Assignment
Purpose:
In this assignment, the saga of Joseph Dunn's leadership at Dunn's Ski Emporium and The Deli continues. George Aitkins is getting ready to retire and Dunn has prepared for a clean transition. Dunn has hired you as a consultant to help create the transition organization.
Students will analyze the case study and then write a consultancy report applying concepts and ideas learned throughout the course. Students are expected to effectively use a wide range of the course readings in completing the paper, which means the course readings are used to support ideas and reasoning rather than as stand-alone statements.
The purpose of this assignment is two-fold. First, students will learn how to write a consultancy report and second, students will link the concepts of Dunn as a social architect, change agent, and individual to Dunn as a relationship builder.
Outcomes Met:
- develop and implement methods for establishing a constructive organizational structure and culture that fosters positive employee and employer relationships
- assess the interactions between the external environment and the organization to foster responsible and effective leadership and organizational practices
Perspective:
Students will act as a consultant hired to help Dunn address his role as a relationship builder. Interface the plan you created in Assignment #1- The Role of a Leader, with Dunn's need to address the potential threats to workforce harmony. Emphasize his role as leader and what he can do to build a relationship with his employees so that he empowers his managers and workforce to implement his vision for the company. Students are expected to be realistic in applying the concepts from the course to expand Dunn's environment and leadership role. Remember that in order to determine strategic direction, the leader must look inward, outward, forward and beyond.
Instructions:
Step 1: Review "How to Analyze a Case Study" under Week 4 Content.
Step 2: Create a Word or Rich Text Format (RTF) document that is single-spaced, double spaced between paragraphs, 12-point font. The final product will be between 6-8 pages in length excluding the title page and the reference page.
Step 3: Review the assignment grading rubric.
Step 4: Follow this format:
1. Title page with title, your name, the course, the instructor's name;
2. Use the following format found in this document:
3. Use headings such as those provided in the Outline for the Consultancy Report.
Step 5: In writing a case study, the writing is in the third person. What this means is that there are no words such as "I, me, my, we, or us" (first person writing), nor is there use of "you or your" (second person writing). If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link: http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person
Step 6: In writing this assignment, students are asked to support the reasoning using in-text citations and a reference list. A reference within a reference list cannot exist without an associated in-text citation and vice versa. View the sample APA paper under Week 1 content.
Step 7: In writing this assignment, students are expected to paraphrase and not use direct quotes. Learn to paraphrase by reviewing this link: https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html
Step 8: Read critically and analyze the scenario provided under Week 8 Content.
Step 9: Jot down or highlight key facts from the scenario. Consider making an outline to capture key points in the paper.
Step 10: In your paper, respond to the following elements of leadership and plan design:
In your paper, respond to the following elements of the consultant's report:
- Discuss the history of the companies before and after the merger to the present (including discussion of present status of businesses);
- Identify and discuss the consultant's observations regarding Dunn's role as social architect in the business' future;
- Identify and discuss the consultant's observations regarding Dunn's 21stcentury leadership challenges (change, diversity, knowledge management etc.) currently in the business;
- Have the consultant draw conclusions based on the case facts and readings from the observations of Dunn's role as social architect;
- Have the consultant draw conclusions based on the case facts and readings from the observations Dunn's leadership challenges;
- Make recommendations for Dunn on both areas based on the conclusions as to how Dunn can meet his social architect role and leadership challenges;
Step 11: Using the grading rubric as a comparison, read through the paper to ensure all required elements are presented.
Step 12: Proofread the paper for spelling and grammatical issues, and third person writing.
- Use the spell and grammar check in Word as a first measure;
- Have someone who has excellent English skills to proof the paper;
- Consider submitting the paper to the Effective Writing Center (EWC). The EWC will provide 4-6 areas that may need improvement.