Homework

Homework

This homework will be done as a group.

You are to analyze two local stores of your choosing. They may not be part of a larger chain, such as Home Depot or McDonalds or ShopRite.   Both stores should be in a similar business, such as restaurants. You will need to visit the stores and talk to employees or managers.

1.   What corporate policies or programs do the stores have? Does this affect how the business is managed?

2.   What is the corporate culture?

3.    Identify a few current industry trends. How do the stores address each one or how could they address them?
For this, put one trend per slide and show what each store is doing in that area.

4.    What characteristics do the local managers have?
- Describe a decision the manager had to make recently

5.   What is your overall evaluation of the management at the two businesses?
- Include suggestions for improvement.

Add something interesting that relates to what we've covered in class.

Cite your sources.

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IMPORTANT - This homework is to be done as a presentation, i.e. using PowerPoint or an equivalent (Word could also work). See class slides for guidelines about good presentation style. In addition to the slides, you may add notes to each slide.

Put both businesses on the same slide, side-by-side, where possible.

Compare like items. For example, if you say one business has a dress code, say what the other business policy is about dress. To do this, you want to get the same information about both companies. You will potentially have problems if you do any interviews separately.

Deliverables:

From the group:

Answers to the questions. Note that for each question there may be multiple parts in PowerPoint or similar format.
Slides to be printed 6 per page.
One group may be asked to present their results.

Individually:

Evaluation - potentially worth 30% of your grade
1. What have you learned from this?
2. What did your group do well?
3. What didn't go well with your group?
4. What would you do differently next time?
5. Grade and evaluate the contribution of the members of your group. Their strengths and areas for improvement.

Grading rubric:

	A	B	C	D	F
Professionalism	Typed, stapled, no spelling or grammar errors. Looks like one integrated, finished report.	Typed, stapled, no spelling, minor grammar errors. Looks like one integrated, finished report.	Typed, stapled, minor spelling, grammar errors. Looks like one integrated report.	Not stapled, spelling and grammar errors. Not an integrated report.	Not typed or stapled. Grammar and spelling errors. Just thrown together.
Presentation	Presentation slides are clean, uncluttered, easy to read. Slides follow guideline from class lecture notes. Comparisons easy to see.	Presentation slides are clean, uncluttered, easy to read. Slides follow guideline from class lecture notes. Comparisons easy to see. May be wordy.	Presentation slides are clean, uncluttered, easy to read. Comparisons generally easy to see. Wordy.	Slides are cluttered. Wordy. Comparisons are difficult.	Slides are cluttered. Wordy. Comparisons are difficult.
Policies	Good, detailed list of policies and programs. Shows thought and understanding of impact.	Good list of policies and programs. Shows thought of impact.	Good list of policies and programs.	Response is general and shows little thought into the specific situation.	Response is general.
Culture	Good description of culture. Describes impact of culture.	Good description of culture.	Minimal description.	Talks about customer experience instead of employees'.	Response is general.
Trends	Identifies several specific documented industry trends and how stores are addressing them. One slide per trend. Did research on trends. If business not engaged, will make suggestions. Applies terms and concepts from class.	Identifies several specific documented industry trends and how stores are addressing them. One slide per trend. Applies terms and concepts from class.	Identifies several specific documented industry trends and how stores are addressing them. One slide per trend.	Identifies an obvious industry trend. All trends on one slide.	Response is general. No trends.
Manager Characteristics	Uses terms and concepts from class. Includes recent decision.	Uses terms and concepts from class.	General discussion.	Minimal discussion.	Minimal discussion.
Additional information	Adds interesting information.	nothing added	nothing added	nothing added	nothing added
Evaluation	Excellent analysis and thought. Integrated evaluation, reciprocal interdependence Uses terms and concepts from class.	Good analysis and thought. Integrated evaluation Uses terms and concepts from class.	Some analysis Pooled interdependence	Little analysis	Little thought
References	Describes how information was obtained and gives references.	Describes how information was obtained and gives references.	Gives no reference to how information as obtained.	Gives no reference to how information as obtained.	Gives no reference to how information as obtained.
Evaluation	Describes the contribution of each member and strengths and weaknesses. Says what could be done differently next time.	Describes the contribution of each member and strengths and weaknesses.	Describes the contribution of each member.	Says everyone did well.	Says everyone did well.
Teamwork	May lose all points depending upon evaluation of contribution by teammates.
Teamwork	Fully contributed ideas, time and effort. The project was better because of their participation.	Fully contributed ideas, time and effort.	Minimal contribution to group's work.	Contacted the team but did not contribute	No contribution or contact with the team.