Write an Informal Responses Essay Paper
Task Description:
In this space, please complete an informal response to this weeks reading.
Essentially the Informal Responses are complete or incomplete.
This week you may comment on any aspect of what you read this week:
1. NPRs program, Talk of the Nation (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.: Motown: A
Game-Changer for Black Americans, (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. which aired on
February 23, 2011.
2. The History of Hip Hop (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. website. Informal
Responses Essay Paper
Religious Organizations Discussion
Understanding Step One in PBL
When faced with a problem, people usually jump quickly to trying to find solutions to the problem. This is a
natural reaction, but it is just that; a reaction. It is not a responsive, systematic approach to solving the
problem. In problem-based learning, we purposely take one step at a time to solve the problem. Step One
in PBL requires identification and investigation of the problem. Identifying the problem means clearly
stating it in its simplest form. Investigating it means systematically examining it to better understand it. The
goal of the team for Step One is to establish what is known about the problem.
The Context of the Problem
In PBL Step 1 of this course, your focus is on an industry analysis. Your instructor will assign an industry to
each PBL team to research for the balance of the course. The following are industries representative for
the type of industries used in this course. Your instructor will assign an industry to your PBL team to focus
on for the balance of this course.
Churches (2017 NAICS code 813110 Religious Organizations)
Higher Education (2017 NAICS code 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools)
Healthcare provider (2017 NAICS category 62 Health Care and Social Assistance)
Primary education (2017 NAICS Definition 611110 Elementary and Secondary Schools
Government agency: state, county or city. ( 2017 NAICS category 92 Public Administration)
Nonprofit Industry
Investigating the Problem
In this course, the problem/opportunity you will investigate from a marketing perspective is how an
industry/organization best creates value for its stakeholders. A Porters Five Forces analysis can provide
helpful information about an industry to identify its stakeholders, as well as its strengths and vulnerabilities.
Examples of an industry weakness is the possibility of close substitutes outside the industry and/or the
relativity high power of buyers within the industry. Also important to know is what are the stakeholders
cultural distinctives and how do they influence marketing? An industry analysis can help determine some
preliminary steps for an industry/organization to better create value. For PBL Step 1, the PBL teams
deliverable is a Porters Five Forces analysis of their assigned industry.
Critically ananlyse What does Lynne McFall claim to be formally required of a person of integrity? Why is it important for a business leader to be a person of integrity?
What does Lynne McFall claim to be formally required of a person of integrity?
Why is it important for a business leader to be a person of integrity?
Determine the cost of debt and equity for Genesis Energy and its weighted average cost of capital.
Considering Genesis Energys aggressive growth plan, Sensible Essentials suggested that its client should
broaden the scope of financing beyond short-term loans and consider long-term financing options.
These options would greatly enhance the ability of the operations management team to fund the capital
investments and growth in operating expenses.
One option is selling more equity in the company. A public stock offering might be a possibility; however,
a company as young and small as Genesis Energy might be hard to value. Sensible Essentials believes that
another private investor might require preferred stock dividends in order to mitigate some of the financial risk.
Another option is a long-term bank loan.
Acting as the finance expert for Sensible Essentials, respond to the following:
Determine the cost of debt and equity for Genesis Energy and its weighted average cost of capital.
Go to www.yahoofinance.com and look under SEC filings. Use a US publicly traded company,
such as Apple, Google, DuPont, etc.
Identify the sources of long-term financing for Genesis Energy.
Analyze the potential costs and benefits of each option.
Explain how relative risk (from the investors perspective) impacts the cost of capital for Genesis Energy.
Determine the cost of debt and equity for Genesis Energy and its weighted average cost of capital.
Calculate the required rate of return for Genesis Energy using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM).
What is the required return for Genesis Energy shareholders?
Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
In your response, do the following:
Respond with substantial comments to enrich discussion and the learning experience.
Contribute new, relevant information or quotes from course readings, Web sites, or other sources.
Build on the remarks or questions of others, or share practical examples of key concepts from your
experience, professional or personal.
Describe and analyze the broad range of talent management efforts that use software applications to help you Director to make an educated decision
You, as a HR Generalist, have been asked by your HR Director for your recommendations in terms of what
tools your organization could use to better manage the talents of your employees. This will help to develop
policies and procedures in managing your human capital. Please develop a PowerPoint presentation addressing the following:
Describe and analyze the broad range of talent management efforts that use software applications to help you to make an educated decision.
Give some examples of firms that have successfully used these applications.
Describe how these efforts are useful in terms of strategic human capital management.
Critically Discuss the critical leadership skills needed to implement change.
Scenario
You are the Vice President of Human Resources at a local hospital. There has been a lot of turmoil in recent
years due to leadership changes and downsizing accompanied by layoffs. The downsizing and layoffs were
the result of an increase in uncompensated care due to a lack of health insurance. The layoffs have caused a
decrease in morale and many department leads have also noticed a decrease in employee performance.
The Board of Directors, the hospitals CEO, and the entire executive team are in agreement that there is a
need for major changes within the institution. You have been tasked with presenting a plan of action at the
next board meeting.
Instructions
Deliverable 1
Write an executive summary that describes the impact of leadership on employee performance and satisfaction, as well as communication challenges that leaders face, and challenges associated with trying to increase employee motivation, teamwork, and collaboration.
Examine the literature relating to motivation, teamwork, collaboration, and conflict management.
a. Discuss the role of leadership/management strategies that will help others respond to workplace challenges.
b. Discuss the critical leadership skills needed to implement change.
c. Recommend human resources strategies and practices that hospital department leaders could use to achieve optimal performance from employees.
Deliverable 2
Create a voiceover PowerPoint presentation that summarizes the major challenges that leaders have in keeping employees motivated.
a. Based on prior readings, identify one theoretical framework that you will use to guide your presentation.
b. Include a minimum of three challenges that leaders have in keeping employees motivated.
c. Include a minimum of one recommendation for each challenge identified in section 3b.
Determine the type of immigration laws or visa requirements needed to work in the selected country.
Scenario
The company you work for recently acquired several international locations. You were informed that
multiple positions will be moving overseas over the course of the next few years. Your manager has
asked you to provide a comprehensive cultural information report to help employees make the transition to
overseas employment.
Instructions
Select a country where a specific job will be stationed. You may select from the United Nations list of
developed economies (Table A, page 169) in World Economic Situation and Prospects [PDF].
If you wish to select a country other than those listed in the UN document, you must request permission
from your instructor.
Make sure the county of choice is logical for the company you are using.
Develop a cultural information report that will help an employee better understand how to make
the transition overseas. Include the following:
Write an Executive Summary that explains the organizational strategy for expanding company operations to
this particular country.
What is the company strategy for working in this country?
What are the expectations of leadership (ROI)?
Prepare an overview of the critical information an American would need to know to live and work in the
selected country.
Language(s) spoken.
Currency, economy, political climate.
Housing, cost of living, transportation.
Health care.
Recreation.
Develop a list of advice on successfully assimilating into the selected country and culture.
Local customs, values, and traditions.
Determine the type of immigration laws or visa requirements needed to work in the selected country.
Discuss three ways company leadership can provide human and material resources to support employees in foreign locations.
What will help these employees succeed before, during, and after the transition period?
Charity Donation Assignment
You have happened upon a tired genie in a bottle who has one more wish to grant before retiring. This
genie is getting grouchy in his old age, however, and limits the wish. He will give you $1,000 to spend, but
you only have 2 options in how to spend it. Option 1: You may take that $1,000 to Vegas and gamble it,
but if you lose more than the $1,000 YOU will make up the difference, AND you must split any winnings
you have at the end of the night with a stranger. Option 2: You MUST donate the $1,000 to any charitable
organization of your choosing.
1. What games would you play and WHO would you select to split the winnings?
2. What organization would you choose and explain why you selected it.
3. Share with the class the best cellphone app that you have come across OR your best idea for a
cellphone app.
4. Name three people (living or dead) that you feel have made some of the biggest contributions to society.
These could include historical figures, entertainment or sports personalities, a current politician etc. Then tell us why this person makes your list!
5. That is something that the class would be surprised to learn about you?
Self reflection Discussion on Mintzberg’s Managerial Roles
Discussion: Mintzbergs Managerial Roles
For this discussion some self-reflection will be required. Self-reflection in leadership means carving out
time to review yourself as a leader and is critical for your leadership development. It involves examining
your current level of skills, your strengths, weaknesses, behavioral patterns and how you seek to influence
others.
Please answer the following questions.
Which of Mintzbergs 10 managerial roles (select 1or 2) would come easily to you? Why?
Which of these roles (select 1 or 2) would not come naturally to you and require extra effort and
practice? Why?
In detail, analyse Sales Process and CRM Technology
After listening to the e-lecture and studying the materials for the Supplemental Module on the Sales
Process and CRM Technology, visit the Salesforce website and check out the list of some of the companies
that use Salesforce: SalesForce Customer Page (Links to an external site.) Then answer the following
questions:
1. If you could pick one of these companies to work for as a salesperson, which company would you pick
and why?
2. Describe what you think the sales position for this company would be. What kind of customers would
you call on? What sales activities would you normally perform?
3. How would you use Salesforce as a tool to help you do your job better? Give some examples.
