Collaboration

Collaborating on development projects with other organizations offers advantages, but it’s important for firms to be strategic when making this decision.

Note

Respond to the following in a minimum of 175 words:

What elements should an organization consider when selecting a partner to collaborate with on a development project?
Provide an example of a project that was a collaborative effort between 2 organizations. Summarize the collaborative project and the organizations involved with the class.

Marketing

Michelle, Elena, and the Mobile Manufacturing, Inc. (MM) board of directors know how important it is to understand the environment in which it is operating. They hired you—a highly-regarded marketing consultant—to bring a fresh perspective to the marketing plan. You are scheduled to meet with Michelle and Elena next week to discuss the environmental conditions that are relevant to introducing the new product.

As you prepare for the meeting, you consider all of the possible environmental issues. You recognize that Elena brings an interesting perspective to the process because she has experience designing mobile phones for the Eastern European market, and she is pushing for a new product that can be marketed worldwide. On the other hand, Michelle is more concerned with the domestic marketplace and is worried that trying to market a new product anywhere outside the United States—much less worldwide—could be very risky.

You sit down to start your work on the marketing plan, and you begin by drafting some goals that the marketing plan needs to address.

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Walking through the halls at MM, you ponder the job that lies ahead. Coming out of her office, Michelle spots you and heads in your direction.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she says. “Have you settled into your office?”
“Yes,” you say. “I’m eager to get started.”
Michelle enters your office and takes a seat in a chair. “I’m scheduled to make a presentation to the board at the quarterly meeting next week. I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering if you could pull together a 30-minute presentation for them?” she asks.
“What would you like me to present?” you ask.
“As you know, you and Elena have been brought on to revitalize the product line for the company. Your role is to create a winning marketing plan that will allow us to capitalize on the new product that Elena is designing. The board would like you to discuss some of the issues that you will be considering as you develop the marketing plan for the new product. I know they’re especially interested in your thoughts on the global market.”
“That sounds like a great idea,” you say.

Note

Consider the environmental variables (i.e., technological, demographic, economic, political, and cultural variables) that you must include in your marketing plan, and answer the following:

Which of the environmental factors do you feel is the most critical, and why?
What might someone with an opposing viewpoint think is the most important?
Given this opposing argument, how would you argue your opinion?
What solutions should be considered as you seek to develop a sense of ownership of your plan?
What solutions would you recommend to the board, and why?
Is a compromise feasible?

Organizational Behavior

Final Project

Instructions:

Using APA formatting requirements (12 point Times New Roman font, double-spacing, 1″ margins, title and reference pages), write a 1,500-2,500 word paper in which you diagnose a process/structure/environment in an organization that you’re familiar with (and that you chose in week 1 and have been researching during the term) and that needs improvement and design an organizational development (OD) intervention to achieve positive change.

In addition to your standard APA formatting requirements, your paper should include an Executive Summary which succinctly describes your recommended change(s), highlights of what will be required during the change process, and a projected timeline for implementation.  For a detailed sample structure for your paper.

Human Behavior in the Social Environment

Book: Applied Human Behavior in the Social Environment

• Chapter 11, “Major Life Phases Influencing Human Behavior: Childhood.”
  • This chapter explains how the development in childhood is influenced mostly by the initial attachment of the child to the parent or caregiver, and then in an ongoing way through the parenting interactions with the child. While parents are the greatest influence on the developing child, sibling and peer interactions, especially in play, are also important. Based on the unit readings, you are challenged to look at your childhood years and your interactions with your parents or caregivers. For this discussion, address the following:
• What adjectives would you use to describe your interactions with your parents or caregivers and their interactions with you? You do not need to use the same adjectives for both perspectives of interactions.
• What advice, in retrospect, would you give to your parents in regard to your academic success, your sibling and peer relationships, your ability to follow social rules, and your ability to enjoy family events? Be specific in your advice, citing the research literature to back up your suggestions.

Note

Answer each of these questions thoughtfully and concisely.

350 words