Introduction to American Business Systems
MANG 190-1
Hiner 201
TR 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Instructor:
Phone:
Email:
Office hours:
Ms. Cheryl Davis
(434) 395-2006
daviscf@longwood.edu
M-F 1:30 - 2:30
Contact me to make an appointment.
The required textbook for this course is
Exploring Business, by Collins.
In the front portion of the textbook you will find
an Access Code for this textbook. Do not
discard..
Course Description: Operations of the American Business System and its place in the
economy. The course provides the basic understanding of the business world, philosophy,
objectives, and general responsibilities to the environment, government, and society.
COURSE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
Goal 1
Excite students about business through an interactive course that provides a perspective
on business through an industry partnership with Nike and goal-based learning.
Objectives
Provide students with a perspective on business issues by studying Nike and other companies
in the athletic shoe, apparel, and sports equipment industry.

Introduce students to the importance of teamwork, cultural diversity, and negotiations
through simulated business experiences.

Expose students to critical issues affecting the business world, such as ethics and
social responsibility, technology, e-business, supply chain management, and
globalization.
1

Instruct, motivate, and guide student teams in the preparation of a business plan.

Introduce students to the various business disciplines and the role these disciplines
play in an organization.

Provide students with information about majors in the College of Business and
Economics.

Introduce students to career opportunities available in business.
Goal 2
To furnish students with opportunities to develop skills that will help them in future
business classes and in the business world.

Help students work effectively in teams.

Provide students with experiences that strengthen their written and oral
communication skills.

Strengthen students’ computer skills.
PARTICIPATION AND ATTENDANCE
In order to succeed in this course, students must attend class (and any scheduled Friday
events) on a regular basis. Attendance records will be kept and will count toward your
grade. Students are expected to come to each class prepared to engage in an active discussion
of course material. Individual classes will be conducted as seminars and participation is
essential to each student's success as well as the overall success of the class.
BUSINESS PLAN PROJECT
An important component of this course is that students learn to work in teams. Each team
will develop and present a business plan for a fictitious company connected to the athletic
shoe, apparel, and equipment industry. This major effort must involve all team members.
Throughout the semester, there will be a number of team writing assignments that each
focuses on a separate section of the business plan. Students are expected to make positive
contributions to each of these team efforts as well as the final version of the business plan.
The business plans will be presented to the class before the Thanksgiving break and a final
written version of the plan will be due shortly thereafter. The team grade assigned to the
business plan project will be based on the quality of the business plan prepared by the team
and the team presentation of the business plan. Grades of individual team members on the
business plan project can be different from the team grade. Individual grades earned on the
business plan project can vary depending on the contribution made to the project by each
team member. Input in deciding individual contributions will include evaluations of each
2
member of the team by all other team members. Additional input on individual contributions
to the project will come from evaluations of team members by the team’s apprentice teacher.
Honor Code:
Students are expected to abide by the Longwood University Honor Code at all times.
Suspicion of any violation will be investigated and university policy will be followed. The
Longwood Honor Code can be found at:
http://www.longwood.edu/judicial/the%20philosophy%20of%20The%20Honor%20Code.htm
#Philosophy%20of%20the%20Honor%20Code
Disability Statement:
The instructor is willing to meet reasonable accommodations for any students with a
documented disability. The student should submit supporting material to the instructor. This
includes the necessary accommodations as outlined by the Disability Support Center at
Longwood University (http://www.longwood.edu/disability). This information must be
submitted within 3 days of the beginning of the course.
Grading:
It is the students responsibility to keep track of their individual points. Blackboard will be
utilized for this course and scores will be posted as quickly as possible.
Your grade will be determined based upon your performance in the following:
Description
Class participation and attendance
Quizzes
Assignments
Midterm Examination
Business Plan project
Final Exam
Points
Scale
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
<60
Grade
A
B
C
D
F
3
Class
1
Date
8/28
Day
T
Description
MANG 190 –
FALL 2007
Overview of course/
People & activities
of Business
Introduction to Nike
(video) / economics/
writing memos
Assignment
Ch.
Nike case
1
Vision
Early years
Excitement and
challenges of
Starting and
growing a business
Team building
exercise
Discussion of
Business Plan
project / team work
on great business
idea
2
Quiz
Challenges
and
successes
6 (thru
section
on
OM)
Quiz
6 (OM
to end)
Quiz
7
Quiz
2
8/30
Th
3
9/4
T
4
9/6
Th
5
9/11
T
6
9/13
Th
Industry analysis /
Product design
(video)
7
9/18
T
Production / supply
chain
8
9/20
Th
9
9/25
T
10
9/27
Th
11
10/2
T
Marketing
Strategies
(video)
Ethics and
corporate
responsibility
(video)
Team presentation
Of great business
ideas
Managing for
business success/
organization form
and structure
Memo
BP
Other
None
Writing
memos /
evaluation
guide
Practice
Memo
3
Quiz
Industry /
Nike
products
Supply
chain
Software
Women
Advertising
e-commerce
Lines
JustDoIt
Labor
Read writeup on teams
Description
of Business
plan project
/ team
evaluation –
Possible
ideas
1
Great Idea
Women
2 industry
analysis
5 products Prepare
And
Presentaproduction tion
4
Quiz
4
Values
Knight
Legal
CEO
Class
Date
Day
Description
12
10/4
Th
Recruiting,
Motivating &
Keeping Qualified
Employees
13
10/9
T
14
10/11
Th
Review & Team
building exercise
Ch1-7
Midterm
Fall Break—No Classes
10/15 &
10/16
15
10/18
Th
Role of accounting
in Business
Assign
ment
Ch.
Nike case
5
MNC
Culture
Diversity –
5
9
Quiz
BP
3 mgmt
Plan –
Mission,
Values,
Form,
Structure
Analysis of
Nike’s
financial
position
Funding
Investment
4 mgmt
Qualifications &
comp.
6 mkt
plan
7 global
Issues
10/23
T
17
10/25
Th
18
10/30
T
Preparing
accounting
Reports for your
business plan event
8 Sales
Estimate
19
11/1
Th
Financing your
Business event
9 Acct.
Report
20
11/6
T
21
11/8
Th
10
Finance
Plan
22
11/13
T
In-class work on
preparing
accounting reports
In-class work on
preparing the
financial section of
the business plan
Oral presentation
Skills event
Reebok/
Adidas
merger
5
Other
Study for
Midterm
16
Role of finance in
Business
Nike and its
competitors
10
Quiz
Memo
Excel
Template
Guidance on
preparing
fin. Reports.
Using Excel
Template
Class
Date
Day
Description
Assign
ment
Ch.
Nike case
23
11/15
Th
24
11/20
T
Wed
Th
Fri
THANKSGIVING
25
11/21,
11/22,
&
11/23
11/27
T
Global panel
26
11/29
Th
27
12/4
T
28
12/6
Th
12/14
Fri
Managing
Information and
Technology
None
What Can I Major
In Event & Career
Day
Course Wrap-up
None
and evaluations
Final Exam 3:00- 5:30 p.m. Hiner 201
Presentations of
business plans
(Day 1)
Presentations of
business plans
(Day 2)
Memo
BP
Final
business
plan - due
at 4:45
8
Quiz
11
Quiz
6
Other
Be ready
for
Presentation
Be ready
For
Presentation