Required Resources - Daft, R. (2012). Management (10th ed.). Mason, OH: Cengage Learning.

OUTCOMES-

1. Examine the concepts of management related to modern-day work environments.

2. Analyze the corporate environment, culture, and challenges for managing in a global environment.

3. Examine management's role related to ethics and social responsibility.

4. Analyze the activities and skills associated with managerial decision-making.

5. Analyze the activities and skills associated with the organizing function of management.

6. Analyze the activities and skills associated with the leadership function of management.

7. Analyze the activities and skills associated with the controlling function of management.

8. Use technology and information resources to research issues in modern management.

9. Write clearly and concisely about modern management using proper writing mechanics.

Assignment 1: Starbucks' Strategy

Using the Internet research Starbucks' organizational culture and the key leadership and management traits used to execute the business strategy.

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:

1. Suggest the key elements of Starbucks' organizational culture that contributes to its success in a global economy. Indicate management's role with creating and sustaining the organizational culture.

2. Assess the effectiveness of Starbucks' management decisions in providing innovative offerings for its customers (e.g., WiFi, style of coffee, etc.) in order to achieve its current competitive marketplace advantage. Provide support for your rationale.

3. Determine one (1) key management competency that a successful manager at Starbucks is likely to have. Indicate one (1) way in which this particular competency is a good fit for the organizational culture.

4. Evaluate Starbucks' ability to achieve long-term sustainability as a global leader in the coffee industry without the organization's CEO, Howard Shultz.

5. Use at least two (2) quality academic resources.

Assignment 2: Management at a Company

Faculty will provide two to three (2-3) companies for you to choose from for this assignment. Using the Internet, research the selected company from its inception to current-day operations.

Write a five to six (5-6) page paper in which you:

1. Evaluate two (2) key changes in the selected company's management style from the company's inception to the current day. Indicate whether or not you believe the company is properly managed. Provide support for your position.

2. Explain senior management's role in preparing the organization for its most recent change. Provide evidence of whether the transition was seamless or problematic from a management perspective. Provide support for your rationale.

3. Evaluate management's decision on its use of vendors and spokespersons. Indicate the organizational impact of these decisions.

4. As a manager within the selected company, suggest one(1) innovative idea that could have a positive impact on both the employees and customers of the company. Indicate the approach you will take in implementing the new idea. Provide support for your suggestion.

5. Predict the selected company's ability to adapt to the changing needs of customers and the market environment. Indicate one (1) key change in the management structure that may be beneficial to ensuring such an adaptation to change. Provide support for your prediction.

6. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources.

Assignment 3: Leadership of Richard Branson

Using the Internet research the leadership style and characteristics of Richard Branson Virgin Group.

Write a six to seven (6-7) page paper in which you:

1. Assess the key elements of Richard Branson's leadership style and the impact that those elements have had on his business success. Provide support for your rationale.

2. Given that The Virgin Group has been described as a fast-growing entrepreneurial company with many facets to the group, suggest how the unique aspects of Richard Branson's leadership style mesh successfully with the particular attributes of a multifaceted organization like Virgin.

3. Determine two (2) key ways in which Richard Branson is likely to motivate employees in order to achieve his goals for the Virginia Group. Indicate whether or not his approach is likely to work in a different organizational setting. Provide support for your rationale.

4. Assess the effectiveness of Richard Branson's ability to articulate and communicate his vision for his company to employees and other stakeholders. Provide support for your rationale.

5. Assume that you have received a job offer to be a manager within the Virgin Group. Determine the criteria you would use to evaluate whether Richard Branson's leadership style is a good fit for you as a manager and what conclusion you may draw about working under this type of leader.

6. Take a position on whether or not you believe Richard Branson is a global leader. Justify your position and provide support for your justification.

7. Predict Richard Branson's success as a leader over the next five (5) years. Support your prediction.

8. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources.