BUS 599 Complete CLASS

(Prerequisite: To be taken as last or next to last course)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Examines the strategic management process and implementation of successful business strategies in the highly competitive and dynamic global environment. Analyzes the impact of technology, government policy, and world economic and political forces on strategy formulation and execution. This course is the capstone course for the MBA program. Analytic, integrative, and decision-making skills will be exercised through the use of case analysis and decision making that will involve the core business functions, leadership challenges, and global operations.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Abrams, R. (2014). Successful Business Plan: Secrets & Strategies (6th ed.). Palo Alto, CA: Planning Shop.

Required Course Files: Course specific documents and a MS Excel template containing worksheets that accompany the text have been placed in Week 1 of Blackboard. These documents are required for the successful completion of your course assignments.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1.     Analyze the role of a company mission, vision, and objectives and the impact to business strategy.

2.     Describe strategic planning techniques used to formulate alternative strategies designed to achieve stated business goals.  

3.     Analyze the external and internal environment for opportunities, threats, strengths, and weaknesses that impact the firm’s competitiveness.

4.     Recommend effective business strategies based on an analysis of domestic and global operating environments, market dynamics, and internal capabilities.   

5.     Analyze competitive positions including foreign market entry and the resulting impact on business strategy.

6.     Create a plan to implement a firm’s strategy and manage the change from current operations. 

7.     Assess how ethics, corporate social responsibility, and environmental sustainability impact strategy.

8. Analyze strategies for exerting the internal leadership needed to drive the implementation of strategic initiatives and improve operating excellence.

9.     Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic management.

10.  Write clearly and concisely about strategic management using proper writing mechanics.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work.  This includes preparation and activitiesregardless of delivery mode.

Week	Preparation and Activities	Points
1	Preparation(Required / Not Graded) Course Required Files: Download the course required files from the Week 1 tab in Blackboard. “NAB Company Portfolio” “Business Plan Financials Guide” “Business Plan Financials”(MS Excel template) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 1: The Successful Business Chapter 2: Getting Your Plan Started Chapter 3: Making Your Plan Compelling Chapter 5: Company Description Additional Preparation Read the “NAB Company Portfolio” (see: Course Required Files in Week 1). Activities(Required / Graded)  Discussion: Company Description Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) ·         Watch the video titled “10 Key Questions To Address: Business Plans - How To Start A Business” (9 min 19 s), located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_L0BqPWBLo.	20
2	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 6: Industry Analysis & Trends Chapter 9: Strategic Position & Risk Assessment Business Terms Glossary Activities (Required / Graded) Discussion: Growing Honest Tea Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) Watch the Stanford eCorner video titled “Confidence and Risk” (1 min 17 s), located athttp://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=3392. Watch the Stanford eCorner video titled “Talk Openly About Risk and Reward” (1 min 09 s), located at http://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=2846.	20
3	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 7: Target Marketing Chapter 10: Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy Video(s) Watch the video located in the Week 3 tab of Blackboard. The video introduces you to the MS Excel “Business Plan Financials” (see: Course Required Files in Week 1). The use of these financial worksheets is required in several graded project deliverables which you will submit over the course of the eleven (11) week course. Activities (Required / Graded) Assignment 1: Company Description and SWOT Analysis Discussion: Don’t Miss the Mark Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) None	100 20
4	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 8: The Competition Chapter 10: Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy Activities (Required / Graded) Discussion: A Rotten Apple? Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) In Week 4, the focus is on the competition, sales, and marketing. Initially, you will build a local/regional company; however, this vision should carry you to consider a global strategy. Review the Journal of Management Inquiry’s article titled, “Management Emerging Multinationals Venturing Into Developed Economies: Implications for Learning, Unlearning, and Entrepreneurial Capability” located in Blackboard and at http://jmi.sagepub.com. Michael Porter’s Five Forces are explained in detail in this publication from Research Starters Business. Review Heather Wall Beckham’s publication (1 Jan 2015) titled, “Competitive Strategy” located at https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e6h&AN=29964424&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Watch the video titled “The Global Competitiveness Report 2014-2015” (2 min 25 s) located athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVq9MBhWEmE. Review Legalzoom’s article titled, “Cost of Marketing: What Is the Average Budget?” (9 Dec 2009) located at https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/cost-of-marketing-what-is-the-average-budget.	20
5	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 11: Operations Chapter 12: Technology Plan Chapter 13: Management & Organization Activities (Required / Graded) ·         Discussion: Operation, Technology, and Management Plan Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) In Week 5, as you delve into internal governance, considering entrepreneurial capabilities (EC) and leadership can help you gain a further understanding of the course project. From a strategic management perspective, exploring EC and leadership will help you build naturally toward the following weeks’materials. Review the Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies’ article titled, “Strategic Leadership andEntrepreneurial Capabilityfor Game Change”, located in Blackboard and at http://jlo.sagepub.com. ·         Business Level Strategies are explained in detail in this publication from Research Starters Business. Review Edwin D. Davidson’s publication (1 Jan 2015) titled, “Corporate Strategy” located at https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e6h&AN=29964426&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Watch the video titled “Business Plan Operations Section” (3 min 34 s), located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Jd34WCmBMM. Watch the video titled “Why Every Business Needs a Technology Plan” (1 min 13 s), located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncD7WwBgkOE. Watch the video titled “Writing the Management Team Section of Your Business Plan” (2 min 56 s), located athttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rsnwp1SWOA.	20
6	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 14: Social Responsibility & Sustainability Chapter 15: Development, Milestones & Exit Plan Activities (Required / Graded) Assignment 2: Marketing Plan Discussion: Thirsty for the Triple Bottom Line Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) Watch the video titled, “Honest Tea REVIEW!” (5 min 30 s), located at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euCjMoVIEGQ. Watch the Stanford eCorner video titled “Don’t Compromise Your Ethics” (2 min 28 s), located athttp://ecorner.stanford.edu/authorMaterialInfo.html?mid=3353.	100 20
7	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 16: The Financials Chapter 17: The Plan’s Appendix Activities (Required / Graded) Discussion:The Financials Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) The Lynda.com course titled Making Business Projections with Rudolph Rosenbergshares the techniques used by financial planning professionals to build robust financial projections using Microsoft Excel. This course is intended to help you analyze revenue and expenses, anticipate changes, and incorporate company goals in a realistic picture of your company's future. (1 hr 17m total time – segmented by chapters) Available at: http://www.lynda.com/Excel-tutorials/Making-Business-Projections/162274-2.html?org=strayer.edu. Organizational culture is explained in detail in this publication from Research Starters Business. Review Ruth A. Wienclaw’s publication (1 Jan 2015) titled, “Organizational Development” located at https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=e6h&AN=55114069&site=ehost-live&scope=site.	80
8	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 18: Preparing, Presenting &Sending Out the Plan Activities (Required / Graded) Assignment3 Part 1: Operation, Technology, and Management Plan Assignment 3 Part 2: Business Plan – Draft Discussion: Mission Possible Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) Watch the Lynda.com video titled “What should you include in a business plan” (4 min 29s) from the video series “Raising Startup Capital with Rudolph Rosenberg”, located at http://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/What-should-you-include-business-plan/160363/364096-4.html?org=strayer.edu.	70 30 20
9	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 4: The Executive Summary Chapter 19: Looking for Money Activities (Required / Graded) Assignment4: Presentation Discussion: Pitch Perfect Peregrine Exam (submission link is located in Week 9 of Blackboard) Note: You must take the Peregrine exam in Week 9, 10, or 11. For credit, you must take the assessment and also upload your completion certificate. Additional details are located in the notes section of the Course Guide (at the end of the Course Guide). Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) Watch the Lynda.com video titled “Writing the Executive Summary” (2 min 49 s) from the video series Writing Business Reports with Judy Steiner-Williams,located athttp://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Writing-executive-summary/157341/196701-4.html?org=strayer.edu.	70 20 100
10	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s) from Successful Business Plan Chapter 21: Internal Planning for Existing Businesses and Corporations Activities (Required / Graded) Assignment 5:Business Plan – Final Discussion: I Have a Plan Peregrine Exam (submission link is located in Week 9 of Blackboard) Note: You must take the Peregrine exam in Week 9, 10, or 11. For credit, you must take the assessment and also upload your completion certificate. Additional details are located in the notes section of the Course Guide (at the end of the Course Guide). Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) Watch the Lynda.com video titled “Determining your company vision” (3 min 42 s) from the video series Small Business Secrets with Dave Crenshaw, located athttp://www.lynda.com/Business-Skills-tutorials/Determining-your-company-vision/156584/177308-4.html?org=strayer.edu.	150 20 Week 9
11	Preparation (Required / Not Graded) Reading(s): None Activities (Required / Graded) Discussion: Stronger Than Yesterday Peregrine Exam (submission link is located in Week 9 of Blackboard) Note: You must take the Peregrine exam in Week 9, 10, or 11. For credit, you must take the assessment and also upload your completion certificate. Additional details are located in the notes section of the Course Guide (at the end of the Course Guide). Supplemental (Optional / Not Graded) None	20 Week 9

GRADING SCALE – GRADUATE

Assignment	Week	Total Points	% of Grade
Assignment 1: Company Description and SWOT Analysis	3	100	11%
Assignment 2: Marketing Plan	6	100	11%
Assignment 3 Part 1: Operation, Technology, and Management Plan(70 points) Assignment 3 Part 2: Business Plan – Draft (30 points)	8	100	11%
Assignment4: Presentation	9	70	8%
Assignment5: Business Plan– Final	10	150	17%
Peregrine Assessment: Taken in Week 9, 10, or 11 Note:  Your assessment is graded as follows: ·         Objective score on the exam is worth 50% of grade ·         Completion of the exam is worth 50% of grade	9	100	11%
Participation/ Weekly Discussions (10 discussions worth 20 points apiece; Weeks 1 – 6 and 8 – 11) (1 discussion worth 80 points; Week 7)	1 - 11	280	31%
Totals		900	100%

Points	Percentage	Grade
810 –900	90% – 100%	A
720 –809	80% – 89%	B
630 –719	70% – 79%	C
Below 630	Below 70%	F

ATTENDANCE POLICY

This course uses the PlanningShop platform for lab work.  PlanningShop does not directly record attendance, but attendance is recorded when you submit your work to the assignment in Blackboard.

This course also uses the Peregrine platform for lab work.  Peregrine does not directly record attendance, but attendance is recorded when you submit your work to the assignment in Blackboard.

Peregrine Exam

What is the Peregrine Exam and why do I have to take it?

At the end of the course, you will complete a Program Assessment exam called the Peregrine Exam. The exam is designed to assess the foundational business knowledge that you have acquired throughout the duration of your program at Strayer. By completing this exam, you are not only evaluating your competency and understanding on each topic you have learned throughout your program but also helping to ensure that Strayer University maintains the highest quality of education in the business programs that we provide to our students.

How will I be graded on this exam?

The Peregrine exam is worth a total of 100 points. However, the score that you receive on your exam does not equate to the score that your instructor will record in your Gradebook. Instead, your instructor will grade you on an adjusted grading scale. Once you complete the exam, you will receive a certificate of completion which you must submit to your Instructor through the Peregrine Assessment Exam Certificate Upload Area, located in Week 9, in order for your Instructor to provide you with a grade. You are allowed three (3) minutes to answer each question. Any questions not answered within that time limit will be graded as “0” points, so please plan accordingly. Please note that you must complete the entire exam in order to receive your certificate of completion.

Your assessment is graded as follows:

·         Objective score on the exam is worth 50% of grade

·         Completion of the exam is worth 50% of grade

For additional information, technical support specific to the Peregrine exam,or answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about the Peregrine Exam, please visit Peregrine’s Technical / Customer Support Website, located at http://www.peregrineacademics.com/home/technical-support. Note: If you need to contact Peregrine for technical support, please also keep your instructor informed of the issue(s) you are experiencing.

MastersStudent Registration Instructions

1. Click the "Click here to take your Peregrine Assessment" link above.
2. Enter your Student ID and select your Program.
3. Click "Confirm"
4. To take the exam:
1. Select the hyperlink under "Thank you, your course/exam is ready", then "Begin Exam"
2. When finished, save the completion certificate and upload via the Click here to submit yourPeregrine Assessment link in Week 9.

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