Course: Capstone: Business Strategies Research Company: IBM All questions and answers in the attachment must appear in the content of the written article.（Very important） The overall structu

WEEK ONE: Company Choice and Organizational Plan Outline: Objectives 4, 5

Course Project Overview:

You will progress by developing your Capstone project incrementally, and each week writing a portion of the total project analysis. The discussion is geared toward helping the student complete the project, as well as learn from and offer advice to the projects of your fellow students.

Students will submit the first phase of their organizational assessment by selecting an organization that is publicly traded to study. The organizational assessment will proceed by analyzing factors such as leadership, ethics/values, strategy, marketing, economic and financial factors, and a Business Canvas Model in the chosen company. Each week will be a different facet of the organization so the final product will be the culmination of each week of analysis.

It is best if the organization is a publicly traded organization domestic and/or international. Exceptions to this must be approved by the professor to ensure the student has access to the necessary information to complete the study.

The final project will be about 15-20 pages of narrative (not including charts and graphs), excluding the cover page and references. Papers should be APA style, with one-inch margins and 12-point font.

Weekly Course Outline Overview

The final project: Will be about 15-20 (or longer) pages of narrative, excluding the cover page and references. Papers should be APA style, with one-inch margins and 12-point font.

Week 1 – Choose a publicly traded organization to study, Provide a brief Outline of the project.

Week 2 – Leadership Analysis and Ethical Factors (mission/core values), Business Model Canvas Understanding

Week 3 – Strategic Plan Analysis, Marketing Analysis (4-P’s) BMC: Value Proposition, Channels, Customer Segments

Week 4 – Economic Analysis – 4 Market Models (Market Structure), separate template for BMC: Revenue Streams, and Peregrine Exam

Week 5 –Demand Analysis, BMC: Customer Relationships, Key Activities, and Graduate Exit Survey

Week 6 –Financial Analysis (Ratios and Profitability Analysis), and Reporting the Financial Results, BMC Key Partnerships, Key Activities, Cost Structures

Week 7 – Overall Organizational Assessment and Conclusion Due Sunday by 11:59 PM and Employer Survey

Week 8 – Oral Presentation and Reflection on the Course and MBA Program

Deliverables Due in Week

Week 1 Topics and Objective:

Upon successful completion of the week, you will be able to:

• Choose the company to study

• Provide information about the products and services of the company

• Articulate how the study of this company will assist in your area of concentration.

Week 1 Reading:

Review the Baldrige Excellent Video: Quality and the Baldrige Framework

Review the Baldrige Excellent Articles.

Review the Video: Clayton Christensen: the power of disruptive innovation

Review the 6 Minute Osterwalder Business Model Canvas Video

Note: It is recommended that students conduct the proper research via the online library, and its databases.

Week 1 Preparation In-Class Discussion and Application Exercises Due in Class Monday by 5:45 PM

• Review the Baldrige Excellence Framework and Guide and other readings and videos for Week 1 (including Discuss the Business Model Canvas (BMC) and Disruptive Innovation).

• What resonated with you the most?

• How can companies use these things to promote a competitive advantage? How could your chosen company benefit from the Baldrige Excellent Framework?

• Discuss thoroughly how this relates to what you have been studying and learning throughout your MBA Program.

• Bring to Class: Choose an organization to study that is publicly traded. Provide an introduction to the organization, its products, and its services. Discuss why you chose this organization to study, and any area of the organization that is of particular interest to you. The organization chosen must be part of the student’s area of concentration.

• We will review the Syllabus and the Project Sections

Week 1 Assignment Due Sunday by 5:00 PM

Prepare and submit an outline of your plan for accomplishing the final project.

Prepare an outline for the final project you will turn in at the end of Week 1. A sample of the APA Template for this outline is provided in Blackboard. The outline should include a cover page, an introduction, and then a listing of the major sections to be covered throughout the class. The major sections are listed in the Week 1 instruction. In addition to the major sections, the outline should include some initial points to be made under each major section and accomplishments and or issues, provide information about the products and services, and articulate how the study of this company will assist in your area of concentration. There should be at least 5 references listed (in APA format) that will be utilized throughout the writing of the paper.

WEEK TWO: Leadership and Ethical Factors: Objectives 4, 5

Week 2 Topics and Objectives

• Analyze Leadership and Ownership

• Discuss the membership of the Board of Directors

• Analyze Company ethics: Vision, Mission, Core Values and other ethical factors

• Have a good understanding of the Business Model Canvas.

Section 1

1. Access the business records of the company, primarily through the 10-K or annual report.

2. Report on the form of ownership (partnership, corporation) and the board of directors’ leadership.

3. Analyze the backgrounds of the CEO and other members of the leadership team.

4. Report and assess the form or structure in which the company operates. Do they include diversity? How does this affect the ethos?

5. Provide assessment and recommendations.

Section 2

1. Access the company website and download the mission statement, vision statement and core values, and code of conduct or other information regarding ethics.

2. Create a section for your organizational assessment on the mission, vision, and core value of the company, and assess alignment the best you can. Does it align with your investigation of what is happening with the company, news, and social media?

3. This week's work should be between 2-3 pages for the leadership portion and 2-3 pages for the core values assignment.

4. For both sections, based on your findings, provide recommendations that could help to promote a competitive advantage.

5. Incorporate two or more peer-reviewed journal articles into your plan sections.

6. Although your sections need to be written this week, they will be submitted in Week 3 with Week 3’s sections. See the chart on deliverables.

Week 2 Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 2 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday 5:45 PM

Week 2 Pair and Share Plan: Preparation In-Class Discussion: Bring to Class: You will pair and share your plans with other students. The Ethical Factors (cultural elements) be prepared to. We will use the leadership and ethical cultural elements to determine if they do or don’t follow the Baldrige Guide/Framework. Due in Class Monday

Week 2 Plan Completion: See Sections 1 and 2 Above

WEEK THREE: Strategic Direction: Objectives 3, 4, 5

Week 3 Topics and Objectives

Upon successful completion of the week, you will be able to:

1. Upon successful completion of week three, you will be able to:

2. Download and review the strategic plan of the company you have chosen.

3. Reflect on the strategic plan in light of current macroeconomic and cultural changes and marketing plan.

4. Discuss the international aspect of the strategic plan.

5. Report on your BMC Sections. Your creation will be done using the BMC Word document provided in Blackboard.

Week 3 Learning Activities

In this week, you will complete the following:

1. Review the strategic plan of the company.

2. Comment on the specifics of the strategic plan and marketing plan.

3. Report on the type of organizational hierarchical structure they use to help create efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., team, matrix, functional, divisional).

4. Reflect on strategic planning as it relates both to a company and to your own personal life.

Week 3 Reading

Complete the following readings:

1. Read the strategic plan of the company you have chosen.

2. Download and read at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Report on the strategic plan of your company. Reflect on how the strategic plan relates to the organizational structure, leadership, mission, vision and core values (ethics) of the company. Discuss how strategic planning could benefit you as you engage your own personal economic life.

Week 3 In-Class Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 3 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday by 5:45 PM

Week 3 Pair and Share Plan: Preparation In-Class Discussion: Bring to Class: You will pair and share your plans with other students. Bring in your Week 2 completion of the plan to pare and share. Due in Class

Week 3 Assignment Due on Sunday by 5:00 PM. (Review Blackboard Week 3 for full assignment)

• Reflect on the strategic plan in light of current macroeconomics and cultural changes.

• Report on the type of organizational hierarchical structure they use to help create efficiency and effectiveness (e.g., team, matrix, functional, divisional) and the structure fits into the strategy and operations. Discuss whether it is efficient and effective for their strategy and culture.

• You will include items such as a SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces, and Generic Strategies (e.g., cost leadership).

• Discuss the international aspect of the strategic plan.

• Review and incorporate the Baldrige Excellence Framework into your Strategic Plan

• Combine and turn in the first three sections of your Organizational Assessment (Weeks 1,2 and 3).

• Work on your Business Model Canvas Value Proposition(s), and discuss the Channels utilized by your company in reaching its customers (separate Word template).

• On your BMC, explain the customer segments that your company wants to reach with its products or services.

• Marketing analysis: Explain the general marketing plan for your company's products or services in terms of the 4 P's. 

Each section should be between 2-3 pages of narrative, and the references should build on the five references listed in the outline.

Each section should define the part of the business, describe how the company is approaching that part of the business, and then analyze that part of the business given your knowledge and experience.

WEEK FOUR: Economic Analysis & Peregrine Exam: Objectives 1, 3, 5

Week 4 Overview

Economic analysis tells us there are four primary economic models used: perfect competition, monopolistic competition, oligopoly, and pure monopoly. In Week 4, you are expected to make a choice as to which of the four models most closely applies to your chosen company. Analyze and assess the model (including the impact of COVID-19 and marketing) then apply that model to the chosen company. Provide recommendations that could help to promote a competitive advantage. The student should use knowledge of the model to analyze and assess the strategic future of the company. See Blackboard Week 4 for full details of all assignments.

Week 4 Objectives

Upon successful completion of week four, you will be able to:

1. Understand the four market models.

2. Select the one structure that best fits the firm you have chosen to study.

3. Use that market structure to understand decision-making by the firm.

4. Complete the Peregrine Exam.

Week 4 Learning Activities

In this week, you will complete the following:

1. Review the four market models

2. Select the one model that best fits your company

3. Utilize that market model to deepen your understanding of the economic environment of the company

4. Explain the marketing and how this relates to the model (s)

Week 4 Reading

Complete the following readings:

1. From an economics textbook or open-source economic book, review the four market models

2. Download and read at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles that utilize the market model you have selected as best fitting your firm, and cite and reference these in your plans

Week 4 Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 4 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday by 5:45 PM

Week 4 Pair and Share Plan: Preparation In-Class Discussion: Bring to Class: You will pair and share your strategic plan completed pertaining to Week 3 with other students. Due in Class.

Week 4 Peregrine Exam Due by Saturday by 5:00 PM

1. Complete Peregrine Exam registration (registration instruction is available in the online course room).

2. Complete the Peregrine Exam.

3. Post a copy of the certificate completion in the online course room.

Week 4 Assignment (See Blackboard for full expectations)

The only graded assignment for week four is the Peregrine Exam. But students should complete the Section on Economic Analysis (Market structure) and the BMC: Revenue Streams for the final paper and due in week 7.

You are expected to complete this week’s topic for your Week 7 overall plan. You are expected to make a choice as to which of the four market models most closely applies to your chosen company (See Blackboard Overview Week 4). Analyze and assess the model (including the impact of COVID-19 and marketing) then apply that model to the chosen company. Provide recommendations that could help to promote a competitive advantage. The student should use knowledge of the model to analyze and assess the strategic future of the company. See Blackboard Week 4 for full details of all assignments. You are responsible for putting together and handing in before class: the “Revenue Streams” in your Business Model Canvas.

WEEK FIVE: Demand Analysis and Graduate Exit Survey: Objectives 1, 3, 5

Week 5 Overview

In order to have a successful business, there must be demand for the product being supplied by the firm. Profitability is the result of a demand desiring the product to the extent they are willing to pay a price that is greater than the cost of production. This week is an analysis and assessment of the demand for the product of the company you have chosen. Assess how their marketing affects this week’s topic and how COVID-19 had an impact. What is your assessment?  Business Model Canvas Customer Relationship and Key Activities sections of your Business Model Canvas are due before class in Week 5, and three slides for you final presentation.

Week 5 Objectives

Upon successful completion of week four, you will be able to:

1. Articulate the economic definition of demand

2. Review the determinants of demand and appropriately apply it to the product(s) of your company

3. Review the elasticity of demand for the product(s) of your company

4. Project the future demand for the products of the company

5. Prepare and bring in the first 3 slides for your slide presentation (see In-Class pre-work), and review the presentation rubric.

6. Complete the Graduate Exit Survey. Take a screenshot or picture of the completed screen and upload it to Blackboard. It is a pass/fail grade. 0/1. All or nothing.

Week 5 Learning Activities

This week, you will complete the following:

1. Review the economics of demand.

2. Apply the determinants of demand to the product (s) of your company.

3. Apply elasticity of demand to the product (s) of your company.

4. Project future economic demand for the product(s) of your company.

Week 5 Reading

Complete the following readings:

1. Read a chapter regarding demand from an economics textbook or online, open-source textbook.

2. Download and read at least 2 peer-reviewed journal articles on demand and elasticity of demand.

Review the determinants of demand and the elasticity of demand for the product (s) of your company. Relate the projection of future demand to the strategic plan of your company, and any other previous sections of the paper being produced.

Week 5 Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 5 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday by 5:45 PM

Week 5 Pair and Share Plan: Preparation In-Class Discussion: Bring to Class: You will pair and share your plans and the first three slides of your final presentation and BMC with other students. Due in Class

Week 5 Assignment

Each student should complete the Graduate Exit Survey. The survey can be accessed at the following link: (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KUGraduateExitSurvey).

Take a screenshot or picture of the completed screen and upload it to Blackboard.  It is a pass/fail grade.  0/1.  All or nothing. Due by Thursday 11:59 PM.

Prepare the two sections of your final paper; one on economic analysis and the other on demand analysis. The sections should be written completely as if they were all ready to be graded and part of the final paper. These two sections in total should be between about 3 pages of narrative, and the references should build on the five references listed in the outline.

When writing the final paper, the sections turned in for week 5 should be re-written in response to any comments made by the professor. Due Sunday by 5:00 PM

WEEK SIX: Financial Factors, Financial Analysis, Reporting Financial Results: Objective 6

Week 6 Overview

Ultimately, the goal of a business is to earn a profit. Profit is the result of demanders paying a price for a product that is greater than the cost of producing it. The financial success of a business is measured by profit and profit itself is measured by financial measurements such as Return on Assets, Return on Equity, Stock Price, Dividend Yield, and others. How has COVID-19 had an impact? What is your assessment? 

Week 6 Objectives

Upon successful completion of week six, you will be able to:

Analyze and submit the financial statements of a company.

Report on the financial results of the company.

Provide the next 3 slides in your slide deck presentation along with your amended/modified first 3 slides from last week.

Week 6 Learning Activities

In this week, you will complete the following:

1. Review the most recent financial statements of your chosen company

2. Compute selected financial ratios for your company

3. Report on the financial results of your company

Week 6 Reading

Complete the following readings:

1. Review the Financial Video

2. Download the most recent 10-K for the company

3. Use the financial statements to do the financial analysis.

4. Compare the financial results to a company in a similar business

Use the financial statements of your company to compute the following ratios for the past 3 years: Return on Assets, Cash Return on Assets, Return on Equity, and Debt to Assets. Analyze the trends of the ratios and relate any trends to the strategic plan, demand analysis, and any other aspects that you have uncovered over the past weeks. See Week 6 Blackboard Assignment for full details. In addition, you are responsible for delivering the Key partnerships, and cost structures sections of your Business Model Canvas due before class on Thursday Week 6.

Week 6 Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 6 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday by 5:45 PM

Week 6 Pair and Share Plan: Preparation In-Class Discussion: Bring to Class: You will pair and share your company’s determinants of demand, the next three slides for your Week 8 Presentation, and demonstrate your ability to calculate ratios with other students. See full details in your Week 6 In-Class assignment. Due in Class

Week 6 Assignment

You need to show that you are able to use excel and input data and formulas that will calculate the ratios. You are expected to provide an excel spreadsheet that calculates the ratios. In order to do this, you also need to provide the financial reporting numbers behind the calculation. For example, the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow, and any other financial reporting from the company that you use for your calculations. You will also need to show the closest competitor's financial data to make the comparison for the elements due below (Revenue and net profit growth rates - last 3 years). Students provide excel files with tabs at the bottom for the different calculations and financial statements. 

This section should analyze and assess:

• These ratios are as follows (each must be explained in your own words, for example, what does "liquidity" mean): Analyze & Assess:

• Liquidity/Solvency: current ratio (last 3 years, liquid or not?), current debt to equity ratio (is this good or bad by industry standards)

• Profitability: Return on Assets, Gross and net profit ratios, Return on Equity (are these ratios good or bad by industry standards)

• Asset Management: Receivables turnover ratio (is this good or bad by industry standards)

• Dividend and dividend payout ratios (last 3 years):

• How has COVID-19 had an impact?

• Revenue and net profit growth rates (last 3 years). Compare these to their nearest competitor (3 years).

• Explain the difference between cash flow and earnings. Give a cash flow and earnings analysis for the last year.

• Stock performance year to year (over the last 3 years as of 12-31)

• Next: explain the “Triple Bottom Line” and what your company may be doing in policy or actions to achieve it.

• When writing the final paper, any changes that are re-written should be highlighted in yellow.

• Research at least two-peer reviewed articles to demonstrate your understanding of financial theory and use them for citations and references.

The analysis should be between 3-4 pages and provide a few charts or graphs to showcase your excel and data analysis skills.  

 (See Blackboard for full expectations).

The analysis should include charts and/or graphs to demonstrate spreadsheet analysis and enhance the presentation should be utilized. Due Sunday by 11:59 PM

WEEK 7: Full Organizational Assessment and Reflection: Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Week 7 Overview

This week you will discuss your final organizational plan. You will have time in class to work on finalizing your presentation for week 8 and to prepare for a presentation of your reflection from the past six weeks of this class and your personal reflection of all your classes. Please think about what you have learned and what you will do differently in the future as a result of what you have learned.

Your final Organizational Assessment is due at the end of week seven. You have an Oral Presentation for your Organizational Assessment and Reflection due prior to class on Week 8 and you will conduct the Oral Presentation in class.

Week 7 Objectives

Upon successful completion of Week 7, you will be able to:

1. Pair and Share your Week 6 Financial Analysis

2. Complete your BMC

3. Complete the organizational analysis of the firm you have chosen to study

4. Prepare a reflection on your learning for this class and the entirety of your MBA

5. Plan for what you will do differently as a result of your earning your MBA

Week 7 Learning Activities

In this week, you will complete the following:

1. Discuss Week 6 Financial Analysis

2. Turn in the organizational analysis paper.

3. Prepare for your Oral Presentation on your Organizational Analysis and Assessment and MBA Reflection.

Week 7 Reading

Complete the following readings:

1. Review the classes that you have taken.

2. Review the readings in this class and in other classes that have been most important to your thinking.

Week 7 Discussion and Application Exercises: See Blackboard Week 7 link for Pre-work and Expectations: Due in Class Monday 5:45 PM

Week 7 In-Class Discussion: Pair and Share: Due In-Class Discussion

Discuss Financial Analysis and any other open items for your Final Organizational Assessment and Recommendations, your final presentation slides, and your completed Business Model Canvas. You will be given some time to finalize your Week 8 presentation and to reflect upon your journey to becoming an elite MBA. You will prepare a five-minute presentation to be presented in class:

Reflect on your journey and learning for this class, and all of your courses throughout your MBA Program to become an MBA! Think about what you have learned and what you will do differently in the future as a result of what you have learned. What suggestions do you have to make this MBA program better? Prepare a short presentation to present to the class.

Week 7 Assignment

See Week 7 Assignment for full details. Turn in your complete organizational assessment and your completed Business Model Canvas. As part of your final organizational assessment and conclusion, you are to offer your own projection of the future of your company, based on your research and your intuition. This is one of your critical thinking exercises in this course. This should also be included in your presentation. Be sure to update any section given the comments of the professor. After completing all sections, the final section and the conclusion should provide an opinion as to the overall assessment of the organization. Be sure to make all of the adjustments provided as feedback from your instructor.

The paper should be 15-20 pages, but not much longer. Sections should be edited down and extraneous or duplicative information should be removed. Due Sunday by 11:59 PM

WEEK Eight: Oral Presentation Organizational Assessment and Reflection: Objectives 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Week 8 Overview

This is a week for your Capstone Oral Presentation of your Final Organizational Analysis Assessment, Recommendations, and future projection.

Week 8 Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of Week 8, you will be able to:

1. Complete and conduct your organizational analysis and assessment presentation of the firm you have chosen to study

Week 8 Learning Activities

In this week, you will complete the following:

1. Turn in and conduct your Oral Presentation in class.

2. Provide a reflection of your MBA journey.

Week 8 Reading

Complete the following readings:

Review the classes that you have taken.

Review the readings in this class and in other classes that have been most important to your thinking.

Week 8 Assignment: Capstone Oral Presentation: Strategic Plan Analysis, Assessment and Recommendations, and Reflection in Class.

Submit your Physical Presentation in Week 8 by 5:00 PM.

Your presentation will be timed for 10 Minutes (exceeding this time will result in a reduction in your grade) and 5 Minutes for Q&A. You are expected to dress professionally.

You will also have a 5-minute reflection due to present verbally. See assignment in week’s 7 and 8.

Presentation Rubric: See Blackboard Week 8

Complete the End-of-Course Survey