August 28/29 :: Course Introduction and the Changing Face of Business
Introduction to course
Class syllabus and book
Here is a link to the Business Department Student Orientation where you can explore how becoming a Business major may benefit you. http://bit.ly/MCBusinessOrientation
Chapter 1: The Changing Face of Business
Define business
Identify and describe the factors of production
Describe the private enterprise system
Identify the seven eras in the history of business
Explain how today’s business workforce and the nature of work itself is changing.
Identify the skills and attributes needed for the 21st-century manager
Outline the characteristics that make a company admired
September 5/6 :: Business Ethics and Economic Challenges
Chapter 2: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
Explain the concern for ethical and societal issues
Describe the contemporary ethical environment
Discuss how organizations shape ethical conduct
Describe how businesses can act responsibly to satisfy society
Explain the ethical responsibilities of businesses to investors and the financial community
Chapter 3: Economic Challenges Facing Business Today
Discuss microeconomics and explain the forces of demand and supply.
Describe macroeconomics and the issues for the entire economy
Identify how to evaluate economic performance
Discuss managing the economy’s performance
Describe the global economic challenges of the 21st century
Resume due by Friday at 9:00 a.m. on Blackboard
September 11/12 :: Economic Challenges and World Markets
Chapter 4: Competing in World Markets
Explain why nations trade.
Describe how trade is measured between nations.
Identify the barriers to international trade.
Discuss reducing barriers to international trade.
Explain the decisions to go global.
Discuss developing a strategy for international business.
Initial proposal for group project due by Friday at 9:00 a.m. on Blackboard
September 18/19 :: World Markets and Business Ownership
Chapter 5: Forms of Business Ownership and Organization
Discuss why most businesses are small businesses.
Determine the contributions of small businesses to the economy.
Discuss why small businesses fail.
Describe the features of a successful business plan.
Identify the available assistance for small businesses.
Explain franchising.
Outline the forms of private business ownership.
Describe the public and collective ownership of business.
Discuss organizing a corporation.
Explain what happens when businesses join forces.
September 25/26 :: Test #1 and Entrepreneurship
Test #1 (Chapters 1- 5)
Chapter 6: Starting Your Own Business: The Entrepreneurship Alternative
Define entrepreneur
Identify the different categories of entrepreneurs
Explain why people choose entrepreneurship as a career path
Discuss the environment for entrepreneurs
Identify the characteristics of entrepreneurs
Summarize the process of starting a new venture
Explain intrapreneurship
Group project presentation plan due by Friday at 9:00 a.m. on Blackboard
October 2/3 :: Management Organization & Presentation Prep
Chapter 7: Management, Leadership, and the Internal Organization
Define management and the three types of skills necessary for managerial success.
Explain the role of vision and ethical standards in business success.
Summarize the benefits of planning and distinguish strategic, tactical, and operational planning.
Describe the strategic planning process.
Contrast the types of business decisions and list the steps in the decision-making process.
Define leadership and compare different styles of leadership.
Discuss the meaning and importance of corporate culture.
Identify the five major forms of departmentalization and four main types of organization structures.
Prepare for Group Presentations
October 9/10 :: Group Project Presentations
Group Presentations
Group project paper due on Monday at 9:00 a.m. on Blackboard with presentations all week
October 16/17 :: Human Resource Management and Top Performance
Chapter 8: Human Resource Management: From Recruitment to Labor Relations
Explain the role of human resources: the people behind the people.
Describe recruitment and selection.
Discuss orientation, training, and evaluation.
Describe compensation.
Discuss employee separation.
Explain the different methods for motivating employees.
Discuss labor-management relations.
Chapter 9: Top Performance through Empowerment, Teamwork, and Communication
Discuss empowering employees
Distinguish the five types of teams
Identify team characteristics
Evaluate team cohesiveness and norms
Describe team conflict
Explain the importance of effective communication
Compare the basic forms of communication
Explain external communication and crisis management
Case Study Assigned
October 23/24 :: Operations Management and Test #2
Chapter 10: Production and Operations Management
Explain the strategic importance of production.
Identify and describe the production processes.
Explain the role of technology in the production process.
Identify the factors involved in a location decision.
Explain the job of production managers.
Discuss controlling the production process.
Determine the importance of quality.
Test #2 (chpts. 6 - 10)
Case Study Proposal due by Friday at 9:00 a.m. on Blackboard
October 30/31 :: Customer Driven Marketing + Product & Distribution Strategies
Chapter 11: Customer-Driven Marketing
Define marketing.
Discuss the evolution of the marketing concept.
Describe not-for-profit marketing and nontraditional marketing.
Outline the basic steps in developing a marketing strategy.
Describe marketing research.
Discuss market segmentation.
Summarize consumer behavior.
Discuss relationship marketing.
Chapter 12: Product and Distribution Strategies
Explain production strategy.
Briefly describe the four stages of the product life cycle.
Discuss production identification.
Outline the major components of an effective production strategy.
Explain wholesaling.
Describe retailing.
Identify distribution channel decisions and logistics.
November 6/7 :: Promotion 7 Pricing Strategies and Test #3
