Business Management – Email on Communication – Due Thurs 10/28

The Business Environment of Today Requires Managers Who Lead

Changes in Business

Today's Global Mindset

Management Versus Leadership

Week 1: The Effective Manager/ Leader of Today

Lesson 1 of 3

Changes in Business

Today’s Business Environment Today’s business environment can be characterized as frenetic. The rapid changes in

technology and the development of new business opportunities are making traditional

business leaders uncertain as to how to manage and lead change. The face of leadership has

changed from the “Captain of Industry” to the “Team of Change”.  Understanding the

landscape of business today and in the future tells us what necessary skills are demanded of

an e�ective manager today and by extension why this class will focus on our study of these

skills. 

In this video you will learn about some of the biggest business challenges that leaders are facing today through an interview with the former CEO of Young &  Rubicam.

B U S I N E S S C H A L L E N G E S T H E F U T U R E O F W O R K

today business environment

In this video you will look at Jacob Morgan's vision for how work must change due to di�erent demographics and advances in technology.

B U S I N E S S C H A L L E N G E S T H E F U T U R E O F W O R K

The Future of Work with Jacob Morgan

Review the article, Managing in Chaos, about getting companies

to change quickly in a very chaotic and fast-paced world.

Lesson 2 of 3

Today's Global Mindset

The Global Mindset Due to many di�erent changes, both in business itself and in the world around us, there has

been an increasing number of businesses that have moved to a more global mindset.

Technology has made it much easier to conduct business internationally, and therefore the

entire economy has sort of shifted into more of a global economy than it ever was before. 

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Dominic Barton: Five Trends Reshaping the Global Economy

Review the video below where Dominic Barton discusses �ve trends that are reshaping

the global economy and the implications that has on leaders during this time of change.

Now that you have learned a bit more about some of the trends that are shaping the global

economy it is time to switch gears to global/international strategy. In this next video you will

learn a bit more about the strategy of international business and the three questions that

companies need to ask when looking to expand internationally.

The Strategy of International Business

Read pages 1 - 14 of International Business Management, where

you will learn about the international business ecosphere,

SU BMI T

including an introduction, country attractiveness, protectionism,

and liberalization. 

Check Your Understanding from the Reading:

Match the major reason for a business to go global on the left with its

de�nition on the right.

First-Mover Advantage

Opportunity for Growth

Increase of Customers

Discourage Local Competitors

It refers to getting into a new market enjoy the advantages of being �rst.

Your market may saturate in your home country and you set out exploring new markets.

If the customer base is in short supply, companies may need to look for a new market.

Not allowing other players to get into the same business- space as one company is in.

Lesson 3 of 3

Management Versus Leadership

Management is about arranging and telling. Leadership is about nurturing and

enhancing.”

Tom Peters

“

Until now the coursework has indicated there is a di�erence between managers and leaders.

The mindset of the leader is that of the visionary, big picture, future-oriented, leader of

followers. On the other hand, managers are the business stabilizers, the point person who

seeks to set goals toward the execution of the leader’s vision. But is that the future for

managers? 

The breakdown of large business structures into smaller, collaborative, change responsive

organizations with �at structures led by teams puts managers in the unique position of

setting visions and making decisions that formerly would not have been a�orded to them.  It

seems to suggest that leaders will be managers and manager’s leaders. Tom Peters would

suggest that there is still a di�erence while other business leaders suggest that managers and

leaders are becoming the same by taking on some of the same skills the other’s role used

exclusively. Understanding how the roles are blending helps to explain the range of skills

today’s manager must have to be e�ective.   

The Difference Between In�uence and Leadership –

Read this article that talks about the distinct di�erences between in�uence and leadership. The authors outline ten di�erences between in�uence and leadership within the article.

The Future of Leadership and Management in the 21st Century Organization –

Read this article that discusses what it takes to have successful organizations today, including teamwork, trust, accountability, and decision making at lower levels within the organization. 

Successful Organizations Need Leaders on all Levels –

Read this article about the importance of having strong leadership throughout all levels of the organization and the fact that many organizations are still facing a shortfall in their acquisition of strong leadership talent.

The Fundamental Differences between Leadership and Management –

Read this article about the strengths of leadership and management that are both needed in order to be successful at organizational change, which is an important part of an organization's success today.