Discussion 1
A. The Plucknette article suggests that there are considerable differences between being a leader and being a manager. Is it possible or desirable to be both? Chapter 2 of the Management textbook suggests that the four functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Provide one challenge posed by serving as a leader and one challenge posed by serving as a manager in each of these functions?
B. What roles do leadership and innovation play within each of the four management functions? Provide an example of how to integrate leadership into at least two management functions.
Discussion 2
A. Provide an example of a challenge you have experienced in the workplace leading a cross-functional team or as part of a cross-functional team. How was this challenge solved? Would you have approached the challenge differently? If so, how?
B. Organizations are increasingly transcending country boarders and physical space limitations. What are some effective strategies to motivate dispersed team members in a virtual setting? What are some emerging trends that deal with this challenge in your field? Provide an example.
Discussion 3
A. An individual manager's ability to make ethical decisions is influenced by many factors, such as individual traits and corporate culture. Applying conscious capitalism principles typically starts with a plan from the CEO and requires the plan to be implemented through various management levels and all employees. What role does ethics play in conscious capitalism and how do the ethics of conscious capitalism impact management tactics within an organization?
B. Post a draft of your Strategic Management and Socially Conscious Organization Presentation assignment to the Main Forum. Read two classmates' presentations and provide feedback to your peers about their presentations. Are there areas that need adjustments?
Discussion 4
A. What are the major elements of strategic planning? Refer to HBS case reprint, Southwest Airlines: In a Different World. What elements of strategic planning are present in the case study? Based on the case study, what are the major challenges of strategic planning, especially for large, complex organizations like Southwest airlines? What challenges does strategic planning on such a large scale pose for leaders?
B. What have you experienced or what do you anticipate as the most challenging aspect of strategic planning in your field of interest? What do you think can be done to improve strategic planning processes in your own organization or field?
Discussion 5
A. In "Business Model Innovation in Practice," Euchner and Ganguly (2014) discuss the challenge of implementing innovations within organizations that are naturally resistant to change. They present a systematic approach for integrating innovations to increase the likelihood of acceptance and success. Review their five-step approach and discuss how the four functions of management (planning, organizing, leading and controlling) can be leveraged within in their suggested approach to assist organizations in implementing successful innovations.
B. What do you anticipate will be the greatest challenge of operationalizing strategy across various business functions? Do you think the challenges change depending on the circumstances? Provide an example within your field.
Discussion 6
A. Return to HBS case reprint, "Southwest Airlines: In a Different World." The case study makes it clear that a significant shift in organizational strategy requires collaboration across multiple departments, or functions, within a business. Review the case and discuss how you think Southwest's plan to serve La Guardia would impact two primary business functions (e.g., marketing, operations, human resources, finance, accounting, and IT). Consider how coordinating efforts of the two functions to successfully serve La Guardia might affect management and decision making. How integral is collaboration among business functions to the success of Southwest's plan? Cite specifics from the case in your response.
B. Provide an example in which managerial decision making has positively or negatively affected you? How did the personal decision-making styles used by managers apply to the situation? What is your take away from the example you provided after your reading about managerial decision making in this topic?
Discussion 7
A. An organization's landscape can be expansive and complex. Most organizations rely heavily upon information technology as a way to achieve outcomes. Conduct a needs assessment on your current organization or a familiar organization. Evaluate the cross-functionality of departments to identify gaps or opportunities for more effectively utilizing information technology to improve collaboration, efficiency, and communication. Recommend improvements based on your assessment. Include an explanation of the benefits in your proposal.
B. Respond to the "Apply Your Skills: Case for Critical Analysis: Email Adventure," located at the end of Chapter 17 in the Management textbook.
Discussion 8
A. From the perspective of a general manager in your field, which of the organizational control methods outlined in Chapter 19 of the Managementtextbook do you think would be the most universal? What does organizational control look like in your sphere of influence?
B. Consider your Strategic Plan: Presentation video assignment. Write a brief description on how you plan to organize and present your Strategic Plan or share a draft of your video. Provide feedback to your peers about their initial plans for their videos. Are there areas that need adjustments?
RESOURCES
Topic: Tactical Planning
Textbook
1. Management
Read Chapters 9 and 12 in Management. Review Chapters 7 and 8.
2. Southwest Airlines: In a Different World
Review Harvard Business School (HBS) case reprint, "Southwest Airlines: In a Different World"(2013).
e-Library Resource
1. (How) Does the HR Strategy Support an Innovation Oriented Business Strategy? An Investigation of Institutional Context and Organizational Practices in Indian Firms
Read "(How) Does the HR Strategy Support an Innovation Oriented Business Strategy? An Investigation of Institutional Context and Organizational Practices in Indian Firms," by Fang and Saini, from Human Resource Management (2010).
2. Big Data: An Innovative Way to Gain Competitive Advantage Through Converting Data into Knowledge
Read "Big Data: An Innovative Way to Gain Competitive Advantage Through Converting Data into Knowledge," by Bhadani, from International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer Science (2015).
3. Outsourcing: A Strategic Risk?
Read "Outsourcing: A Strategic Risk?" by Relph and Parker, from Management Services (2014).
4. Practicing Human Resource Strategy: Understanding the Relational Dynamics in Strategic HR Work by Means of a Narrative Approach
Read "Practicing Human Resource Strategy: Understanding the Relational Dynamics in Strategic HR Work by Means of a Narrative Approach," by Kaudela-Baum and Endrissat, from German Journal of Research in Human Resource Management (2009).
5. Responsible Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Influence Pathways and Organizational Outcomes
Read "Responsible Leadership and Stakeholder Management: Influence Pathways and Organizational Outcomes," by Doh and Quigley from the Academy of Management Perspectives (2014).
6. The Relationship Between Intellectual Capital With Economic Value Added and Financial Performance
Read "The Relationship Between Intellectual Capital With Economic Value Added and Financial Performance," by Salehi, Enayati, and Javadi, from Iranian Journal of Management Science: A Quarterly (2014).