Lackawanna BUS105 2021 April Complete Course Latest (Full)

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 1 Discussion

DQ1 Business is changing at a break-neck pace today.  Industries rise (and fall) in a matter of months these days. 

What factors contribute to the rapid pace of change in business? Is the pace likely to accelerate or decrease over the next decade? Why?

DQ2 Most successful businesses today actively develop loyal customers who buy their brands again and again. After all, getting current customers to buy more is much easier than constantly seeking new customers.

Think of three brands that you buy on a regular basis. Why do you stick to these products? How could another company dislodge you?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 2 Discussion

DQ1 A growing number of businesses—including videogame developers, cigarette companies, soft drink producers, liquor marketers, and fast food chains—are feeling the heat from government, the press, and society at large for encouraging harmful consumer habits. But in our free market economy, people are free to choose the products they consume (within legal boundaries, of course).

Where does personal responsibility end and corporate responsibility begin? How does your response change across specific industries? What role (if any) do you believe the government should play? Develop a rationale for each of your answers.

DQ2 Choose a favorite actor, musician, businessperson, political figure, or athlete with a Twitter page. Scan through his or her Twitter feed until you have a good understanding of the types of tweets he or she makes. In a paragraph or two, analyze your celebrity’s use of Twitter as a communication medium. For example, does he or she use effective language to convey messages to the audience? Do those messages tend to focus on self-promotion, general musings, or conversation? When does your celebrity post? Does that timing have an impact on how messages are received?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 3 Discussion

DQ1 Research the costs and benefits of becoming a franchisee for a specific franchise. Basic information on costs and benefits is usually available at the franchise websites and also at websites such as Entrepreneur.com and The Franchise Mall (http://www.thefranchisemall.com (Links to an external site.)). Also search the Internet for any recent articles and reports relevant to the franchise that might impact its future business prospects.

From the student’s perspective, what makes the franchise an attractive opportunity? Has the franchise been “in the news” for any reason (good or bad) recently?

What is the franchise fee for the franchise? What other start up costs would a franchisee incur? What are the royalties and other ongoing fees franchisees must pay?

Does the franchisor offer any help with financing? If so, what type?

What types of training and support does the franchisor offer?

DQ2 The Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains a rich, vibrant website, and supports a number of high impact programs to support small business growth. In fact, every state has at least one local SBA office. Log onto the SBA website at www.sba.gov, and spend a few moments browsing. Be sure to check out the sections on business opportunities and training. Then find the page for the SBA office nearest your school.

How would this information be helpful for local small businesses? If you started a business, would you personally be likely to use any of the SBA resources? If so, which ones? Why do you think the government spends so much money supporting small business growth by providing this array of resources?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 4 Discussion

DQ1 You are the owner of a small landscaping company. Usually, business is always good in the spring and summer, leaving enough resources to ride out the slow winter. But the revenue from last summer was unusually slow due to a severe drought, leading to less business than usual in the fall, and causing a cash shortage this winter. You need a short-term injection of cash so that you can maintain equipment, pay employees, and keep your company going for a few months until spring arrives.

DQ2 In May 2011, hedge fund billionaire Raj Rajaratnam was convicted on 14 counts of insider trading.

When is insider trading acceptable? What constitutes illegal insider trading? Why is this type of insider trading considered unethical as well as illegal?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 5 Discussion

DQ1 As marketing expands well beyond its traditional boundaries, a growing number of states are actively promoting themselves. Think of four or five examples that you’ve encountered.

Now use the Internet to research marketing efforts in your own state. Do they aim to attract businesses or tourists? Are their efforts local or more far-reaching? What benefits do they tout? Do you believe that your state delivers on its marketing promises? Why or why not? If your state doesn’t actively market itself, research another state in your region that does.

DQ2 Does the definition of quality change depending on the type of business? Does the definition of quality change across cultures? Define what quality means for each of the following categories:

·           A visit to the dentist ·           A computer ·           A motorcycle ·           A haircut

·           A pair of blue jeans ·           A cup of coffee ·           A stereo system

How can marketers in each category demonstrate product quality to potential customers before they make the purchase? Share your ideas with the class.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 6 Discussion

DQ1 Not every great business leader is a big talker, but most are excellent communicators. Identify a business leader who you admire in your community. Spend some time observing that person “in-action.”

How does he or she communicate? What is that person’s communication style? What communication tools does he or she use? Do you think that communication skills are part of why that person is a successful leader? How do they relate to other leadership skills and to leadership style?

DQ2 Take some time to browse through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website (www.bls.gov), a rich source of detailed information about employment and the economy.

What information do you think would be most helpful from an employer standpoint? From a worker standpoint? Next, find the charts that project the fastest growing occupations and industries, and list the top five in each category. How could this information affect your career planning? When might it make sense to seek a job in a declining occupation or industry? Explain your answers.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 7 Discussion

DQ1 Does the current way information technology is distributed and used contribute to unequal opportunities within our society? Do some research on the Internet to learn about the digital divide. What is this divide, and why should we be concerned about it? How has this divide changed over the years? How can the divide be bridged?

DQ2 Think about your own recent encounters with service providers such as restaurants, theaters, car repair facilities and banks. Identify and describe one service experience that met or exceeded your expectations and another that left you dissatisfied.

What characteristics stood out in each case? How did your experience relate to the concept of a servicescape? How could the service provider that disappointed you improve its performance?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 1 Assignment  

Case Study – CFPB

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Too Far, or Not Far Enough?

Recall from the chapter that during the economic crisis of the late 2000s, subprime mortgages were sliced up and resold as specialized securities. As more and more households went upside-down, an estimated $2 trillion worth of these assets became toxic. The banks and investment houses that held these toxic assets could not sell them for even a fraction of their original worth, pushing those companies further into economic turmoil. As the crisis worsened and panic set in, some institutions took advantage of the lack of regulation and governmental oversight in the industry, selling these toxic assets to unsuspecting buyers as if they still held value.

Many of the participants in these schemes were eventually exposed, leading to a number of high profile, high stakes lawsuits. In October 2012, for example, federal prosecutors filed a $1 billion suit against Bank of America for knowingly committing mortgage fraud from 2007 to 2009. The discovery of rampant fraud in the financial sector also led to the creation of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), a new federal agency tasked with regulating banks, payday lenders, and other financial services companies.

First proposed by Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2007 and signed into law in 2010, the CFPB proved a hot-button political issue from the moment it was announced. Lauded by consumer advocates eager for protection and loathed by Wall Street bankers who felt they were being unfairly punished, the CFPB captivated media attention as politicians debated the agency’s organizational structure. A congressional blockade forced President Barack Obama to skip over Warren as the agency’s first director, instead choosing Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray in a controversial pro-forma recess appointment.

The CFPB’s core functions include writing and enforcing federal regulatory laws, restricting practices that it deems unfair or abusive, promoting financial education, and processing consumer complaints. Much of the controversy surrounding the agency revolves around its power to regulate business practices. In the first three months of 2013, for example, the CFPB issued 10 new regulations regarding credit card fees, automated teller machine (ATM) fee disclosures, and more. While some believe the CFPB is crucial to avoiding another economic crisis, others believe that the agency oversteps its bounds and stifles innovation.

Those who believe the CFPB should be allowed to maintain—even extend—its regulatory powers make the following points:

Weighing the positive aspects of the agency, the Economist’s Schumpeter blog suggests that the financial sector has long eluded regulation thanks to weak, ineffective legislation. The CFPB is agile, powerful, and aggressive enough to contend with a deceitful industry that has operated under its own rules for too long.

When you buy a new car, fresh produce, or ibuprofen, you can safely assume that the product has undergone rigorous testing to ensure that it is safe. When it comes to buying a mortgage or a credit card, however, you must rely solely on the word of the company trying to sell you the product. The CFPB serves as an independent advocate for the safety of individual consumers, says TIME’s Michael Grunwald.

The CFPB can restrict the practices that led to the Great Recession, and perhaps even prevent the next economic crisis. To this end, consumer advocacy group Consumer Action contends, “To prevent another bailout, we need to extend the government's resolution authority – currently limited to FDIC-insured banks – to cover non-bank financial companies, as well.”

However, those who want to abolish the CFPB (or at least substantially limit its power) make several compelling counterpoints:

Weighing the negative aspects of the agency, the Economist’s Schumpeter blog suggests that the CFPB is far too large. A financial firm might be sued by one wing of the agency for providing a financial product to a segment of the population, and sued by another wing for not providing that same product to the same segment of the population. Thus, the column argues, the CFPD is destined to devolve into a prosecutorial bureaucracy.

According to CBS’s Marlys Harris, the CFPB will threaten the health of banks that provide financing for businesses, stifling job creation and innovation. By regulating the banking sector’s most profitable products and services, the CFPB will force banks to be more conservative with their money, making them less likely to grant loans to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

The United States Congress has a constitutional right to oversee agency budgets. However, the CFPB’s funding comes directly from the Federal Reserve, sidestepping congressional approval. Without a congressional check on CFPB spending, economist George Will argues that the agency is answerable to no one—and may even be unconstitutional.

1. In your opinion, is the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau necessary? Should its powers be extended, abridged, maintained, or abolished? Explain, citing the arguments you think are the most relevant to support your position.

2. In Chapter 1, you learned that business moves at breakneck speeds. On balance, do you believe that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will have an effect on change in the financial industry? Will it affect the U.S. economy as a whole? Explain.

3. How did the economic crisis of the late 2000s affect the United States’ overall economic environment? How does the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau fit into that environment? Use the chapter text to support your answer.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 2 Assignment  

Ethical Scenarios

Read each of the 3 scenarios and answer each of the questions with 2-3 sentences.

Scenario #1

At the annual conference of a national professional marketing body, members have attended dinner, and they are now socializing and networking. One attendee, Sheila, is a regional marketing manager for a well-known coach company. Later in the evening, she finds herself in conversation with a participant who begins by saying 'let me bend your ear for a while'. The person is slightly drunk, and Sheila begins to move away, but the person takes hold of her arm and says 'Listen to me. You and I are competitors, but I think we could be on the same side'. Not wishing to make a fuss, Sheila stays. He then explains that he's disgusted with the way he has been treated, that he has been refused a merited promotion and that he is now 'at the beck and call’ of this inexperienced manager who got the job and who doesn't know the first thing about the product or about marketing. Sheila listens, sympathizes, and then indicates that she has to leave to meet some other people. But the participant says 'I've got something better to offer you. I have a copy of our marketing plan for the next financial year. Don't ask me how I got it. But I want you to read it. I'll leave it for you at Reception in a little while. Read it. Return it to Reception and I'll collect it in the morning. There will be no charge’, he concluded, 'but if I do apply for a job with you remember where you obtained the information that will get you your promotion'. He winks, as he moves away; 'Don't forget, just pick it up at Reception and return it there'.

Questions

1. What do you think Sheila should do? What would you do in similar circumstances?

2.  In general, what rules or guidelines would you apply to cases of this kind? How far is it possible to say 'All is fair in love and war and market competition'?

Scenario #2

The merger and reorganization of two government agencies has been a time of uncertainty and change for those professional and managerial staff whose jobs survived. Jobs and ways of working are changing, with an ever-tighter focus on the latest political priorities. A new Chief Executive heads up the combined authority, and has recruited a couple of new Directors externally as well. Pat works for one of these, Jane, and is pleased when Jane announces early on that there will be a team-building 'away-day' for the whole department in 2 months time. Jane seems to appreciate that past differences need to be laid to rest, confidence in management strengthened, and that big issues surrounding departmental

objectives and work plans need to be addressed. Later on, it is announced that staff from the Contracting section will shortly be transferred into the Directorate - and they, too, will attend the'away day'. Pat is surprised not to receive any documents or background papers before the meeting - except a sheet with directions to the conference center and an instruction that 'dress will be informal: no suits or dresses'. But she still looks forward to a chance to get to know new colleagues; share concerns, and think further ahead than next week. In the event, Pat is deeply disappointed and disturbed:

• The Contracting section staff are present, but effectively ignored.

• The Director starts by saying 'let's think about our objectives for the day - who can suggest some?' After five minutes gathering tentative and very varied suggestions she says 'well that's enough objectives' - and moves on.

• In some of the working groups staff do share concerns and identify what they see as issues. However, the Director responds sharply saying she is 'only interested in solutions, not problems'. Other groups, Pat discovers, quickly adjust their reports to maintain a positive tone.

• Over lunch the discussion is entirely about the weather and Wimbledon. But some more intense discussion seems to take place among twos and threes in corridors, over coffee or in the toilets.

Overall, Pat believes the discussion was superficial, key issues were avoided, and if anything, the cynicism of staff has been reinforced. The next day Jane breezes into Pat's office and says: 'Well, the ‘away day’ seemed to go off quite successfully, wouldn't you say?'

Questions

1.  How do you suggest Pat replies? Can she reply with integrity?

Scenario #3

You are a strategic planner for a multinational organization, which owns and manages tea plantations in a developing country. The organization's advertising emphasizes the organization's 'partnership with the developing world'. In recent weeks, the organization has been the subject of a series of critical articles in a national paper. The articles have contained detailed data about the pay and conditions on the plantations and have described those pay and conditions as exploitative. The newspaper has also commented

unfavorably on the arrangements, which the organization has made with the country's government for the repatriation of profits. The information in the articles has been accurate, and it is evident that a member of the organization has been supplying the information, although the organization has a rule that a member of staff 'must not disclose commercial information to unauthorized persons' and another one which says that 'all contacts with the press must be handed by the properly authorized officers.' At a social function, a member of your department inadvertently makes it plain that it is she who has been supplying the information to the newspaper. She immediately recognizes what she has done and says you 'must ignore what I've said or I'll be fired'.

Questions

1. What should you do?

2. What view do you take of people who behave as the colleague has done, that is, who 'blew the whistle' on the organization? What general principles support your view?

 

 

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 2 Assignment  

Discussion Debate Team

You will be split into pairs to debate these ethical scenarios.  I will assign which side of the debate you will debate so prepare your argument whether you agree or disagree with your side of the debate.  You just need to submit your answer - don't worry about coordinating the answers.

Ali and Meyizel - Most companies these days are taking an active role in decreasing their carbon footprint.  Protecting the environment is an important element in social responsibility.  But, some companies feel it is too expensive to make the necessary changes to be socially responsible.  Ali - you will argue for companies being socially responsible and decreasing their carbon footprint.  Meyizel - you will argue against this debate.

Dominic and Nicholas - you are both salespeople and are promoting a product that you know has flaws.  It has been found to break within the first three months of use.  The company is working on fixing the flaws but want you to sell it in the meantime because they need the profit.  Dominic - give reasons why you will continue to sell the product even though you know it will not last long for the customer (you cannot tell them and cannot provide a replacement warranty).  Nicholas - explain how you are going to tell your managers that you do not want to sell the product and what you would like to do in the meantime.

Amber B and Faythe - It's wrong to lie but it's okay to call in sick when I have personal business to take care of.  I don't want to burn through my limited vacation days. Amber B - you will debate for this argument.  Faythe - you will debate against this argument.

Zymir and Jacqueline- Everyone should have a level playing field but it's fine to give my brother the first shot at my company's contract. I know he really needs the work.  Zymir - you will debate for this argument.   Jacqueline - you will debate against this argument.

Quinn and Megan - during working hours, you go out to lunch with your coworker.  He decides to have three beers with lunch.  There is a strict company policy about drinking on the job, and this employee is a driver for the company.  Quinn - you will argue the point as to why you would talk to your supervisor about the coworker drinking at lunch.  Megan - you will argue as to why you would not say anything.

Joshua and Amber M - Whether it’s the holidays, a special occasion, or some other milestone, your client may try to thank you for your hard work by giving you a gift. These situations are much more complicated than they seem because there are cultural, societal, and relationship factors to consider on top of the bond you and your client share. Joshua - you will debate for receiving gifts. Amber M - you will debate against receiving gifts.

 Brittany and Mark - It's not okay to steal paper from the office supply store but it's perfectly fine to "borrow" supplies from the storage closet at work to use at home.  The company owes me a bigger salary.  Brittany - you will debate for this argument.  Mark - you will debate against this argument.

Justin and Sarah - While this may feel like a minor blip in the grand scheme of workplace ethics, the improper use of the internet and company technology is a huge cost for organizations in lost time, worker productivity and company dollars. One survey found that 64% of employees visit non-work related websites during the workday. Not only is it a misuse of company tools and technology, but it’s also a misuse of company time. Whether you’re taking hourly breaks to check your social media news feed or know that your coworker is using company technology resources to work on freelance jobs, this “little white lie” of workplace ethics can create a snowball effect. Justin - you will debate that it is ok to use a company computer to check personal accounts.  Sarah - you will debate that it is not ok.

Riley and Alliesha - salaried employees do not punch a time clock to indicate when they are working.  Most salaried employees work more than 40 hours per week.  At your company, there is a strict rule about only taking a 30 minute lunch but some salaried employees are known to take 45 or even 60 minute lunches.  Riley - argue the reason(s) why this is ok.  Alliesha - argue the reason(s) why this is not ok.

Patty and Rolanda- a couple of co-workers are telling inappropriate jokes to each other in the break room when a third co-worker walks in and overhears them.  Patty - argue the point(s) for why the co-workers should stop telling these types of jokes.  Rolanda - argue the point(s) for why it's ok for the co-workers to tell these jokes.

Gianna and Tyrone- when leaving the office for the day, a co-worker back into another car in the parking lot. The co-worker leaves without leaving a note or finding out who owns the car. Gianna - you will argue why this is acceptable due to the fact that there is barely any damage and no one saw it happen. Tyrone - you will argue that it doesn't matter who much (or who little) damage was done, the right thing to do is to leave a note.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 3 Assignment  

Roleplaying

Each student will take a role and describe the impact the situation would have on him/her, customers, co-workers, the company, etc. and how they would handle the situation.

Ali - You have been late to work three times in the past three weeks.  Your boss calls you in to her office to discuss the situation.  You have been late because your child's daycare doesn't open until later on Wednesdays (the day you're late).  Your boss doesn't have children and may not understand your reason for being late.

Meyizel - Two employees are having a disagreement. There are customers all around and curse words are being said. As the manager, how do you resolve the issue without scaring off customers?

Dominic - A begrudged former employee is bad-mouthing your company online with all kinds of negative fake reviews and untrue stories. How do you get him or her to stop without elevating the issue further?

Nicholas - You are a manager at a restaurant and have a customer sitting alone at the bar for a few hours.  He is quiet and just drinking his beers.  He gets up at one point to use the restroom and an employee notices that he stumbles slightly.  The bartender continues to serve him alcohol.  What do you do as the manager?

Amber B - You are the manager and one of your employees leaves his computer unlocked when he leaves his desk.  It is company policy to lock your computer as soon as you are not near your desk to ensure no one has access to your files.  Do you simply lock his computer or make an example of his lack of following policy?  How would you handle this situation (in detail)?

Faythe - Your co-worker often asks you to "cover" for him.  Yesterday, he took an extra half hour for lunch and asked you to tell the boss he was in a meeting.  This is not the first time he has asked you to cover for him.  You are fed up with this behavior.  What do you do?

Zymir - Your employee accidentally deleted your entire database, including personal customer information. Customers are not happy and refuse to give you their information again. What’s your first move?  What is your second move?

Jacqueline - You have an employee who seems to be covering for another employee who takes extra time for lunch at least twice a week.  What action do you take with the employee who is taking the extra time for lunch and the employee who is covering for the first employee?

Quinn - you stumble upon social media posts of your employees bad-mouthing you and your company.  They name you specifically.  Do you confront the employees?  How and what actions do you take after?

Megan - You suspect that one of your co-workers is drunk at work.  He is stumbling around and slurring his words. You think you can smell alcohol on him.  You are not the manager but work in close proximity to this co-worker.  What would you do in this situation?

Joshua - A customer makes it clear that he wants speedy service, but then he interrupts your interaction by taking a phone call and moves to the other side of the room. When you turn to help the next customer, the chatty customer gets angry and asserts his right to be served first. His loud phone conversation continues to interfere with your ability to serve him. He appears oblivious to the havoc he is creating.

Amber M - A customer enters your business, clearly angry, and he wants to vent about an unsatisfactory experience with your product or service. He not only demands a refund but also wants to know how you're going to “make things right.”

Brittany - A customer enters your business and immediately demands to see the boss. Clearly, he means business as he states his purpose: if he doesn't get his way (get his money refunded, get a new product or service) he will sue.

Mark - A customer demands satisfaction and, failing that, threatens to post a complaint on a local review site. You're not even certain that his complaint is valid because the words local review site have stopped your heart in mid-thump.

Justin - You are the manager and suspect that two of your employees are in a relationship that they have not disclosed to you or HR.  It is company policy to disclose relationship to managers and HR.  How would you handle this situation?  Would you confront them?

Sarah - Someone wants a refund but it’s unwarranted. They’re trying to bully you into giving them their money back for no real cause. What do you say to him/her?

Riley - A customer is trying to use an expired offer or coupon. It’s for a very large purchase. They insist that they should be allowed to use it. Do you let them use the expired coupon?

Alliesha - A thief broke into your office last night and stole most of the electronics. What’s the first thing you do? The second?

Patty - You and a co-worker have been working on a new idea for a month.  You stayed late one night to put the finishing touches on it (alone) and your manager sees the project as she is leaving and says how impressed she is by what you are working on.  Before you can say anything, she leaves for the night.  Do you let her continue to think it was all your idea? Or do you make sure your co-worker gets create?  What else would you do in this situation?

Rolanda - You are a manager at a retail store.  Two customers start arguing over an item. It is starting to get very heated and may turn violent.  How do you handle this situation? What do you instruct your employees to do?

Gianna - You are a manager at a local retail store and have a strict policy on wearing masks when in the store. A customer enters the store without a mask. An employee asks the customer to please put on a mask or he will need to leave. The customer refuses to leave and starts yelling at the employee. As the manager, what do you do?

Tyrone - You are the manager at a retail store and a customer comes in with young children. The customer is looking at items while the children are running around the store, knocking over displays, and have broken an item. What do you do?

 

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 4 Assignment  

Investment Trade-Off activity

Students will research 4 or 5 different financial instruments that companies can invest cash on hand. Students will prepare a 1-2 page report for risk-return tradeoff.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 5 Assignment  

Alternate Use for Product

Each of you will be assigned an everyday item. You will determine a "new use" for this item. It should be something that is completely different than the "normal" use for the product. Then you will create a promotion to get your "new use" product out into the market.

Ali - Paper clip

Meyizel - Masking tape

Dominic - Pencil

Nicholas - Markers

Amber B - Highlighters

Faythe - Crayons

Zymir - Picture Frame

Jacqueline - Manilla Folder

Quinn - Weekly Planner

Megan - Phone Case

Joshua - Coaster

Amber M - Notebook

Brittany - Hair tie

Mark - Envelope

Justin - Nail File

Sarah - Shoe Box

Riley - Bulletin Board

Alliesha - Thumb tacks/push pins

Patty - Bookmark

Rolanda - Chip Clip

Gianna - Plastic Baggie

Tyrone - Socks

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 6 Assignment  

Discussion Debate

There are all types of jobs these days. With recent events that have occurred, most people had to work from home if it was available. Telecommuting allows employees to "commute" to the office via phones or computers. In a 1-2 page paper, discuss the benefits and disadvantages of telecommuting. If this was an option for you (or if it is an option for you now), would you participate in telecommuting?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 6 Assignment  

SWOT Analysis

This assignment was locked May 2 at 11:59pm.

You are most likely to succeed in life if you use your talents to their fullest extent. Similarly, you'll suffer fewer problems if you know what your weaknesses are, and if you manage these weaknesses so that they don't matter in the work you do.

So how do you go about identifying these strengths and weaknesses, and analyzing the opportunities and threats that flow from them? SWOT Analysis is a useful technique that helps you do this.

What makes SWOT especially powerful is that, with a little thought, it can help you uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might otherwise hurt your ability to move forward.

If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers, and further develop the specialized talents and abilities you need to advance your career and help you achieve your personal goals.

I have attached a Personal SWOT analysis worksheet for you to write your answers down on. Personal_SWOT_Analysis_Worksheet.pdf  downloadPreview the document

Strengths

What advantages do you have that others don't have (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)?

What do you do better than anyone else?

What personal resources can you access?

What do other people (and your boss, in particular) see as your strengths?

Which of your achievements are you most proud of?

What values do you believe in that others fail to exhibit?

Are you part of a network that no one else is involved in? If so, what connections do you have with influential people?

Consider this from your own perspective, and from the point of view of the people around you. And don't be modest or shy – be as objective as you can. Knowing and using your strengths can make you happier and more fulfilled at work.

And if you still have any difficulty identifying your strengths, write down a list of your personal characteristics. Some of these will hopefully be strengths!

Weaknesses

What tasks do you usually avoid because you don't feel confident doing them?

What will the people around you see as your weaknesses?

Are you completely confident in your education and skills training? If not, where are you weakest?

What are your negative work habits (for example, are you often late, are you disorganized, do you have a short temper, or are you poor at handling stress)?

Do you have personality traits that hold you back in your field? For instance, if you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis, a fear of public speaking would be a major weakness.

Again, consider this from a personal/internal perspective and an external perspective. Do other people see weaknesses that you don't see? Do co-workers consistently outperform you in key areas? Be realistic – it's best to face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible.

Opportunities

What new technology can help you? Or can you get help from others or from people via the internet?

Is your industry growing? If so, how can you take advantage of the current market?

Do you have a network of strategic contacts to help you, or offer good advice?

What trends (management or otherwise) do you see in your company, and how can you take advantage of them?

Are any of your competitors failing to do something important? If so, can you take advantage of their mistakes?

Is there a need in your company or industry that no one is filling?

Do your customers or vendors complain about something in your company? If so, could you create an opportunity by offering a solution?

You might find useful opportunities in the following:

Networking events, educational classes, or conferences.

A colleague going on an extended leave. Could you take on some of this person's projects to gain experience?

A new role or project that forces you to learn new skills, like public speaking or international relations.

A company expansion or acquisition. Do you have specific skills (like a second language) that could help with the process?

Also, importantly, look at your strengths, and ask yourself whether these open up any opportunities – and look at your weaknesses, and ask yourself whether you could open up opportunities by eliminating those weaknesses.

Threats

What obstacles do you currently face at work?

Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles?

Is your job (or the demand for the things you do) changing?

Does changing technology threaten your position?

Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?

Performing this analysis will often provide key information – it can point out what needs to be done and put problems into perspective.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 7 Assignment  

Case Study Raise Taxes?

Please read the following case study and answer the questions at the end of it. Your answers should be at least 2-3 sentences each. Please pay attention to grammar and spelling.

Raise Taxes?!?

For years, brick-and-mortar retailers have been complaining that online retailers (or e-tailers) have been exploiting an unfair advantage. Bill Hughes, an executive with the Retail Industry Leaders Association, says, “For too long the Main Street retailers that are an integral part of their communities have faced tax rules that put them at a disadvantage to their out-of-state, online-only competitors.” So what is this great advantage that e-tailers have? Sales taxes. Companies that do not have a physical presence in a state in which they sell are not required to collect sales tax on those purchases. Essentially, this means that every e-tailer has a natural 5% to 10% price advantage over brick-and-mortar stores.

            That advantage, however, may soon be disappearing. The United States Senate recently approved a bill that would require e-tailers with more than $1 million in sales to collect sales tax. This would represent an incredible win for brick-and-mortar retailers like Target, JCPenney, and Best Buy, who have been struggling for years to compete with online stores. By collecting sales tax, the e-tailers’ automatic price advantage would be wiped out overnight, creating a more level playfield for all involved.

             Led by eBay, a large number of small, online vendors are protesting this law, and have spent $2 million to lobby against it. They claim that small e-tailers cannot afford the staff or infrastructure that collecting sales taxes makes necessary. They argue, correctly, that it is not as simple as entering figures into a formula. Rather, they need to keep a separate set of records for each state—and also each municipality and county with different tax rates—that they make sales in, and then, either quarterly or monthly, file a return, again with each state, municipality, and county. How can a small company with a tiny staff, they argue, ever hope to keep up with the mountain of impending paperwork? Some small online sellers have already planned on reducing their inventory and sales to avoid the sales tax hurdle.

            Traditional retailers, of course, are strong proponents of the online sales tax. So is, quite surprisingly, Amazon.com, which spent almost $3.5 million lobbying for the bill. Even with charging sales tax, Amazon has a significant price advantage over its competitors. But as the online retailer has grown, it has become more reliant on next-day delivery and has begun building distribution centers in numerous states. That means, it will have to start collecting taxes anyway in every location where it has a distribution location. Also, its warehouses and shipping centers are far more cost effective and efficient that brick-and-mortar stores. In short, retailers and smaller websites will never be cost competitive with Amazon, and so there is little reason for the e-commerce giant to oppose sales taxes.

1. Do you think taxing online purchases will help retailers restore competitive balance against online sites? What other advantages do e-tailers have that might make the issue of online sales tax irrelevant?

2. A big online store like Amazon would have little trouble dealing with the costs of collecting sales tax. Smaller sites, however, faces a tremendous staffing and work burden. One count indicates that there are over 6,000 taxing entities in the United States (states, territories, cities, counties, villages, and Indian Nations), each with different taxing structures. For smaller e-commerce companies, is forcing their annual sales to drop below $1 million a good option? What other options do they have to stay viable?

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Final Paper

INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS FINAL PAPER REQUIREMENTS

The final project represents a culmination of what you’ve learned in this class. It is worth 100 possible points. Your project will be about a publicly traded company that you choose. It does not have to be currently operating. You must gain approval from the instructor for your choice. Your final project will be a paper about that company. The paper should be a minimum of 6 pages in length, typed, and double spaced. One of the pages should be a cover page, which states the title of your project and your name. You may insert pictures, clip art, graphics, or charts into your paper, but only if they further illustrate what you’re writing about.

Here are the sections you will need to cover in your paper, in the following order:

What is the name and mission statement of the company?

What is the history of the company up through the present day? (Summarize major events and tell how those major events affected the company. A timeline may be a great way to show major events).

Write about at least 1 example that shows what you consider to be a good ethical decision this company has made in the past or is in the process of making/considering today. Make sure to tell why they made this decision (What prompted them to make it? What do they hope to achieve by making it? Etc). Also, make sure to tell why you consider this a good ethical decision.

Write about at least 1 example that shows what you consider to be a poor ethical decision this company made in the past or is in the process of making/considering today. Make sure to tell why they made this decision (What prompted them to make it? What do they hope to achieve by making it? Etc). Also, make sure to tell why you consider this a poor ethical decision.

Write about their marketing and distribution strategies. Please provide examples to support your statements.

Write about their operations. Again, provide examples to support your statements.

Write about the good and/or bad effects that the current recession has had on the company. Provide examples.

Include at least one of the following financial statements: Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cashflow Statement (or budget). Make sure these statements are no older than 5 years.

Write a summary paragraph for your paper to wrap it up at the end.

Provide a bibliography in APA format listing all the references you used (websites included) in this paper.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 3 Quiz  

Question 1Hans is considering forming a company that specializes in international consultations. He wants to serve as a liaison between domestic and Chinese toy distributors, offering the U.S. firms access to lower cost labor and offering the Chinese firms access to one of the largest markets in the world. In addition, he will need to capitalize the operation by offering shares of common stock. Which business entity should he choose?

  an LLC

 a corporation

 an LLP

 a sole proprietorship

 Question 2Good friends, Bernie Samples and Susan Randle each studied accounting in college. Recently they decided to work together as co-owners of a small accounting firm. This is an example of

  corporation.

 limited liability corporation.

 sole proprietorship.

 partnership.

 Question 3Susan Boyle is the owner of a piano tuning business. As a sole proprietor, any profit she earns is treated as personal income of Susan Boyle.

 tax free.

 taxed twice, once as a business and then taxed again as Susan Boyle’s income.

 taxed only when she withdraws the money from a bank.

 Question 4Samantha has a talent for making attractive but inexpensive jewelry and wants to set up a small business to sell some of her creations. She asks for your advice about setting up her firm, telling you that she wants to start her business as quickly and inexpensively as possible. In addition, she doesn’t want to share control (or profits) with anyone else. Which form of business ownership would you suggest for Samantha?

 C corporation

 general partnership

 limited liability company (LLC)

 sole proprietorship

 Question 5Suzanne Limley was just elected to the board of directors at United Bank Corporation. As a board member, she is expected to represent the interests of

shareholders.

 senior bank management.

 customers.

 creditors.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 4 Quiz  

Question 1Stockholders would most likely use accounting information provided by their firm to

obtain information needed to fill out their individual tax returns

make capital budgeting decisions.

 gauge whether the firm is generating a satisfactory return on their investment.

 determine whether the firm can repay them for their stock.

 Question 2_____ perform or assist in a wide variety of tasks for the firms in which they work. These tasks include budgeting, cost and asset management, and the preparation of reports for the firm’s stakeholders.

Internal auditors

 Public accountants

Management accountants

 Government accountants

 Question 3Tiny Timber Tree Farms applied to United Bank for a business loan. Which financial statements would the loan officer of the bank be most likely to request?

journals, ledgers, and trial balances

 balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements

 total debits and total credits

 the prospectus, statement of retained earnings, and total liability statement

 Question 4Lottadoe’s liabilities are $130,000, and its owners’ equity is $170,000. This means that Lottadoe’s:

net income is $40,000.

 net cash flow for the current year was $40,000.

 net income for the current year was $300,000.

 total assets are $300,000.

 Question 5As the owner of 100 shares of Megabux Corporation’s stock, Elbert Treble wants to know whether his company earned a profit or loss during the past year. He can find the answer to this by looking at Megabux’s

income statement.

 revenue report.

 master budget.

 statement of cash flows.

 

BUS105 Introduction to Business

Module 5 Quiz   

Question 1Comfi-Rester Furniture buys wood, padding, upholstery, and other inputs, and then cuts, sews, and assembles these materials in a way that results in high-quality, comfortable chairs and sofas. This process creates _____ utility.

  place

  form

  relationship

 Question 2When a business provides _____ they satisfy customers’ wants and needs by providing goods and services at a convenient moment for customers.

  time utility

  place utility

  ownership utility

 Question 3MyWays produces GPS navigation units. It accepts all major credit cards and offers a variety of attractive financing arrangements and free shipping. All of these efforts show that MyWays is making a strong effort to provide _____ utility.

  transactional

  ownership

Question 4Stay-Inn is a chain of hotels that locates their properties near major highway off-ramps. This is an example of a business providing

  ownership utility.

  form utility.

  place utility.

 Question 5When firms in B2C markets divide up the potential market according to values, attitudes, and lifestyles, they are making use of _____ segmentation.

  user-defined

  interest-based

  psychographic