Explain the overall goals of each of the strategies that you selected, generally speaking.

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Begin by selecting two functional strategies from the list below:

Marketing Strategy

Financial Strategy

Research and Development (R&D) Strategy

Operations Strategy

Purchasing Strategy

Logistics Strategy

Human Resource Management (HRM) Strategy

Information Technology Strategy

Explain the overall goals of each of the strategies that you selected, generally speaking. Then, expand on your choices by describing how each functional strategy may work together to potentially achieve economies of scope.  Further develop your response by describing how the functional strategies that you selected operate either at your place or work, a place where you have worked in the past, or in a hypothetical “best” corporation scenario. Alternatively, you may research an actual corporation to further develop your response on your chosen functional strategies.

Be sure to post at least 2 references plus your textbook in support of your explanations and conclusions.

text book: Vitalsource.com (corporate finance)

Book: Strategic Management and Business Policy found under the “my bookshelf” tab.

Textbook this week chapter 8

 

Write a one page paper on the benefits of continuing your education as an engineer

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Finish writing a one page paper on the benefits of continuing your education as an engineer

What are some benefits of this structure and why have recent CEOs tried to make some changes to it?

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Evaluate J&J’s organizational design and structure, using concepts and tools from the course.
What are some benefits of this structure and why have recent CEOs tried to make some changes
to it? In what way is the firm’s design and structure responsible for some of its recent quality
issues?

Write a critical review of an article which has made a significant contribution to the field of business strategy.

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This is an individual assignment in which students are required to write a critical review of an article which has made a significant contribution to the field of business strategy.
The reviews should be no more than 1,000 words in length and should address the following issues:
1. The position of the article in the wider debate about processes of strategy (with evidence from further reading to support this)
2. The main strength and weakness of the article

Demonstrate course-related knowledge with supporting documentation from two peer-reviewed articles, the textbook, and the Bible.

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The learning theories upon which this course is based are actualized in the Research Project. You will begin the paper by selecting one key term to research. You may select any key term from Chapters 2-13. The key terms are found at the end of each chapter. You will be required to write a paper of at least 1,000 words, but not to exceed 1,250 words, to fully explore the topic. Your project must demonstrate course-related knowledge with supporting documentation from two peer-reviewed articles, the textbook, and the Bible.

The use of proper, current APA format is required. A title page, abstract, and reference page(s) must be included. The word count does not include the title page, abstract, or reference page(s).

Grading
Consult the accompanying rubric for how your instructor will grade this assignment. Also, any form of plagiarism, including cutting and pasting, will result in zero points for the entire assignment. All quoted materials must be properly cited in current APA format.

  Develop a project life cycle analysis of the proposed project. Include and discuss at least two (2) tasks for each of the four (4) stages.

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Stand-Alone Project: Chase Retail Complex (200 points)

NOTE: You will need to download a free 60 day trial of Microsoft Project 2013 for the Stand-Alone Project. You can access the download by going to the textbook website at:

Microsoft Project 2013 Trial

Go to the “Microsoft Project Trial” tab. Your Microsoft Project Software trial works for only 60 days. You must complete your Stand-Alone Project in 60 days unless you purchase Microsoft Project Software.

The Scenario. Chase Opportunity has selected you as the project manager to oversee their latest project – Chase Retail Complex. Chase’s vision is to build four (4) 10,000 square foot buildings (see concept drawing below). Within each building, suite sizes may vary per customer rental agreement (estimating five (5) 2,000 square foot areas per building). Chase has the funds to cover the total project costs and they have already purchased the land for construction. Chase wants to start construction January 2, 2007 and complete the project as soon as possible

This project is comprised of seven (7) parts. Please read each part carefully to ensure that you submit all of the work. Your Stand-Alone Project responses should be both grammatically and mechanically correct, and formatted in the same fashion as the project itself. If there is a Part A, your response should identify a Part A, etc. In addition, you must appropriately cite all resources used in your response and document in a bibliography using APA style. (200 points) (A 10-page response plus associated Gantt charts and Excel spreadsheets is required.)

Part A        Develop a project life cycle analysis of the proposed project. Include and discuss at least two (2) tasks for each of the four (4) stages.

Part B        Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS) and a responsibility matrix like those found in your text. You may use MS Word or Excel to develop both of these charts. (A chart and matrix are required.)

The following work activities should be included in your charts. Look them over and determine the best sequence in which they should be accomplished. Some activities (WBS Level 1) may be performed simultaneously whereas others may not. Using your personal knowledge and research, include at least two (2) sub-activities/sub-levels (WBS Level 2) for each activity. Use each of the two (2) names listed under Support Responsibility as a “Primary” for one of your sub-activities/sub-levels and as “Support” for the other sub-activity/sub-level. The WBS and matrix for Activity “Roof” may look something like these examples.

Primary                        Support

Activity                                      Responsibility               Responsibility

 

Roof                                                 Jack                       Steve, Wally

HVAC                                               Bill                        Scott, Trevor

Landscaping                                      John                        Lynn, Beth

Paving                                              Greg                          Jeff, Pat

Plumbing                                           Max                      Tyler, Damian

Grading and Site Prep                        Sal                            Jim, Joe

Interior Structure                               Don                      Keith, Andrea

Foundation Construction                  Randy                      Mark, Mike

Exterior Structure                              Bob                          Dan, Ken

Electrical                                           Seth                         Neil, Roy

Part C        Prepare a WBS and Gantt Chart in MS Project using the information developed in Part B and the information given. Then explain how much time the overall project is going to take to complete as is.

  1. It takes 30 days (standard 8-hour workdays, Monday through Friday) to complete each activity.
  2. Construct the WBS and Gantt Chart (in Project) illustrating the construction of each building in sequence. For example, building “A” must be built (completed) before construction on building “B” is started, etc. DO NOT include the Level 2 tasks in your Gantt Chart created in Part B.

Part D        Incorporate the following information into your WBS from Part C.

The project manager is paid $30/hour and each primary (P) worker is paid $25/hour while support (S) workers are paid $15/hour.

  1. Determine the project’s total labor costs. Explain your results. Submit a copy of your Resource Sheet.
  2. When developing the project cost plan, what things should be considered to estimate the total project costs? It may be helpful to contact actual contractors, construction companies, vendors, etc., for the tasks involved in this type of project.

Part E         In Part C, your WBS and Gantt Charts were based on each of the buildings being constructed one after the other. We know that building in this manner is a large waste of resources, namely people and time. Revise your original WBS and Gantt charts to reflect better use of your resources. In addition, submit a copy of your new Resource Sheet. Explain the changes you made, why you made them, and how these changes affect your overall project (i.e., costs, project duration, etc.).

Part F         Identify three (3) conflicts that may arise during this project. Then provide a solution to each conflict using Steps 1-7 of Gido and Clement’s Nine-Step Approach to Problem Solving.

Part G        Write a description explaining to Chase Opportunity what a successful project looks like. In other words, how will Chase know when you have achieved the common goal you set out to achieve? Describe three metrics, or measures, that you will use throughout the project life cycle. Explain how each metric relates to the project.

Grading Rubric

Please refer to the on the following page for the grading criteria for this assignment.

 

Identify variances by comparing actual results with the established budget, and provide reasons why these variances may have occurred.

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Assessment 2 overview

Comparison of budget figures to actual and reporting resultant variances both dollar figures and percentage.

Figures to use will be the first quarter of the latest year’s budget that you calculated in A1. You are given actual figures to compare against these figures headings for your spreadsheet.

Example, review financial results below

Description Budget Actual $ Var. % Var. F/U (favourable/unfavourable)

Sales 1,200,000 1,000,000 200,000 16.7 U

Electricity 10,000 8,600 1,400 14.0 F

What are favourable and unfavourable variances?

As we can see from the above examples the difference between actual and budget figures sales actual less than budget (U) due to a potential reduction in sales revenue.

Hang on, electricity actual is less than budget and it’s a favourable variance? That’s because the electricity expense actual is less than the budget.

Please remember if in doubt about what budget figure to include please refer to the information given in the assessment which will indicate what figures are different to previous budget information or confirm that the same figure can be used in the current budget for example accounting fees.

Explanation of variances for management is a powerful tool to take action for a business to remain viable in the future. Often budget information needs to be reviewed in order to reflect changing business operations and markets that they compete in.

Assessment Requirements

1. Read the case study.

2. Develop a variance report based on the format and template provided by Houzit.

3. Complete a cash flow analysis on the average length of time it takes Houzit to collect funds from its debtors to determine the trend based on the financial reports in Assessment Task 1.

4. Examine the sales budget and profit budget, cash flow budget and debtor ageing summary provided in the case study for the Assessment Task 2 to identify the following:

a. Issues:

i. Identify, describe and prioritise significant issues that are evidenced in the provided case study information and describe reasons or causes of these issues. Discuss issues of financial probity that you have identified or considered when monitoring these budgets.

b. Variances:

i. Complete an actual-to-budget variance report, using the template provided in the case study.

ii. Identify variances by comparing actual results with the established budget, and provide reasons why these variances may have occurred.

c. Performance:

i. Compare financial performance of the organisation (according to financial information provided) to industry benchmarks for this organisation in line with the retail trade sector.

iii. Determine a trend of the average debtor days and the impact to the cash flow of Houzit.

d. Recommendations:

i. Outline your recommendations for ongoing financial viability for the organisation, based on your assessment of the issues, reasons for variances and organisational performance you have identified (Steps 1–3).

ii. Include recommendations on effective management of any relevant contingencies and issues that you have identified above.

e. Evaluation:

i. Provide a summary review of the financial management processes in place for the organisation, in light of your assessment of the issues, reasons for variances and organisational performance you have identified. Include in this section any recommendations you have for modifying management processes.

Briefly discuss at least 5 differentiators of high and low- quality research and explain why the quality of research is important for academic work and for business decision making.

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Briefly discuss at least 5 differentiators of high and low- quality research and explain why the quality of research is important for academic work and for business decision making. Use references to support your arguments, citing appropriately.

Create a project schedule that lists all of the core activities, dates (start and finish), and resources to complete your project.

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Use the information from the last paper regarding the Steel Bridge. Paper attached.

This assignment requires you to:

• Create a WBS for your project using the proper format (MS Word, MS Excel, Visio, or any other applicable format) to depict the WBS graphically (see Figure 4.1 from Chapter 4 of Successful Project Management). Alternatively, you may use a coded format using MS Word (see Figure 4.3 from Chapter 4 of Successful Project Management: as an example). The example is in MS Project format, but the same could be done in MS Excel.

• Create a project schedule that lists all of the core activities, dates (start and finish), and resources to complete your project. While it is recommended that you use MS Project, you can use MS Excel to create your schedule. Your project schedule must contain at least 30 separate activities or tasks, including the critical path.

The specific course learning outcome associated with this assignment is:

• Develop a work breakdown structure (WBS) and schedule for a project using appropriate digital tools (Word, Excel, Project, Visio, etc.).

Investigate the use of an algorithm to solve a specific business problem

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Investigate the use of an algorithm to solve a specific business problem