Intro To Business Case Study

ZAPPOS’S TEAM APPROACH

Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, with its fulfillment center situated next to the UPS hub,Zappos.com has $1 billion in annual revenue. In 2010, Zappos.com was ranked #6 byFortune magazine as one of the best places to work in America. The origin of Zappos was an entrepreneurial effort by Nick Swinmurn called ShoeSite.com. Swinmurn launched this company during the dot-com boom. The concept emerged as a result of Swinmurn’s inability to locate shoes that he was looking for in malls. Swinmurn took photos of the shoes from various shoe stores and uploaded them onto his website. He would take orders, go to the shoe store and purchase the shoes for the customer, and ship the shoes the next day. At the time, there was no single place online to purchase shoes in that way.

Today, Zappos is owned by Amazon.com, which purchased the company for $1.2 billion in 2010. Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh remains at the helm of the company, and the culture of the firm remains intact. In short, Amazon.com has allowed Zappos to continue to operate as it had in the past.

The emphasis on customer satisfaction and employee happiness permeates the culture of Zappos. The name “Zappos” is a derivative of the Spanish word for shoes, “zapatos.” Its culture is driven by 10 core values, the first being to “wow” the customer. Two important core values influence the planning, organizing, leading, and controlling functions at the firm. They are (1) to pursue growth and learning; and (2) to have passion and determination. These and the other core values emphasize teams and employee empowerment, so much so that team leaders (management) are required to spend at least 20 percent of their time off the job with their team members.

Relationship building helps drive a management approach that focuses on the primary goal of the company—to provide the best possible experience for the customer. The four functions of management are discussed in the video, and members of the Zappos team indicate how these functions are practiced at Zappos.

THINKING IT OVER

  1. What does the vision statement for a company like Zappos include?
  2. How does the employee satisfaction and empowerment at Zappos help support the primary goals of the company?
  3. Why do you think team leaders at Zappos are required to spend 20 percent of their time with their teams outside the work environment?

Re-Energizing the Mature Organization

In reviewing the case study on British Airways, it is important to consider the full 10-year period described in the case study (1980–1990). British Airways transformed itself from an organization of inefficiencies into a customer-focused and financially healthy organization. As you prepare your thread, reflect on the transformative power of change in almost every area of the company and the overall change in company culture, and respond to the following prompts:

  • How was the accompanying reading, “Re-Energizing the Mature Organization,” germane to the case on British Airways?
  • What was life like at the “old” British Airways? What was difficult about making change?
  • What were the critical factors in the successful transformation?
  • How did they transform themselves (e.g., key steps and sequence, risks)?
  • What would you have done differently?

Prepare your thread in accordance with the instructions; also, review the Discussion Board Grading Rubric prior to posting your thread.

Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday. Your replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.

In reviewing the case study on British Airways, it is important to consider the full 10-year period described in the case study (1980–1990). British Airways transformed itself from an organization of inefficiencies into a customer-focused and financially healthy organization. As you prepare your thread, reflect on the transformative power of change in almost every area of the company and the overall change in company culture, and respond to the following prompts:

  • How was the accompanying reading, “Re-Energizing the Mature Organization,” germane to the case on British Airways?
  • What was life like at the “old” British Airways? What was difficult about making change?
  • What were the critical factors in the successful transformation?
  • How did they transform themselves (e.g., key steps and sequence, risks)?
  • What would you have done differently?

Prepare your thread in accordance with the instructions; also, review the Discussion Board Grading Rubric prior to posting your thread.

Your thread is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday. Your replies are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Sunday.

Synthesis Paper: Doctoral Identity

Annotations are descriptive and critical assessments of literature that help researchers to evaluate texts and determine relevancy in relation to a particular research project. Ultimately, they are a note-taking tool that fosters critical thinking, demonstrates understanding, and evaluates the source material for possible later use. In this assignment, you will read and annotate three articles.

General Requirements:

Locate the articles by Baker and Pifer (2011), Gardner (2009), and Smith and Hatmaker (2014) in the Course Materials for this topic.

This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. Review the GCU APA Style Guide for Writing located in the Student Success Center. Note: A title page is required for this assignment, but a reference page is not required since the references are included with the annotations.

Refer to the resource, “Preparing Annotated Bibliographies” located in the Student Success Center, for additional guidance on completing this assignment in the appropriate style. Use “Sample APA Annotated Bibliography” example in this resource.

Directions:

Read the articles by Baker & Pifer (2011), Gardner (2009), and Smith & Hatmaker (2014).

Provide an annotated bibliography (750-900 words total, excluding the reference notes) of the articles. Including the following for each article:

A reference note formatted according to APA style guidelines. The reference note is not included in the total word count.

An annotation (250-300 words) of the article. Annotations are descriptive and critical assessments of peer reviewed articles.

Annotations summarize the key concepts and evaluate the article for its strengths and weaknesses.

Why was the study conducted?

What was the population studied?

What did the researcher(s) conclude?

What other information about this study do you believe is unique or important to recall?

Are there specific statements made by the author you wish to retain?

Assignment Articles~

1. The Role of Relationships in the Transition from Doctor to Independent Scholar Read:

Baker, V. L., & Pifer, M. J. (2011). The role of relationships in the transition from doctor to independent scholar. Studies in Continuing Education, 33(1), 5-17. doi: 10.1080/0158037X.2010.515569

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=57948982&site=ehost-live&scope=site

2. Conceptualizing Success in Doctoral Education: Perspectives of Faculty in Seven Disciplines Read:

Gardner, S. K. (2009). Conceptualizing auccess in doctoral education: Perspectives of faculty in seven disciplines. The Review of Higher Education, 32(3), 383-406. doi: 10.1353/rhe.0.0075

http://search.proquest.com.lopes.idm.oclc.org/docview/220855890/BF07F7F6D7ED4938PQ/4?accountid=7374

3. Knowing, Doing, and Becoming: Professional Identity Construction among Public Affairs Doctoral Students Read:

Smith, A. E., & Hatmaker, D. M. (2014). Knowing, doing, and becoming: Professional identity construction among public affairs doctoral students. Journal of Public Affairs Education, 20(4), 545-564.

https://lopes.idm.oclc.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=98850723&site=ehost-live&scope=site

This is a Doctoral Program Assignment……if you are not familiar with writing in a Doctoral Scholarly method please do not take on the assignment.

Evaluate The Earned Value Management (EVM) Case Study

Resource: Project Management: The Managerial Process, Ch. 13 and Electroscan, Inc. Student Table spreadsheet

Evaluate the Earned Value Management (EVM) Case Study found on page 499 in Project Management: The Managerial Process, Ch. 13.

Calculate EVM information from the data provided using the Electroscan, Inc. Student Table spreadsheet and then draw conclusions regarding the status of the project in the case study.Make sure you include PCIB, PCIC, and TCPI as well as the other EVM metrics.

Draw conclusions regarding project health from the Earned Value analysis.

Analyze the effects of given schedule variances as well as SPI, CPI, EAC, TCIP, and any other EVM analytical products they deem valuable.

Write your findings in a 350- to 700-word memorandum.

Individual Assignment: Earned Value Analysis

 

Purpose of Assignment

 

The students will engage with an Earned Value Management (EVM) case study found in Chapter 13 of the Project Management: The Managerial Process course textbook. Students calculate EVM information from the data provided and then draw conclusions regarding the status of the project in the case study. The relevance of this assignment is to assure the learner can manipulate EVM data and draw conclusions regarding project health from the Earned Value analysis.  Students should analyze the effects of given schedule variances as well as SPI, CPI, EAC, TCIP, and any other EVM analytical products they deem valuable.

Resources Required

 

Ch. 13 of Project Management: The Managerial Process

Electroscan, Inc. Student Table spreadsheet

Strategy Development Discussion

This is a Socratic exercise – an opportunity for you to think and express your thoughts. This assignment is a reflection of the degree to which you are engaged in the course material, and how well you learned the topics assigned this week. The emphasis of this assignment is synthesis – the connecting of dots – where you tie together in a meaningful way (1) the assigned readings and videos, (2) current business and world events, and (3) your previous knowledge and experience.

 

Attached is “Socratic Skill Builder 1”, which should be used as an example of how the questions should be answered.

 

Do not plagarize!!! This is an independent thought exercise.

 

Do not take this assignment if you cannot complete by the deadline to satisfaction.

 

DO NOT CHANGE THE FONT OF THE WORD DOCUMENT

 

EACH RESPONSE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 100 WORDS.

 

“SB4.doc” is the document that should be completed

This is a Socratic exercise – an opportunity for you to think and express your thoughts. This assignment is a reflection of the degree to which you are engaged in the course material, and how well you learned the topics assigned this week. The emphasis of this assignment is synthesis – the connecting of dots – where you tie together in a meaningful way (1) the assigned readings and videos, (2) current business and world events, and (3) your previous knowledge and experience.

 

Attached is “Socratic Skill Builder 1”, which should be used as an example of how the questions should be answered.

 

Do not plagarize!!! This is an independent thought exercise.

 

Do not take this assignment if you cannot complete by the deadline to satisfaction.

 

DO NOT CHANGE THE FONT OF THE WORD DOCUMENT

 

EACH RESPONSE MUST BE A MINIMUM OF 100 WORDS.

 

“SB4.doc” is the document that should be completed

Management In Action

Management In Action

Norwegian Air Worksheet

 

 

Provide a 150- to 200-word response for each of the following. Include references where appropriate.

 

 

  1. Explain the biggest challenges Norwegian Air experienced in trying to expand its airline across the globe.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Identify examples of ethnocentric, polycentric, or geocentric attitudes in this case.  Explain why your selected examples illustrate these attitudes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Explain cultural differences that are likely to arise between Norwegian employees working in Denmark and Sweden, and Thailand.  How might these differences affect interpersonal interactions, and what can the company do to reduce any unintended conflict from these differences?  Refer to Table 4.3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Evalute the most important lessons to be learned about global management in this case.

Discuss the relationship between business and society.

William Ford Jr., Chairman of Ford Motor Co. said, “A good company delivers excellent products and services, and a great company does all that and strives to make the world a better place.”

Supported by evidence from your textbook, the “Starbucks” case study, and other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples, one for each force you select. Be specific in your answer and discuss strengths and weaknesses via examples and applications. Be certain to cite in APA format all sources used.

 

the starbuck case study is attached please no plargasim origanally thoughts only

 

back by thursday only one page

William Ford Jr., Chairman of Ford Motor Co. said, “A good company delivers excellent products and services, and a great company does all that and strives to make the world a better place.”

Supported by evidence from your textbook, the “Starbucks” case study, and other research, describe two forces that you believe shape the relationship between business and society. Provide two examples, one for each force you select. Be specific in your answer and discuss strengths and weaknesses via examples and applications. Be certain to cite in APA format all sources used.

 

the starbuck case study is attached please no plargasim origanally thoughts only

 

back by thursday only one page

Strategic Management And Leadership

Attached assignment brief and below is the expansion.

Attached a sample assignment (follow very closely, especially how the Value Chain/ VRIN was done) on Air Asia.

 1. A brief (maximum 100 words) introduction to the company 

WORD COUNT WILL NOT BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

-Nature of business

-Market segments served

 2. Company data which can be used to evaluate its success concluding with your thoughts about whether or not the company can be described as “successful”. 

300 WORDS. talk about the “HOW?”  Present with data, e.g. financial performance or employee satisfaction rating.

-An academic definition of success

-How to measure the success of the company (use Balanced Scorecard)

3. An outline of 6 to10 business reasons behind the success stated in a simple, straightforward way with a brief (4/5 sentences) explanation of each reason. Avoid strategy “jargon”; no analysis is required – this is a test of your broad business knowledge and understanding.  

300 WORDS. talk about the “WHY?”

-What are the critical success factors?

Please give at least 8-9 reasons, 2 to 3 sentences for each reason.

 4. A detailed analysis of the company’s strategic capabilities starting with a Value Chain and followed by a VRIN evaluation. Your interpretation of the analysis must clearly show how the company has been able to build competitive advantage.  

800-1000 WORDS. Most important part of this assignment.

*REFER TO SAMPLE ATTACHED*

-Value chain*

-Core competencies

-Analyse internal capabilities using VRIN framework

 5. An evaluation of the contribution of leadership to the company’s success, basing this on appropriate theory. A wide range of topics will be acceptable including: o Leadership (e.g. styles, attributes) o Management theories o Organisational culture o Decision-making 

MAX 800 WORDS. Use The Blake Managerial Grid.

Talk about the leader, not company. E.g. Apple = Steve Jobs. So, Hua Wei =  Ren Zhengfei

6. A detailed analysis and interpretation based on one further topic area from the following list: o Business (competitive) strategy consistent with strategic capabilities o International strategy (based on the framework in Exploring Strategy) o Innovation strategy o Collaboration (alliances, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions) 

-Growth strategy

-International strategy

-Competitive Strategy

-Collaborative strategy

Critic and not describe how good they are. Do not describe what the company have done or is doing.

 7. An explanation of any external and/or internal factors that might make it difficult for the company to be successful in the future and suggestions (based upon your prior analysis) as to how the company can best deal with these. 

500 WORDS. PEST ANALYSIS?

Analyse the sustainability of the company based on environmental trends.

*your prediction of the company’s success in 10 years. no recommendation needed.

DO NOT USE SWOT ANALYSIS IN ASSIGNMENT.

DO NOT USE ANSOFF MODEL IN ASSIGNMENT.

Organizational Research and Theory

read the article titled “How Barbie Lost her Groove,” by Nash and Duvall (2005). Compose a persuasive response that includes the following elements:

• Explain why Mattel’s managers were able to slowly change decision making over time and what kinds of cognitive errors contributed.

• Explain and comment on any factors related to organizational culture and innovation within Mattel’s setting that might have influenced the company to move in a more positive direction.

Your response should be two pages in length, not including the title page or reference page. You are required to cite at least one article All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying in-text citations in the proper APA format

read the article titled “How Barbie Lost her Groove,” by Nash and Duvall (2005). Compose a persuasive response that includes the following elements:

• Explain why Mattel’s managers were able to slowly change decision making over time and what kinds of cognitive errors contributed.

• Explain and comment on any factors related to organizational culture and innovation within Mattel’s setting that might have influenced the company to move in a more positive direction.

Your response should be two pages in length, not including the title page or reference page. You are required to cite at least one article All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying in-text citations in the proper APA format

Which method of developing a marketing communications budget uses computer simulations to model the relationship between advertising and marketing communications and sales

 

Question 1 

  1. Trust represents a customer’s      belief in the efficacy and reliability of a brand.

True

False

2 points

Question 2 

  1. Pleasure cruises and exotic      vacations take advantage of which consumer behavior trend?

 

Health emphasis

 

Cocooning

 

Experience pursuits

 

Active, busy lifestyles

2 points

Question 3 

  1. Which method of developing a      marketing communications budget uses computer simulations to model the      relationship between advertising and marketing communications and sales,      profits, and other factors?

 

Payout planning

 

Objective and task

 

Quantitative models

 

Meet the competition

2 points

Question 4 

  1. Individuals perform only one role      in the buying center, but there can be more than one individual involved      in any particular role.

True

False

2 points

Question 5 

  1. The marketing leaders of the New      Orleans Saints football team developed an advertising campaign targeted at      teenagers. This is an example of the demographic segmentation variable of:

 

age.

 

gender.

 

ethnicity.

 

income.

2 points

Question 6 

  1. Coca-Cola runs the same      advertisement in all French-speaking countries. This is an example of:

 

standardization.

 

integration.

 

customization.

 

diversified IMC theme.

2 points

Question 7 

  1. Individuals within the buying      center who shape the purchasing decision by providing information or      criteria that should be used in evaluating alternatives are called      deciders.

True

False

2 points

Question 8 

  1. When Domino’s Pizza sought to      increase sales and return customers, one key tactic was to:

 

change the brand.

 

buy the largest competing pizza   chain.

 

raise prices.

 

enter new markets.

2 points

Question 9 

  1. The process of creating television      commercials, print ads, and retail coupons are examples of encoding.

True

False

2 points

Question 10 

  1. The competitive environment is now      more: