Business Policy - Elizabeth Manser Payne Marian College

Teaching Philosophy:

I believe in a ‘hands-on approach' which involves the students in participating in activities and by thinking about the consequences of their actions. This approach creates a two-way exchange of information. Additionally, students are free to develop their own beliefs and skills. Accordingly, my position/responsibility will be that of a facilitator who will assist you in your exploration of your own abilities. How far you go will depend on your own will. If you need help, I am a resource. But first, you must look within at your own capabilities to answer questions.

Business is not only a science-it is also an art. Your "touch" to business strategy will be different from others; right or wrong answers do not apply. It is how you interpret research, concepts that matters. Coupled with your knowledge and critical thinking skills, the search for sound business strategies will a rewarding experience in this Capstone^®; business class.

An important objective of the course is to help develop strategic thinking, to appreciate the tools and techniques available, understand the relationship between corporate and divisional goals, and go 'outside the box' for creative solutions.

Course Objectives:

• To apply all previous courses of study in the students' major;
• To develop and implement team-based strategies that relate directly to achieving corporate goals and satisfying consumer needs in an ethical manner;
• To strengthen students' leadership and oral communication skills in a business meeting/briefing environment.

Grading:

This course will be graded in the following manner:

Class Contribution 200

Interest/Ethics Presentation 200

Case Analysis One 200

Executive Board Decisions 400

Total Points 1000

Letter Grade Minimum Points

92.6% A 926

90.0% A- 900

87.6% B+ 876

82.6% B 826

80.0% B- 800

77.6% C+ 776

72.6% C 726

70.0% C- 700

67.6% D+ 676

62.6% D 626

60.0% D- 600

< 60.0% F 599 or less

Assessments:

1. Class Contribution:

Your voluntary input/insight to classroom discussions is both valuable and respected. As a class, we all gain from having different views expressed. As an individual, it not only makes your voice heard, it also gives you confidence to speak in front of a group- an essential element for a leader. Additionally, you are expected to give your full attention to all individual and group presentations. Additionally, a student, who believes that class contribution plays an incredibly important role in class dynamics, will participate in discussions and/or questions which will occur with student presentations.

1. Individual Work:

• Interest/Ethics Presentation- The path of this oral presentation can take one of two directions. Students are free to explore a business topic which is of an interest/passion to the student or they may lead a discussion on an ethical question/challenge facing the business community. The purpose of the Interest/Ethics Presentation is threefold: 1. Provide practice in public speaking. 2. Expand issue knowledge on a topic which is of interest/concern to the student. 3. Provide a non-threatening forum for students to go beyond ‘reporting the facts' and to assert an opinion/solution. On the designated day, students will give a 10-minute presentation to the class for analysis and discussion. While a written formal report is not required, the students are required to prepare well for the presentation. Successful and insightful presentations require thought and research on the selected topic. Accordingly, students will be required to submit a 2-page outline which supports the ten-minute presentation. Students should also be advised that the use of PowerPoint will not be permitted. Most students will have, at least, part of their professional career within a small business setting. Accordingly, access to PowerPoint presentations will be limited. How one interacts and develops sound working relationships carries more meaning than a fancy PowerPoint crutch.
• Case Study Analysis -- Like the Capsim business simulator, cases allow students to get their feet wet by experiencing the trials & error of critical thinking and decision making in a business setting. While there are as many ways to approach case analyses as there are plans of action to address the problem, students need to remember that there is no one "correct" response. To make matters more fun, leaders rarely have all the information or must be flexible in their actions when new information arises. Case studies are reflective of the Business World. We will examine one (maybe two) business case in class. It is essential that you prepare (before hand) for them outside of class. I will provide students with detailed handouts concerning the case study later in the semester. At this point, you can plan to submit a two to three page (single-spaced) analysis for the case.

When you provide an opinion/solution:

Take a stand! If you have a well thought out idea, explain the idea and tell me why it will work, and perhaps discuss potential downsides. If you simply report the history of your selected topic and/or write definitions, then I will assume that you do not have an independent idea. Also, be cautious when using words such as "may have", "perhaps", etc. If you think a solution "may" work, tell me why and suggest alternative solutions that could be tried if your main idea does not work. Always... explain the importance of your ideas. I grade partly by assessing your understanding of the concepts and how they apply. Think about questions such as, "How can this information be used advantageously by a business leader?"

1. Executive Board Decisions-- Computer Simulation and The Executive's Report to the Stockholders:

The Business Simulation provides an opportunity for you to apply all your previous coursework.

objectives include:

• Develop critical thinking skills and experience business decision-making from a long-term, senior manager's perspective.
• Apply the various elements of S.W.O.T. analysis and strategic planning.
• To study the application of tactical alignment in support of a strategic plan.
• To understand components of competitive intelligence and practice competitor analysis.
• Build team skills and improve communication techniques.

Each student will perform as part of an executive board and is charged with managing a $100M electronic sensor manufacturing company in a competitive, dynamic business environment. You get to call the shots, and see how you measure up in direct competition with classmates. You'll also be able to compare your results with teams from other universities - all over the world - as a benchmark for your firm's achievements. It's fun and it's risk-free, and it may be the only time in your life you get to run an entire company.

We'll plan roughly 90 minutes of class time per week for activities. Additional time may be required for your executive board to complete decisions each round. However, the system is structured so that all work may be accomplished by students working independently, if necessary. However, successful team strategies tend to involve team meetings in order to arrive at consensus-led decisions.

Executive's Report to the Stockholders.

To communicate the financial status and corporate goals of your corporation to the stockholders, the executive board is required to present an Executive's Report to the Stockholders . This in-depth report contains the following:

Major Areas of Focus and Report Structure:

1. Executive Summary. Provide a one to two page synopsis of your corporation which includes how your corporation is organized. The signatures of all executives at the end of the Executive Summary should also be included. Additionally, a Mission Statement, Vision Statement, Code of Ethics and a Table of Contents should immediately follow the Executive Summary.

2. Strategic Business Plan of Action (long-term planning)

• Corporate Goals
• SWOT Analysis (Year Zero)
• Success Measurements
• Marketing Goals
• Financial Goals
• R&D Goals
• Human Resources/Labor Goals
• Operations/Production Goals
• Service Goals/Social Responsibility
• Competitive Intelligence

3. Annual (Round) Analysis and Report (please provide an annual report for each round).

• Goals- What do you want to achieve in this round? Be specific! For example, a goal for round three could include obtaining a 35% contribution margin for the Size (segment) product.
• Strategy- How do you plan to achieve your goals?
• Malfunctions- The Good, the Bad and the Ugly . The focus is on the Ugly. What went wrong (for example, the team was too divided in strategy) and what did you learn from what went wrong.
• Achievements- Did you achieve your goals? If not, why do you think that is? Students should also include, but not limited to, the Star Summary Chart.

4. Summary of Simulation Results

• Achievements (In relation to the Mission Statement and the Strategic Business Plan of Action. To present a more polished report, sum up the entire simulation within two pages.)
• Corporate
• SWOT Analysis (Year Eight)
• Marketing
• Financial
• R&D
• Human Resources/Labor
• Operations/Production
• Service/Social Responsibility
• Competitive Intelligence
• Star Summary Chart
• Conclusion paragraph

5. Appendices

Give supportive and relative information such as worksheets, reports, sources, etc.

Main body of The Executive's Report to the Stockholders does not include the coversheet, Executive Summary, Mission Statement and Vision Statements, Code of Ethics, Table of Contents and/or Appendices.

During Week Seven (March 5 ~ 9), each executive team will arrange a formal business meeting with me for consultation . The purpose of the GRADED meeting is to ensure that all executive teams have a soundly written business plan of action of obtaining corporate goals. This consultation is formal and of high priority. Therefore, I will be expecting all executives to be in business attire. I will provide more detailed information concerning the meeting later in the semester.

Additionally, I may decide to ask for updates (in writing and/or in briefings) of certain sections/functions of your simulation. The purpose of the updates is to help ensure that your board is on the right track. Therefore, updates are not graded. However, students should be aware that I expect the Annual Analysis Reports, for each year, to be completed within five days after the round has been uploaded . To wait until the end of the semester to write all the annual reports will be a serious strategic mistake . I find it very easy to tell if a team procrastinated with the Annual Analysis Reports. More importantly, the quality of the hastily written reports tends to be of very poor quality-- which will be reflected in your grade. Please feel free to talk with me or to show me your work (in progress) throughout the semester. Don't let an issue wait. Challenges, including executive board-related challenges, need to be addressed as they come up in order to move on with the simulation.

The Executive's Report to the Stockholders is due May 9 th . The main body of a high quality and comprehensive report tends to run between 20 to 25 pages single-spaced. Students should also be aware that I usually have teams submit detailed reports in excess of 30 pages. The simulation reflects the Real World. You must be competitive to survive. You snooze-you lose. If the other teams are raising bar of excellence and your team does ‘what is required'; do not expect a high grade for this class. No one succeeded by simply doing ‘what is required'. Better to learn this lesson now before you have a mortgage payment and other life responsibilities resting on your shoulders.

Grading for Corporate Decisions Simulation:

50 Formal Consultation of the Business Plan

100 Level of Goal Achievement (via computer simulation)

150 Quality of The Executive's Report to the Stockholders (Written Report)

100 In-Class Presentation

400 points

Tentative Schedule

Week	Topics
1. January 21	Class Begins/Introduction to BUA 402 Introduction to Capstone®; Executive Board Selections
2. January 28	Capstone®;: Situation Analysis Team Organization Solo Simulation Practice
3. February 4	Capstone®;: Situation Analysis Solo Simulation Practice
4. February 11	Capstone®;: Practice Mode Begins: Round One Strategy: Mission/Vision Statements & SWOT Analysis
5. February 18	Capstone®;: Practice Round Two Strategy: Comprehensive Business Plan of Action
6. February 25	Capstone®;: Practice Round Three Strategy: Comprehensive Business Plan of Action Business Strategies Written Outline Due 3/2/07 Company Success Measures Due 3/2/07
7. March 4	Capstone®;: Competition Mode Begins : Round One Strategy: Consumer Behavior/Sales Forecasting Consultation: Business Strategies & Success Measures
3/9/ ~ 3/16 Spring Break	3/9/ ~ 3/16 Spring Break
8. March 18	Capstone®;: Round Two Strategy: Human Resources
9. March 25	Capstone®;: Round Three Strategy: Marketing ETS Business Test on 3/28 and 3/30
10. April 1 4/6/2007 no classes	Capstone®;: Round Four Strategy: TQM Student Analyses: Interest/Ethics Presentations
April 8 4/9/2007 no classes	Capstone®;: Round Five Strategy: Labor Student Analyses: Interest/Ethics Reports
12. April 15	Capstone®;: Round Six Case Study: Collective Bargaining-Bush Corporation
13. April 22	Capstone®;: Round Seven Student Analyses: Interest/Ethics Presentations
14. April 29	Capstone®;: Round Eight Performance: Leadership Fishbowl Executive Report Time Case Study Due: 4/30/2007
15. May 6	Executive Report Time The Executive's Report to the Stockholders Due: 5/9/2007 Executive Board Assessments Due: 5/9/2007 In-Class Presentations: The Executive's Report to the Stockholders

All Capstone^®; decisions must be uploaded by 11:00 PM (ET) on Saturdays

Additional Class Information:

• I expect that BUA 402, a three credit upper-level business class, may entail about seven to eight hours of work per week outside of class time. So be prepared.
• No late work will be accepted.
• Just like in business, communication is incredibly important. I expect you to check email frequently during the week. If you send me an email that contains a question, it might help to include your phone number because answering some questions requires discussion. And when working on the simulation, an email to me should include a copy sent to all executive board members.
• I check email once a day. So, if you didn't receive a response from me within 72 hours, please email me again. Technology is a good thing, but even computers can have an off-day, too.

ETS Business II Exam

You will be expected to complete the ETS Business II Test during this course. This test will take two hours to complete and is nationally normed. The result from the examination is a useful tool (yet not the sole indicator) for gauging your level of business knowledge in comparison to other business students across the United States . While this Exam is not graded, per se, it is the expectation of the entire Business Division that you take this test VERY seriously. After all, it is a representation of your own business accruement and of Marian College .

Not fulfilling this requirement will result in an F grade for BUA 402 . Attendance on testing date(s) will be mandatory.

Grade Expectations

I believe elevated performance comes in tandem with elevated effort. But please understand that when grading, I grade performance rather than effort.

When grading papers/presentations, I examine not only your ideas, but also the clarity and accuracy of how you present these ideas. So grades will be higher among papers/presentations where spelling and grammar are correctly applied, where tables are clearly formatted, and so on.

Additionally, team members will be ‘compensated' at different levels for the group project and cases. For example, if a student does not participate in team meetings, cuts class when class time has allocated for project work or performs poorly, that student will not receive the same grade as his/her fellow team members. Therefore, below average students can not slide-by on the work performed by his/her team members.

Please see me immediately if you believe that I mis-graded your paper/presentation. To wait until the end of semester severely limits any possible reconsideration.

Attendance

Simply put, you are required to attend all class sessions. As an upper level business student, you should already understand the logic behind this issue. On the small chance that you are unable to attend class, you must:

1. Inform me by e-mail before class time that you will be unable to attend;
2. Provide written documentation (i.e., doctor's note) stating that you are/were unable to attend class;
3. Formally request after class time (via e-mail) that an absence be recorded as an excused absence. Obviously, requests are not the same thing as authorized. I will respond (via e-mail) to inform you if your absence will be considered an excused absence.

BUA 402 is not a class that is OK for students to skip or blow off. For example, I have found that some students test my patience with excuses of "I drive all the way from Sheboygan so it's hard for me to get to class on time" on numerous occasions. An employer will not tolerate this excuse and neither will I. A student who ‘tests' the attendance issue will discover his/her grade lowered in the following manner:

• With two unexcused absences, the grade will be lowered by one grade. For example, the recorded grade on the transcript will be a C+ instead of a B-;
• With three unexcused absences, the grade will be lowered by one full letter grade. For example, the recorded grade on the transcript will be a C- instead of a B-;
• With four or more unexcused absences, the grade will be an F instead of a B-;
• With each time that you are late for class, your total grade score will be deducted by 1 point.

Students are encouraged to be proactive in his/her communication with me to ensure that attendance and other grade-related issues are in good standing. That is-students need to take ownership of his/her academic career. I practically live in my office-so please stop by if you have any questions or concerns.

Supplementary Information

Plagiarism and Cheating

Both Marian College and I expect academic honesty from all of its students. Cheating and plagiarism are violations of reputable college norms. Penalties for these violations may range from failure of an assignment to dismissal from the program, depending on the severity of the offense.

As a reminder, The Student Handbook 2005 - 2006 for Marian College covers this topic in great detail from pages 56 to 59. I strongly encourage you to refer back to this section of your Handbook in case you are unclear of what responsibilities are covered under the Academic Honesty Policy.

Students should also note that committed acts of plagiarism within the body of the team project will be addressed at the team level-not at the individual level . Students should know that I take plagiarism VERY SERIOUSLY and I do check project sources . Do not risk the academic careers of your peers. Taking short cuts will not be worth it.

If you have any questions as to what constitutes plagiarism, please feel free to ask me.