SEMESTER: Fall 2010 SECTION NO: BUS-1013-W42
ONLINE CLASS
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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION
NAME: Cordell Jordan
OFFICE: 2K6 (A)
TELEPHONE: 682-1611, ext. 7248
E-MAIL : cjordan@occc.edu
Web site : www.profjordan.org
OFFICE HOURS:
Tuesday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
I am generally on campus from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. M-F. You are always welcome to stop by my office to see if I am there, and you can call me at my extension to make an appointment.
REQUIRED TEXT
Louis E. Boon & David L. Kurtz, Contemporary Business: Southwestern
Thompson, 13 th
Edition. You must also have a WileyPLUS registration card and register online at: http://edugen.wiley.com/edugen/class/cls157792/
There is also a flier at the end of this syllabus which explains more about
WileyPLUS.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces the students to the fascinating world of business where they will get real insights into the various functional areas of a successful business and the professionals who build careers in each function. Students will also learn how businesses tackle many of pressing issues they face in the business world of the 21st century. This course is an introduction to the various aspects of business in both the United States and global environment. Some of the major topics covered are Business Ownership, Marketing, Business
Management, Technology and Information, Finance, and the Competitive
Environment.
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COURSES OBJECTIVES
Upon completion of the course you will be able to:
1. Identify business terms of reference.
2. Identify business problem areas.
3. When given business questions and cases: a. Analyze them. b. Identify the major problem areas. c. Recommend a solution.
COURSE STRUCTURE
This course will be conducted using a facilitation format online. Students will be expected to not only have read the assigned materials but to understand how it applies to their everyday work lives and be prepared to share that with the class.
This interactive approach to learning will include case studies, exercises, and a great deal of group discussion.
COMPANION WEB SITE/MESSAGE BOARD
The FIRST and last stop for students should always be http://www.profjordan.org
On this page, you will find lectures and links to all of the other sites you will need to access. After registration, and viewing the syllabus video, students will go online at www.wileyplus.com
for additional assignments as well as take all quizzes and tests. Students also have the option to download podcasts and other information in the text as well as the entire text itself. This site is an excellent resource.
Students must also log onto the phorum website for this class at http://messageboard.okckidsfirst.com/ProfessorJordan/index.php
You will set up a registration and use this message board for all discussions and group work.
SCHEDULE
Each week will begin on Monday. Your discussion question answers are due by
NOON on the following Monday unless I specify otherwise. I encourage you to post as early as possible though, as all class participation and discussion are driven from your answers. All other assignments will have due dates specified on
WileyPLUS.
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COURSE REQUIREMENTS
To complete BUS 1013, INTRO TO BUSINESS, you are required to:
1. Read the chapters, and prepare to present your findings
2.
Each week you will be expected to contribute to our class discussion in a substantive way. Please remember that although your participation can be graded quantitatively, the quality of your postings is equally important. In addition to your discussion question answers, you are expected to post a minimum 2 responses and/or questions to others’ answers in the weekly discussion threads. Please note that keeping your participation “at a minimum” will not earn you full credit.
3. 100% online accountability. If you have a reason you are not able to check in online, you MUST get with me ahead of time to ensure you are able to keep up with the assignments. Valid reason must be provided for missing class work.
4. Successfully complete all tests.
5. Homework assignments:
ARTICLE/CASE REVIEWS AND DUE DATES
Student will review an article on business from a current periodical or a case to include summary of article and the articles’ significance to business (i.e. a so-what paragraph). Article Reviews/Case Studies may be turned in early; however, late assignments will not be accepted.
•
Due Dates: September 13, 27
October 25
November 1, 15
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Must be typed ESSAY FORMAT and e-mailed/submitted on time
•
Relate the issues in the case to concepts in the book. Please do some research on the internet or in the library to support your answer. Don’t just give me your personal opinion without first finding out what the experts have to say. Personal opinion should be at the very end as concluding thoughts for the assignment. I am attaching a sheet at the end of the syllabus on how to do a case analysis. Please use it as a guide in writing your assignment. There is also a Communication Lab in the main building at OCCC where you can get all the help you want in writing your homework assignments.
6. Participate…This course requires online participation along with a high degree of commitment and preparation from students. If you are not checking in periodically with case discussion, it will adversely impact participation grades.
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7. Last but not least... If you have any problem please bring it to my attention immediately. Don’t wait until the last minute to give me excuse for poor performance. I will help those who help themselves. Show me you are a serious student I will give you all the chances to succeed.
GROUP PROJECT
Student teams will be responsible for a project involving the selection of a company, either real or fictional, and then developing a business plan for that company. We will discuss business plans at length, but it must include the type of business the company is in, and appropriate support for the viability of the business concept. Students will be able to choose their own company with approval of the instructor. Each group project will be presented only once. A project framework is provided in this syllabus. The instructor will assign groups in the second or third week of class. Teams will be chosen randomly. It is important that each group member actively contribute to each group project.
PEER EVALUATION
I expect all of us to get to know each other the same as we would in a regular 16 week class in a classroom. In the final weeks, each student will submit an evaluation of each group member’s contribution to the group projects. This evaluation, along with the instructor’s assessment of activity in the discussion forum, will be a factor in the grade each student receives for group projects. Not all members of a group will automatically receive the same grade. Grades are earned, and if the work is not done evenly between the group members, points will be deducted at the instructor’s discretion.
Case studies will also be utilized in the course in groups or individually.
GRADING
1. Homework: 100 points (Each homework assignment earns a maximum of 20 points each).
2. Midterm: 100 points
3. Quizzes: 200 points (8 quizzes X 25)
4. Team Presentation 100 points
5. Final
6. Participation:
100 points
200 points
Total 800 points
Students must earn at least 720 points (720/800 X 100 = 90%) to earn an “A” letter grade in this course.
Your final course grade will be assigned as follows:
A - 90% of possible points
B - 80% of possible points
C - 70% of possible points
D - 60% of possible points
F - Less than 60% of possible points
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LATE GRADE POLICY
No points for turning assignments late.
No retake if you miss a test unless prior arrangements were made with the
Professor (This must be before the test). In case of emergencies Professor will deal with it on a case by case basis.
WEEK
OF
ASSIGNMENTS HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS HW due date
08/23/10 Introduction Phorum Discussion 8/3010
08/30/10 Chapter 1
09/06/10 Chapter 2 -3 Quiz 1
Phorum Discussion 9/6/10
Phorum Discussion - Case Study 1 9/13/10
09/13/10 Chapter 4 Quiz 2 Phorum Discussion 9/20/10
09/20/10 Chapters 5 and 6 Quiz 3 Phorum Discussion - Case Study 2 9/27/10
09/27/10 Chapter 7 Phorum Discussion – MBTI Test 10/4/10
10/04/10 Chapter 8 Quiz 4
10/11/10 Generations - Midterm
Phorum Discussion - Case Study 3 10/25/10
10/18/10 Fall Break
10/25/10 Chapters 9 and 10 Quiz 5 Phorum Discussion - Case Study 4 11/1/10
11/01/10 Chapter s 12-14
11/08/10 Chapter 15 – Quiz 6
Phorum Discussion – Social Media 11/8/10
Phorum Discussion - Case Study 5 11/15/10
11/15/10 Chapter 16 - Quiz 7
11/22/10 Thanksgiving
11/29/10 Chapters 17-18 Quiz 8
Phorum Discussion
Group Projects
11/29/10
12/06/10
12/13/10 12/06/10 Final
12/13/10 Conclusions
EXPECTATIONS
What You Can Expect From Your Instructor
1. I shall be available for all questions/concerns
2. I shall be prepared for class, with materials we need.
3. I shall return papers as quickly as possible (generally within a week).
4. I shall provide feedback on papers that explains the grade you received and that offers suggestions for improvement.
5. I shall show you respect with comments and discussions
6. I shall pay attention to what you’ve said.
7. I shall let you know through questions and comments that you have been heard.
8. I shall let you know ahead of time when I need to make a change in the syllabus.
9. I shall notice when you are not participating.
10. I shall work with you as much as I can so that you achieve your goals in this course.
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What Your Instructor Will Expect From You
1. To be available online and for each appointment.
2. To read weekly assigned chapters and be prepared to discuss the material.
3. To read the syllabus and abide by the rules and guidelines.
4. To budget your time so that you can complete your work by the deadline.
5. To treat each other and each other’s ideas with respect.
6. To listen carefully to each other and to comment on what each other said.
7. To show me respect when I speak, to pay attention, and to let me know you’ve heard what I said through appropriate questions and comments.
8. To let me know ahead of time about important events/conditions that may influence your work in class.
9. To network with your classmates and get to know them well before the end of the semester.
ATTENDANCE
If you miss a quiz or test, you must show acceptable proof of an excused absence, such as a doctor’s release, in order to take a make-up exam. Without such written proof, no make-up exam will be allowed. If a make-up exam is allowed, it must be completed on time. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to take more than one make-up exam for the course.
HOMEWORK
Homework is an essential part of the preparation for this class. It is very important that you keep up with the assignments.
PRIVACY ACT
OCCC strictly adheres to the Privacy Act. Therefore, grades, attendance, academic status, or other information regarding a student will not be discussed with a parent, spouse, boyfriend/girlfriend, classmate, employer, legal counsel, etc. Also, no information will be given out over the telephone regardless of who is calling, and grades will not be posted.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Academic dishonesty is a serious action and will not be tolerated. It includes, but is not limited to, copying another's work, allowing someone to copy your work or collaborating during an exam or quiz. Questionable or dishonest work will be disallowed for credit, a grade of zero will be recorded, and no make-up will be permitted. Furthermore, it is a basis for referral to college administration with a request for withdrawal from the class.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS
Oklahoma City Community College complies with Section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request by:
Contacting the office of Services to Students with Disabilities, (405) 682-7520
(v/tty ). Additional information may be obtained from www.occc.edu/disability
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OKLAHOMA CITY COMMUNITY COLLEGE WITHDRAWAL POLICY
The responsibility for withdrawal for non-attendance is yours. Your instructor cannot administratively withdraw you for non-attendance or because you are failing.
Each instructor may have an attendance policy that impacts your final grade.
Please review the course syllabi for class attendance requirements.
If you stop attending and do not plan on finishing the course, you must withdraw yourself from the course. Withdrawal deadlines are published in the College
Class Schedule. When you withdraw from a course, the grade on your permanent transcript is a “W” (Withdrawn). The grade of “W” has no impact on your grade point average.
Failure to withdraw will mean the instructor will calculate your final grade as indicated in the syllabus (which may include an attendance requirement). If you stop attending and fail to withdraw, you will more than likely receive a failing grade. This failing grade will be placed on your permanent transcript and will be used in the calculation of your grade point average.
This notice supersedes all course syllabi, the College Catalog, the Student
Handbook, and all other publications regarding Administrative Withdrawals (AW) by faculty for attendance. If you have questions regarding this notice, please consult with your instructor.
ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING
Oklahoma City Community College is committed to providing quality educational experiences to all students and to striving for continuous improvement in its programs and services. Student assessment is vital to the educational process and can be of significant value to you and to the students who follow you.
To ensure that adequate assessment information is available to allow OCCC to continuously improve programs and services, you may be asked to participate in personal interviews; take program and/or general education assessments, which could be tests; give oral presentations, write assignments, take surveys, or engage in other activities. You may be asked to complete the assessments, tests, and other activities during designated times, which may include class periods. These opportunities are your chance to help OCCC improve the courses, programs, and services which could affect you and will certainly impact students in the future.
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Some Ideas for Group Project Companies
These are presented as suggestions only. Students are free to choose (or come up with) their own.
NASCAR
IBM
Microsoft
WWE
Caterpillar
Ruthyknick.com
Charles Machine Works
RJR-Nabisco
Apple
Sears
Martha Stewart, Inc. MTV
Southwest Airlines EDS
Express Personnel
General Electric
McKinsey & Company AHL
Federal Express Harley Davidson Starbucks
Wal-Mart
Amazon.com
Yahoo.com
Amway
Time-Warner
Toys-R-Us
U.S. Army
Unilever
Salvation Army
McDonald’s
City of Austin, TX L.L. Bean
American Express Continental Airlines Pepsico
Group Project Outline
I. Background
A. Brief history of organization
II.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (or Statement of Purpose)
Gap
Sony
Pace-Butler
P&G
This is the thesis statement and states business plan objectives. Use the key word approach (who, what, where, when, why, how, how much) to summarize the following:
• Your Company (who, what, where, when).
• Who your management is and What their strengths are.
• What your objectives are and Why you will be (or continue to be) successful.
Note: Do not write the executive summary (statement of purpose) until you have completed your business plan! It is a summary and reflects the contents of the finished plan.
III.
PART I: THE ORGANIZATIONAL PLAN
What is included?
This section should include a "summary description of your business" statement followed by information on the "administrative" end of your company.
A. SUMMARY DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
In a paragraph or two give a broad overview of the nature of your business, telling why the company was formed. Then complete the summary by briefly addressing:
•
• mission (projecting short- and long-term goals) strategy (give an overview of the strategy, focusing on short- and longterm objectives)
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• strategic relationships (tell about any existing strategic relationships)
• SWOT Analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that your company will face, both internal and external)
B. PRODUCTS OR SERVICES
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If you are the manufacturer and/or wholesale distributor of a product: Describe your products. Tell briefly about your manufacturing process. Include information on suppliers and availability of materials.
If you are a retailer and/or an e-tailer: Describe the products you sell.
Include information about your sources and handling of inventory and fulfillment.
• If you provide a service: Describe your services List future products or services you plan to provide.
C. LOCATION
• Describe your projected or current location.
• Project costs associated with the location.
• Include legal agreements, utilities forecasts, etc. in Supporting
Documents.
Note: If location is important to marketing, cover in Part II - The Marketing
Plan.
D. MANAGEMENT
• List the people who are (or will be) running the business.
• Describe their responsibilities and abilities.
E. PERSONNEL
• How many employees do you (will you) have in what positions?
• What are the necessary qualifications?
• How many hours will they work?
• Project future needs for adding employees.
F. SECURITY
•
•
Address security in terms of inventory control and theft of information
(online and off).
Project related costs.
IV.
PART II: THE MARKETING PLAN
What is a marketing plan?
The Marketing Plan defines all of the components of
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your marketing strategy. You will address the details of your market analysis, sales, advertising, and public relations campaigns. The Plan should also integrate traditional (offline) programs with new media (online) strategies.
A. OVERVIEW AND GOALS OF YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY
B. MARKET ANALYSIS
•
•
•
•
Target Market (identify with demographics, psychographics, and niche market specifics).
Competition (describe major competitors350-8980 assessing their strengths and weaknesses.
Market Trends (identify industry trends and customer trends).
Market Research (describe methods of research, database analysis, and results summary).
C. MARKETING STRATEGY
•
•
General Description
Method of Sales and Distribution (stores, offices, kiosks, catalogs, mail,
• website).
• Packaging (quality considerations and packaging).
Pricing (price strategy and competitive position.
• Branding.
• Database Marketing (Personalization).
• Sales Strategies (direct sales, direct mail, email, affiliate, reciprocal, and viral marketing).
• Sales Incentives/Promotions (samples, coupons, online promo, add-ons, rebates, etc.).
• Advertising Strategies (traditional, web/new media, long-term
• sponsorships).
• Public Relations (online presence, events, press releases, interviews).
Networking (memberships and leadership positions).
D. CUSTOMER SERVICE
• Description of Customer Service Activities.
• Expected Outcomes of Achieving Excellence.
E. IMPLEMENTATION OF MARKETING STRATEGY
•
•
In-House Responsibilities.
Out-Sourced Functions (advertising, public relations, marketing firms, ad networks, etc.).
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A note about homework assignments
In many cases, there truly are no completely right or wrong answers, just poorly or unprofessionally presented ones (inadequate analysis, lack of research, spelling or grammatical errors, etc.). As long as you give me your best work, your grade will be equitable.
HOW TO REVIEW AND WRITE A CASE STUDY
1.
Read the case first casually.
2.
Reflect on your first reading and write down what were the most important issues about the case that caught your attention.
3.
Read for the second time and highlight key issues that are relevant to management concepts and issues that you read in the chapter. Note things you don’t understand which need further research.
4.
Check for duplication. Refine your list so that each issue is separate and unique and deserve individual attention.
5.
Read you book and extract as much information as you can about the issues you don't understand.
6.
Go to the library and refer to other business books/journals to see if you can find different views on those issues. Finally spend time on the Internet to review what are the new developments regarding these issues.
7.
You are now ready to sit down and write your analysis:
I.
Background
A. Brief summary of the case (NOTE: I do not want a reprint of the case, just an overview)
II. Analysis of strategy
- Company Response to Issue/Problem
- Who was affected?
- Market Response
A. Issues Faced (cite issues in text)
III. Summary of lessons learned
- What this company did or didn’t do well that are good lessons for the rest of us
IV. Conclusions and Recommendations
- Your conclusions and recommendations as a management professional (support with evidence as well as opinion)
- Be sure you evaluate alternatives
Note: Case Study Outline is meant to assist you as a guide and framework for your analysis. You should basically just discuss:
I. Background, situation analysis
II. What happened or didn’t happen
II.
What we can learn from it
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WileyPLUS is an online learning solution that will help you reach your full potential in this course
You can also purchase a code online at www.wileyplus.com
! and beyond. You can access…
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Continuing Case Videos!
Student self-quizzes!
Online Homework with instant Feedback!
How to get the most out of your WileyPLUS
Track your own Progress!
A complete online version of the text
And much, much more…
Open the code that came with your book/binder, go to the URL below, then click on
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