in the Module 1
discussion, let’s raise our perspective to 30,000 feet, drawing on your
personal experience where that seems useful:
An important first step in formulating a strategy is to
identify objectives and concerns (i.e., the criteria to be considered
determining the approach(es) to achieving objectives, the goals that serve to
benchmark progress, and the risks to be recognized and minimized).
What are/were some objectives and concerns to be considered
in planning that event?
Week Two – Control
One of the goals to be considered in this event-planning
effort is to maximize attendance (e.g., family members or company employees).
What do you think would be a reasonable objective to achieve
with respect to that goal?
How would you propose to attract at least that level of
attendance?
What approach to forecasting attendance would you recommend,
say, one week before the picnic is scheduled?
Assume that forecast indicates some shortfall relative to
that original objective. With only a few
days left to bring planned and actual attendance together, what is your next
step?
Discussion expectations are for students to post each week:
a response to the questions posed and at least two or three substantive replies
to the contributions of fellow students or the class instructor. “Substantive”
implies more than simple agreement or other one-liners: explain your position,
offer an example, and at least some external referencing is called for in each
module. The best examples of discussion contributions provide some depth –
compose a coherent paragraph or two, offer some originality, and demonstrate an
understanding of the concepts covered in the module. Proofread what you have
written before publishing it.
