When completing the LAs in the Weekly Discussions please follow these directions and format:In your narrative response to the LAs, start out by first clearly identifying, defining and explaining the m

When completing the LAs in the Weekly Discussions please follow these directions and format:

1. In your narrative response to the LAs, start out by first clearly identifying, defining and explaining the management theory under discussion and provide a citation(s) for this information based on the course reading material. In this Weekly Discussion we are discussing the first function (Planning). of “what managers do”, the 4 functions of management.  In the Planning function, there are two main elements; the establishment of the organization’s goals and objectives and the formal plan to achieve them.

LA1 is dealing with the organizational and management theories related to the pros and cons of the planning function ("If you fail to plan; you are planning to fail"). You are asked to explain how an agile 21st century manager can use both the advantages and disadvantages to achieving the organization’s goals and objectives. There is no scenario related to this LA, so, provide an example from your own personal experience to demonstrate the application of the Planning Function in an organizational setting. If not from an actual work environment, provide the application of this theory from a social, church, family situation; e.g., a family vacation, planning a party, getting your degree, finding a job, buying a house or even a current news situation on management. As applicable, please make sure that you provide citations in this section of your response.

LA2 requires you to develop a vision and mission statement for the situation presented in the given scenario. Make sure that the mission and vision statements, as appropriate, contain the required elements and reflect the purpose, values and goals and objectives of the organization.

1. Then, explain the implication(s) or outcome(s) of the application of the management theory (the final outcome or consequence - whether good or bad, successful or unsuccessful, etc.). 
2. Make sure that you include a bibliography for your reference sources using APA format. 

Comment Check List: 

Section 1. Separate paragraph(s) Defining and Explaining the of Management Theory under discussion; Citation(s) of Resources from your research.

Section 2. Separate paragraph(s) defining and explaining the Application based on personal experience; Citation(s) of Resources from your research,

Section 3. Separate paragraph(s) explaining the Implications/Consequences of the Application of management theory, and

Section 4. Bibliography. List all references referred to in the Comment.

Learning Activity 1, Theme 1

The 21st century manager is the person tasked to implement the leader’s vision and mission for the organization.  The manager does this with the help of Fayol’s theoretical framework known as the four pillars of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling.  This week, we begin our examination of the four pillars of management with the first function, Planning.

The planning stage of management is considered by most to be the most important because of the advantages that planning has for achieving goals.  Due to the complexity of the business landscape in the 21st century managers are faced with planning and the need for quick change.  The agile organization attempts to address the advantages and disadvantages of planning.

LA 1

• Explore the Internet and retrieve articles that discuss the pros and cons to the planning function.
• Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages to the planning function and explain how the manager in an agile organization may use both to their advantage.

Learning Activity 2, Theme 2

There are several elements that result from the planning stage but for our purposes we will focus on the development of long-term and short-term goals.  Long-term goals are set by the owners, leaders or upper management depending on the structure, size or type of organization.  Long-term goals reflect the big-picture goals and objectives are directly related to the purpose and vision that the leaders and owners develop.  In today’s change-dominated business environment long-term goals are set to be accomplished in 2-3 years’ time as opposed to the previous century’s 5-10 years.

Long-term goals are often created through planning and strategizing.  The process begins with the vision and mission of the business.  To understand the concepts of vision and mission and their role in the process, you will take the role of the leader and formulate the vision and mission of an organization.

LA2

• Create a vision and mission statement to fit the company described below:

Mohammed Abul and his family own the Long-lasting Boot (LLB) store. LLB is a specialty boot store located in the downtown area in a medium sized city Scottsdale, Arizona and sells a broad line of boots to all members of the family including a novelty pet line.  The store sells boots for work and recreation as well as a line of expensive cowboy boots for the tourist trade.  The business is twenty-five years old. It has a reputation for being the best place to get boots in the community because of the selection, quality, and customer service.  LLB will even work with custom designed boots for people with unusually sized feet or medical problems.  The boots in some instances, work boots in particular, are considered expensive by middle class buyers but the construction quality is so long-lasting that it makes the higher prices seem worthwhile.  The store is successful but sales are very slow growing at the moment.  The family is looking to boost sales by developing a competitive edge for the future.

Hint: Before you begin be sure that you clearly understand the difference between a vision and mission statement as well as the purpose they each serve.