Discuss when subjective performance appraisals might be better (or more feasible) than objective ratings.

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Most small business owners struggle with ensuring their performance appraisals are unbiased. There are many influences that can change the outcome of the appraisal. These influences can make it difficult to fairly evaluate the employee. In this discussion question, we are going to explore when subjective appraisals are more effective than objective appraisals.

Question:

Subjective performance appraisals are subject to several rater errors, which makes objective measures seem a better alternative. Discuss when subjective performance appraisals might be better (or more feasible) than objective ratings.

No more than one page, cite references when appropriate.

Identify and analyze the three solutions to the challenges facing your chosen company or service.

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Chosen Company: London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

There are 4 questions for London Ambulance Service NHS Trust

  1. Identify and analyze three strategic issues facing the overall sector of your chosen business or service. (30 marks)
  2. Identify and analyze three challenges facing your chosen company or service.  (20 marks)
  3. Identify and analyze the three solutions to the challenges facing your chosen company or service. (30 marks)
  4. Explain how the company or service could practically implement one solution.  (20 marks)

Explain the basic requirements that must be met for a contract to be enforceable.

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Use standard essay format and must have at least 3 paragraphs (ie Intro, body and conclusion).
Responses must be double spaced using Times New Roman and 12 point type size.
Use A.P.A. style. Use citations throughout the paper.
I do not have a copy of the textbook.
Please ONLY reference
Legal Environment of Business- Online Commerce, Business Ethics, and Global Issues
Henry Cheeseman, 2016
Pearson

ISBN.13: 978-0-133-97331-0
Pick ONEof the following essay topics:
1. Explain the role of penal codes and regulatory statutes in criminal law.
2. Explain the basic requirements that must be met for a contract to be enforceable.
3. How does the UCC treat goods that were fraudulently obtained?

Evaluate the role and alternative strategic approaches to distribution (including multi & omni- channel strategies).

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Instructions
PART A – 4000 word individual report in two parts (80%)
Background
You are a strategic marketing consultant who has been asked by a client to write a 4,000 word article demonstrating how the modern approaches you use have been developed from a theoretical perspective. The client is considering engaging your agency but needs to ensure your techniques are robust and logical.
Required
First Part
In the first part of your article, consider the concept of authenticity and complete the following two tasks:
1. Critically evaluate the importance of authenticity in modern marketing strategies and how social media can be exploited to increase credibility. (Approximately 1500 words.)
2. What techniques can be used for identifying the characteristics of authentic brands? (Approximately 500 words.)
Second Part
In the second part of your article, explain what consumer value is and address the following two tasks: 1. Taking the marketing mix into account, critically propose ways in which consumer value can be increased, with particular focus on the proposition (product), the channel strategy (place) and use of pricing strategies. (Approximately 1500 words.)
2. Discuss the challenges of measurement and suggest suitable metrics for measuring the success of marketing activities. (Approximately 500 words.)
You must critically research and apply in your article relevant academic theory and sources, course concepts and frameworks and industry material, fully referenced using the Harvard system.
[100 marks]
PART B – 15-minute group presentation, including advert/infomercial (20%)
Background
Clarks have engaged your team (a cutting-edge strategic consultancy) to help them modernize and reinvigorate the Desert Boot.
Since 1950, the Clarks Originals Desert Boot has been a highly regarded and respected shoe. One of the classic styles from within the overall Clarks portfolio, the Desert Boot has enjoyed associations with multiple cultural groups and movements since launch. However, in recent years, growth of trainers and sports shoes have dominated shoe culture. Brands such as Nike and Adidas have built a huge consumer following especially with young males via associations with sport and music. 2020 sees 70 years of the Desert Boot and a time in which authentic, trusted and responsible brands are more important and relevant to consumers than ever before.
How can the Clarks brand tap into current cultural trends and make the much-loved historic Desert Boot ‘cool’ again?
2019/2020 Academic Year
© Pearson College London 2020 3
Working in groups, you are required to:
(i) Prepare a short 15-minute presentation and poster which gives a clear rational and set of recommendations of how the Clarks Originals Desert Boot can become more culturally relevant for young men (18-24) in the UK today.
(ii) Your presentation must include the key elements listed below and also bring your recommendations to life with a visually engaging A1 poster which could be used as the basis of an ad campaign.
Your presentation should address, but is not limited to, the following areas:
 Key objectives  Analysis of the Desert Boot today o Target audience o What is important to the target audience o Aspirational brands o Where the target audience shops o Who the target audience admires  Key competitors  Recommendations for activation  Poster
You must critically research and apply in your presentation relevant academic theory and sources, course concepts and frameworks and industry material, fully referenced using the Harvard system.
[100 marks]
Rules for the Presentation
● You must have a PowerPoint presentation slide to start your presentation with the following information on it: o Title o Module o Group number o Names and student numbers of group members presenting on the day

● You must take part fully and engage in all group work assessments.

● Members of the group will be assessed on the group’s presentation on the day only and will receive the same grade.

● A member of the group who does not take part in the presentation will not receive any marks for the presentation.*

● If a member of the group is absent on the day, the presentation will still go ahead.

● Presentations will stop once the maximum time limit is reached, subject to completion of the sentence being spoken.

● Five minute and one minute warnings will be given as the group comes to the end of the presentation. ● Please remember group work will present you with a number of challenges you wouldn’t face if working individually. We are aware of these and take these into account in marking your work. We will mark you positively on the day if you as a group present professionally and constructively, even if something goes wrong on the day or has gone wrong or not as well as you would have hoped along the way.
* Non-attendance may be justified if it is for reasons of extenuating circumstance, which Student Services have been notified of with supporting evidence.

2019/2020 Academic Year
© Pearson College London 2020 4
Learning Outcomes
The Intended Subject Specific Learning Outcomes:
1) Demonstrate a systematic knowledge and understanding, some of which is informed by the forefront of the discipline, of the strategic role of marketing and branding including their primary functions in the context of the organization and wider environment.

2) Identify and critically evaluate the trends in the environment and apply innovative market research techniques, both qualitative and quantitative, to understand customers behaviour.

3) Critically evaluate the various types of propositions and brands as well as how they are communicated using a variety of channels to increase relevancy and drive value.

4) Evaluate the role and alternative strategic approaches to distribution (including multi & omni- channel strategies).

5) Critically evaluate various pricing strategies and how they impact and influence on consumer decision-making.

6) Identify and describe each of the elements that make up the marketing mix and critically evaluate their strategic influence on delivering a branded overall customer experience.

7) Describe and critically evaluate the various marketing effectiveness metrics and tools as well as determine the key challenges faced in measuring marketing activities.

The Intended Generic Learning Outcomes.
1) Demonstrate decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts.

2) Communicate appropriately to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

3) Critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and identify and solve problems, some of which is informed by the forefront of the discipline.
Assessment method
LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 G1 G2 G3
Report
X X X X X X X X X X
Group Presentation
X X X X X

What are the key compensation factors that impact employee motivation at Concentrix?

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THE IMPACT OF THE COMPENSATION POLICY ON THE MOTIVATION LEVEL OF EMPLOYEES WORKING ON BEHALF OF B.T. AT CONCENTRIX IN BREDBURY

Research Questions;

RQ1: What are the key compensation factors that impact employee motivation at Concentrix?

RQ2: What is the relationship between employee motivational level and compensation policy among employees working on behalf of B.T. at Concentrix.

RQ3: Basing on the recognition compensation policy and the compensation package principle, what are the factors included in the compensation system?

RQ4: What are the compensation factors that mainly impacts the motivation level of employees at Concentrix?

Have three full theory

Herzberg two factor theory

Vroom expectancy theory

And another one

Discuss about incentives and employee performance

Estimate how much you think the target market is willing to pay for your product/service. Is this due to preferences for social responsibility, ethical behavior, or other intangibles?

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Write a short paper on Amazon that addresses the following:

 Corporate mission and how the new product or service aligns with it.

 Defining features of the product(s)/service(s) o How the product will be marketed internally and externally o How the company is differentiating from competition o Alignment of pricing with market position and corporate mission.

 Your substantiated opinion of brand effectiveness.

Section Three: Defining Product or Service Need For your idea, continue your paper by addressing the following:

 Behavioral and/or lifestyle demographics of the targeted consumer or buying style of organizational buyer and why they are a good choice.

 What unsatisfied need the product/service fulfills.

 How the customer/buyer seeks information to fill the need.

 How the product is purchased (characterize the buying situation)

 Why your chosen target market is the best choice.

Section Six: Pricing Using the idea that you have chosen, finish your paper by covering the following:

 Explain the fixed and variable costs and how these fit with the company’s short- and long-term goals. Use a narrative with a table to show calculations for cost categories. Provide reasonable estimates for each of the categories. Specific or in-depth financial analysis is not necessary.

 Examine competitors’ pricing and explain reasoning for differences.

 Estimate how much you think the target market is willing to pay for your product/service. Is this due to preferences for social responsibility, ethical behavior, or other intangibles?

 What pricing strategy (skimming, penetration, economy, or premium) is most appropriate and why?

What are the significant industry trends that could impact your company? Building domestic supply chain.

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Strategic positioning is an integral aspect of the potential success of a company. Review the resources regarding Kellogg’s (Decline in Cereal Sales Bites into Kellogg’s Results and Will Kellogg’s Cereal Sales Ever Return to Normal?), and consider the different elements that have played a role in the company’s current position, such What are the most significant sources of competition for this company? Ebay comes to mind are there any others?as competition and industry trends.

Then reflect upon Amazon supply chain as it relates to COVID-19 & its economic impact.

What is the background of the current market?
What are the most significant sources of competition for this company? Ebay comes to mind are there any others?
What are the significant industry trends that could impact your company? Building domestic supply chain.
Provide a brief synopsis of the overall market and key segments.

In response to at least two of your peers, discuss trends that may affect their chosen companies and possible impacts on their branding image and business success.

Evaluate not only website text (the words the company publishes) but the context of its message. Does it use diverse visual images on pages other than those specifically discussing diversity?

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Business to research: Walgreens

In this assignment, your challenge is to determine whether and to what degree a company you select is actually practicing the principles of managing a diverse workforce.

The steps associated with this project are as follows:
1. Select a publicly-traded company (preferably one of the Fortune 500) that has a comprehensive web presence. Increasingly, companies are publishing documents that convey important information (sometimes self-serving!) about their commitment to diversity issues. You can find such documents by going to your selected company’s home page and looking for references to terms such as “diversity”, “corporate social responsibility,” “ethics,” “Code of Conduct,” etc.
2. Analyze this company’s website in depth to form a reasoned opinion regarding its puported commitment to diversity. Address questions including, but not limited to, the following:
• Is diversity mentioned in its Mission Statement or Vision Statement (if either of these is published on its website)? If not, what does this suggest to you?
• Does the company provide a document describing its “(corporate) social responsibility”? If so, does this document address diversity? If not, what does this suggest to you?
• How is diversity presented on its “Careers” or “Employment Opportunities” page?
• Search for other references to “diversity” throughout the corporate website; e.g., in community service, philanthropy, press releases, awards, etc. How comprehensive does this company’s commitment to diversity appear to be?
• Evaluate not only website text (the words the company publishes) but the context of its message. Does it use diverse visual images on pages other than those specifically discussing diversity?
• DO NOT PAD YOUR REPORT BY QUOTING LONG MISSION OR VISION STATEMENT!
2. Conduct extensive external research (No less than 5 references 2 of which must be academic) about this company’s commitment to diversity, using as keywords the company’s name and terms such as “social responsibility,” “ethics,” “Code of Conduct,” “corporate citizenship,” “labor practices,” and — of course — “diversity.” Does your external research support the impression one would get from viewing the company’s website? If not, how do you explain this discrepancy?

Format Requirements: 12-point Times New Roman, cover page, reference page, APA citations, double spaced

The following subject headings are required:
• Introduction: This section should seize your reader’s interest, preview key points in your analysis, and provide necessary (but not extraneous) background of the company you have chosen to analyze.
• Corporate Website Analysis: How does the company you have chosen to analyze present its commitment to diversity on its corporate website and in information linked to its corporate website?
• Secondary Research: What do objective, external sources indicate about this company’s commitment to diversity? Has it been involved recently in any EEOC litigation? If so, what were the circumstances and if the charges have been resolved, how? Has the company you have chosen won any awards or been criticized in the media for its commitment to diversity or lack thereof?
• Analysis of Commitment to Diversity: Is there any inconsistency between the espoused and enacted values of the company you have chosen with regard to diversity? What do these inconsistencies suggest? Based on your analysis supported by research using credible sources, how would you evaluate this company’s commitment to diversity?
• Recommended Action Plan: Summarize key points in your analysis. Based on your evaluation of this company’s commitment to diversity, what recommendations would you make to management? Why? On what legal requirement, “best practice”, or idea(s) supported by credible source(s) do you base your recommendation(s)?

Select one of the technologies / organisations listed immediately below and make an evaluation of its commercial potential.

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Coursework 1 – Essay

A 2,000 word essay.

This assignment represents 50% of the marks for the module.

NB     2,000 words is the MAXIMUM word count (i.e. no +10%).
You are unlikely to meet all assessment criteria if you are markedly under this word limit.

This piece of work will form the basis of the individually assessed coursework for the module:

Select one of the technologies / organisations listed immediately below and make an evaluation of its commercial potential.

Choose ONE of the following University Projects / Charities / Companies to base your individual essay on:

  • Good Box: Payment solutions for charities
    (https://www.goodbox.com/)
  • Curb Hunger: Vending machines to ease homelessness / poverty

(https://curbhunger.org)

(https://www.sustainablewaterswp.com/)

NB;DO NOT contact any of these organisations directly to seek information, a meeting, discussions etc.

For ALL Individual essay options you should evaluate the commercial potential of the organization and recommend what steps you think the “business” should take over the next 3-5 years.

You should think of your essay in the form of a business report (as if you were reporting on this topic to the Board of Directors or a potential Investor) rather than a traditional academic essay.  This is likely to impact on the report style, formatting, use of “real world” evidence (versus academic references) etc.  More information and discussion / clarification will be provided in lectures and seminars.

As a minimum, please address each of the following 6 areas in your report (although the weighting between sections does not have to be equal and you can “bundle” some sections together):

Intellectual Property: Evaluate the intellectual property position taken for the technology. If a patent has been filed, consider whether the company has freedom to operate given rival patent activity. If an alternative to patenting has been used, consider what competitive advantage the firm has over potential rivals.

Technical feasibility: Consider the ease or difficulty of developing the technology and in achieving manufacture and distribution of the product or delivery of the service. Are the projected timescales realistic and scale up plans plausible?

Societal factors: Are there particular issues such as environmental, safety or public health concerns that need to be addressed? Consider how comparable companies have addressed these issues for similar technologies.

Market Attractiveness: Consider the size and dynamics of the potential market and whether the correct target market has been selected. Discuss how the technology compares with the competition from the point of view of the ultimate customer. Consider any barriers to acceptance along the value chain from technology to market and how these can be overcome. Consider the financial viability of the venture. Is there the potential to develop a profitable business and therefore create value for potential investors?

Business Strategy: What is the most appropriate business model for this technology? Is the opportunity business to business or for a consumer market? Recommend how the company should develop or acquire the necessary skills and experience to deliver the optimum business model.

Financial Potential: Do you think that the company is pricing its product at the correct level? (if already selling).  How big is the addressable market?

Please also use the Win2 checklist and Business Model Canvas from class to suggest any additional points of particular relevance in addition to the key sections above.

Advice

Choose an organization / technology doing something which you are – potentially – interested in.

Read around the topic and use the Business Plan tools introduced in class to guide your analysis.

Essays which gain higher marks will also:

  • provide evidence of reading around the topic and show a good understanding of the key concepts
  • include relevant theory and a variety of “real world” evidence
  • utilize varied sources (which are up to date and referenced accurately and correctly)
  • critically discuss different viewpoints with arguments carefully developed and clearly expounded
  • show originality of thought
  • have good structure and a clear presentation (including introductory and concluding sections, headings etc)

 

Demonstrate adequate critical analysis and evaluation of case studies/evidence, debate the implications of the analysis and develop a tangible deliverable.

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Unit learning outcomes 1. Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding

·       Demonstrate a systematic understanding and critical appreciation of the interrelationship of diverse theories in the MBA toolkit to challenge existing preconceptions and develop positive and enquiring approaches to management and enterprise. Demonstrate an aptitude and ability to solve a defined business problem through enquiry having drawn upon your MBA studies and appreciating the interrelated nature of organisations.

 

2.  Demonstrate the following skills and abilities

Demonstrate intelligent practice by imaginative and critical integration of theory and practice to create a tangible deliverable through critical insightful evaluation stipulating areas of excellence and reflecting on areas for development to improve performance in contemporary organisations.  In addition, for specialist pathways:

·       MBA (Finance)

, A focus on strategic finance and risk management

·       MBA (Hospital and Health Services Management)

A focus on hospital and health service management and including economic, political, social and environmental change and the impact of regulatory and governance trends.

·       MBA (Human Resource Management)

A focus on human resource management and development in complex situations and within and across borders.

·       MBA (Logistics and Supply Chain Management)

A focus on sustainability of the relationship and expectation between markets, customers, supply chain partners and other stakeholders.

·       MBA (Marketing)

A focus on complex market situations taking account of the development and progression of the customer relationship and customer satisfaction.

·       MBA (Oil and Gas Management)

A focus on the external context in which modern oil and gas organisations operate including economic, political, social and environmental change and the regulatory and governance trends impacting n different organisations.

·       MBA (Digital Technology Management)

A focus on the management of communication and information technologies and contemporary information systems to inform and support decision making in a global knowledge-based economy.

 

What am I required to do in this assignment?
The unit aims to enable you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of management and business as well as the skills essential to effective operation in a corporate, business, public sector or not for profit environment. It is a unit specifically designed to help your transition into the professional work environment through the integration of theory and practice supported by contemporary research evidence.

This unit provides the opportunity for you to investigate an area of interest drawing on the MBA toolkit developed through taught units and will support the development of lifelong learning through an Evidence-based management approach where analysis, evaluation and decision making are supported by research evidence from quality academic and practitioner sources.

The emphasis is on your independent learning through the application of management education to management practice to inform and enhance problem solving and decision making and to improve organizational effectiveness and performance

You will develop an appreciation of the range of data sources and their collection and analysis in order to help you more critically assess a contemporary problem and solve a business issue.

This would normally require the collection of secondary data from quality academic and practitioner sources.   Where relevant, it might be possible for students to collect primary data.   However, please remember time is tight and, unless you have experience of data collection and analysis, this is discouraged. You will be expected to comply with the University ethics process including seeking approval where required.

The TIP Project enables you to consider a business problem, how this is framed and what solution you can present based on your appreciation of critical enquiry.  The assessment requires you to consider in depth one aspect of the implementation of decisions.

For Assignment 1 you will have already developed the plan for your project comprising the scope, aim, objectives, theoretical underpinning, method of analysis and evidence.  Assignment 2 is where you present the in-depth report on the project including an in-depth review of influential contemporary contributors, analysis of the evidence, interpretation and discussion, leading to clear conclusions and feasible recommendations for practice.

Assignment 2, the Project Report should be a deep consideration of a specific topic, drawing on a wide range of academic sources, including peer-reviewed material, and using practical examples and cases to illustrate your points.  The emphasis of the work is to consider the practical issues involved in making decisions, solving organizational problems or exploring opportunities, achieving change and managing the implementation of strategy. Your work must be submitted as a professional Business Report of 9000 words +/-10% (including an improved Chapter 1).  Staged submissions are required through the online journal on the BREO course site.

A random sample of students will be called to attend a viva voce to check the authenticity of their work
What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
 

In order to pass Assessment 2 you will need to:

·         Demonstrate assessment of theories underpinning the aim and objectives of the project and integrate this understanding into a coherent framework for analyzing case studies or other data/evidence.

·         Develop a research design to identify and assemble sources of data and evidence and carry our data analysis as appropriate to the aim and objectives.

·         Demonstrate adequate critical analysis and evaluation of case studies/evidence, debate the implications of the analysis and develop a tangible deliverable.
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
We will be filling this section in together in class on (TBA) make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

 

·         You need to widely extend your reading through independent research using quality academic and practitioner sources

·         You will apply theory in practice for critical, in-depth analysis in the context of the chosen research topic

·         Is your method of analysis aligned to your aim?

·         Are you clear on how to collect evidence (data), how to report this and how to analyse the data leading to your findings?

·         How might you interpret your findings in relation to current knowledge reviewed in Chapter 2?  Discussion chapter

·         What are the insightful outcomes of your research – what is your contribution to knowledge/practice?

·         Consider what are the main conclusions derived from your discussion?

·         Make feasible recommendations that are directly actionable

·         You must use in-text citations throughout to acknowledge others’ ideas in support of your critical analysis

·         You must use the Harvard style of referencing.
How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?
All students are expected to attend scheduled Advancing Professional Practice workshops between blocks to develop their personal, professional and academic skills in preparation for the final projects and their first post-MBA position. This is an independent project and you are supported through scheduled classes for group briefings and you are allocated a supervisor for guidance.

You will have an interim and final group briefings to support the progressive development of your project, including data collection and analysis and final write-up of the report.

Online Journal Supervision on Breo is where you submit formative drafts for feedback.   The journal is private and can only be viewed by you and your supervisor.