BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 1 Discussion
- Choose Your Company
In this course you will take on the role of a business consultant to help a company solve a problem or capitalize on an opportunity. The first step is to select the company you will use for your assignments.
Preview the instructions for the assignments in Weeks 3, 6, and 9 in the course guide. This will help you as you make your company selection.
Think of a company you would like to work for or a company in an industry that interests you. You may select a publicly traded company, a small business, a non-profit, or a local or federal government entity (Note: You may not select: Amazon, Google, Apple, Netflix, Target, Walmart, Disney or Microsoft). If you choose a local/small business, much of the data you need to gather will come from interviews either in person, by email, or over the phone.
Introduce yourself to your classmates and share some of the knowledge and skills from your business program journey that you could leverage in your role as a business consultant. (Note: Think about the S-Curve for businesses and the importance of innovation and adaptation to change.)
Identify the company you have selected. When were they founded?
What is the mission and vision of the company? What do they do, and who do they serve? What industry does the company serve? (Be concise)
Why did you choose this company?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates. You are encouraged to ask questions to help each other in refining this part of your assignment.
Research Resources:
Business Source Ultimate Database
These are tutorials/guides to help you efficiently use the Business Source Ultimate database.
Company, Industry, and Market Research using Business Source UltimateLinks to an external site. (this resource will provide custom guidance for your research in this assignment)
Business Source Ultimate Library Guide
Library of Congress Research GuidesLinks to an external site.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 2 Discussion
- Company Background
In last week's discussion, you introduced your classmates to the company that you will use for your business consulting plan. This week you will continue to gather data on the company.
Where and how does the company operate? (e.g., headquarters location, store locations, number of employees working for the company, key internal executives in the company.)
In your assignments, you will focus on a challenge or opportunity for the company and connect it back to some of the main categories of study in your business program.
What area do you anticipate will be the focus of your consultation and how can you apply the knowledge and skills that you've obtained throughout your business program? (e.g., finance, operations, leadership, marketing, human resources [staffing], etc.)
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates. You are encouraged to ask questions to help each other in refining this part of your assignment.
Research Resources:
Business Source Ultimate Database
These are tutorials/guides to help you efficiently use the Business Source Ultimate database.
Company, Industry, and Market Research using Business Source UltimateLinks to an external site. (this resource will provide custom guidance for your research in this assignment)
Business Source Ultimate Library Guide
Library of Congress Research GuidesLinks to an external site.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 3 Discussion
- Company Financials
The first part of your Business Consulting Plan is due this week. In preparation, research your company's financial statements or other data that provides insight into their financials. If it is a small/local business request this information.
What is the company's annual revenue and cash flow?
Is the company operating on the net positive or negative?
How might the company's financial data provide insight into a challenge or opportunity the company might be facing?
How could you use this data to inform your recommendation in your business consulting plan?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates. You are encouraged to ask questions to help each other in refining this part of your assignment. For example, you could recommend additional resources to explore for more information.
Research Resources:
Business Source Ultimate Database
These are tutorials/guides to help you efficiently use the Business Source Ultimate database:
Company, Industry, and Market Research using Business Source UltimateLinks to an external site. (this resource will provide custom guidance for your research in this assignment)
Business Source Ultimate Library Guide
Library of Congress Research GuidesLinks to an external site. (See left-hand menu)
The following websites can provide helpful data on budgets and spending:
Government spending (Mind map)
U.S. National Debt: Implications for Organizations
Fiscal Data US Treasury Dept.Links to an external site.
USA SpendingLinks to an external site.
There are also many other relevant internet resources (e.g., Yahoo Finance).
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 4 Discussion
- Setting Priorities
In your reading this week from The Leader of the Future 2, you examined new perspectives on leadership including setting direction, creating alignment, and building commitment.
Discuss an example of each of these leadership roles and choose one that is critical for your business consulting plan. Explain why.
In your Week 3 assignment you used a SWOT analysis to target the top priorities for your chosen company.
How can the SWOT analysis help in identifying the most critical areas for improvement or investment??What areas stand out for your chosen company and why?
Are there any trade-offs between addressing weaknesses and seizing opportunities? How can these be balanced effectively when setting priorities?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 5 Discussion
- Personal and Organizational Decision-Making
Prepare:
Complete this self-inventoryLinks to an external site. to explore your personal decision-making style.
Revisit the case study from the Learn section this week: Organizational Decision Making: The Case of CoolToys, Inc.
Discuss:
Answer the following questions about the decision-making self-inventory:
What category or categories did you align with based on your results?
What are you most confident in and what would you like to work on regarding your decision-making abilities?
In the case study, CoolToys' leadership is considering forgoing profitability in the short term for future growth opportunities. In the business world you will be tasked with making strategic decisions.
What stands out to you as the most important data set in the case study to inform CoolToys' leadership about their product mix decision? Why?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 6 Discussion
- Strategic Communication in Change Management
Revisit the Learn section for this week to review Kotter's 8 Steps for Leading Change and the case study: The Importance of Strategic Communication During Change Management at Palm College of Hospitality and Event Management.
In Kotter's model, the first step is "establishing a sense of urgency."
Discuss 2 examples of how a sense of urgency can be created to overcome communication barriers within an organization.
How could you use this strategy as you develop the communication plan for your company?
In the case study Palm College of Hospitality and Event Management is undergoing a change in administrational leadership. The changes need to be communicated in such a way that it improves the workers' morale and provides faculty and staff with the information that they need to support the new vision of the college.
If you were a business consultant for Palm College, what recommendation(s) would you offer to the new dean regarding his email and future communication channels?
How can you apply the change management communication strategies discussed in the case study to your company's consulting plan?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 7 Discussion
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
This week you read the case study: Making the Right Moves? The NFL and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Coach and Executive Hiring. You are also completing a communication plan activity that will be part of your Week 9 assignment.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs can enhance organizations' competitive position and brand perception. In the case study you are asked to assume the role of a consultant in helping to make the NFL's commitments around DEI impactful and effectively communicating their resolve in enacting organizational change.
How can the NFL foster a culture that actively supports and promotes the growth of minority and women coaches and executives within the organization? Support your response with specific examples from the case study.
Discuss 2 communication strategies you would recommend to the NFL to discover unconscious bias and create buy-in for DEI efforts.
How might you use this approach when implementing DEI principles for your chosen company?
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 8 Discussion
- Ethical Leadership
What are the key characteristics of an ethical leader?
How does ethical leadership impact employee motivation and organizational culture positively?
This week you read Ch. 14 in The Leader of the Future 2. In this chapter the authors discuss the concept of servant leadership.
Discuss two examples of how servant leadership can ward off unethical behavior.
One example should be from the book and the other should be applicable to your chosen company.
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 9 Discussion
- Managing by Inclusion
This week you will complete the final part of your business consulting plan with your implementation strategy. A precondition for success in implementing organizational change is making sure stakeholder voices matter, which creates an inclusive environment for the successful execution of the plan.
This week you read Chapter 17 Challenges for Leaders in the Years Ahead which explored the concept of managing by inclusion.
Discuss an industry from the reading that has a history of failing to foster inclusion in the decision-making process. Provide specific examples.
How does practicing inclusion (recognizing that stakeholders must be factored into every decision) create a challenge for achieving consensus? How is this a positive outcome?
Share two examples of how you can translate these leadership practices into your implementation strategy for this week's assignment. Be sure to support your position with evidence.
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 10 Discussion
- Measuring Success
Now that your business consulting plan is complete you need to consider how to measure its success and determine changes moving forward.
Discuss two strategies to evaluate the success of your plan.
Predict one possible risk that could impact the success of your consulting plan and a strategy to mitigate that risk.
Discuss two strategies for responding to stakeholder feedback, including a plan to address stakeholder concerns.
Provide a substantive response to one or more of your classmates.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 11 Discussion
- ROI Journal
Every course you take is an investment in the “Business of You.” Take a moment to reflect on what you’ve learned over the last 11 weeks and answer the following:
How will you apply what you have learned in this course in your professional and personal life?
What challenges did you have in this course, and how did you grow from them?
Respond to at least one of your classmates with a comment, suggestion, or comparison to help them in their professional journey. Avoid repeating what your peers have said; instead, aim to be original and authentic.
Watch Dr. Keller's video to help you get started:
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 3 Assignment
Business Consulting Plan Part 1: Gathering the Data
Overview
The assignments in this course are framed around a scenario in which you are hired by a company as a consultant to provide recommendations on solving a problem or capitalizing on an opportunity. You will draw upon your knowledge and skills around operations, finance, marketing, leadership, etc. for each assignment. The assignments will be completed in a PowerPoint presentation template and will be combined into a final pitch deck for your business consulting plan that you can add to your portfolio.
In your course discussions so far, you've been asked to choose a company for your assignments and to start gathering data related to a challenge or opportunity that the company is facing. Now you will assume the role of a consultant and provide critical data and insights that can inform your future recommendation for an effective business strategy for the company. This assignment is the first part of your business consulting plan pitch deck for the company leadership.
Instructions:
The assignment must be completed in the provided PowerPoint template.
Download and save the Week 3_Assignment Template [PPTX] Download Week 3_Assignment Template [PPTX].
Follow the guidelines provided in the Strayer Library: SWS Guidelines for Slideshow Presentations
Review the rubric carefully before you begin working on the assignment.
Review your discussions and feedback from Weeks 1, 2, and 3. (These discussions provided specific directions on how to choose a company and how to gather important data)
Using the template, create a seven-slide presentation that will be part of a pitch deck for the company that hired you as a business consultant. Each slide should include 1-2 paragraphs of speaker notes that will be utilized to explain the content to the company leadership during your presentation. (Note: A video tutorial has been provided under the resources section below)
For Slide 1: Title slide, add the name of the company as a subtitle and your name and the date.
For slides 2 and 3 use the information and feedback from your Week 1 and 2 discussions:
Slide 2. Describe the company. When they were founded, what they do, who they serve, and their mission, and vision statements. (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
Slide 3. Explain the company operations, including where they are located, the number of employees, and the key internal executives. (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
For slide 4 use the research and feedback from your Week 3 discussion:
Slide 4. Summarize the company's key financial data. For example, the annual revenue, cash flow, if they are operating net positive or negative, etc. In the speaker notes, clearly explain what the financial data tells you about the company. For example, what relevant insights does the data offer that could inform your recommendation in the next assignment?
For slides 5 and 6 locate or create a SWOT analysis for the company to inform your responses (see the resources section below for help):
Slide 5. Assess what the company does well and where they could improve their product or service offering. Provide supporting evidence. Note: This is the internal environment. (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
Slide 6. Determine at least two challenges or areas of opportunity the company may be experiencing. Provide supporting evidence as to why it is important for the company to address the challenge or opportunity. Note: This is the external environment. (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
Slide 7. Sources slide. Use at least three quality sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source slide at least one time within your assignment.
For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library.
Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Resources
SWS Guidelines for Slideshow Presentations
The following tools available in the Strayer Library will help you with your research:
Company, Industry, and Market Research using Business Source UltimateLinks to an external site. (This resource will provide custom guidance for your research in this assignment.)
Business Source Ultimate Library Guide
Business Source Ultimate Database
Market Line Company Profiles - Type the company name in 2nd field. (Note: Your company may or may not be listed here.)
SWOT analyses can often be found under publication type
Library of Congress Research GuidesLinks to an external site. (See their left-hand menu.)
The following websites can provide helpful data on budgets and spending:
U.S. National Debt: Implications for Organizations
Government spending (Mind map)
Fiscal Data US Treasury Dept.Links to an external site.
USA SpendingLinks to an external site.
There are also many other relevant internet resources (e.g., Yahoo Finance).
Video tutorial on how to add speaker notes to a PowerPoint presentation:
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is the following:
Analyze a business challenge or opportunity using data related to management, operations, finance, and/or marketing.
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 6 Assignment
Business Consulting Plan Part 2: Analysis and Recommendation
Overview
The assignments in this course are framed around a scenario in which you are hired by a company as a consultant to provide a recommendation on solving a challenge or capitalizing on an opportunity. You will draw upon your knowledge and skills around operations, finance, marketing, leadership, etc. for each assignment. The assignments will be completed in a PowerPoint presentation template and will be combined into a final pitch deck that you can add to your portfolio. In your Week 3 assignment you shared important data and insights about your company. In this assignment, you will continue in your role as a hired consultant and analyze that data to create a recommendation for your company to either solve a problem or capitalize on an opportunity. This will be the 2nd part of your pitch deck presentation.
Instructions:
The assignment must be completed in the provided PowerPoint template.
Download and save the Week 6_Assignment_Template [PPTX] Download Week 6_Assignment_Template [PPTX].
Follow the guidelines provided in the Strayer Library: SWS Guidelines for Slideshow Presentations
Review the rubric carefully before you begin working on the assignment.
Using the template, create an eight-slide presentation that will be part of a pitch deck for the company that hired you as a business consultant.
Each slide should include 1-2 paragraphs of speaker notes that will be utilized to explain the content to the company leadership during your presentation. (Note: A video tutorial has been provided under the resources section below)
For Slide 1. Title slide - add the name of the company as a subtitle and your name and the date.
For Slide 2. Identify one challenge or opportunity that you will address as a consultant. In your speaker notes, explain the basis or rationale behind this selection. Remember, you are creating a pitch to the company leadership. Convince them why they should address this challenge or opportunity.
For slides 3-4 research close competitors of the company to determine their approach to a similar challenge or opportunity.
Slides 3-4. Analyze similar solutions for the challenge or opportunity from two competitors. Be sure to provide specific, relevant details to connect the competitors' approach to your recommendation. (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
Sides 5-7. Recommend an approach to solve the challenge or capitalize on the opportunity identified for the company. Include specific details explaining which areas in the company would be the focus of your recommendation. (e.g. human resources, management, accounting/finance, marketing, etc.) (Detailed explanation should be placed in the speaker notes.)
Slide 8. Sources slide. Use three or more quality sources to support your writing. Choose sources that are credible, relevant, and appropriate. Cite each source listed on your source slide at least one time within your assignment.
For help with research, writing, and citation, access the library.
Produce writing that is clear and well organized and applies appropriate Strayer Writing Standards (SWS) style. Writing contains accurate grammar, mechanics, and spelling.
This course requires the use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The library is your home for SWS assistance, including citations and formatting. Please refer to the Library site for all support. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Resources
SWS Guidelines for Slideshow Presentations
The following tools available in the Strayer Library will help you with your research:
Company, Industry, and Market Research using Business Source UltimateLinks to an external site. (Start with this resource - it will be very helpful as you search for specific information.)
Business Source Ultimate Library Guide
Business Source Ultimate Database (Tip: Search for case studies as a document type, could also add a NAICS code based on industry and then type the type of issue into the search bar.)
Market Line Company Profiles - Type the company name in the 2nd field. (Note: Your company may or may not be listed here.)
SWOT analyses can be found under the publication type
IBISWorld Database - Library Guide (This is a good resource for researching competitor information.)
Library of Congress Research GuidesLinks to an external site. (See their left-hand menu - use this resource to look for competitor information on public and private companies.)
The following websites can provide helpful data on budgets and spending:
U.S. National Debt: Implications for Organizations
Government spending (Mind map)
Fiscal Data US Treasury Dept.Links to an external site.
USA SpendingLinks to an external site.
There are also many other relevant internet resources (e.g., Yahoo Finance).
Video Tutorial: How to Add Speaker Notes in PowerPoint:
The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is the following:
Recommend an effective strategy to resolve a business challenge or capitalize on an opportunity.
BUS499 Business Admin. Capstone
Week 2 Activity
- Personal Guidebook: The S-Curve and Your Personal and Professional Growth
Your Personal Guidebook
Throughout the business program, you have the opportunity to add one assignment or activity to your personal guidebook, which is a personalized career plan to help you grow and develop throughout your business journey. These assignments will feature leadership and career skills you can use to guide you in your career. Your personal guidebook evolves with you, transforming as you grow, to help you keep track of where you are on the path to success.
This will be your personal guidebook assignment for this course.
Activity Overview and Instructions [PDF] Download Activity Overview and Instructions [PDF].
Open the linked Instructions and read them carefully. Review the rubric below before beginning the activity.
BUS499 Personal Guidebook Activity Template [DOCX] Download BUS499 Personal Guidebook Activity Template [DOCX].
Click the link and download the template. Open it to complete the activity. Save the file as lastname.firstname_BUS499_Personal Guidebook Activity and submit it for a grade below.
