BUS 201 (Ashford) Complete Class
WEEK 1
BUS 201 Week 1: Discussions
DQ 1: Four Functions
Discuss the most important decisions that must be made in (a) planning, (b) organizing, (c) leading, and (d) controlling to allow a manager to utilize organizational resources effectively and build a competitive advantage.
DQ 2: Diversity
Assess how todays increasingly diverse workforce and environment can both help facilitate and hinder a managers responsibilities in an organization.
BUS 201 Week 1 Assignment Managing Ethically
Todays business world often requires that employees work longer hours and travel extensively. This forces many to sacrifice family time and other personal responsibilities for their careers. In a one to two page paper, answer the following: What are the ethical implications of requiring that employees dedicate long hours and extensive travel time to their careers? What obligations, if any, does a manager or employer have to enable employees to create a balanced professional and private life? Support your answers with examples.
Writing Assignment
1. Must be 2-3 double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style
2. Must include a title page with the following:
a) Title of paper
b) Students name
c) Course name and number
d) Instructors name
e) Date submitted
3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.
4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
6. Must use at least 2 scholarly sources.
7. Must document all sources in APA style
8. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style
WEEK 2
BUS 201 Week 2: Discussions Questions
DQ 1: Environmental Factors:
Discuss how globalization is affecting the political, legal, and economic forces impacting todays business environment?
DQ 2: Creativity & Learning:
Explain the role that organizational learning and creativity play in helping managers to improve their decisions.
BUS 201 Week 2 Assignment – Competitive Advantage
Obtaining a competitive advantage is an important aspect of management today because organizations exist in a more global environment than ever before. Within most industries, organizations compete with other companies that are able to provide the same goods and services for less money because they utilize resources in other countries, such as human resources in third world or other low labour cost countries, where workers are typically paid a third of what American labourers receive.
In this two to three (2-3) pages paper, discuss the building blocks of competitive advantage and the role a manager should play in achieving this advantage.
WEEK 3
BUS 201 Week 3: Discussion Questions
DQ 1: Functional Structure:
When and under what conditions might managers change from a functional to (a) a product, (b) a geographic, or (c) a market structure? Give a real-life example of such a change.
DQ 2: Controls:
The three main mechanisms that managers use to assess output or performance are financial measures, organizational goals, and operating budgets. Compare and contrast when it would be more appropriate to use one measurement assignment versus another.
BUS 201 Week 3 Assignment – Motivation
Motivation may be defined as psychological forces that determine the direction of a persons behaviour in an organization. Motivation is central to management because it explains why people behave the way they do.
In a 1-2 page paper, discuss the principle needs/desires of the typical employee. Then, using two motivation theories presented in the course readings, discuss how managers can best motivate their employees to succeed.
WEEK 4
BUS 201 Week 4: Discussions
DQ 1: Groups and Teams:A group may be defined as two or more people who interact with each other to accomplish certain goals or meet certain needs. A team is a group whose members work intensely with each other to achieve a specific common goal or objective. Explain why it is important for groups and teams to have a balance of conformity and deviance and a moderate level of cohesiveness.
DQ 2: Leadership: Leadership is the process by which a person exerts influence over other people and inspires, motivates, and directs their activities to help achieve group or organizational goals. Describe how a leader differs from a manager, and when it would be more advantageous to be a manager rather than a leader, and vice versa.
WEEK 5
BUS 201 Week 5: Discussion Questions
DQ 1: Communication:
Communication is the sharing of information between two or more individuals or groups to reach a common understanding. Elaborate on the factors that are important to ensure communication is effective and efficient in the workplace.
DQ 2: Customers:
Organizations produce outputs that are consumed by customers. Because customers are vital to the organizations survival, it is important for managers to correctly identify customers and promote organizational strategies to respond to their needs. Discuss two operations management techniques that have been adopted by managers in an effort to attract customers.
BUS 201 Week 5 Final Paper – Management
Final Paper
The Final Paper should demonstrate understanding of the reading as well as the implications of new knowledge. It should integrate readings and class discussions into work and life experiences, and also include explanations and examples from previous experiences as well as implications for future applications.
Focus of the Final Paper
Specifically, in your 6-8 pages Final Paper please describe your understanding and application of management by addressing the following:
1. Describe the role of a manager in a typical organization.
2. Propose and discuss three traits an individual should possess to be an effective manager.
3. How do these traits fit the four functions of management?
Please ensure your paper is properly APA formatted and includes a minimum of three (3) peer reviewed citations within the paper.
Writing the Final Paper
The Final Paper:
1) Must be six to eight double-spaced pages in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved style guide.
2) Must include a cover page that includes:
Name of paper
Students name
Course name and number
Instructors name
Date submitted
3) Must include an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.
4) Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
5) Must conclude with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.
6) Must use APA style as outlined in your approved style guide to document all sources.
7) Must include at least three professional references.
8) Must include, on the final page, a Reference List that is completed according to APA style as outlined in your approved style guide.
