Lackawanna BUS105 2021 April Discussions 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?