BUS/210 Week 1

Business Models and Systems

Consider a local business whose services you frequently use. What are the main components of this company's business model?

Write a 200- to 300-word response using academic style describing the three components of the business system that comprise the local business you selected. Use Figure 1.2 on p. 11 of Introduction to Business as a reference. You may use a table to summarize your observations and analysis.

1.    What are the three components that make up a business system?
2.    Which term refers to the total money or assets of a business?
3.    Information technology, e-commerce, human resource management,

      and procurement are included in what type of value chain function in a

      business?
4.   Which of the following best describes a system through which goods or

      services are exchanged for capital with the aim of making a profit?
5.   Capital, land, enterprise, and labor are all costs associated with making

      and selling goods. What do they determine?
6.   Enterprise, as a main component of business, requires which of the following?
7.   In economics, what principle indicates the value placed on a product

      lessens as consumption increases?
8.   This is the point at which the supply of the product just meets the demand for it.
9.   What law shows that there is a direct relationship between the price of a

      product and the amount that is supplied in the market?
10.  What law refers to the tendency of people to buy more of a product when the

      price is lower and less of it when its price is higher?
11.  In general, the more a particular product is valued, the more it is demanded.

       Which is true in regard to this statement?
12.  What will most likely increase the demand for better quality goods and services?
13.  What is defined as the absolute monetary difference between sales revenues

       and operating costs?
14.  What equation correctly shows how profit is calculated?
15.  If a company were to have a total sales revenue of $50 and a total operating

       cost of $37, what is the total profit?
16.  What measures how efficient a company uses its capital and resources to

       generate returns for its investors?
17.  Which equation correctly shows how to calculate profitability?
18.  Imagine Company A has a total profit of $40 million and that it invested

       $400 million in the course of a year. Company B has a total profit of $20 million

       and has invested $80 million over the course of the year. Which company has

       the greater profitability?
19.  What defines a group of companies that have similar products and business

       activities?
20.  How does specialization assist a business in becoming more productive?
21.  What are the four productive resources that make a business possible?

BUS/210 Week 2

Business Organization Checkpoint

Word Count: 549 words

Write a 200- to 300-word description  using academic writing style of a business scenario, either real or fictional, that depicts each of the following LEGAL forms of business organization:

• Corporation [note this change]

• Limited liability company

• Partnership

• Sole proprietorship

Evolution of Business Presentation

Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation describing the evolution of business.

Include information about the following points in this order:

• Feudalism

• Mercantilism

• Capitalism

• Commerce

• Property rights

• The Industrial Revolution

Provide examples and appropriate visuals to illustrate each phase of business.

Include detailed speaker notes for EVERY slide, a title slide, an introduction, a conclusion and an APA reference slide.

Knowledge Check Quiz

1.   Which of the following best describes limited liability as it relates to a business?
2.   What was the original purpose of the limited liability company?
3.   Which of the following businesses is the best example of when to set up a limited

      liability company in order to control financial risk of the stockholder(s)?
4.   Which of the following best describes a partnership?
5.   If a business partnership grows, what is usually added over time?
6.   Which of the following is the best example of a business partnership?
7.   Who assumes all liability for debt created in a sole proprietorship?
8.   Which of the following best describes a joint-stock company structure?
9.   Which of the following is the best advantage of a joint-stock company?
10.  What is the best way to raise funding for a joint-stock company?
11.  Which of the following examples best illustrates feudalism from the standpoint of

       business evolution?
12.  Which of the following examples best illustrates the mercantilism phase of business

       evolution?
13.  Which of the following examples best illustrates the capitalism phase of business

       evolution?
14.  Which of the following businesses best matches the definition of a sole

       proprietorship?
15.  What is an obstacle that entrepreneurs avoid by choosing to form a sole

       proprietorship?

BUS/210 Week 3

Code of Ethics Checkpoint

Includes 2 Options for your new imaginary company. 

Paper #1 Option: Code of Ethics / Pet Emporium / Word Count: 1,051 words

Paper #2 Option: Code of Ethics / Paradise Pastries / Word Count: 993 words

**BOTH Companies are Brand New / Never Used Companies

Imagine that you are starting your own company. What would be the ethical code of your company? In a 200- to 300-word response, draft an ethical code of conduct listing the rules and principles that your company would use in decision making.

Provide a brief explanation of why you selected each rule or principle. How is each rule critical to the success of your business?   You may organize your work in a table.

Examples to review:

Kraft - http://www.kraftfoodscompany.com/assets/pdf/codeofconduct.pdf

PilotPen - http://www.pilotpen.us/CodeofEthics.pdf

Write a 200- to 300-word ethical code of conduct listing the rules and principles that your company will use in decision-making using academic style.

• Introduce your fictional company by stating its name, legal structure and occupation in your opening paragraph.

• Provide a brief explanation of why you selected each rule or principle. How is this rule critical to the success of your business?   You may organize your work in a table.

Knowledge Check Quiz

1.   Which of the following people or groups supply a company with productive

      resources and are affected by the way a company does business?
2.   Who has a claim on a company because they own shares?
3.   Important issues can arise concerning how and when payments are made to

      this group of stakeholders?
4.   Which of the following impact ethical practices in business at home and abroad?
5.   Which ACT prohibits U.S. companies from paying bribes in order to win contracts

      abroad?
6.   There are several advantages a company can gain over its competition by

      behaving in an ethical way. The main advantage is
7.   What rules can managers employ as guidelines to analyze the effects of their

      business decisions on stakeholders?
8.   This is the effect of unethical behavior on business commerce.
9.   The utilitarian rule bases a business decision on which of the following?
10.  Anti-trust legislation exists
11.  This Act was passed by congress to protect air quality and motivate companies

       to pollute less.
12.  Which law was enacted to force companies to more fully disclose their financial

       results and to protect stockholders of the company?
13.  This type of law exists to ensure that people have the skills they need to properly

       serve the public interest.
14.  Laws governing diversity endeavor to motivate employers to
15.  The U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Organization

       (OSHA) is the government agency primarily responsible for
16.  Which two types of laws have been enacted to promote a company’s continued

       existence and profitability?
17.  This is a process of dissolution of a business through which its assets are sold to

       repay its creditors.
18.  What is a copyright?

BUS/210 Week 4

Roles and Behaviors Checkpoint #1

Appendix B

Includes 2 Options for your new imaginary company. 

Paper #1 Option: Pet Emporium / Word Count: 621

Paper #2 Option: Paradise Pastries / Word Count: 617

This week we examine various aspects of business by applying them to the fictional business you created last week. Use your new business to explore how the different functions of business may affect a company.

Resource: Ch. 3 of Introduction to Business Appendix B

Complete Appendix B by writing a paragraph explaining more about your company’s business organization, [Ch.1].

Describe the main roles and behaviors of the entrepreneurs [your & any partners], managers, and employees your company might have.

Answer the following question after you have completed the table: What behaviors and attitudes should be cultivated in your organization?

Four Functions of Management Checkpoint #2

Appendix C

Includes 2 Options for this assignment 

Paper #1 Option: Appendix C/Administrative Manager/Word Count: 628 words

Paper #2 Option: Appendix C/Junior Accountant/Word Count: 733 words

Review the four main functions of management, which are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, on pp. 78–82 of Introduction to Business.

Consider a time when you were tasked with management, such as in the workplace, at home, or coordinating a party.

Describe your event and categorize your actions under each of the four functions of management using Appendix C.

SWOT Analysis

Chosen Business Plan: Doggie Pause

Word Count: 942 words

Select a sample business plan from the list below:

Links to business plans, select one to review and analyze.

Doggie Pause

http://www.bplans.com/animal_day_care_business_plan/executive_summary_fc.php

Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper in APA format explaining the business plan you selected and your SWOT analysis discussing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the company you chose.

Knowledge Check Quiz

1.   Which of the following best defines the entrepreneurship process?
2.   How do managers help the company’s stakeholders?
3.   What is a difference between an employee and a manager?
4.   Jones (2007) describes a three-stage business plan used by managers. Which of

      the following is one of the stages?
5.   When an entrepreneur uses advancing technology to find a new way to make

      or supply a product, the entrepreneur utilizes which of the following opportunities?
6.   Which answer contains the three types of entrepreneurial activities?
7.   Which example best describes an organizational opportunity?
8.   What is the primary role of a non-managerial employee?
9.   Which of the following best describes the employee “role”?
10. Which of the following best describes how an employee can increase his or

      her chances of being promoted inside an organization?
11. Which managerial function describes the process managers use to determine

      the best business model for the company?
12. Planning is typically performed by
13. Which is one of the three stages in planning?
14. What process do managers use to develop formal lines of authority that

      include task allocation?
15. Which of the following best describes organizational culture?
16. Which of the following best describes organizational structure?
17. Which of the following leadership terms refers to groups of managers pooling

      their human resources to leverage different perspectives and talent?
18. Leading involves being able to enlist others in the company vision and

      motivate them to accomplish organizational goals. Which of the following is

      required to effectively lead?
19. According to Jones (2007), how is leading defined relative to the four functions

     of management?
20. How is controlling defined relative to the four functions of management?
21. Which of the following types of action would be appropriate when a manager

      determines that a competitor’s process is more efficient?
22. What is the definition of a business plan?
23. When is a business plan developed?
24. What type of information is within a business plan?
25. What are the four elements of a SWOT analysis?
26. A detailed SWOT analysis would classify a well-developed and informed

      business model as a
27. A detailed SWOT analysis would classify a poorly designed marketing plan as a
28. A detailed SWOT analysis would classify competition in the industry or market as a
29. Higher level managers typically devote more time to which of the following

     efforts?

BUS/210 - Week 5

Contingency Theory of Leadership

Appendix D

Includes 3 Options for this assignment: 

Paper #1 Option: Supportive Approach / Thrift Store / Words: 416

Paper #2 Option: Achievement-Oriented Approach / Military Dining Hall / 655 words

Paper #3 Option: Directive Approach / Gas Station/ Words: 431

**ALL Companies are Brand New / Never Used Companies.

Resource: Ch. 6 of Introduction to Business

Complete Appendix D by using figures 6.3 & 6.4 on pp. 182–183 as a guide. Describe a real or hypothetical workplace situation.

Include in your description information about the job knowledge and skill level of the leader and the follower [boss and subordinate; parent and child].

Describe the components of the contingency theory of leadership as they apply to the work situation you described. Conclude with your recommendation for the best leadership approach for the leader to use.

Use the Grading Rubric for this work in the Course Materials Forum to guide your preparation.

Knowledge Check Quiz

1.     The main objective of the contingency theory of leadership is to choose

        a leadership approach which matches the characteristics of the employees

        and
2.     Based on the contingency theory of leadership, the leadership approach

        a manager should choose is contingent on two factors. Which of the following

        is one of these factors?
3.     What work attitude would a leader promote to influence his or her worker?
4.     Which of the five sources of a leader’s power would be demonstrated by

        a leader with rightful authority to direct and control an employee’s activities?
5.     What form of business communication offers the highest form of persuasive

        communication?
6.     Which of the following in the best example of active listening?
7.     What political tactic is used by a manager that seeks to find partners, either

        within or outside of his or her company, to achieve desired goals?
8.     What political tactic would a manager be using if they collected and

        distributed accurate information to support the course of action for his or

        her team to use?
9.     Which approach to leadership would incorporate clear work rules and

        procedures and link incentives directly to performance?
10.   Which of the four leadership approaches would incorporate employee

        involvement with scheduling and the daily operation?
11.   Which of the four leadership approaches would incorporate clear work

        rules and procedures and link incentives directly to performance?
12.   What form of business communication offers the least suitable form of

        persuasive communication?
13.  What political tactic is used by a manager who has knowledge and

       expertise that no one else has?

BUS/210 - Week 6

Motivation and Teams Case Study

Read the two case studies on pp. 233–236 [Ch 7] of the text.

Includes 4 Papers with different perspectives on the Contingency Theory,

all 4 options include all requirements for the Two Men and a Lot of Trucks and

Siemens Medical, Klaus Kleinfelt case studies.

Paper #1 Option: Word Count: 396 words

Paper #2 Option: Word Count: 561 words

Paper #3 Option: Word Count: 421 words

Paper #4 Option: Word Count: 608 words

Answer the following in a 200- to 300-word response for each case study [total of 400- 600 words]:

• What motivation theories may be found in the case study?

• Describe the theories found in each case study and cite specific examples.

• What was each business owner’s approach to creating high- performing teams within their company?

Job Fair Brochure

Includes 2 Options for your new imaginary company. 

Paper #1 Option: Job Fair Brochure / Pet Emporium /

Paper #2 Option: Job Fair Brochure / Paradise Pastries /

**BOTH Companies are Brand New / Never Used Companies.

Continue to explore the hypothetical company you created, You have set up a booth at the local job fair to generate interest in your new company and search for prospective employees.

Write a 500- to 750-word paper in APA format describing the structure, business model, and culture you selected. Provide justification for why you selected each element and explain how your choices may affect the success of your business. Create a 1-page flyer describing your company's structure, business model, and culture. This should be the last page of your paper. Create the flyer in WORD.

Knowledge Check Quiz

1.   What is the definition of a team?
2.   What are teams grouped by areas of expertise?
3.   A company who desires to develop new or improved products would fit

      best with what type of team?
4.   What does the amount of conflict in an organization signal?
5.   An organizational performance is increased with employees working in

      teams since
6.   Managers can cause organizational dysfunction by doing which of the following?
7.   What best describes the contingency approach, as it relates to

      organizational design?
8.   Organizational design is best defined as
9.   According to the goal-setting theory, job performance goals should
10.  The motivational theory that tries to determine how much work is needed

       for a specific outcome is
11.  Being goal oriented has shown to be paramount to a person’s success. Why?
12.  Which of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is geared toward personal fulfillment?
13.  Employees will most often be motivated to initially fulfill basic needs rather

       than higher level needs. Which of the following satisfies a higher need?
14.  Maslow’s Need Theory is an hierarchal format that deals with ‘what’ is

       important to individuals. Which of the following hierarchy most accurately

       reflects Maslow’s hierarchy?
15.  Which of the following best describes sources of a company’s culture?
16.  Which of the following best describes a company that has established

       a professional culture?
17.  Employees quickly figure out and adopt the values and norms desired by

       their company. What is this process called?
18.  Which of the following best describes how the values of the company’s

        founder influence an organization?
19.  Companies with a strong culture may hold meetings to announce the

        company’s achievements. Which source of company culture would best

        describe this activity?
20.  Formal events that recognize an employee or group that have benefited

        the company by their works are
21.  Company values are shared standards that employees use to
22.  What best describes company norms?
23.  Businesses often promote norms which are entrepreneurial or conservative

        in nature. Why?
24.  The Matrix Structure is a unique organizational structure that responds to

        rapid changing situations. Which of the following is a component of this

        structural design?
25.  Which of the following could cause an individual to avoid performing a

        required job task according to expectancy theory?
26. Which theory tries to explain the psychological factors underlying why an

       individual selects a task and exerts effort in performing a task?

BUS/210 - Week 7

Checkpoint: The Impact of HRM

Includes 2 Options for your new imaginary company. 

Paper #1 Option: 360 words

Paper #2 Option: 468 words

Paper #3 Option: 647 words

BONUS ESSAY (A Critical Evaluation of the Relative Importance of One of the Key HR Functions and Its Role in Effective HRM in Organizations Today, with Reference to HRM Models and Theories): 2,530 words

**BOTH Companies are Brand New / Never Used Companies .

Your manager has asked you to draft a proposal for improving the management of human resources in your company. You may use your present or a past workplace for this assignment. This is an opportunity to practice persuasive writing.

Identify one change that would benefit the HR department and the company. What aspect of HRM does it apply to? Write a brief proposal or persuasive paragraph [200 - 300-words]  that explains the need, your proposed solution, and the benefit to the HR department and the entire company. What is the profit or bottom-line benefit?

Explain your answer in a 200- to 300-word academic writing style response.

BUS/210 - Week 8

Hardware and Software Components

Appendix E

Resource: Ch. 9 of Introduction to Business
Complete the table in Appendix E by describing the uses of following hardware and software components:

• Legacy systems
• Mainframe computers
• Microprocessors
• PCs
• Network computers
• World Wide Web and the Internet
• Wired and wireless broadband technology
• PC software
• Networking software
• Computer security software

Developing Good Business Sense

Resources: Ch. 12 of Introduction to Business How to Write a Whiz Bang Paragraph in the CMF Model Paper in the CMF

Read the Developing Good Business Sense activity on p. 394 of the text.

Answer Questions 1–4 from the activity in a 700- to 1,050-word paper in APA format.

Includes 4 Papers for your  

Paper #1 Option: Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, and McDonalds - 739 words

Paper #2 Option: Kraftmaid Cabinetry, National Transport, and RM Logistics - 844 words

Paper #3 Option: Sonic Drive-In, McDonalds, and Kentucky Fried Chicken - 812 words

Week 8 Knowledge Check   

1.  Which of the following costs is associated with a firms operations and

     materials management function?

2.  For what purpose do businesses consider establishing maquiladoras?

3.  According to Jones (2007), the semifinished goods and services that go

     through a company's production process are called

4.  According to Jones (2007), which type of operating system is designed to

     make unique or custom-made products?

5.  Which of the following is a key benefit of mass production operating systems?

6.  The operating system that combines both the benefits of customized products

     and low cost production is called

7.   Of the three stages in operation and materials management, which stage

      comes first?

8.   Some examples of elements in the operations stage of the operations and

      material management process include

9.   Which of the following is the correct order of the operations and material

      management process?

10.  According to Jones (2007), the hardware and software components of a 

       company's existing IT systems are called its

11.  In the history of modern computers, which of the following came first?

12.  In the 1990's, the Windows operating system, created by Microsoft, was installed

      in 90% of the worlds PCs. This kind of penetration in the personal computer

      business made Windows the

13.  Which best describes e-commerce?

14.  Which best describes B2B commerce?

15.  Which of the following is software developed for business within the same industry

      to conduct trading?

16.  The combination of which two factors gives people the ability to better react

       to the economic environment in which they function?

17.  One major result of organizational learning is

18.  According to Jones (2007), what attributes should information provided to

       managers have to be useful to the organization?

19.  Which of the following is a form of information that is constantly updated to

       make sure that decisions can be as up-to-date as possible?

20.  Which of the following is one of the four major sources of competitive advantages

       provided by information technology?

21.  Which of the following best explains how information technology improves

       innovation in a company?

22.  Information technology improves customer responsiveness by

23.  Which of the following describes managers ability to use the collection and

       analysis of data to gain information about various tasks and operations to

       increase the efficiency of a particular function?

24.  What is the major advantage of broadband technology?

25.  Which of the following best describes the result of information overload?

BUS/210 - Week 9

Business Portfolio Presentation

Pitch to Potential Partners and Investors

Scenario: you making a presentation to potential partners or investors to attract talent and capital to your new business [Created in WK 3].

Resource: Appendix A [week one]

Review the feedback from CheckPoints and assignments you completed throughout the course.

Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation of information about the fictional company you created in Week Four. You may use text, charts, tables, and visuals to detail the different areas of business found within your company.
Include information on the following topics:

• Introduction aka title slide
• Business organization [name, legal structure, business system]
• Potential legal or ethical issues and Code of Ethics
• Business culture
• Types of motivation - theories you will apply
• Human resource management
• Technology

Knowledge Check Quiz

1. What term best describes the buyers and sellers available for a particular product?
2. When looking at a demand curve for a particular product. The slope falls downward from left to right. This slope shows which of the following:
3. Marketing, operations, sales distribution, and customer service support are included in what functions of a business?
4. A detailed SWOT analysis would classify competition in the industry or market as a
5. A three stage business plan is used by managers. Which of the following is one of the stages?
6. Which component of the HRM system determines who is the best fit for the organization’s specific job requirements?
7. What leadership approach would a leader take if they were to combine a concern for the well-being of the employee with an approachable demeanor and attitude?