Current Problem in Business Paraphrasing Check
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ACurrentProbleminBusinessAssignmentBUS300GW1.pdf
A Current Problem in Business Research Project
Group Multimedia Presentation and Individual Report
Assignment For this research project, you will identify a current problem in business and report about how that problem is manifesting in a particular industry or sector. You should also report on what three particular companies in that industry are doing to mitigate (improve) the problem. You will also discuss which solutions you think are the best given what has been tried and additional ideas you may have.
Some examples of current problems in business are:
● Walking the walk of diversity, not just talking the talk ● Fair hiring practices ● Supply chain disruption ● Shifting production focus quickly (i.e., small-batch distilleries making hand
sanitizer) ● Revenue stability and shifts (dine in versus take out in restaurants, for example)
Some of the other problems you have identified are here. However, feel free to identify a problem that isn’t mentioned here. The problem needs to be narrow enough to ensure continuity of your report. If you’re not quite sure how to put the problem into words, that’s a perfect time to set up an appointment with me to talk about it.
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The Process
Photo by Digital Buggu from Pexels
The most important part of this assignment is the process although “products” are definitely also due and important. Research, discovery, interaction, creativity, and communication are all part of the process of learning how to analyze and report your findings, as well as solve problems. In addition to the “deliverables” (please see below), you will also reflect on how the process worked for you. Both your reflection about the process and the products can become an artifact you can take with you when you move onto other projects in school and in your profession.
As in the workplace, you will work as part of a team and independently. You will need to:
● Make a group plan to figure out the time and tasks involved and how you will communicate (Slack, Microsoft Teams, or ILearn Forum)
● Create deadlines ● Figure out the resources needed ● Discuss the scope of the problem and relate your findings to each other. ● Divide up the work ● Do research ● Create slides or other art ● Write an outline ● Contribute your work in a timely manner ● Communicate regularly with your group mates
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I will be here to support, provide feedback, discuss ideas, and intervene as needed.
Coordination and Planning Resources: Link to Initial Brainstorm Link to Group Plan (due by midnight, Thursday, September 10)
● Microsoft Planner with Lists or Slack Planner Communication links:
● Slack (#group name) ● Microsoft Teams (in university Microsoft Office account) ● Group Forum on ILearn
Deliverables
Photo by Gustavo Fring from Pexels
There will be three deliverables:
1. Group Presentation with Visuals 2. Individual Report 3. Reflection
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1. Group Presentation with Visuals -- Due September 29
Photo by fauxels from Pexels
To keep in mind: Your visual presentation can also basically be used as an outline for your paper later on. The presentation and the paper should be organized in a similar manner.
After:
● conducting your research, ● determining the scope of the problem, ● examining case studies, and ● determining potential solutions,
Your group will present a six to eight-minute presentation about the problem, with examples (case studies) and possible solutions (some that the people in your case studies have devised and/or some that your group brainstorms).
Format:
The presentation must be six to eight minutes long. (A little longer is okay, but no shorter than six minutes.) You and your group may choose to present during our Zoom class dedicated to presentations, or you can pre-record it so your classmates and I can watch it. (Remember, we will be reviewing each other’s presentations, based on the rubric, below.)
The presentation can be live with a screen shared slide deck, a PowerPoint deck with voice overs and pictures, or a very short edited video, an edited video, an Adobe Spark or Camtasia presentation, etc. (Note: Google Slides doesn’t allow voiceovers.) Within your presentation, you can use whatever visual sources you choose (as long as you cite
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your sources). You also must include at least one data visualization of your group’s own making. You may also create a group blog as your presentation. If you have another idea, feel free to suggest it. The requirements are that each group member’s voice must be a fairly equal part of the presentation.
Each person must contribute at least two of the sources for your project, so -- especially in the background section -- you must discuss your sources with each other and figure out how you might integrate them together. Otherwise, it will be up to your group how you split up the other work. You may get creative with graphics, documentation photographs, surveys, etc.; however, make sure to research the problem thoroughly, demonstrating the scope of the problem, include in-depth examples (case studies), and present the solutions clearly and fully to the audience/class. Also, be sure that the solutions align with the problem and that you discuss the strength and/or weaknesses of the solutions that have been tried. Feel free to brainstorm with your group and come up with some solutions of your own.
Resources for Creating Multimedia Presentations:
● How to create PowerPoints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF34-Wu6qWU
● Animating PowerPoints: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1io7tFR6jI ● Using AdobeSpark to make videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3zH5LNt8dH8 ● Website to alter your voice:
https://voicechanger.io/voicemaker/#!/{%22effects%22:[{%22name%22:%22sp eed%22,%22params%22:{%22multiplier%22:1.15}},{%22name%22:%22pitchS hift%22,%22params%22:{%22shift%22:0.45}}],%22version%22:1}
● Free Adobe Creative Suite and other software for SFSU students: https://its.sfsu.edu/guides/software-distribution; https://its.sfsu.edu/services/category/Software
● Google Slides ● Canva (http://www.canva.com) ● YouTube account ● PowerPoint about Powerpoints ● Tips for giving a good presentation (YouTube video) ● How to Create an Awesome Slide Deck (YouTube video)
Organization of Presentation
The presentation -- just like the paper -- has three sections: Background (define the problem, explain the scope of the problem including the time frame and the place);
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Case Studies (three in-depth company examples -- it’s a good idea to use more than one source of information about each company); and Potential Solutions based on what’s been tried and your own ideas.
By the time you are done with the presentation, you should have much of the work done for your paper.
**Please note, because of the grading scheme we are using this semester, it is possible that your group will need to revise all or part of your presentation and re-present it**
2. Individual Report -- Due October 10
During the research process, each person in your group will have shared and discussed what you found. There may also be research you found that your group didn’t use. You may use all of that research – personal and group sources – to write your report. You may also use research outside of what your group uses in the presentation. The report should be at least three and a half full pages in typical business report format, which is single spaced with one line space between paragraphs, as well as headers to indicate the different sections. See the example if you need a visual. You should include at least one business appropriate infographic in your report, one of which must be the infographic your group created. However, graphics should not take up any more than one-sixth of your report (1/2 page of a 3-page report). In addition to the three pages, the report should also have a separate cover page. All sources in your report (including graphics you don’t make yourself) need to be cited using either APA format or full footnotes. You should include the following sections in both your report and presentation:
Cover Page
Background
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In this section, provide the purpose of the report (do not say to fulfill an assignment in your BUS 300 class 😉). The main focus of this section is to provide background information about the problem in a general sense (this might be derived from your own general observations, as well as what you’ve read about in business journals or business newspaper articles). Explain how large the problem is using statistical and descriptive information, and scope and time frame of the issue. You should also provide background information about how this problem affects the industry(ies) you are focusing on in general and the economy as a whole. Paraphrase and cite all of your outside sources here rather than quote.
Case Studies
In this section, you will include the experience of at least three businesses, entrepreneurs, or workers. You will explain in a detailed manner -- with specific examples -- how the problem discussed in the first section has presented itself, what the effect on the businesses/entrepreneurs/workers have been, and how they are managing or ameliorating the problem (making the problem better) (or not). What has worked for them and what hasn’t? You should use statistics and quotes, if possible, in your case studies. You may use yourself as a case study, if applicable and after consulting with me. Be sure that the problems presented in the case studies match the specific problem introduced in the Background section.
Potential Solutions
In this last section, think of yourself as a business consultant. Evaluate the various solutions to the problems that people have tried. Explain which solutions you believe would be the most effective and why they would be the most effective, or explain which combination of strategies you believe would help. Make sure the solutions you discuss and evaluate actually address the problem in the problem section. In addition, you may offer solutions that no one may have suggested and explain how those solutions might make the problem better in the short and long run.
Click here to see an example paper.
Endnotes
If you did not use footnotes, an endnote section should be used.
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Potential Sources
The following sources can be used for your presentation and paper. At least one source from the Mergent database (in the Business library section) is required. All sources must be no older than three years old. Case studies must be from the last 18 months.
● Business database (in SFSU library): Business Source Complete ● Required: Business profiles (in SFSU library): Mergent Online ● The Financial Times ● The Wall Street Journal ● Reuters.com ● Bloomberg.com ● PBS.org ● CNBC.com ● BBC.org ● Al Jazeera1 ● The Guardian ● Self-Created Surveys/Interviews* (see me if you plan to do this)
Creating Surveys The following resources can aid you in creating surveys: Forms (in your school Microsoft Office Account) Creating Good Survey Questions (YouTube video)
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3. Reflection:
Photo found on Pixabay.
In at least one double-spaced page or one two-minute video, please describe how the research process and the group presentation process went for you. In your reflection, indicate which part of the presentation you put together and who edited the project overall. Explain what parts of the process worked well, and what didn't? What did you learn that you can apply the next time you do something like this, both in terms of skills and process? In what professional situations can you imagine that you might use these "hard" and "soft" skills?
Rubrics
Presentation Rubric
Paper Rubric
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