GC
BUS485 Week 1 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
Pick a publicly traded company. Describe its
competitive advantage using the resource-based model of above average returns.
dq 2
What are vision and mission statements? What
is their value for the strategic management process? Select an example of
strong Vision/Mission (cite your source). What are its positive
characteristics?
GC
BUS485 Week 2 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
Compare Google with Facebook. In terms of the
five forces of competition, do you feel these companies view one another as
competitors? Why or why not?
dq 2
Describe the elements of an organization’s
external environment. Why is it important to understand the external
environment?
GC
BUS485 Week 3 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
Why is it important to conduct a SWOT
analysis? What are the weaknesses of a SWOT analysis? Why is that so?
dq 2
Why is sustainable competitive advantage a
critical strategy-making consideration?
GC
BUS485 Week 4 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
How can you determine a core competency?
dq 2
What is the relationship between capabilities and core
competencies?
GC
BUS485 Week 5 Discussion 1 & 2
Latest 2017 November
dq 1
What are the different levels of
diversification firms can pursue by using different corporate level strategies
and what are the advantages to diversifying their operations?
dq 2
What do you think are the criteria a firm
should use to evaluate targets for acquisition and how should a company plan
and undertake its merger acquisition strategic initiatives?
GC
BUS485 Week 6 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
An international strategy can take many forms. Explain what a
global strategy is and how is it different from a multi-domestic strategy. What
are the traditional and emerging reasons/motives that firms expand
internationally?
dq 2
What are some of the special features of competing in foreign
markets?
GC
BUS485 Week 7 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
Discuss the role of organizational
controls and explain their importance.
dq 2
Why is it necessary to regularly
evaluate business strategy?
GC
BUS485 Week 8 Discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
dq 1
What are the most effective leadership styles? Why are they
effective? In your opinion, what are the least effective leadership styles?
Explain.
dq 2
Why are innovation and entrepreneurial spirit important to market
entry or market expansion? Give examples.Why are innovation and entrepreneurial
spirit important to market entry or market expansion? Give examples.
GC
BUS485 Week 1 CLC – Overview for the Capstone Project Latest 2017 November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Students will create a strategic business plan
in teams for their culminating project in BUS-485. The structure of this
assignment is comprehensive and integrative. It requires synthesis and
evaluation of information, skills, and knowledge developed throughout the BS
program at COB.
With your team, you will be required to submit
specific sections of the capstone in each Topic of the course as indicated in
the assignment instructions below. Each section will be due by the end of the
Topic in which it is assigned. Prepare each assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required. Utilize the “Capstone Project Template,”
located in the course materials, to organize the individual components into the
final strategic business plan due at the end of the course.
For your first assignment, draft an overview
of your project (a minimum of 500 words). Refer to Chapter 1 in the textbook
for additional information. Include the following in your draft:
1. Briefly
describe the context and your organization.
2. Articulate
the vision, mission, and strategy of your organization (or business unit or
division).
3. Describe
the nature of the business opportunity.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review
the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the
expectations for successful completion.
GC
BUS485 Week 2 CLC – Environmental Analysis and Industry Analysis Latest 2017
November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.
Using the Segments of the General Environment, write the
environmental analysis for your organization developed in Topic 1 (a minimum of
500 words). Refer to Chapters 2 and 8 in the textbook for additional
information. Include the following in your draft:
1. Incorporate
the Five Forces of Competition to help write the industry analysis for your
organization (Chapter 2, Figure 2.2 The Five Forces of Competition Model).
2. Describe
your sources of competitive advantage.
3. Using the
Modes of Entry and their Characteristics (Chapter 8, Figure 8.5), describe
which mode(s) of entry you would use to expand globally and why you selected it
(even if expansion is hypothetical at this time). Select one country, such as
Canada, and discuss relevant cultural, political, and economic factors, and any
language barriers that could impact your entry.
4. Using the
Parts of the External Environmental Analysis (Chapter 2, Figure 2.1 and Table
2.2), identify the outlook, forecast, or trends for the type of organization
you have selected.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in
the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not
required.
GC
BUS485 Week 3 CLC – Marketing Plan for the Capstone Project Latest 2017
November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Write the Marketing Plan for your organization
(a minimum of 500 words). Your plan should:
1. Describe
the target market.
2. Identify
the size of your potential target market.
3. Include
a SWOT analysis (use a two by two table in Word).
4. Describe
the 4Ps of marketing in your organization (product/positioning, pricing,
promotion, and placement). If you have a service organization, in addition you
may consider describing the 4Is (intangibility, inconsistency, inseperabilty,
and inventory).
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
GC
BUS485 Week 4 CLC – Organizational Plan and Operational Plan Latest 2017 November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Organizational Plan
Write the Organizational Plan for your
organization (a minimum of 500 words). Refer to chapters 4 and 6 in the
textbook for additional information.
1. Describe
who will comprise your management team and what talents or skills each of the
team members will bring to the organization. Include a simple organizational
chart.
2. Outline
a McKinsey 7-S Assessment/Model (strategy, structure, systems, shared values,
style, staff, skills) as it applies to your business. Review the McKinsey 7-S
Resources in the topic materials for additional information on completing this
section.
3. Describe
your business-level strategy (chapter 4 – cost leadership or differentiated)
and explain how it fits with the corporate-level strategy (chapter 6 – low,
medium, or high differentiation plus value creating, value neutral, or value
reducing) for your organization.
Operational Plan
Write the Operational Plan for your
organization (a minimum of 500 words). Refer to chapter 3 and pages 88, 113,
and 116 in the textbook for additional information. Address the following in
the plan:
1. Describe
the supply chain for your prospective organization. Where does your
organization bring value in this supply chain?
2. Indentify
your main partners and suppliers. What are their locations? What is your
contingency plan?
3. Explain
how you will optimize operational effectiveness in your organization.
4. Consider
your operational plan from a value chain perspective and identify and discuss
the primary and support activities (financial, human resources, and information
systems management).
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review
the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the
expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to
Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center.
GC
BUS485 Week 5 CLC – Financial Plan for the Capstone Project Latest 2017
November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Write the Financial Plan for your organization
(a minimum of 500 words). Create the accompanying spreadsheet(s) and address
the following in your plan:
1. Using
Excel, create a three-year pro forma income statement for your organization (or
product/service). Review the resources in the topic materials for additional
information.
2. Calculate
your financial break-even point: BEP= Fixed Costs/ (unit price – variable unit
costs).
3. Identify
possible sources for investment capital if required (friends, family, banks,
USSBA, etc.).
4. Explain
how you will use financial information to help you craft your business
strategy.
5. Identify
the key financial ratios you will use to measure the performance of your
organization to determine success.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review
the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the
expectations for successful completion.
GC
BUS485 Week 6 CLC Milestones Schedule and Critical Risks Assessment Latest 2017
November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Create the Milestones Schedule and Critical
Risks Assessment for your organization (a minimum of 500 words). Refer to
Chapter 9 in the textbook and the topic material resources for additional
information.
1. Describe
the preferred timing and objectives for your business plan. Create a visual tht
includes critical decisions and dates in any of the following formats: Excel
spreadsheet, Gantt chart, network diagram, or task list. Refer to the resources
on charting and diagramming project progress in the Topic Materials for
additional information on creating your Milestone Schedule.
2. Create
contingency plans to address major problems or setbacks as they occur.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
GC
BUS485 Week 7 CLC – Strategic Leadership
and Entrepreneurship Latest 2017 November
Details:
This is a Collaborative Learning Community (CLC) assignment.
Write the Strategic Leadership and Entrepreneurship section for
your Capstone project (a minimum of 500 words). Refer to Chapter 12 in the
textbook for additional information. Be sure to address the following
questions:
1. What is
the leader’s sphere of influence in your organization? Based on this, what
impact can the leader have on the implementation of your business plan?
2. What
potential leadership bias could impact the development or progress of your
organization’s development?
3. What
hurdles do you anticipate?
4. What
leadership style(s) will a leader in your organization have to demonstrate? How
could you incorporate Servant Leadership?
5. What are
potential strengths and weaknesses as they relate to your business?
6. How can
the leadership in your organization impact and influence others and deliver the
results you expect?
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in
the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not
required.
GC BUS485 Week 8 CLC – Final Revised Capstone
Business Plan Project Latest 2017 November
Details:
Final
Strategic Business Plan
This is a Collaborative Learning Community
(CLC) assignment.
Integrate the components developed in each
topic into a finalized strategic business plan. Incorporate any feedback from
your instructor into the final document as well. The document should include
appropriate headings for each section. Review “Capstone Project
Template” in the Course Materials for a formatting sample. You should cite
and reference 7-10 secondary sources in your final draft. Your final document
should be between 4,250-5,250 words.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA
guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
An abstract is not required.
GC BUS485 Week 8
Benchmark Assignment Capstone Presentation Latest 2017 November
Details:
Create a visually engaging, professionally designed PowerPoint
presentation (10-15 slides) to deliver the findings of your Capstone project.
Your presentation will be evaluated based on the following:
1. Organization
2. Content
3. Delivery
4. Professional
appeal
5. Slide
design
6. Effective
communication skills
Include a reference slide with a minimum of six reputable sources
(e.g., trade magazines, academic journals, professional/government websites)
you consulted to locate information for your presentation (these may be
resources utilized for your Capstone). Include speaking notes for each slide.
Students may take the notes from your Capstone project. Students will be
individually graded based on the provided rubric and are required to
effectively communicate their group’s business plan in their PowerPoint presentation.
While APA format is not required for the body of this assignment,
solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be
presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style
Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
