BUS 210

Foundations of Business

Week One

Introduction to Business

• Compare and contrast profit and profitability.
• Describe the impact of supply and demand on a market economy.
• Identify the main components of business.

Course Assignments

1. Course Preparation

• Read the course description and objectives.
• Read the instructor’s biography and post your own by Week 1 Day 2.

2. Readings

• Read Appendix A regarding the final project requirements (Course Materials forum).

• Read 1 & 2 of Introduction to Business.

3. CheckPoint: Business Models and Systems

• Consider a local business whose services you frequently use. What are the main components of this company’s business model?
• Write a 200- to 300-word response describing the three components of the business system that comprise the local business you selected. Use Figure 1.2 on p. 11 of Introduction to Business as a reference. Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 1 Day 3.  Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document.

4. Discussion Questions

Respond to each question in 75 to100 words.

• Your friend has asked you why the price of bananas is higher during certain times of the year. Using what you have learned about the laws of supply and demand, explain to your friend how the market affects price.

Respond to your classmates’ answers by asking additional questions that a newcomer to business might ask. Is the explanation clear? Which areas do you understand? In which areas would you like more clarification?

• What makes some companies more profitable than others? What are the similarities and differences between profit and profitability? Provide real-world examples to support your answer.

1. Participate with at least two substantive comments in the Main forum at least 4 of 7 days.
2. Week 1 DQ 1: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 1 DQ 1 thread in the Main forum by Day 2.
3. Week 1 DQ 2: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 1 DQ 2 thread in the Main forum by Day 4.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 1 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted

to eCampus

Week Two

The Changing Environment of Business

• Explain the different forms of business organization.
• Describe how business has evolved from feudalism, mercantilism, and capitalism.

Course Assignments

4. CheckPoint: Business Organization

• Resource: 2 of Introduction to Business
• Write a 200- to 300-word description of a business scenario, either real or fictional, that depicts each of the following forms of business organization:

o   Joint-stock company

o   Limited liability company

o   Partnership

o   Sole proprietorship

• Post your response to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 2 Day 3.  Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document.

5. Assignment: Evolution of Business Presentation

• Resource: 2 of Introduction to Business
• Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation describing the evolution of business.
• Include information about the following points:

  • Feudalism
  • Mercantilism
  • Capitalism
  • Commerce
  • Property rights
  • The Industrial Revolution

• Provide examples and appropriate visuals to illustrate each phase of business.
• Include detailed speaker’s notes, a title slide, and an APA reference slide.

• Post your response to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 2 Day 7. Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion questions are not required this week.

Participation

Participation is not required this week

Summary of Week 2 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted

to eCampus

Week Three

Legal and Ethical Issues in Business

• Recognize the effects of ethics decisions on business.
• Compare and contrast business ethics and the law.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

• Read 3 & 5 of Introduction to Business.

2. CheckPoint: Code of Ethics

• Resource: 5 of Introduction to Business
• Imagine that you are starting your own company. What will be the ethical code of your company?
• Write a 200- to 300-word ethical code of conduct listing the rules and principles that your company will use in decision making.
• Provide a brief explanation of why you selected each rule and principle.

Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in

Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 3 Day 3.  Don’t forget to

attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted

to eCampus

3. Discussion Questions

• Review the Business in Action case studies on pp. 143, 146, 154, & 159 of the text. Select one case that you find especially interesting and explain how ethics and decision-making effect the individuals involved in the scenario.

Respond to two of your classmates who selected a case study other than the one you selected. Ask for additional information or clarification if needed. Explain why you agree or disagree with their assessment of the issues.

• If the majority of companies strive to conduct their business ethically, why is there a need to create laws? How are ethics different from the law? How are ethics and the law the same? Support your answer with real-world examples.

• Participate with at least two substantive comments in the Main forum at least 4 of 7 days.
• Week 3 DQ 1: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 3 DQ 1 thread in the Main forum by Day 2.
• Week 3 DQ 2: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 3 DQ 2 thread in the Main forum by Day 4.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 3 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Week Four

The Human Side of Business

• Describe the roles and behaviors of entrepreneurs, managers, and employees.
• Outline the four functions of management.
• Examine a business plan using SWOT analysis.

Course Assignments

1. CheckPoint 1: Roles and Behaviors

Throughout this course you examine various aspects of business by creating a fictional business. You use the business you created to explore how the different functions of business may affect a company.

• Resource: 3 of Introduction to Business
• Complete Appendix B by writing a paragraph explaining your fictional company.
• Describe the main roles and behaviors of the entrepreneurs, managers, and employees your company might have.
• Answer the following question after you have completed the table: What behaviors and attitudes should be cultivated in your organization?
• Post Appendix B as an attachment.

Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in

Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 4 Day 2.  Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted

to eCampus

2. CheckPoint 2: Four Functions of Management

• Resource: 3 of Introduction to Business
• Review the four main functions of management, which are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, on pp. 78–82 of Introduction to Business.
• Consider a time when you were tasked with management, such as in the workplace, at home, or coordinating a party.
• Describe your event and categorize your actions under each of the four functions of management using Appendix C.
• Post Appendix C as an attachment.
• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 4 Day 4.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

3. Assignment: SWOT Analysis

• Resource: 3 of Introduction to Business

• Select a sample business plan from the list your instructor provides.

• Research your sample business plan at http://www.bplans.com/Sample_Business_Plans/.

• Review the example on p. 97 of the text as a guide.

• Conduct a SWOT analysis of the sample business plan you selected.

• Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper explaining the business plan you selected and your SWOT analysis discussing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the company you chose.

• Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

• Post your paper as an attachment.

• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 4 Day 7.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion questions are not required this week.

Participation

Participation is not required this week

Summary of Week 4 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Week Five

Leadership

• Discuss the components of persuasive communication.
• Explain the types of political tactics used in business.
• Summarize the major components of the contingency theory of leadership.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 5 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

• assignment posted to eCampus

Week Six

Organizational Behavior and Culture

• Identify theories of work motivation.
• Identify the characteristics of high-performing groups and teams.
• Compare and contrast different types of organizational structure.
• Explain how organizational culture can impact a business.

Course Assignments

1. CheckPoint: Motivation and Teams Case Study

• Resource: 7 of Introduction to Business
• Read the two case studies on pp. 233–236 of the text.
• Answer the following in a 200- to 300-word response:

  • What motivation theories may be found in each case study?
  • Describe the theories found in each case study and cite specific examples.
  • What was each business owner’s approach to creating high-performing teams within their company?

• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 6 Day 3.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

2. Assignment: Job Fair Brochure

• Continue to explore the hypothetical company you created in Week Four. You have set up a booth at the local job fair to generate interest in your new company and search for prospective employees.

• Create a 1-page brochure describing your company’s structure, business model, and culture.

• Write a 500- to 750-word paper in APA format describing the structure, business model, and culture you selected. Provide justification for why you selected each element and explain how your choice may affect your business.

• Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

• Post your brochure and paper as an attachment.

• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 6 Day 7.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion questions are not required this week.

Participation

Participation is not required this week

Summary of Week 6 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

Week Seven

Human Resource Management

• Explain the ways that human resource management impacts a business.

Course Assignments

1. Readings

• Read 9, 12, & 13 of Introduction to Business.

2. CheckPoint: The Impact of HRM

Your manager has asked you to draft a proposal for improving the management of human resources in your company.

• Resource: 13 of Introduction to Business
• Describe the best ideas for improvement presented in the brainstorm session from the human resource improvement Discussion Question.
• Select the best ideas from at least two of the different areas discussed. What are the different ways that changes to these areas would affect a business?
• Explain your answer in a 200- to 300-word response.
• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 7 Day 3.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

3. Discussion Questions

• There are many ways that a company can motivate its employees. Consider the different types of pay and benefits described on pp. 420–423 of the text. What type of incentive do you think is most effective for creating a motivating work environment? Why?

• Your instructor will assign you one of the five areas of human resources management to discuss. Imagine that you work in the human resources (HR) department of a medium-sized company. Your manager has asked you to brainstorm ways to improve one of the five areas of human resource management in your company. Assuming that all five areas are currently functioning at an equal level, what type of improvement would you implement in your assigned area? What effect do you think the improvement will have on your business?

Respond to your classmates by considering the implications of their suggested HR improvement. Do you have any recommendations that would expand on their ideas? Are there any negative implications to their suggested HR improvement?

• Participate with at least two substantive comments in the Main forum at least 4 of 7 days.
• Week 7 DQ 1: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 7 DQ 1 thread in the Main forum by Day 2.
• Week 7 DQ 2: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 7 DQ 2 thread in the Main forum by Day 4.

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 7 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

Week Eight

Technology, Goods, and Services

• Identify standard IT applications used in business.
• Describe the typical hardware and software components of business technology.
• Examine the effects and costs of operations and material management in business.

Course Assignments

1. CheckPoint 1: IT Applications Presentation

• Resource: 9 of Introduction to Business
• Create a 5- to 7-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation to teach your fellow students about the following IT applications:

o   Transaction processing systems

o   Knowledge management systems

o   Expert system and artificial intelligence

o   Enterprise resource planning systems

o   E-commerce systems

• Include detailed speaker’s notes and examples.
• Post your presentation as an attachment.
• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 8 Day 2.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

2. CheckPoint 2: Hardware and Software Components

• Resource: 9 of Introduction to Business
• Complete the table in Appendix E by describing the uses of the following hardware and software components:

  • Legacy systems
  • Mainframe computers
  • Microprocessors
  • PCs
  • Network computers
  • World Wide Web and the Internet
  • Wired and wireless broadband technology
  • PC software
  • Networking software
  • Computer security software

• Post Appendix E as an attachment.
• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 8 Day 4.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

3. Assignment: Developing Good Business Sense

• Resource: 12 of Introduction to Business
• Read the Developing Good Business Sense activity on p. 394 of the text.
• Answer Questions 1–4 from the activity in a 700- to 1,050-word paper.
• Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.
• Post your paper as an attachment.
• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 8 Day 7.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each

assignment posted to eCampus

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion questions are not required this week.

Participation

Participation is not required this week

Summary of Week 8 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Week Nine

The Big Picture

• Identify career paths within the business environment.
• Create a portfolio based on core business principles.

Course Assignments

1. Capstone Discussion Question

• What career paths are of interest to you? How has the information presented in this course influenced your thoughts about your personal career path? What insights or reactions do you have concerning what you now know about the field of business?

• Participate with at least two substantive comments in the Main forum at least 4 of 7 days.
• Week 9 DQ 2: Post a 75- to 100-word response to the Week 9 DQ 1 thread in the Main forum by Day 2.

2. Final Project: Business Portfolio Presentation

• Resource: Appendix A

• Review the CheckPoints and assignments you completed throughout the course.

• Create a 10- to 15-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation of information about the fictional company you created in Week Four. You may use text, charts, tables, and visuals to detail the different areas of business found within your company.

• Include information on the following topics:

o   Business organization

o   Potential legal or ethical issues

o   Business culture

o   Types of motivation

o   Human resource management

o   Technology

o   Operations and materials management

• Include detailed speaker’s notes, a title slide, and an APA reference slide.

• Post your final presentation as a Microsoft® PowerPoint®

• Post this to your assignment section of eCampus as an attachment in Microsoft Word (Excel or Powerpoint) by Week 9 Day 7.

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus

Weekly Reminders

Discussion Questions

Discussion question responses will count towards the class participation requirement.

Only posts in the Main classroom forum will count towards your class participation score.

Summary of Week 9 Deliverables

Don’t forget to attach your certificate of originality document for each assignment posted to eCampus