Overview: The focus of this module is to learn how to navigate the course and become familiar with the asynchronous class format.

Objectives:

1. Locate content in the available modules.

2. Describe your ability to break out of your comfort zone.

3. Compose and send a properly-formatted business email.

Resources

· Bookmark the Hartness LibraryCitation Guide(Links to an external site.): The guide provides examples on how to cite your sources and create references for the reference list you will add to some of your assignments.

· Citation Machine(Links to an external site.): This will help you develop citations for your assignments and papers in proper APA format.

· Read the article, “Growth Happens When You Put Yourself Outside Your Comfort Zone(Links to an external site.)”: You are beginning a new experience with this class. This article deals with growth and change.

· Please read the preparation materials in Module 0 and theSyllabus.

· Please access your eBook,Introduction to Business(Links to an external site.), so that you'll be ready for the next module.

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Business Email

Assignment Description: All businesses continue to receive and send e-mails. It is essential to compose and send e-mails that represent you and your company. This is an opportunity for branding and marketing as your e-mail could be your first introduction to possible clients, vendors, and or colleagues.

A properly constructed business email contains:

A subject line to minimize the risk of the e-mail delivered to the receiver’s junk or spam folder

A salutation (greeting) ending in proper punctuation

A body of no more than 2 paragraphs - if longer in length then create a separate document and attach it to the e-mail

A professional closing

A signature block permanently created to automatically appear at the end of all your e-mails. If the original recipient wishes to forward the e-mail to another manager, your e-mail address disappears and is replaced by the new sender. You need to have your contact information in your signature block to ensure all can easily find your contact information and get in touch with you.

Instructions:

Use your CCV email account (see the resource about locating your CCV email).

Create your Business Email and upload it here.

Email it to your instructor.

Points: 100

Discussion Forum Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

The Comfort Zone: Read the article, “Growth Happens When You Put Yourself Outside Your Comfort Zone”. Relate the article to a recent event that placed you out of your comfort zone.

What was the event?

How did you feel before you made the leap?

How did you feel after deciding to begin or beginning the event?

What did you gain or lose by taking yourself out of your comfort zone?

What did you find in the article that related to your experience?

Make sure to create a substantive post 300/350 words and properly cite your work in APA format. Reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. View the rubric.

Overview:

The focus of this module is the World of Business and why it is valid to study business.

Objectives:

1. Describe the world’s 4 basic economic systems and particularly the system in the United States.

2. Explain microeconomics for supply and demand and macroeconomics in the competitive arena.

3. Assess different aspects of a business.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 1

· Review the Module 2 Key Terms and Definitions

· Yahoo Finance website (Links to an external site.)

· Bureau of Economic Development

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Research Your Final Project Publicly Traded Company

Assignment Description: For your Final Project, you will be writing a business plan for an existing publicly-traded company. Select a company whose products or services you already like or use. If you own a Harley or ever wanted to, then select that company. If you like coffee, select that famous publicly-traded Vermont Company. If you love Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream select Unilever. What about Apple and Tesla?

Once you have a company in mind, use Yahoo Finance. to conduct your research. To retrieve a considerable amount of company information, search for and click on the company’s profile.

You will also go to the company's website to research the information they have available for the public.

As you conduct your research, please answer the questions on the Module #2 Assignment Worksheet.

When your worksheet is complete, you will upload it here.

Points: 100

Discussion Forum/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

The Basic Economic Systems of the World: Major economic systems, including capitalism, socialism, and communism, as well as mixed economies, were discussed in the reading for this module. Let's make sure we have a solid understanding of the major concepts. In your initial post:

First, describe each system.

Then, assuming that you want an economic system that is best for the majority, not just a few members of society, defend one of the economic systems as the best system.

Defend why you support the system that you chose. Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Quiz

Title: Module 2 Quiz – Business and Economic Systems

Description: You will have unlimited time and one attempt to complete this multiple-choice question quiz.

Points: 100

Overview:

The focus of this module is the role of ethics and social responsibility in business decision-making.

What is business ethics? Why it is important to understand the role of ethics in business?

Objectives:

1. Describe the philosophies and concepts that shape personal ethical standards.

2. Explain how organizations encourage ethical business behavior.

3. Describe trends in ethical and corporate social responsibility.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 2

· Review the Module 3 Key Terms and Definitions

· Review the Warby Parker Case Study in preparation for the discussion forum. It includes a YouTube video (Links to an external site.) with VisionSpring founder, Dr. Jordan Kassalow.

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Ethical Dilemma Mini Case Studies

The Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet contains four mini cases describing ethical dilemmas that you could definitely encounter! For this assignment, you will review each dilemma and provide an explanation for your choice of response to each dilemma.

Points: 100

Assignment Title: Prepare for Your Business Owner Interview

The assignment for Module 4 will be to interview a business owner. To make sure you are ready for it, please submit a name (or a couple of names) of someone you might interview. If you are having trouble thinking about options, please connect with your instructor.

Create a document with a proper college heading and then list the name of someone you would like to interview and describe why.

Points: 100

Discussion Forum/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Warby Parker and VisionSpring Collaborate: After reading the Warby Parker Case Study, briefly answer the following 3 questions and then respond to the “Your thoughts” prompt:

Describe Warby Parker’s and Visionspring's ethical vision for selling eyeglasses.

How do Warby Parker and VisionSpring integrate social responsibility into their businesses?

Why does Warby Parker charge $4 to those in need of eyeglasses in developing countries?

"Your Thoughts"

Develop a few (at least 2) ethical policies that you feel would be in alignment with their vision as if you worked there.

Make sure your post is substantive and about 300/350 words in length, properly cite APA format. As usual post and then reply to two classmates' posts.

Overview:

For this Module, we focus on the exciting global marketplace. First, we look at the nature of international business, including barriers and promoters of trade across international boundaries. Next, we consider the levels of organizational involvement in international business. Finally, we briefly discuss strategies for trading across national borders.

Objectives:

1. Discuss international trade strategies.

2. Describe the role of outsourcing in a company and how that can affect a company's brand.

3. Conduct an interview to learn about business ownership.

4. List the benefits of globalization.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 3

· Review the Module 4 Key Terms and Definitions

· Review the Electra Bikes Case Study in preparation for the discussion forum.

· Watch the video: Electra Bikes Electra Bicycle Co. to showcase its Townie line (Links to an external site.)

· Read the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Ethical Dilemma Mini Case Studies

The Ethical Dilemmas Worksheet contains four mini cases describing ethical dilemmas that you could definitely encounter! For this assignment, you will review each dilemma and provide an explanation for your choice of response to each dilemma.

Points: 100

Assignment Title: Interviewing a Business Owner

In Module 3, you submitted a name of a person you wished to interview for this assignment. For this assignment, you will contact this Entrepreneur/Business Owner in your community and interview them using the Interview a Business Owner Worksheet.

You may interview your business owner by phone, FaceTime, Zoom, or in person. The aim of this assignment is to give you a reason to enlarge your network of fellow business owners.

Complete the interview and upload the worksheet here. Be sure to maintain the numbering of the question and answer below the question. Complete the heading and "Save As" to include your name.

Points: 100

Discussion Forum/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

International Market Strategies: Businesses get involved in international trade at many levels, and the degree of resources and effort required increases according to the level at which a firm involves itself in international trade.

For the first part of your initial post: You own a US company (use the company you selected to study in Module 2), and now you are ready to add international trade to enlarge your market. Name a strategy described in this chapter to enter an international market and defend your choice for that strategy for your business.

For the second part of your initial host: After viewing the Electra Bikes video (Links to an external site.) and reading the Electra Bikes case study, describe how Electra maintains a worldwide comparative advantage. Then, explain why Electra (which markets itself with a “genuine Americana” message) decided to outsource production to Asia. Do you believe this was appropriate? Do you believe that Electra can continue to brand itself as American-made?

Your answer must be substantive and from 300/350 words and should include at least two quotes properly cited in APA format (Links to an external site.). For full credit reply to two classmates' posts.

Quiz

Title: Module 4 Quiz – The Global Marketplace

Description: You will have unlimited time and one attempt to complete this true/false question quiz.

Overview:

This Module is the beginning of our deep study of a business. In Module 2, you learned that you would be writing a business plan for a publicly-traded company. We will now be focusing many of our assignments on the publicly-traded company you picked.

Objectives:

1. Describe the advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of legal business entities.

2. Describe partnerships and the differing roles of the partners.

3. Describe the benefits of a cooperative.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 4

· Review the Module 5 Key Terms and Definitions

· Read the Module 5 Lecture: Why Do You Need a NAICS Code?

· Watch the video: S-Corp VS LLC (Links to an external site.)

· Read the Types of Ownership Structures (Links to an external site.) from Clark University

· Watch the video: New Belgium Brewery - Brewery Workers Pour Their Hearts into the Business When Given a Stake (Links to an external site.)

· Visit the NAICS website

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Business Ownership

For this assignment, you will explore the different types of business entities and consider the benefits and challenges of each type. Please download and answer the 10 Questions on the Business Ownership Worksheet.

Be sure to write your answers in sufficient detail for your instructor to see that you understand the information. For a good grade avoid one-word answers.

Complete upload your completed worksheet here. Be sure to maintain the numbering of the question and answer below the question. Complete the heading and "Save As" to include your name.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Your Company Information: As you know, for our class, you will update a business plan for the publicly traded company that you chose in Module 2. For this assignment, let’s explore and share some general information about our companies (that we’ll also use in the final business plan). Please share the following with your colleagues:

What is the name of your company? Briefly describe your company.

What is its legal entity? You may need to select a division of the company if it is very large.

What is its Stock Symbol? (Usually 3 or 4 letters)

What is its NAICS (Links to an external site.) code? Select one (Large companies often have several).

How will knowing this code be helpful to you in your research for the Business Plan? Read the Mini Lecture on the NAICS.

Please properly cite (Links to an external site.) all of the information you gather from other sources and make sure to retain all this information for your final project.Your answer must be substantive and from 300/350 words and should include at least two quotes properly cited in APA format (Links to an external site.). For full credit reply to two classmates' posts.

Overview:

The focus of this Module is the world of entrepreneurship and small business. First, we define entrepreneurship and small business and examine the role of small businesses in the American economy. Then, we explore the advantages and disadvantages of small-business ownership and analyze why small businesses succeed or fail. Next, we discuss how an entrepreneur goes about starting a business and the challenges facing small businesses today.

Objectives:

1. Evaluate the resources provided by the Small Business Administration.

2. Discuss how an entrepreneur goes about starting a business.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 5

· Review the Module 6 Key Terms and Definitions

· Read the Module 6 Lecture: Small Business Administration - A Brief History

· Watch the video: 10 Ways to Secure Financing: Brian Tracey (Links to an external site.)

· Visit the Small Business Association website (Links to an external site.)

· Read the article: Who Is An Entrepreneur?

Assignments:

Assignment Title: The Advantages of the SBA

The Small Business Administration (Links to an external site.) (SBA) provides the new small business owner with many tools and resources to enhance their business planning, business development, and other tools to enhance the organizational effectiveness of the new small business.

Please visit the SBA website (Links to an external site.) and click on the “local assistance" tab. Find a Small Business Administration (SBA) office near where you reside. Review the tools that you might find important for you to consider if you were going to initiate a new small business. As you are reviewing the resources and tools on the website, please answer the questions on the SBA Worksheet.

Complete upload your completed worksheet here. Be sure to maintain the numbering of the question and answer below the question. Complete the heading and "Save As" to include your name.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

How to Start a Small Business: In this Module, we are studying small businesses!

In your post, please use the resources found on the Module 6 Readings & Resources page to describe how you would start a small business and what resources you would access to help you start your business.

Be sure to include an explanation of the steps provided on the SBA website and include information on how to finance a business from Brian Tracy’s video.

This discussion should contain at least 2 in-text citations and a References list in APA format (Links to an external site.). For full credit reply to two classmates' posts.

Overview:

The focus of this Module is Management. For any organization—small or large, for-profit or nonprofit—to achieve its objectives, it must have resources to support operations, employees to make and sell the products, and financial resources to purchase additional goods and services, pay employees, and generally operate the business. To accomplish this, it must also have one or more managers to plan, organize, staff, direct, and control the work that goes on. Management’s role above all else is effective decision-making, and we will evaluate the skills that managers need for success.

Objectives:

· Describe management styles.

· Evaluate the levels of management.

· Apply the five steps of decision-making to a business scenario.

· Develop a mission statement for your organization.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 6

· Review the Module 7 Key Terms and Definitions

· Read the Module 7 Lecture: The Mission Statement

· Watch the video: Management & Leadership Styles | Autocratic, Democratic, Paternalistic, Laissez- Faire and More (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the video: Why good leaders make you feel safe

Assignments:

Assignment Title: The Mission Statement

For this assignment, you will evaluate the mission statement of your selected publicly-traded business. Create a document (preferably MS Word) and title the document "Mission Statement for (Insert your publicly traded company’s name)". Then, research and find the Mission Statement for the company you selected in Module 2.

Next, type out the Mission Statement for your publicly-traded company in your document.

Then, respond to the following:

· Describe how the Mission Statement of your company meets or does not meet the elements of an excellent Mission Statement (see below). Be specific!

· Describe how the mission statement for the business is consistent with the goals and values of the business.

Properly cite your source in APA format.

Points: 100

Discussion Forum/ Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #1:

You as a Manager: For the purposes of answering these questions fully, consider that you are or will become a manager at a future organization (even if that isn’t your career goal)

· If you are currently a manager, what level of manager are you? Describe the position and your duties in that position. If you are not currently a manager, what level of manager would you like to start out as and why?

· In the middle of your career, what level of management position would you like to be in? Why?

· At the end of your career, what level of management position do you see yourself? Why?

Now that you have considered the levels of management you could see yourself in, please answer each of the following questions in a brief paragraph:

· How would you describe the management style in your current (or previous) job?

· What type of leadership do you best respond to?

· What type of leader do you want to become?

How would you describe your leadership style?

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Discussion Forum/ Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #2:

The Decision Making Process - Chef’s Choice Manufacturing: Read the brief scenario and answer the statements that follow it:

You are a manager of the firm Chef’s Choice, which manufactures conventional ovens. Over the past several years, sales of many of your products have declined; this year your losses may be quite large. Using the five steps of the decision-making process, briefly describe how you arrive at a strategy for correcting the situation.

1. Clearly state the problem that needs to be solved.

2. Explain the 5 steps in the decision-making process.

3. Relate this dilemma to each step in the process.

4. Briefly describe a strategy for correcting the situation.

This is for all Discussion Questions/Demonstrate Your Learning. Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Quiz

Title: Module 7 Quiz – Functions and Levels of Management

Description: You will have unlimited time and one attempt to complete this true/false question quiz.

Points: 100

Overview:

Because a business’s structure can so profoundly affect its success, we will examine business organizational structure and teamwork in detail in this module. First, we will explore how an organization’s culture affects its operations. Then, we will consider the development of structure, including how tasks and responsibilities are organized through specialization and departmentalization (we'll be creating an organizational chart to explore this more). Next, we will explore some of the forms organizational structure may take. Finally, we will consider the types of work teams within a business.

Objectives:

1. List and describe the five traditional forms of departmentalization.

2. Describe the four types of work teams: problem-solving, self-managed, cross-functional, and virtual teams.

3. Describe how technology can support virtual teams and outsourcing.

4. Research, develop and create an Organizational Chart for your chosen company.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 7

· Read through the Module 8 Lecture: Four Types of Work Teams

· Review the Module 8 Key Terms and Definitions

· Read 10 Best Practices for Effective Team Building (Links to an external site.) from Talogy

· Read Levels of Management (Links to an external site.) from the Management Study Guide

· Watch the video: Lessons of the Geese - The Art of Teamwork (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the video: Good Teamwork and Bad Teamwork - Teamwork Motivational Video

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Organization and Management

For this assignment, you will complete Section 4: Organization and Management of The Business Plan for your selected publicly-traded business.

After reading this Module’s material, create a Word document with the title: Section 4: Organization and Management and respond to the following prompts (taken directly from the Business Plan):

· What is the Legal Entity for the Business?

· Who is in charge of the company? Research the company and include an organizational chart.

· Research the Board. What are the backgrounds of the board members?

· What departments do you have and what are the functions of each department? List a few job titles of key groups of employees.

(Note: This part of Section 4 will not be completed for this assignment. Operational Management is covered in Module 11) Include a brief description of the Operational Management-Supply Chain-Product Manufacturing-Output (How does the company’s product or service reach the customers?).

In your Gitman text, you will find a number of sample charts, a line/staff chart and a flat/tall chart (see pages 251, 252, 255, and 268).

In addition to the prompts above, write a short paragraph on the following:

Your company is large enough to be publicly traded, and is probably global and extensive with many divisions and subsidiaries. What is the Organizational Structure in your company? Why do you think this works for the company or would you suggest another structure? Support your answer.

This assignment needs to be researched and properly cited in APA Format. Complete the information required in Section 4 and the additional question.

Points: 100

Discussion Question Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #1:

The Challenge of Working on a Team:

Even if you haven’t experienced the following situation answer and act as if you had. Have you ever worked on a team with an underperforming member?

In your post,

· Describe the person’s behavior and the situation. (Create a situation if you have to).

· List several options that you could now use to solve the dilemma by pulling in resources from this module to support your answer.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #2:

Technology and Teamwork:

Consider the following scenario:

The pandemic has hit and now your team is working remotely.

Discuss at least 3 ways technology could be helpful in accomplishing team assignments remotely and 3 hurdles to overcome when working remotely.

Then, consider this next layer in the scenario:

Now, you find you have to add to the complexity by outsourcing part of the project.

Develop and list three strategies and/or procedures for your team to follow in order to incorporate an outsourced person’s work. Describe how technology could assist with this.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Quiz

Title: Module 8 Quiz – Organizational Structure

Description: You will have unlimited time and one attempt to complete this multiple choice question quiz.

Points: 100

Overview:

This is the Module to explore careers in business and to develop a resume or cover letter (or both!). Even if you have no intention of applying for a job, it's always a good idea to create a resume and update it frequently. Many of us have different resumes. Some folks have one for the academic side of their professional life and another for their consulting/business expertise. Be sure to get in the habit of collecting and storing awards, letters of accommodation, letters of reference, performance reviews, etc.

Objectives:

1. Identify employment opportunities.

2. Identify strategies to optimize your success in job interviews.

3. Identify the scope and diversity of career opportunities in the Business Field.

4. Create a cover letter or a resume using a proper format.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 17

· Read the article A Simple Way to Map Out Your Career Ambitions (Links to an external site.)

· Review the Interviewing Checklist (Links to an external site.) from Indeed

· Visit the following resources from CCV's Career Services (Links to an external site.):

· Resume Resources Subject Guide (Links to an external site.)

· Cover Letter Subject Guide (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the Video: Video of Bad Job Interview Answers - Huizenga Business School (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the Video: Bad answers to common job interview questions (and how to fix them)

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Targeted Resume or Cover Letter

Even if you have no intention of applying for a job, it’s a good idea to go through the following process as it will likely come up in the future! Career counselors suggest that we create a resume and update it yearly and that we should get in the habit of collecting and storing in some kind of work portfolio – awards, letters of accommodation, letters of reference, performance reviews that you receive or earn, etc – so that we can add them to our resumes!

For this assignment, you will complete a resume or a cover letter that is targeted to a job you are interested in. Please follow the steps below:

1. Visit Career Services (Links to an external site.). Career Services is aware of your class assignments and career consultants are ready to help you.

2. Locate a potential job opportunity on one of the major job sites. Several are listed in Chapter 17 (Gitman) with links. Save the link to the job opportunity so that you can include it with your assignment submission.

3. Take that job posting and write down the keywords included in it. These keywords should be included in your cover letter or resume. Often a computer is sorting through the resumes and will electronically forward the ones that include the key terms posted in the job advertisement.

4. Then, create a cover letter or a resume for your desired position. Career Services has great Resume Resources (Links to an external site.) and Cover Letter Resources (Links to an external site.) with samples and suggestions to help you complete either option.

For this assignment you will either:

Submit a one-page resume following one of the Career Services templates. Note: If you have a resume, feel free to submit your resume for this assignment but make sure that includes the keywords from the job description.

OR

Create a properly formatted cover letter for the position. Pay close attention to the keywords in the job description. Try to include these keywords in your cover letter. Address the cover letter to a real person. If a person is not listed in the job description, then reach out to the company to find out who will be receiving the cover letter. Do not use the salutation: To Whom It May Concern. Do a little detective work and do not hesitate to let the company know this is for your college class.

AND

Include a document titled ‘Job Description and References’ that includes:

· A link to the job description you are applying for.

· A list of the keywords that are included in the job description. For each keyword, describe in one sentence where/how it is included in your resume or cover letter.

· A reference for the template you used for your cover letter or resume if you are using one from Career Services.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Interviews - The Good, The Bad and the Really Bad!!:

Interviewing is a part of every job search, so let's take some time to think about strategies to help us to ace our interviews!

After watching the two interview videos on our Module 9 Readings & Resources page, please respond to the following questions:

· Describe 3 poor answers that you observed. Why were these answers improper?

· Describe 3 poor behaviors that you observed. What was the person being interviewed physically doing and why would you label the behavior as inappropriate?

· Describe 3 excellent answers and describe the candidate’s appropriate behavior during the interview.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Overview:

The focus of this Module is Managing Human Resources. HR is a complex! It is much more cost-effective to retain a good employee than to replace and then train a new one.

Objectives:

1. Research issues of equity, diversity and harassment in employer/employee relationships.

2. Detail the use of performance appraisals in human resources.

3. Define key human resources terms

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 8

· Visit the National Law Review website (Links to an external site.) in preparation for your assignment

· Review NOLO's Employment Law (Links to an external site.) resources

· Watch the Video: A Poor Performance Evaluation (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the Video: A Better Performance Evaluation (Links to an external site.)

· Review Internal Interview Questions: What To Expect and How to Answer (Links to an external site.) from Indeed

· Review this list of Common Interview Questions

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Issues in Employment Law Article Review

The Nolo Press in Berkeley offers an excellent collection of articles and books that summarize the laws pertaining to today’s employment issues. For this assignment, you will stick with the free material onNolo's Employment Law(Links to an external site.)page.

Select an Employment Law article related toequity,diversity, orharassment.

You will then write a 500-word Article Review paper following the directions below. Make sure to have at leastone in-text citationand aReference pageinAPA format(Links to an external site.). Be sure to save your paper with your name and the name of the document (Example: Article.Review.Paper.John Smith) before submitting it.

Ensure your Article Review paper meets the following guidelines:

Paper Format

1. A heading on the left side of the paper that includes:

0. Student name

1. Course Title

2. Instructor’s name

3. Date

2. Skip two lines

3. Add the title of the article in quotes and centered on the page

4. Then you will insert the body of the paper. Make sure it is 500 words, single-spaced with 1/2 inch indents for each paragraph (or block paragraphs) skipping two lines between paragraphs.

5. AReferences Page(Links to an external site.)in APA format

Paper Body Requirements

The body of your paper will answer the following questions:

· What are the most important ideas in this article?

· How do the ideas relate toemploymentandhuman resource management?

· Why did you choose this article?

· What have you learned from the article?

Be sure to back up these answers with support and examples from the article.

As a quick checklist, your paper will:

· Be 500 words (check word count).

· Show careful thought and insight.

· Be well-reasoned and logical including backed-up opinions with support/examples.

· Include at least one quote from the article to support the ideas in your paper. The quote will be supported by an in-text citation usingAPA format(Links to an external site.).Note: Be sure to quote any words or ideas that are not your own. Provide the source for the quote in parentheses after any quotation inAPA Format(Links to an external site.).

· Properly reference the article and any other sources at the end of the paper on aReferences page(Links to an external site.)using APA format.Do not forget that references use a hanging indent.

· Use proper spelling, usage, grammar, and mechanics.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #1:

Analyze Two Annual Performance Reviews: Performance evaluations/reviews are part of a strong human resources program, so let's take some time to review and compare two.

Watch the two performance evaluation videos on our Module 10 Readings & Resources page.

In your post,

· First, make a list of 3 behavior errors in the Poor Performance Review as displayed by the HR/Manager. Provide detailed descriptions of the HR person’s actions and language and the employee’s reaction to these behaviors. Then, describe how you would improve this performance review.

· Next, make a list of 3 positive behaviors in the Good Performance Review. Describe in detail what encouraged these positive behaviors. Describe how the employee reacted and how the reaction differed from the previous review.

· Finally, describe where performance reviews fit into a larger Human Resource Management process.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #2:

Selecting Interview Questions: Use the publicly-traded company you selected in Module 2 when answering the questions below:

1. You have been selected to head up the team charged with hiring a Manager for the Social Media Department. Create a team of 5 members from a variety of departments that would be impacted by the new Manager for Social Media. What are the titles of the members of the hiring team? Why did you select each member for this hiring team?

2. Now, consider the questions you would ask some applying from outside of the organization. Select 5 questions and decide the order for asking these questions. Which team member from the hiring team would be selected to ask each question and why?

3. Now, consider the questions you would ask someone applying from inside for a promotion. Select 5 questions and decide the order for asking these questions. Which team member from the hiring team would be selected to ask each question and why?

Be sure to review the interview question samples in our Module 10 Readings & Resources before getting started.

Make sure that your answer is substantive and well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Quizzes:

Quiz Name: Human Resources Terms

Quiz Description: You will have one attempt and unlimited time to complete this quiz on key human resources terms. You may use your sources!

Points: 100

Overview:

The focus of this module is the role of production and operations management in acquiring and managing the resources necessary to create goods and services. Production and operations management involves planning and designing processes that will transform a company's resources into finished products, manage the movement of those resources through the transformation process, and ensure that the products are of the quality expected by customers.

Objectives:

1. Evaluate the operations management of a business.

2. Analyze procurement from a personal and business perspective.

3. Describe the transformation process for a business.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 10

· Read through the Module 11 Lecture: W. Edwards Deming and Total Quality Management (TQM)

· Review the Module 11 Key Terms and Definitions

· Watch the video: Opto 22 Case Study: New Belgium Brewery (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the video: Brewery workers pour their hearts into business when given a stake (Links to an external site.)

· Watch the video: The Transformation as an Operation Process Explained

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Transformation Process

For this assignment, you will finish the last part of Section 4: Organization and Management of The Business Plan for your selected publicly-traded business.

Before getting started with this assignment, make sure to watch the three videos in Module 11 and read the text.

All businesses, even non-profits and service industries, have a transformation process. Please use your chosen publicly-traded company to complete the Transformation Process Worksheet where you will evaluate the inputs and outputs of the company and consider where some challenges might remain.

Be sure to maintain the numbering of the questions and answer below the question. Complete the heading and "Save As" to include your name.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/ Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt #1:

Operations Management:

Overview:

In this module, we focus on the basic principles of marketing. First, we will define and examine the nature of marketing. Then we will look at how marketers develop marketing strategies to satisfy the needs and wants of their customers. Next, we discuss buying behavior and how marketers use research to determine what consumers want to buy and why. Finally, we'll work on a marketing plan for your chosen business.

Objectives:

1. Define and explain the 4 Ps.

2. Describe strategies for pricing products.

3. Research and evaluate the four Ps of a company.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapters 11 & 12

· Read the Module 12 Lecture: The Marketing Plan

· Watch this video about Poe Weavers (Links to an external site.). The young mother in the video is a former student, Amber. She made a joint promo with her friend from Poe Weavers. Notice the necklace on Amber. Amber's company is Love at First Bite. She sells wearable teething jewelry. She noticed her kids sucking and chewing on everything including her jewelry. The beautiful family in this video is not made up of actors, but Amber, her husband, and their kids. Awe!!

· Please watch this TedTalk: How to Get Your Ideas to Spread (Links to an external site.)

· SCORE's Explanation of the Marketing Plan

Assignments:

Assignment Title: The Marketing Plan

For this module, you will complete the Marketing and Sales Management section of the business plan for your publicly-traded company.

Refer to the SBA directions for the Marketing sections found in SCORE Explanation of the Marketing Plan and use the Marketing and Sales Management worksheet to complete your assignment. Note: Please make this easy to read by maintaining the headings for the 4 Ps in your worksheet.

Enter the name of your publicly traded company and write a brief description of your company.Each category of Product, Price, Place, and Promotion needs a few paragraphs of information about your publicly-traded company for a total of 750 words. You may decide on the font style and size for your assignment. Depending on the business, not every detail within a subtopic will apply to your business; do the best you can to research and find information for each P.

Provide proper citations using APA style (Links to an external site.) where appropriate and please upload your assignment in MS Word format.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Marketing, Reaching Customers and Creating Sales: For this discussion, imagine that you will be heading the Marketing Department for your publicly-traded company.

Please respond to the following prompts:

· How will you identify your customers and then share how you intend to reach them?

· How will you use the web for advertising? (Note: It is acceptable to research how your publicly traded company currently reaches customers!)

· How will you increase sales for your publicly-traded business?

· How will you keep customers and obtain new ones?

Also, write a reflection paragraph about one of the ideas presented in the two videos posted on the Readings & Resources page. Relate the idea to your work as the head of your Marketing Department.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Quizzes:

Quiz Name: Marketing Plan and the 4 Ps

Quiz Description: You will have unlimited time and one attempt to complete this True/False and Multiple-Choice question quiz.

Points: 100

Overview:

Because most jobs today depend on managing information – obtaining, using, creating, and sharing it – this module begins with the role of information in decision-making and the relationship between computers and information systems.

Information technology (IT) includes the equipment and techniques used to manage and process information. Information is at the heart of all organizations. Without information about the processes of and participants in an organization – including orders, products, inventory, scheduling, shipping, customers, suppliers, and employees—a business cannot operate.

Objectives:

1. Describe how information technology impacts business decision-making.

2. Assess the importance of security for a company’s health and protection.

3. Discuss the dilemma of monitoring employees to prevent misuse of company computers for personal matters.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapter 13

· Watch this video: 15 Things You Didn't Know About The CyberSecurity Industry (Links to an external site.) (Note: This video is for understanding; do not join anything)

· Read the article 6 Software Tools for Monitoring Employee Productivity (Links to an external site.) from HuffPost

· Here is the website for Novartis (Links to an external site.), the company highlighted in the Case Study Assignment in this module.

· Here is the website for EMC Insurance (Links to an external site.), the second company highlighted in the Case Study Assignment in this module.

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Processing Invoices from around the World - IT to the Rescue

Description: In this assignment, we'll review a case study where IT comes to the rescue for a company. First, read through Novartis’s Prescription for Invoice Processing Case Study. Then, complete the IT Case Study Worksheet by answering three follow-up questions about the case study.

Be sure to take a look at the Novartis (Links to an external site.) and EMCinsurance (Links to an external site.) websites for a better understanding of the scope and the uses of technology to provide information and resources to their clients.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Employee Monitoring Software - To install or Not to install? That is the question: As the owner of a small but growing business, you are concerned about employees misusing company computers for personal matters. Not only does this cost the company in terms of employee productivity, but it also ties up bandwidth that may be required for company operations and exposes the firm’s networks to increased risks of attacks from viruses, spyware, and other malicious programs. Installing e-mail monitoring and web security and filtering software programs would allow you to track e-mail and internet use, develop use policies, block access to inappropriate sites, and limit the time employees can conduct personal online business. At the same time, the software will protect your IT networks from many types of security concerns, from viruses to internet fraud. You are concerned, however, that employees will take offense and consider such software an invasion of privacy.

Using the Hartness Library or the web, locate articles about this topic and then write responses to the following questions. Be sure to support your arguments and cite (Links to an external site.) your sources.

· Should you purchase employee-monitoring software for your company, and on what do you base your decision?

· If you install the software, do you have an obligation to tell employees about it? Explain your answers and suggest ways to help employees understand your rationale.

· After viewing the article: “6 Software Tools for Monitoring Employee Productivity, (Links to an external site.)” select one software tool from the article and describe how the software can assist the company and how the software can assist the employee. Some of these tools are time management-oriented and some are “spy and report” type of software. (Be sure to cite this source in your post)

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Overview:

This Module is focused on the Business financial statements and managing money.

Objectives:

1. Define money, its functions, and its characteristics.

2. Compare and contrast key financial institutions.

3. Recommend the most appropriate financial institution for your publicly-traded company.

4. Evaluate the cash flow statement.

Resources:

· Introduction to Business: Chapters 14 and 15 (and review the key terms)

· Watch this video: Introduction to Financial Statements (Links to an external site.)

· Review and continue working on your Final Project: The Business Plan

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Cash Flow Statements

Description: This assignment can and should be completed with research! Revisit finance.Yahoo.com and search for the Stock symbol for your publicly-traded company. Then, click on financials-quarterly. These will be very large numbers, but you will still get a feel for your company's financial statements.

Utilizing this Cash Flow Template complete three months of cash flow for your business. If the Cash Flow for your company is in the fiscal year format utilize that data. Add the name of your company to the top of the Spreadsheet and then begin to fill in the information.

For assistance with this assignment, refer to Chapter 14 in the text and the video. Be sure to research any terms you do not understand on the template and also be aware that not all of the items will be relevant to your business, so make the template relevant to you. Make sure to rename the file and as a reminder, this assignment will be part of your final business plan project.

Note: If you have a cash flow Excel template that you prefer to use feel free to do so.

In addition to submitting your Cash Flow Template, submit a second document with your answers to the following questions:

· What are the categories in a cash flow statement?

· What are revenues?

· Summarize the categories of revenues in a cash flow statement.

· Discuss some of the cash flow items, which will show up, on your business statement.

Make sure to cite your sources APA format.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/ Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

U.S. Financial Institutions - After completing the reading for this module, let's re-cap! Please answer the following questions in your initial post:

1. What is money, what are its characteristics and functions, and what are the three parts of the U.S. Money supply?

2. What are the key financial Institutions and what role do they play in the process of financial intermediation?

3. After describing the key financial institutions in question #2, where would you deposit your money? Why? What financial institution is working with your chosen company?

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.

Overview:

This is the last module. WOW! Great work getting to this point!

The focus for this module is your culminating project that ties many of the assignments together: The Final Project - The Business Plan.

Objectives:

1. Develop and write a full Business Plan.

2. Describe an assignment that was worth your time.

Resources:

· Read the directions and all support information for the Final Project: The Business Plan

· Review the Score: Business Plan for a Start-up Business template Download Score: Business Plan for a Start-up Business template. You are writing a business plan for a publicly-traded mature company, but the sections and the explanation of the sections are still accurate.

· Visit these websites to help with any future business launch (just for fun!):

o SBA Montpelier District Office

o Vermont Small Business Development Center

· Visit the CCV Career Services website for information about Business Careers

Assignments:

Assignment Title: Final Project - The Business Plan

Description: Please review the full instructions for the Final Project: The Business Plan and submit your Business Plan (as one document) here.

A few key reminders:

The Business Plan will be a minimum of 8 pages.

This is a research paper in the format of a Business Plan. Use proper in-text citations (APA) and a References page at the end of the plan formatted in APA style. Be sure to include a minimum of 3 quotes in your plan and 3 sources based on your research.

Ensure you have contacted the Hartness Library with a research question. You will receive credit as part of your final plan for your question. Include your question and the Library’s answer in an addendum at the end of your Business Plan. You should utilize the Hartness Librarian's suggestions as credible sources for your paper.

The paper needs to follow the Business Plan format as laid out in the full instructions. Not all parts of the example business plan and explanations of the sections pertain to every business, but most do!

The business plan must have sections to make reading for stakeholders easier.

Points: 100

Discussion Question/Demonstrate Your Learning Forum Prompt:

Tying it All Together - Please respond to these final prompts about our course:

· List three assignments, topics, or papers that were worth your time and effort and that you learned something from!

· Each module began with a quote. Select one that had a particular resonance with you and briefly discuss why.

Make sure that your answer is substantive. Aim at 300 to 350 words well cited in APA format. Post and then reply to two classmates' posts for full credit. Make sure your replies are also substantive beyond that you agree or disagree.