Include each question before answer. Also include references below each answer
4. Your text specified some of the changes in the external environment that can provide business opportunities (technological discoveries, lifestyle and taste changes, and so on). Identify some recent changes on current trends in the external environment and the business opportunities they might offer.
Note: Your findings here should be very easy, as we have had numerous evolutionary changes in the business community over the last 50 years. As we look back, it is hardly conceivable to consider the improvements we have made in both human relations and technological advancements.
5. Pick a job you have held, and describe it in terms of span of control, delegation, responsibility, authority, and accountability. If you have never held a job, interview someone you know regarding the same criteria and summarize their responses.
Note: The business world offers many varied opportunities to excel in the workplace. As workers, we often do not stop to think about the terms listed in this question. The Unity of Command Principle refers to the basic rule that an employee must answer to a single manager and not several. An exception to this rule is the Matrix management concept.
6. If you were going into business for yourself, what would be your core capabilities? What capabilities do you have now, and what capabilities are you going to develop? Describe what your role would be in a network organization, and the capabilities and roles of other firms you would want in your network.
Note: Entrepreneurship offers much flexibility in how youthe creatormanage and operate your business. Most people who strive to create their own business focus on the retail sector. Others might consider a consultant or even a service type business. Whatever the direction you choose to take, you will interface with other individuals (hopefully customers) who will pay for your products and services. This question focuses on what your strongest attributes are which will serve to ensure your success in the chosen business initiative.
7. What opportunities do you see as a result of the changes in our nations workforce?
Note: Both demographics and diversity will serve to drive the future workforce structure. How these factors are integrated into the overall business base will determine the ultimate outcome. Your opinion is a valued approach to a viable solution for future managers.
8. Identify someone you think is an effective leader. What traits and skills does this person possess that makes him or her effective?
Note: Since our class is focused on the business environment, lets keep our examples in that sector. We need to stay away from the world of politics here and focus our thoughts on some really successful business leaders. These individuals can be local or national and may be involved in any phase of the business environment; wholesale, retail, manufacturing, service industry, etc.
9. Give some examples of workplace situations in which you wanted to do a good job but were prevented from doing so. What was the impact on you, and what would this suggest to you in your efforts to motivate other people to perform?
Note: This question builds on your background in the business world and also encourages reflection about how you prepare to move to the leadership positions in the managing of corporate resources. We will all have good and bad experiences as we progress up the corporate ladder and assume more responsibilities. Lets hear your story and how you accommodated the problem as well as what the outcome was.
10. Discuss personal examples of virtual conflict and how they were managed, either effectively or poorly.
Note: Managers deal with conflict daily. Solutions must be identified, and resolutions must be implemented. Your personal and professional experiences here will be a learning tool for us all.
11. In your opinion, what is the greatest technological invention of the last 100 years? Why?
Share with the class some of your experiencesboth positive and negativewith electronic media.
Note: The age of automation has given us much flexibility in data management. How we utilize this additional information is critical to the success of our business enterprise. We receive, store, manipulate, and transmit data on a continual basis. Sometimes mistakes and/or errors occur. This question allows you to identify those instances when things were both good and bad.
Please take note that this is a wide-open question and you need to address it from either a personal or a business perspective. Historically, we think of personal gadgets we might be using; however, when we step back and view the world as a whole, many technological changes have occurred. Your response here will be most interesting as all our technology has served to enhance our lifestyles.
12. Researchers have identified three important types of control systems adapted by various organizations namely the Bureaucratic Control, Market Control, and Clan Control. Discuss the pros and cons of Bureaucratic controls such as rules, procedures, and close supervision? Determine how effective is either Clan Control or Market Control as a control mechanism? Examine with illustrations and examples their possible strengths and limitations? When should a manager rely primarily on either Clan control or Market control?
Note: The choice of effective control systems depends on numerous factors including organizational size, industry genre, and the type of organizational structure being organic or mechanistic. It is the obligation of the manager to choice the right control system to create value in the organizations.
13. Discuss and differentiate between disruptive change,” and “incremental change?” In what unique ways does each of them affect an organization? Provide an example.
