Author: chris

Listed below are the names of some of the world’s top technology-related innovators. They have also been called leaders, entrepreneurs, disrupters, or good old-fashioned trouble-makers. They have gone against the odds, rattling stale industries to build new ones. Recognize their names? Not likely, though you may instantly recognize their product, technology, or scientific inventions, which have made headlines. However, their success would not be possible without the effective management of team members. For this assignment, you are required to choose two people from the list and create a PowerPoint presentation.

First, choose two leaders from the list below:

Caleb Chung
Cory Booker
Craig Venter
Dan Olschwang
Diane Greene
Hjalmar Winbladh
Jeremy Stoppelman
Mark Gorton
Russell Simmons
Sunil Shaunak

Now, respond to the following:

Utilize your research and identify the methods these innovators or leaders are using to communicate through technology in an effort to remain relevant in their industries.
Explain how technology has advanced each of their businesses, leading to growth.
Determine if innovative products, such as Google X, iWatch, or the new Cardboard Bike, can be linked to transformational or transactional leadership. Defend your position.
Self-managed teams are often used to hide inventions from public view. Utilizing your research, identify ways managers and project leaders working under constraints can accomplish this.

Read the article entitled “Leadership Excellence: Communicate Your Vision”. Next, assess the consequences of leaders not being able to communicate their change vision. Discuss the outcomes of a change management plan with an under-communicated vision of change. Develop a strategy for avoiding under-communicating the change vision.

• View the video titled “John Kotter – Communicating a Vision for Change” (4 min 16 s) below. You may also view the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGVe3wRKmH0. Next, assess the means of communication that are available to us as leaders. Review Kotter’s comments regarding communication, and efficient and effective communications. As the leader of a large organization implementing a change, develop a strategy for communicating your vision of change. Discuss the tools that the organization would use as well as the frequency of communication.

Essays should be 4 to 6 pages in length, should use direct quotations from the text to prove a thesis, and outside research is strongly encourage. All quotations and citations should use either MLA or APA format.

First Paper (Due 10/27/15)  Choose one topic from the following:

1. Imbedded within Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s story “The Yellow Wallpaper,” is her critique of the role and place of women in Western cultures. What does Gilman see as the plight of women in her own society? What is the cost to women of being consigned to that plight?

2. “The Cask of Amontillado” uses a first-person narrator (a narrator that is a character in the story), and, sometimes, first-person narrators can be untrustworthy.

• How trustworthy or untrustworthy do you consider the narrator?
• Are there any ways that the narrator might be manipulating the truth?
• How would you describe the narrator’s thoughts toward himself and his actions?

3. In Kate Chopin’s “The Story of an Hour,” after learning of the supposed death of her husband, Mrs. Mallard closes the door to her room so that her sister Josephine cannot get in, yet she leaves the window open. Why does Chopin make a point of telling the reader this? How might this relate to the idea of being “free” and to the implicit idea that she is somehow imprisoned? Do other words in the story relate to this idea?

Assignment 2: Discussion

During the first year or two of its existence, what reasons are there for a small-town nursing home to engage in any sort of strategic planning? This is a time when the venture’s resources are stretched to the limit and all its attention is focused on reaching bed capacity with admitting new residents. Are there any disadvantages for the organization if it fails to think about long-term strategy? Explain why.

Second paper 

Choose any poem we have not talked about in class and is not part of the syllabus. Write an analysis of the poem which discusses relevant aspects of the poem, which may include rhyming scheme, word choice, meter, imagery, metaphors, etc.

Your thesis statement should focus on the theme (meaning) of the poem, and how the poet uses literary terms in order to imply or emphasize the meaning.

Outside research on the poet and/or poem is strongly encouraged; MLA or APA format should be used to cite any sources. Please also provide a copy of the poem you write about.

You may write about relevant aspects of the poet’s life in the paper ONLY if these aspect are significant to the understanding of the poem. (In other words, do not provide biographical information about the poet unless it directly relates to the poem itself).

The number of pages required to complete this essay will largely depend on which poem you choose. It is suggested you choose a poem which is ripe with material to analyze.

Describe and evaluate a company’s pricing and retail strategy. Include analysis of the current market situation and the competitive strategy. Make sure to choose a company that you are familiar with and one that you have not used for other modules in the course.

Your essay should cite and discuss at least three credible outside sources and should apply the concepts presented in the textbook regarding pricing and retail strategies.

Your paper should be 2-3 pages in length, well written, and formatted according to APA

• Describe a situation in which you or someone you know had difficulty with oral communication in the workplace or in an interpersonal situation.
• Explain why you or the other person had difficulty communicating in the situation.
• Provide 3 guidelines that you recommend for effective oral communication, whether face-to-face with another person or over the phone.
  • Explain your reasoning for providing the 3 guidelines you offer.
• What are 3 effective things you find useful when preparing to give an oral speech or presentation?
  • Explain why you find these useful.

POST 1

TOPIC: In what career paths would knowledge of Excel worksheets benefit an individual? Would knowledge of Excel be beneficial for you in your current or future career? How could you use Excel in your personal life? (Please consider any volunteer activities, clubs, etc.) What type of spreadsheets would be useful in the types of careers, and personal business, that you described?

POST 2

Amy Priest             

POST 3

Paula Lopez