Part 1:
Your individual Assignment is a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate your skills as a student who has earned a Master's degree in Business Administration. To that end, with this paper you will demonstrate your ability to analyze a topic, perform graduate-level research, and then write a graduate-level paper. In this paper, you will demonstrate industry best practices. Since MBA students have a wide variety of interests, we have developed four different potential topics focusing on operations, marketing, and finance for your final paper in the MBA program. Choose ONE of the topics from the tabs at the bottom of this spreadsheet. (Day-to-Day Operations OR SWOT & Risk Management OR Sales Projections OR Sales & Marketing.) A rubric for each of the potential topics is included in this spreadsheet. As you make your selection, think about which topic interests you the most! Make sure you read the FAQs below before you begin.
Requirements for All Topics
· Use APA or MLA formatting-12-point font, legible font, double-space your text, use one-inch margins on your pages.
· Properly cite all sources and use quotation marks or some other formatting to clearly identify all words which are not your own.
· Review the tutorials located in our course Syllabus for additional information about originality.
· Course Drop Box is configured to auto submit your work to Turnitin.com
· Use the appropriate rubric for your topic selection.
· Follow the rubric guidelines for length.
· Your work must be original to this assignment. Do NOT reuse a paper from a prior course
· Review the FAQ's below for additional direction.
FAQ's
Question 1: Does this paper replace the group business plan?
Question 2: Should I use my team's business idea for this paper?
Question 3: I noticed these topics are also subsections in the group business plan rubric. May my team reuse my work from this paper in our final written business plan?
Question 4: Should I collaborate with Team members on my choice of topic?
Question 5: If two of us select the same topic, may we collaborate?
Question 6: When is this paper due?
Question 7: Who is my intended audience?
Question 7: Can I use a paper from another course?
Part 2:
Consider the product or service idea proposed for the Team Business Plan. If you would prefer to write about the day-to-day operations of another business, ask your professor for permission. When a business professional reads this paper, he or she will clearly understand the day-to-day operations of your business. Process flows will be a key element of this paper. If your business idea does not lend itself to a thorough discussion of all of the following elements, select another business idea or another topic. Points cannot be earned if mastery is not demonstrated. Instructors will use this rubric to assign a grade for the Day-to-Day Operations papers.
Introduction
Briefly describe the business, product, or service for this explanation of Day-to-Day Operations
Process flows
Day-to-day activities are fully addressed and visually depicted in a process flow chart or table
Process flows are clearly explained.
Other
Interfaces are identified and explained (the scale and scope of interfaces is business dependent, but can include internal hand-offs, suppliers, business partners, etc.).
Responsibilities are adequately described and workloads appear balanced. Activity assignments can be outlined on the process flows, through responsibility matrices, or in the narrative.
Equipment and/or Facility
Logistics such as maintenance and resource management pertaining to equipment and facility are clearly explained.
Quality Control
Some form of quality control is adequately described. Examples include inventory management, spoilage, production management, and efficiency processes. The form of quality control should be based on research and industry standards. Improving upon industry standards for quality is encouraged!
Research
Industry standards and best practices are explained and utilized where appropriate. If best practices are not used an alternative is recommended.
Details are researched and assertions are supported.
Earn points for using at least five academic or business sources (deduct 2 points for four sources, 4 points for three sources, and so forth.)
Editing and Formatting
Grammar and spelling
Readability and style (graduate level work)
Length: 5-10 pages, including flowcharts, exhibits, and reference page.
Part 3:
Consider the product or service idea proposed for the Team Business Plan. If you would prefer to write a detailed SWOT Analysis and Risk Management Plan of another business, ask your professor for permission. When a business professional reads this paper, he or she will have a clear understanding of how your company will address internal and external market forces. Overcoming potential threats to your success is a key to this topic. Risk analysis will be a crucial element for this paper. If your business idea does not lend itself to a thorough discussion of all of the following elements, select another business idea or another topic. Points cannot be earned if mastery is not demonstrated. Instructors will use this rubric to assign a grade for the SWOT Analysis papers and Risk Management
Introduction
Briefly describe the business, product, or service for this SWOT and Risk Management Plan
Strengths
Strengths are clearly articulated and relevant. They are supported by both information from this specific business concept as well as industry norms.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses are clearly articulated and relevant. They are supported by both information from this specific business concept as well as industry norms.
Opportunities
Opportunities are clearly articulated and relevant. They are supported by both information from this specific business concept as well as industry norms.
Threats
Threats are clearly articulated and relevant. They are supported by both information from this specific business concept as well as industry norms.
Other
In addition to the narrative, a summary chart depicting the key elements of this business' SWOT analysis using bullet points is provided.
Risk Management Plan
The risk analysis quantitatively and qualitatively defines both positive risks (opportunities) and negative risks (threats).
Risks are prioritized and the most likely and relevant risks are identified (a chart or table may help you communicate this information).
Risk strategies are created for the most likely and relevant risks (contingency planning, avoidance strategies, optimation strategies, transference such as insurance, etc.).
Research
All of the elements of the SWOT are based upon industry data.
Risk Management details are researched and assertions are supported.
Earn points for using at least five academic or business sources (deduct 2 points for four sources, 4 points for three sources, and so forth).
Editing and Formatting
Grammar and spelling
Readability and style (graduate level work)
Length: 5-10 pages including charts, tables, exhibits, and reference page.
Part 4:
Consider the product or service idea proposed for the Team Business Plan. If you would prefer to write about sales projections for another business, ask your professor for permission. When a business professional reads this paper, he or she will have reasonable expectations for your potential sales. If your business idea does not lend itself to a thorough discussion of all of the following elements, select another business idea or another topic. Points cannot be earned if mastery is not demonstrated. Instructors will use this rubric to assign a grade for the Sales Projections papers.
Introduction
Briefly describe the business, product, or service for these Sales Projections
Sales Description
Lines of business are clearly presented and explained
The Sales Forecast
Sales projections are clearly presented and supported with industry numbers for a startup business of this size.
Sales capacity is calculated and presented.
Sales projections are clearly depicted in units and in dollars.
Charts and graphs are effectively used to depict sales capacity and sales projections.
Research
Industry standards and best practices for sales projections are utilized where appropriate. If market standards are not used an alternative is recommended.
Details are researched and assertions are supported.
Earn points for using at least five academic or business sources (deduct 2 points for four sources, 4 points for three sources, and so forth.)
Editing and Formatting
Grammar and spelling
Readability and style (graduate level work)
Length: 5-10 pages including flowcharts, exhibits, and reference page.
Part 5:
Consider the product or service idea proposed for the Team Business Plan. If you would prefer to write about sales and marketing for another business, ask your professor for permission. When a business professional reads this paper, he or she will have a clear understanding of your marketing strategy. If your business idea does not lend itself to a thorough discussion of all of the following elements, select another business idea or another topic. Points cannot be earned if mastery is not demonstrated. Instructors will use this rubric to assign a grade for the Sales and Marketing papers.
Introduction
Briefly describe the business, product, or service for this Sales & Marketing Plan
Marketing Message
Does the paper include a clear marketing message?
Is the marketing message effectively communicated in a sample advertisement or brochure?
Marketing Strategy
Is the marketing strategy reasonable for the industry? Is it clearly presented?
Are the communication vehicles clearly presented and reasonable?
Marketing schedule in table format
Marketing budget in table format
Include ads or brochures to demonstrate your advertising ideas.
Research
Industry standards and best practices for sales projections are utilized where appropriate. If market standards are not used an alternative is recommended.
Details are researched and assertions are supported.
Earn points for using at least five academic or business sources (deduct 2 points for four sources, 4 points for three sources and so forth.)
Editing and Formatting
Grammar and spelling
Readability and style (graduate level work)
Length: 5-10 pages including flowcharts, exhibits, and reference page.