...Unethical Corporate Practices Carol Bramlett MGT/521 December 1, 2013 Heather Rideout Unethical Corporate Practices 2. What was the culture at Lehman Brothers like? How did this culture contribute to the company’s downfall? The Lehman Brothers management encouraged excess risk taking by its employees and rewarded them handsomely for this. The management also encouraged staff that took questionable deals and punished whoever was critical of company policies. It was also very secretive in addressing the remunerations of the top management and openly filed their financial reports wrongly to please investors and attract more clients. The Lehman management was also profit oriented opting to reduce health insurance of its employees in order to maximize on profits. This shows the extent management was willing to sacrifice to fulfill the company’s appetite for money placing their staffs’ interests in the backseat. 3. What role did Lehman’s executives play in the company’s collapse? Were they being responsible and ethical? Discuss. The Lehman management openly violated the ethics code of business. For example they filed unverifiable, inaccurate financial reports openly contravening the Sarbanes-Oxley Act that states that companies should file correct and accurate financial documents. They also disregarded legit means of conducting business creating a culture where staff that practiced illegitimate means were idolized and rewarded thus encouraged to continue with their ways...
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...Since the recession began in December 2007, there has been a lack of jobs and job security. According to the Department of Labour (2009), the official unemployment for 2009 was 9.3% of the total labour force. Going to temporary agencies will only get their foot in the door at a prospective employer; however, their qualifications, work ethic, and knowledge might keep them there. Employers are looking to hire employees who have a certain skill set and training that could help improve their business. They also are looking for managers to step in with the knowledge and expertise to be efficient in managing others and their business. The reason for pursuing a Masters in Business Administration degree is to start a new career. “Equipping yourself with an MBA degree during the phase of slow down helps you to position yourself strategically when the upturn begins” (Saxena). The argument will be based on personal and professional goals for getting an MBA, including: family, leadership skills, develop into a marketable asset, better career prospects, job progression, and to gain the skills to adapt to the changing workforce. Furthermore the argument will analyze the personal perception and perception of others regarding the Jungian assessment. Having both personal and professional goals set will help someone accomplish the great opportunity of pursuing an MBA to start a new career. A personal goal for pursuing an MBA could be for the betterment of a family. Pursuing an MBA is not solely...
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...To: Dr Stephen Quick From: Davida Clement, Student Date: October 21, 2014 Subject: Team Leadership MGT 521 Memo As a manager have a substantial role when it comes to motivating the team to produce results. The manager must do this based on a method of leadership as required by the organization and the leaders of the business organization. The ultimate plan is to successfully lead the new team to meet the organization’s goals based on the results of the personality assessment as instructed and outlined in the directions of the new division’s plans. Every member of the team will be involved in this portion of the process. All of the personality assessments have been completed the results will be discussed in the next section of this memo. In addition, an evaluation in terms of urgency, culture and anything else applicable will be discussed and provided. Next, any necessary leadership approaches based on the information provided will be included as well. Finally, there will be a discussion of any principles used when applying leadership theories. As the manager it is important to determine the right strategy to change the culture of the organization. It is equally important for the tone of management to be set; mainly top managers need to be positive role...
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...Business Analysis Part III MGT 521 August xx, 2011 Abstract In this Business Analysis Part III I will summarize significant facts and conclude the analysis by including conclusions from Business Analysis Part I & II which will help in the decision making to invest or not in Apple Inc. Business Analysis Part III Strategic Initiatives Vision Statement According to Apple Inc “Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1985 with the Macintosh. Apple is committed to bringing the best personal computing experience to students, educators, creative professionals, and consumers around the world through its innovative hardware, software, and Internet offerings.” Mission Statement According to Apple Inc, “Apple Computer is committed to protecting the environment, health and safety of our employees, customers and the global communities where we operate. We recognize that by integrating sound environmental, health and safety management practices into all aspects of our business, we can offer technologically innovative products and services while conserving and enhancing resources for future generations. Apple strives for continuous improvement in our environmental, health and safety management systems and in the environmental quality of our products, processes and services.” Value According to its new CEO Tim Cook, Apple’s...
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...Apple’s Financial Health MGT 521 Ocotober 31, 2012 Apple Financial Health As stated before in my business analysis paper, Apple is a very rich, prosperous, and innovative company. Its innovations and creativity has enable Apple to keep growing, striving, and propelling itself to the top of the personal computer industry. Apples dominancy and growth is not just known by people around the world it is documented and can be proven by Apple’s financial statements. Financial Statements On apples income statement one can see that their net sales rises each year for the past three years. Starting in 2009 where net sales were just $42,905 million, in 2010 $65,225 million, and then now to 2011 $108,249 million (Apple INC, 2011). This data shows that Apple’s net sales nearly triple from 2009 to 2011. Their gross margin also substantially increases starting at 17,222 million to in 2011 43,818 millions (Apple INC, 2011). This margin represents the percent of total sales revenue that the company retains after the direct costs associated with producing goods sold for a company. This means for the past three years Apple is able to make more profit then the cost that it takes to make its products. Furthermore as with every growing company comes more expenses so their expenses have risen from 2009 to 5,482 million to 10,028 million in 2011 (Apple INC, 2011). Their expenses are counteracted and accounted for by their net income which triples from 2009-2011 from $8,235 to 25,922...
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...|[pic] |Syllabus | | |School of Business | | |MGT/521 Version 5 | | |Management | | | | | Course Description This course applies the tools available to University of Phoenix graduate students and the competencies of successful managers to understand the functions of business. Students develop an increased awareness of their own perceptions and values in order to manage and communicate with others more effectively. Other topics include MBA program goals, argument construction, decision making, collaboration, and academic research. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: • University policies: You...
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...Functions of Management Giovannina McGrath University of Phoenix Introduction In order for a business to be successful in the world today, they should possess all four of the functions of management. These four functions are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. It is important that all of these aspects of management be understood to enable a business to be successful at meeting their goals. Examples of performing these four functions are planning by delivering a set of values that are strategic, organizing by building an organization that is dynamic, leading by being able to mobilize people, and controlling by making changes and learning. All of these can successfully be carried out through communication and decision-making. Management is creative problem solving. This creative problem solving is accomplished through the four functions of management; planning, organizing, leading and controlling. The intended result is the use of an organization's resources in a way that accomplishes its mission and objectives. (From Higgins, Page 7) Bakeman (2004) stated “Information should be added to the 6 management functions. None of the other functions can take place effectively without information. Information is vital to decision making. It is needed in order to be able to forecast, plan, organize, coordinate, command, and control. Technical, commercial, financial, security, and managerial activities cannot happen properly without relevant information...
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...Memorandum James C. Robinson MGT/521 June 25, 2014 James Reding MEMORANDUM TO: Corporate Office FROM: James C. Robinson, New Division Manager DATE: June 26, 2014 SUBJECT: Team Leadership Memo CC: All Team Members, Board Members First, I would like to thank you for this opportunity to play a substantial role in this new division. The personnel assigned to my team are true professionals. Even though two thirds of the team composition mirror almost the same personality traits. They will be combined with the other team members to form a formidable team. Having four of the six members with ENTJ and ESTJ (James, Jim, Tyson and Tony) assessment traits will allow us to operate under a transformational leadership style focusing on task-oriented results. Given that this is a new division it will help expedite operational status much quicker. Having the other third of the team personality traits, ISTP (Julieann) and INFP (Annaliza) who will function under the same transformational leadership style, however they will be highly encouraged to apply their creative and artistic vision to help achieve the new market strategy. My Democratic leadership style will be applied primarily with this chosen group of professionals because these members are versed in delegation, and based on their assessment will respond better in a democratic leadership style which each member possess helping to produce a synergist approach for team results. When breaking into smaller work...
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...Planning and Measuring Performance MGT/521 March 15, 2015 Instructor: Kimberly Roberts Planning and Measuring Performance “The balanced scorecard is a strategic planning and management system that is used extensively in business and industry, government, and nonprofit organizations worldwide to align business activities to the vision and strategy of the organization, improve internal and external communications and monitor organization” (balancescorecard.org/Resources/About-the-balanced-scorecard). The University of Phoenix website states the balanced scorecard isn’t just a focus on financial measures it uses segments of the organization and takes this into account. The balanced scorecard is made up of four aspects in the company performance that may consist of: customer, financial, internal processes, and people/innovation/growth assets. When a manager views the balanced scorecard they can set goals for these areas and can be used as a guide to measure the organizations process. Balanced Scorecard "The balanced scorecard shows the art department of Sherman Ceramics, a large corporation that manufactures collectible ceramic figurines based on comic book, television, and film characters. The company has an automated assembly line to manufacture the figurines, but most of the work done in the art department is by hand, since the figurines are produced in small runs and are considered to be exclusive collectibles. The employees of the art department hand paint the features...
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...Evaluating and Selecting Communication Channels MGT/521 One of the most important characteristics of successful relationships is the use of effective communication. Effective communications are characterized by achieving both the successful transfer as well as the understanding of meaning of the information being communicated to the greatest degree possible (Robbins & Judge, 2011). Understanding the functions of communication and the elements of the communication process itself will maximize the probability that messages communicated will yield the highest degree of understanding of the intended meaning by the recipients. A critical element of the communication process that influences the degree of understanding of meaning as much as the formulation of the message itself is the communication channel selected for its delivery. The focus of this paper will be on evaluating and selecting a communication channel based on the nature and complexity of the message to be delivered. The selection of communication channels and the reasons for their selections in the following essay are based off the three Communication Channel Scenarios located on the student website. Evaluating and Selecting Communication Channels Scenario 1 As the Marketing Manager for a new beverage product that has done well in the United States, I’ve been directed by the Vice President of Operations to develop a strategy within one week to enter the product into the global market...
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...Syllabus School of Business MGT/521 Version 5 Management Course Description This course applies the tools available to University of Phoenix graduate students and the competencies of successful managers to understand the functions of business. Students develop an increased awareness of their own perceptions and values in order to manage and communicate with others more effectively. Other topics include MBA program goals, argument construction, decision making, collaboration, and academic research. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within the following two documents: University policies: You must be logged into the student website to view this document. Instructor policies: This document is posted in the Course Materials forum. University policies are subject to change. Be sure to read the policies at the beginning of each class. Policies may be slightly different depending on the modality in which you attend class. If you have recently changed modalities, read the policies governing your current class modality. Course Materials Hoch, S. J., Kunreuther, H. C., & Gunther, R. E. (Eds.). (2001). Wharton on making decisions. New York, NY: Wiley. Nickels, W. G., McHugh, J. M., & McHugh, S. M. (2010). Understanding business (9th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Robbins, S. P. & Judge, T. A. (2011). Organizational behavior (14th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice...
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...MGT 521 WEEK 2 To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/mgt-521-week-2/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM MGT 521 WEEK 2 week 2 complete 1- Complete the Effective Research and Writing at University of Phoenix Module. Save a screen shot of the completion screen as a Microsoft Word document on your computer once you finish the module. Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment 2- Navigate to the My Career Plan in Phoenix Career Services. Complete the Career Plan Building Activity: Work Culture Preferences. Note. Access to Career Plan Building Activity: Work Culture Preferences is only available after you complete the Career Plan Building Activity: Competencies. Write a paper of no more than 350 words discussing the results of your Career Plan Building Activity: Work Culture Preferences and Competencies. Reflect on your results. How can knowing your ideal work culture help you in developing strategic and operational plans to achieve organizational goals? Which competencies are essential to conducting a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis? How do your competencies relate to the essential competencies for conducting a SWOT analysis? Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 3- You have decided to pursue an MBA degree either to further your career, start a new career, or achieve a personal goal. In this program, you will study the functional areas of business. ...
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...MGT 521 WEEK 5 To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/mgt-521-week-5/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM MGT 521 WEEK 5 Your manager tells you about a new department the company will be adding that is part of the company’s strategic plan to enter a particular market segment. Your manager would like you to manage one of the teams in this new department. Your manager has put together the team you will be managing. Your new team consists of the members of your current Learning Team. To be successful in the new market segment, your team must efficiently accomplish the goals set by the company. Your manager, therefore, would like you to develop a leadership approach for each team member on your team based on the theories of leadership and each member’s individual personalities. Write a memo to your manager of no more than 1,400 words in which you explain how you plan to successfully lead your team. Include the following: Evaluate the individuals, including yourself, based on the personality assessment. Evaluate the situation in terms of urgency, culture, and so forth. Determine leadership approaches, based on individuals and the situation. Highlight the principles you have applied from various leadership theories. Format your memo consistent with APA guidelines. Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment 2- Your Learning Team is a team of managers of a customer call center for timeshare vacations. Discuss, with...
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...MGT 521 WEEK 6 To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/mgt-521-week-6/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM MGT 521 WEEK 6 MGT 521 Week 6 Balanced Scorecard, MGT 521 Week 6 Career Plan Reflection, MGT 521 Week 6 Learning Team Reflection,Week 6 Quiz 1- Write a reflection paper of no more than 350 words based on the Career Plan Building Activities completed throughout this course. In the paper, consider the following questions: What are the next steps in your career plan? What milestones have you established in the Career Plan to monitor your progress towards your career goals? Why do you think these steps are important in helping you progress? How can you focus your time and attention in future courses based on your career competencies and goals? Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 2- Read Case Application 1, “Lessons from Lehman Brothers: Will We Ever Learn?” at the end of Ch. 5 of Management. Discuss the scenario with your team. Discuss the second, third, and fifth discussion questions at the end of the case with your team. Answer each question based on your team’s discussion in no more than 350 words per question. Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 3-1. As a university student, your institution’s social principles and practices reflect on you, as a stakeholder, in the organization. Therefore, it is your right to question how these practices should be evaluated in relation...
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...MGT 521 WEEK 3 To purchase this visit here: http://www.activitymode.com/product/mgt-521-week-3/ Contact us at: SUPPORT@ACTIVITYMODE.COM MGT 521 WEEK 3 MGT 521 Week 3 Career Plan Building Activity Reasoning Aptitude,MGT 521 week 3 organizational planning,Week 3 Quiz, Reflection A++ GRADED!!! Navigate to the My Career Plan in Phoenix Career Services through the My Career Plan link. Complete the Career Plan Building Activity: Reasoning Aptitude. Review the Reasoning Aptitude results page. Add tips to your career plan by selecting the opportunities tab and click the “tips” next to the competency you want to add to your career plan. Click the “my career plan” tab on top of your page to view your populated career plan. Write a paper of no more than 350 words discussing the results of your Career Plan Building Activity: Reasoning Aptitude. What do your results tell you about your individual thinking style or your thought process range? How does knowing this information and your Competencies and Work culture Preferences help you to understand how work is done in teams? What adjustments can you make to your own teamwork style based on your Career Plan Building Activities? Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment. 2- Review the example SWOT Analyses located in this week’s Electronic Reserve Readings to see the types of information companies include. Complete the following tasks in the University of Phoenix Material: Organizational Planning...
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