Business Management

Overview:  In the 2nd assignment link you find instruction to write a 6-8 page paper.  Based on experience in teaching 630, I want to offer you an option, which earns the same credit and covers the same topics.

This option uses a table (chart) in which you identify 

· The “best” organization-- a profile describing one, larger or more widely known company, based on research ratings and your opinion

· A “Need-to-Improve” organization--a profile of one (1) larger company or agency, likely to have had recent negative media coverage.

 

Then, you will add a discussion below your completed table--approximately 2, maybe more, pages.  (See a section of this Guide BELOW the table template).

 

Table Template:

 

Profiling The “Best” and A “Need to Improve” Organization--based on research and individual opinion

 

	“Best”	Need to Improve
· Name
· Industry Sector
· Mission (purpose)
· Rank, reported in a national rating-- 100 Best, Best for the World, or Best Nonprofit
· Important factors for this rank (list or write a brief description)
· # of employees
· Headquarters Location
· Name of CEO
· Gender and race of this leader
· Is there evidence of this leader’s attention to diversity of the company’s workforce?
· Revenue (or budget) for the most recent year
· Trends for new products and services--aim to list three (3) See note below.
· Culture of this organization (see note)
· Does the culture align with mission? Is there evidence of development --increased revenue or promising product/service trends?
· Org. Structure (see note below)
· Does the organization place emphasis on teams and projects, or does the organization emphasize centralized control, based on your research and opinion
· Has the organization had a change in leadership within the past 2 years?
· Has the organization faced media coverage that was critical or negative in the past 2 years?
· Using recent media coverage, do you believe this organization is planning for Co-Vid 19 protections?  (See note below).
· If this organization is a “best” company, what’s the most important reason? (your opinion, based on research)
· Identify whether the organization aims more towards efficiencies of time/product or service… OR does the company aim towards effectiveness of product and service… OR perhaps a mix? See note below.
· If this organization “needs to improve”  what is a recommendation for improving it?

 

Notes:

Factor 12: Trends   See company or agency website.  Look for “press” information or “About…” links for media stories suggesting new products or services the company is promoting.

If this company is a consumer-centric company that has a large online presence, scroll down the home page to the end to see a likely link or a site map to help you find company information.

Factor 13: Culture  Keep in mind the four (4) categories of cultural values--hierarchy, market, clan and adhocracy (adapting).   Remember that an adhocracy, and perhaps a market focused organization culture is more likely to be using teams for innovation and problem solving.  Go ahead and take a look at “Managing Teams ” posted to the Cyber Lounge (Linda Smith, date posted: Jan 2).   Locate and read the article by J. Super (2020) found in the UMGC Library, titled "Building Innovative Teams: Leadership....".  This article is worth your time and thought. 

Factor 15: Structure  Consider a quick review of the organization structure information you gathered for 2nd Discussion's surveys .  Use the Org. Structure notes attached to the "READ 1st" post, bottom or 1st entry to the 2nd Graded Discussion, which you just completed.

Factor 19: Co-vid Planning  Select 1-2 articles to quickly review.  Search the company’s website, especially press section for recent planning.  Consider doing a google search for news articles.  And make use of a major analysis of organization trends from Cornell-- use the UMGC library > OneSearch, and these search words:  “COVID-19 and the workplace: Implications, issues and insights…”  published 2020. Or, use this link:  https://www.stripes.com/news/us/six-ways-your-office-will-be-different-in-2021-assuming-you-ever-go-back-to-it-1.656934

Factor 21: Effectiveness and Efficiency for performance. For a refresher on concepts, more information see this link: 

http://stics.mruni.eu/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/45-53.pdf

 

 

 

Lists of Companies based on ratings: Links to Use for Research

You are to identify or select one (1) example of a “Best” Company and one (1) example of a “Needs-to-Improve” Company.  Select 2-4 resources using the links below.

The Best Companies to Work For

 (Site also includes lists of ratings for people-care companies and companies for millennials)

Forbes Just Companies

(site examines company practices that are more than just attention to company capital)

Forbes Best Employers

Best Nonprofits to Work For (google search, list is sponsored by the NonprofitTimes.com)

Best for the World (google search, list is developed by "certified B Corporations", which focuses on sustainability and decreasing climate changes)

Money Worst Companies to Work For

10 Unmistakeable Signs of a Toxic Culture

 

 

Discussion Guide:  After  completing the Table (chart) write two (2) or more pages double-spaced, with paragraph indents to signal change in topics.

 

Start with the idea that organizations, deemed best and worst are likely to have major differences.  Identify at least three (3) differences you believe to be important, based on your research, and describe the likely impact on alignment or overall focus for the organization, especially how the culture, mission and structure appear to tie together, or not.

Then focus on your “best” organization.  Write 1-2 paragraphs about the qualities that make it best.  Keep in mind the importance of culture and structure that suggest alignment.  Also consider the role for the mission, and recent indicators such as new products and services, as well as information about Co-vid planning.

Turn your focus to the example of a company with room to improve.  Using your data from the table, what factors stand out as indicators of things not working well? Identify two (2) or more reasons and explain their impact on management, effective use of mission (or not) and the dynamics of the existing culture.  Write a paragraph.

Bring your attention to use of teams in the organization.  This function may be hidden, but if you view an org chart for the company and find a flatter structure (or set of structures because there can be multiple charts).  View the company website to look for evidence of a range of projects, and multiple, ongoing ones.  Both flatter organizations and multiple projects are signals from which to assume team work.  Describe the likelihood of team influence on company performance. Then, wearing a manager’s hat (or role) for this company suggest three (3) management actions that can develop or strengthen team performance so that work becomes more collaborative and inclusive.  Write  1-2 paragraphs about managing team work projects.

Aim to use at least five (5) articles and other professional resources, including the company or agency website.  You may find additional sources from individual web actions. 

In your discussion use APA in-text citation format (7th ed).  Add a reference list to the end of the document, also using APA rules.  

Remember to check the entire documents for word use, grammar as needed, and correct spelling.

Do not use books as source material, unless you feel uncertain.  Use of e-books will take extra time.