Category: Business and Management

Discussion Question 14
A discussion question should be answered with a substantial post of 2-3 paragraphs.
Then, it will be followed up with two peer responses that are also substantial responses of 1-2 paragraphs. 
Why is it essential to prepare a personal financial budget?
Explain what is meant by the term “time value of money”. For example, why might it be better to receive $8 today, over receiving a promise of $9 seven years from now?
How should one consider the time value of money when planning for retirement?  Please share examples within your response.
So two pages total is good including responses. 

1.    Create a folder named Lab2 on your desktop or flash drive.
2.    Download the following files (downloading is done clicking each of the links found below.  Pay attention to where the file is being saved – it should be your lab2 folder.
3.    Rename each of the files to remove the file name preface information.  (For example: lab02_Lions.jpg would be renamed to Lions.jpg)
4.    Create a sub folder to the Lab2 folder called Word Documents 
5.    Create a sub folder to the Word Documents folder called Graphics.  
6.    Create a new sub folder to the Lab2 folder that has your name. 
7.    Arrange all files and folders so they can be seen using multiple windows of the “Computer” program. The following steps will help:
Open the Graphics folder so it will have its own window,
then go back to the Lab2 folder and open the Word Documents folder in its own window,
then open the folder with your name
and finally open the Lab2 folder. You should have 4 open windows on your screen.
Hint: right click on the task bar and use the “Show windows side by side” feature. 
8.    Move the Word files into the Word Documents sub folder
9.    Copy the graphic files into the Graphics sub folder. 
10.  Move the Excel file into the folder with your name.
11.  Use the Snipping Tool or the Print Screen feature to capture a picture of the open folders and save it in the .gif file format.
I have attached all 6 Files needed to complete this assignment 

Prepare: Stakeholder Analysis and Findings
The assignment due in Week 7 is CM Strategy: Stakeholder Analysis and Findings. Be sure you connect with your client and schedule meetings with the stakeholders from whom you will be seeking inputs. The other component of Week 7 assignment is to analyze the corporate culture and environment and assess the organization’s readiness for change. 
Keep in mind that the information from your stakeholder analysis and findings report will inform your recommendations and adoption strategies, which you will submit in Week 8. And the fast follow will be to create a presentation that explains the stakeholder analysis and findings, recommendations, adoption strategies, and metrics identified to track adoption. Your presentation is due in Week 9, and you should schedule time with your client and whomever else should be in attendance to deliver the presentation.
Continue keeping regular interactions with your client so they can be informed of how you’re doing the change work. Make sure to include them in decisions and exchange insights. Remember, they are your collaborative partner in the change work.
Overview
The purpose of this assignment is to conduct discovery to understand the stakeholders and the organization and identify themes from your discovery activities. You will utilize methodologies from your selected change model to complete discovery. 
Preparation
Because this assignment is dependent on the information you gather through stakeholder analysis and examination of artifacts, you should schedule time with your contact person at the client organization. Explain the activities and tasks with which you will be engaging and make the necessary arrangements. Refer to these readings to help you with this assignment:
Rothwell, W. J., Stavros, J. M., & Sullivan, R. L. (Eds.). (2015). Practicing organization development: Leading transformation and change (4th ed.). Wiley.
Page 289.
McCalman, J., Paton, R. A., & Siebert, S. (2016). Change management: A guide to effective implementation (4th ed.). Sage.
Page 112. 
Instructions
Complete the following for your stakeholder analysis and findings report. Support your writing with information from your course readings and other research you’ve conducted.
Conduct a stakeholder analysis.
Use the analysis approach of your selected model and conduct a stakeholder analysis to assess the change impacts.
Describe the methods you used and what you observed from your stakeholder analysis. 
Analyze 3–5 stakeholders.
Create a change diagram or model of the inputs and outputs needed to reach the targeted change state.
Align the inputs and outputs to your stakeholder analysis.
Refer to systems thinking research to help illustrate the big picture and interactions within.
Analyze the organization’s culture and climate for change.
Describe the organization’s corporate culture such as the leadership structure, organizational structure, and internal systems. In other words, what are the goals, roles, procedures, and relationships? Consider the different roles and responsibilities. 
Summarize the mission and vision of the organization and how they tie in with the organization’s business practices or the way they operate.
Include stories about the organization that support or conflict with the organization’s stated values, beliefs, et cetera. 
Assess the organization’s readiness for change. 
Summarize the stakeholder analysis and organization culture. 
Discuss the themes you found from the analysis.
Use the models/components you selected and frame the organization’s readiness for change.
Additional Requirements
Your submission should meet the following requirements:
Written communication: Write in complete sentences free from errors that detract from the overall message. Communicate in an exemplary and professional manner through clear, concise, well-organized, and grammatically correct writing.
Font: Arial, 12 point.
Page length: 2–3 pages.
Citations: Include complete citations of your sources. Review Evidence and APALinks to an external site. for more information on how to cite your sources.
Review the assignment scoring guide for details on how your assignment will be graded.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and scoring guide criteria:
Competency 2: Assess change management principles and their use cases for achieving desired results.
Analyze the organization’s culture and climate for change.
Competency 3: Apply change management interventions.
Conduct stakeholder analysis.
Create a change diagram or model of the inputs and outputs needed to reach the targeted change state.
Competency 4: Evaluate the efficacy of change management interventions.
Assess the organization’s readiness for change.
Competency 5: Convey purpose, in an appropriate tone and style, incorporating supporting evidence and adhering to organizational, professional, and scholarly writing standards management interventions.
Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

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of 7
ZOOM
IS 301 – Business Communications Individual Analytic Research Report
See Syllabus and Class Site for Due Dates
Overview of Assignment
Your entire team will be assigned one topic from the six topics listed below.
While this is an individual assignment, your team will provide support and feedback throughout. Each of
you will complete your own analytical report. Your final report will be uploaded to Dropbox and in APA
format. You will follow APA guidelines for all formatting, in-text citations, and bibliographical
information. If you have questions about the report, please ask me early. Allow yourself generous
amounts of time for this assignment, and work each week on it. Writing and revising take time.
Based upon a business problem needing a solution, students take on the role of “consultant” to research
both the business problem and their selected company. The report is centered on analyzing a problem
within a company and providing a solution(s).
Each team member will complete an analytical research report tied to the topic. Introductory info about
this assignment is included in this document. There will be separate documents that will go into greater
detail about the report. You will also participate in a team debate presentation, which is not tied to your
subtopic, but will utilize the same team setup. You will also participate in an individual presentation,
which will be similar to the topic area of your group. More information on these two presentations will
be introduced at a later time. Carefully review all of the introductory information contained under the
Week 4 module in order to grasp some of the requirements for the report. This document and this week
function as an introduction to the report. It is a starting point on the journey to more.
The purpose of this report is to give students experience with creating a formal analytic problem-solving
report using proper headings/ subheadings, consistent formatting, and clear organization. The formal
report replaces the memo or letter when the topic requires lengthy discussion. A form of critical
thinking in which we separate a whole into its parts, analysis is essential to effective workplace problem
solving.
Purpose of Assignment
• Apply your knowledge of organizational writing/communication.
• Demonstrate information competence through library database research and through the
integration of data to bolster persuasive arguments.
• Analyze a business problem, and propose and analyze justifiable business solutions based on
researched data.
• Demonstrate literacy skills by producing a professional, business report.
Step One – Choosing your audience
Choose a company to be the audience of your report. Research about the company. You will address
your letter of transmittal to the board of directors of this company. This will be your audience. Keep
them in mind throughout your report. The company does not need to have your particular business
problem in reality.
Step Two – Researching your topic and creating a workplan outline
Following the guidelines from the librarian, research your topic. Use subject term searches and consult
databases with credible articles. Create a workplan outline. Overall, your outline should provide a clear,
logical structure for your report. It should help your audience to follow your report’s research and
findings.
Research Topics
1) Community Engagement and Corporate-Nonprofit Partnerships
Increasingly, consumers are voting with their wallets. More and more companies are realizing that giving
back to their communities is not just good ethics, but it also makes good business sense. Company X has
asked you to help it to create a solid community engagement program. Research corporate community
engagement and what is involved.
• What is corporate community engagement? What is social responsibility?
• Why is this a growing concern? Why is it important for companies to give back?
• Are there benefits or drawbacks? If so, what and why?
• Who engages in the best practices and what are the lessons learned?
• How could the company implement a successful community engagement program?
o What criteria would the company need to develop to ensure success?
o What possible nonprofit partners would you suggest and why?
2) Telecommuting
More and more employees are looking to work from home. Company X has asked you to help it create a
successful telecommuting policy and program. Research telecommuting and how the company could
implement such a policy and program for employees.
• What is telecommuting?
• Why is it growing?
• Are there benefits or drawbacks? If so, what and why? For whom?
• Who engages in the best practices and what are the lessons learned?
• How could the company implement a successful telecommuting policy/program?
oWhat criteria would the company need to develop to ensure success?
3) Interpersonal Conflict in the Workplace
Every workplace includes complex interpersonal relationships – coworker, employer-employee, etc. At
times those relationships experience conflict. Company X is planning to create policy for preventing and
dealing with interpersonal conflict and is asking for your help. Research workplace conflict and how the
company should prevent and deal with implementation of a workplace policy.
• What is workplace conflict and what are the types of interpersonal conflict?
• Why is this a concern?
• What is the role of organizations in preventing conflict?
• Who engages in best practices and what are the lessons learned?
• Should/how could the company implement a successful conflict prevention/resolution program?
4) Employee Wellness
Numerous articles suggest that company wellness plans cut healthcare costs. Company X has asked you
to help it create a successful employee wellness program. Research employee wellness and how the
company could implement such a program for its employees.
• What is employee wellness? What is employee burnout?
• Why is this a growing concern?
• Are there benefits or drawbacks? If so, what and why?
• Who engages in the best practices and what are the lessons learned?
• How could the company implement a successful employee wellness program? o What criteria
would the company need to develop to ensure success?
5) Diversity and Inclusion
Company X has decided to implement a diversity and inclusion policy/program. It has asked you to help
it create a successful diversity and inclusion policy and program, including training for its employees
regarding prevention of sexual harassment and bullying in the workplace.
• What is diversity and inclusion? What is gender equity?
• Why is this a growing concern?
• Are there benefits or drawbacks? If so, what and why?
• Who engages in the best practices and what are the lessons learned?
• How could the company implement a successful diversity and inclusion policy/program?
o What criteria would the company need to develop to ensure success?
6) Corporate Image/Identity
Corporations can benefit from having a strong and positive corporate image and/or identity. Typically
the corporate image is respected or admired by those in the demographic(s) who purchase/use their
products or services. Company X is considering a corporate rebranding or update to their corporate
image.
• What is corporate identity? Corporate image?
• When would corporate identity/image be a concern?
• Are there benefits and drawbacks of a corporate rebranding? If so, what and why? For whom?
• Who has engaged in the best/worst practices and what are the lessons learned?
• How could the company implement a successful rebranding?
• What criteria would the company need to develop to ensure success?
Step Three – Writing your analytical research report
The “meat” of your report will be 4-6 pages, single-spaced. You may include one page of visuals –
graphs, tables, charts, etc. The title page, transmittal letter or memo, table of contents, executive
summary, exhibits, references, and appendices are in addition to the minimum individual written body
sections of the report; therefore, these sections do not count in the total page count, but are required.
That means your report will most likely be between 11 to 12 pages long in the end. Follow the list of
components provided in Chapter 14 and 15 of the text for an outline of the sections to include in your
report. All sections are required. Also, please see the breakdown sheet for what else to include, which
will come soon since today is all about introducing the report. I will also present a series of lectures on
report elements. I will discuss the report more in later weeks. You must include one visual in your
report. Report components and a report example are detailed in course documents and Chapter 15 of
your textbook.
1. Title page
2. Letter of Transmittal
3. Table of Contents and Figures/Illustrations
4. Report
5. Reference page
Use aspects of good business writing in this report – conciseness, clarity, correct grammar, and
conversational tone. Do not use a style that is fancy, pompous, or wordy. Proofread your report several
times. Errors in these areas mar the good impression your work can make. You may also have other
outside readers review your report (see the University Writing Center).
APA Formatting and Citations
You must use a minimum of three credible sources, including one scholarly (written by academic
experts) and one professional source (written for people who work in a certain field). The library offers
free access to many online sources and databases, as well as printed sources. Your information must be
from reputable sources (i.e. found from the library databases or other published sources) within the last
ten years. Any questions, consult your librarian.
Review a sample APA report
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/do
cuments/20090212013008_560.pdf
from Purdue OWL to be sure your formatting and structure are correct.
Use in-text references, done according to APA style. An example is (Denton, 2020, p. 46); this in-text
note would refer a reader to your bibliography, which must also be done in APA style.
www.apastyle.org http://libguides.nwmissouri.edu/apa
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.
You can also use the APA web sources referenced on the university library web site.
PLAGIARISM WILL RESULT IN A “0” FOR YOUR REPORT.
Introduction – ½ to 1 page
The introduction should include your research question/problem statement, narrowed, focused, and
clearly stated; a scope statement (specifying exactly what you are including and excluding), and the
purpose of the study – i.e., why the company has hired you as a consultant. Also, briefly describe your
research strategy along with what indexes and databases you searched. Do this in such a way that the
company’s board of directors will feel confident that you are systematic in your approach, and that your
information will be complete, accurate, and relevant.
Use meaningful headings and sub-headings in APA format to help your reader follow your report.
Remember to define any new terms that the reader won’t immediately understand. As a transition to
the report body, give the reader a brief preview of the way your report body will be organized. (Assume
some knowledge on the part of the board; these people are business professionals after all. Keep your
audience in mind; otherwise your report may be too long and too elementary.)
Research Findings – 3 pages
Again, use a system of APA headings and sub-headings and at least one figure/exhibit (visual/
graphic/table). Be sure to cite all ideas and paraphrasing to avoid plagiarism. Review the questions listed
below your topic to give you some guidance for the body of your report.
Conclusions and Recommendations – 1-1 ½ pages
Summarize each main section and any inferences you can draw on the basis of the summary in your
conclusion. Include your recommendation(s) after the conclusion section. This should be a strong finish,
using persuasive writing to convince the board to adopt your recommendation(s). Cite benefits to the
company, both direct and indirect.
Report Submission
Dropbox
1. report as a Word file or pdf (no reference page)
2. report as a Word file or pdf with reference page (UPLOAD THIS ONE SECOND!)
Analytical Research Report Grading
The content will be evaluated using the designated rubric, as well as APA style and formatting
guidelines. Spelling, grammar, word choice, topic sentences, summarizations, introduction, conclusion,
and the appropriate supporting information are areas that will be evaluated.

***WARNING Students, AI has been identified when grading papers, you will recieve a 0 if identified*** This needs to be written of your own words followed by references that just back up what you are saying. ***
Did you know that Hallmark® cards are sold in over 40,00 retail outlets nationwide and over 100 countries? Each year the company produces 10,000 new cards. 
Review Hallmark’s brand portfolio and respond to the following: 
What are the different customer segments targeted by these brands? 
What are the critical elements of Hallmark’s success?
Who are its biggest competitors?
How would you sustain the company’s leadership position if you were the marketing manager?

It is a Philosophy course but content is related to Business Ethics.
Essay topic
One of the central debates in business ethics concerns the nature of corporate social responsibility—specifically, whether corporate executives/managers have moral obligations which go beyond maximizing profit for stockholders. With direct reference to the essays by Friedman, Freeman and Heath, write a critical essay on the theme of corporate social responsibility. You should address the question: What are the social responsibilities of a corporation? Is a corporation solely responsible for maximizing profits for stockholders? Or do corporations have social responsibilities which go further than this, say to stakeholders or to the marketplace?  
Instructions and criteria of assessment
In addressing the above topic, you should write an argumentative essay, whereby you:
(i) State your thesis explicitly (‘My goal in this paper is to…’).
(ii) Explicate the text (identifying, contrasting, and discussing the arguments made by the authors you are examining, and which relate to your thesis).
(iii) Provide analysis (with a view to supporting your thesis)
You should draw from all three of the above-mentioned authors in answering the above question. In other words, you will be evaluated on your explication and critical analysis of the three models of corporate responsibility, and on the strength of the arguments you make in support of the position for which you are arguing. The paper should be double spaced, 5 to 6 pages long, and it is due on May 21.    
Here are some questions (guidelines) you should keep in mind in writing your paper:
Does your paper have a clearly articulated thesis?
Is the thesis supported by arguments?
Are these arguments logically structured?
Do you make use of the primary texts in defending your thesis?
Have you anticipated potential criticisms of your position and demonstrated why your position is superior to rival interpretations?
Is your writing clear and to the point?
Is your writing technically flawless, free of spelling mistakes and grammatical errors?
Do you have proper documentation in a consistent style?
Will use Turnitin detect plagiarism or AI writing.
Milton Friedman, “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Its Profit”
Edward Freeman, “Managing for Stakeholders”
Joseph Heath, “Business Ethics without Stakeholders”

APA Exercise. Instructions attached to include a bibliography. I have included 3 primary resources that must be used but writer can add more. 
Source 1:
Birkeland, S., Lemons, R., Stevenson, I., & Villanova, R. (2022). 5 Guiding Questions Build a Strategic Approach to Leadership Coaching. Learning Professional, 43(2), 52–55. https://doi.org/https://learningforward.org/journal/coaching-for-change/5-guiding-questions-build-a-strategic-approach-to-leadership-coaching/
Soource 2: 
Birkeland, S., Lemons, R., Stevenson, I., & Villanova, R. (2022). 5 Guiding Questions Build a Strategic Approach to Leadership Coaching. Learning Professional, 43(2), 52–55. https://doi.org/https://learningforward.org/journal/coaching-for-change/5-guiding-questions-build-a-strategic-approach-to-leadership-coaching/
Source 3:
Leger, M. (2023). Building High-Trust Workplaces: The Role of Employee Resource Groups in Fostering Stronger Employee-Employer Relationships. Washington D.C., American Enterprise Institute.

Sources of innovation increasingly transcend the boundaries of the firm. Critically discuss the role of universities as sources of innovation for organisations.

Please note that your assignments may refer back to the readings and lessons from previous units.
In this assignment, you will write a single, three-part, scholarly paper that addresses various factors that impact organizations.
Begin with an introduction that presents your thesis statement and briefly addresses how a multitude of factors can affect organizational behavior and performance.
You will then focus specifically on discrimination and tokenism in the workplace. After conducting your own research, discuss those terms and how they may apply in the workplace. Support your analysis with examples of how various forms of discrimination can impact organizations.
Part 1 of your paper must be two pages in length and be supported by at least two peer-reviewed or academically reliable sources.
For part 2, review the case titled, “Ethical Dilemma Voiding the ‘License to Discriminate’” on page 68 of the course eTextbook. Then, continue your paper by addressing the questions 2–12, 2–13, and 2–14 found below the case. Use examples to support each of your answers.
Your responses to Part 2 must be two pages in length. At least one of your responses to the questions should be supported by a peer-reviewed resource from the CSU Online Library. Use an article that has been published within the past five years that focuses on tokenism and/or discrimination.
In part 3 of this paper, you will turn your attention to how attitudes and moods factor into organizational behavior. Research differentiating characteristics that specifically focus on motivation in organizations, work-related attitudes, and the impact that moods have on jobs. Choose two distinct characteristics, and address the following.
Briefly identify and explain your chosen characteristics.
Provide an analysis of your chosen characteristics and their potential impact on organizations.
Support your response with examples to illustrate the impacts.
Part 3 of your paper must be two pages in length and be supported by at least two peer-reviewed or academically reliable sources.
Ensure the requirements for all three parts of this assignment are met before submitting the final, single document in Blackboard. The title and reference pages do not count toward the page requirements. Adhere to APA Style when constructing this assignment, including in-text citations and references for all sources that are used. Please note that no abstract is needed.

Please complete the assignment in an excel file. You can merge and center a number of cells to type in comments as a paragraph. 
ALL OF THE QUESTIONS ARE TO BE SOLVED IN EXCEL USING EXCEL CALCULATIONS