Graded Homework

Appendix B: Writing Assignment
Requirements

Format and Content Instructions:

1. Individually
   write a 1 page (3/4 to 1 page) single-spaced “company analysis” (plus
   cover page, references, and appendices) in Microsoft Word (see below for
   example of a cover page).
2. Use legitimate
   sources (published articles, company web site, and recognized print and
   on-line news organizations); there should be at least3
   cites
   (not including the textbook). Theories from
   the textbook can be incorporated as an additional source.
3. Research one of
   the following companies and determine the current state of the
   organization: Walgreens, CVS, Amazon, Wal-mart, Facebook, Starbucks, Intel,
   Marriott, Chick-Filet, or Buffalo Wild Wings. Specifically, identify and
   thoroughly discuss the key issues facing the organization (based on your
   analysis) and provide specific recommendations for top management to
   address these issues.
• Research:
  After analyzing the company (reviewing the company’s web site and reading
  articles about the company) and performing the SWOT analysis, identify
  the top issues facing the company you have chosen (these may be problems
  and/or opportunities).

·
Review
and use the material in chapter 6 (particularly creating a competitive
advantage in an industry).

·
Conduct
a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) (see
section 5.9b and Exhibit 5.8), as the basis for your analysis. The main SWOT
analysis can be included as an appendix, but is only one tool for understanding
the current state of the organization. That is, the report should incorporate
the results from your SWOT analysis, but should include additional analysis as
well.

·
For
each issue, discuss the relevant causes and impacts, and provide sound
reasoning to support your views.

o
Recommendations:
Provide your recommendations for the organization’s leadership. In other words,
what specific actions should management take to efficiently and effectively
address the issues you have identified? Again, it is critical that you provide
sound reasoning to support your positions.

Style Instructions:

1. The assignment
   will be graded based on content and presentation.
2. The report should be professional and have no apparent
   grammar, punctuation or spelling errors.
3. Word choice is extremely important. Students are expected
   to use relevant business terminology in this report.
4. Submit the assignment as a single Microsoft Word
   document (1 file only).
5. Use the Grading Rubric for Assignments (see appendix C)
   for further guidance.

Report Outline:

1. Cover page (Cover
   page (see Getting Started Module)
2. Body of report
   (suggested outline) will likely be 4-6 paragraphs, but kept to 1
   single-spaced page:
• Introduction:
  briefly explain the purpose of the report (why is this important),
  definitions and descriptions of topic/issues, and outline of paper (1
  short paragraph).
• Research: based
  on information from legitimate publications and includes some of
  your conclusions from your SWOT analysis (2-3 paragraphs); however, the
  full SWOT analysis should be included in the appendix as supplemental
  material. Please refer the reader to the appendix (e.g., see appendix)
  for additional details.
• Conclusion:
  summary of key findings and implications for the organization and provide
  any recommendations or actions managers should take to improve the
  organization (1-2 paragraphs).
3. References
   (separate page)
4. Appendices
   (separate pages)

Assignment Grading

The
report will be graded based on the following (review the Report Writing
Guidelines handout posted on the Getting Started page):

1. Grammar/punctuation/word
   choice, spelling, sentence and paragraph structure, using active voice,
   avoiding pronouns (I, me, you), being direct and concise, and overall
   writing.
2. Presentation
   (does it look professional): follow APA (margins (1”), page numbers,
   etc.), include a cover page, and references (should be in APA format)—see
   web links for a list of web sites for help; the only exceptions are that I
   want it single-spaced and don’t require a running head for a 1 page
   report.
3. Correctness of
   the assignment (did student follow directions).
4. Content (depth
   and thoroughness) and clarity of writing.
5. Final report
   (submitted through Canvas Assignment Turnitin link).
6. For specific
   details of grading criteria see the Grading Rubric for Assignments
   (appendix C).