Using the company Vans “Off The Wall” as an example:

What is the leadership structure and approach for your Company? 

This section is the structure of the leadership of the company which would be in an organizational chart to show the positions and who reports to whom. Then be specific on the leadership approach that creates the culture of the company. How involved are the employees in decision making, what is communication like in the organization? Does the organization have an entrepreneurial spirit such as Google or is it more traditional with the executives and management making all decisions? This is a much deeper dive into the leadership and culture of the business.

What is your overall assessment of the business today and in the future?

This section should give a detailed assessment that is supported by research of how the company has performed, the assessment of how they treat customers and employees and the overall success of the business today as well as what you predict in the future. Remember these are not opinions, they are statements based on all the research you have done on the business. 

Follow APA, with table of contents, introduction, conclusion, and reference page. Include at least two sources other than the textbook (David, F.R. & F. David (2016). Strategic Management: Concepts (16th ed.). NJ: Prentice Hall, ISBN-13: 978-0-13-4-15397-1) for the assignment.

After reviewing the video and article below, take one of the offensive technical skills discussed in Chapter 3 of the text and provide a review and analysis of how the author teaches and discusses this skill. In your review and analysis, be sure to address the following questions.

How would YOU teach the skill? Use information from the video and the link to support your method. What specific teaching techniques would you use to instruct the skill effectively? More importantly, did the author assume anything? Put yourself in the mind of a player who knows nothing about the skill you are trying to instruct. What visualizations will you try to create in the player’s mind? What words will you use? Notice how coach Walsh states that there is no aspect in football more important than teaching. He demonstrates how good he was at teaching in the explanation of how he wants a block to occur. How will you teach your skill so effectively that the player has no doubt about what you want to occur?

Each skill has a section titled “Key Points’ located on the top left hand side of the page. Explain why these key points are valuable for learning the skill.

Discuss anything that you would add to this section. Did the author do a good job of correcting the common errors? What would you do differently as a coach?
This essay must be submitted as an attachment on a double-spaced Word document of approximately two pages in length.

VIDEO

https://youtu.be/zxoVcf1G7VI

BOOK

The three-point stance (see figure 3.1) is used primarily by linemen, tight ends and fullbacks. This stance helps keep the player’s pad level down and promotes a quick, explosive start, especially straight ahead. For run blocking, the three-point stance is ideal; its limitations are that from it, the lineman’s pass set is more difficult and players cannot see the defensive alignments as well before the snap.

The two-point stance (see figure 3.2) is used primarily by wide receivers and tailbacks. This stance allows the player to have excellent vision of the defensive deployment, which is far more important for these positions than a low, explosive start.

Quarterbacks use a specific version of the two-point stance (see figure 3.3) with feet more parallel to the line of scrimmage and hands under the center. Again, being able to see the defense is far more important to the quarterback than the quickness of his start.

Achieving Balance 

On the snap, balance is required for quick, sudden movement in any given direction. Players may feel more comfortable moving in one direction—for example, they may prefer moving to their left instead of to their right—but all players need to strive to be skilled at moving in both directions, as well as straight ahead, with equal quickness. 

In the three-point stance, as shown previously in figure 3.1, linemen must keep enough weight on the down hand so that they have some forward lean, but not so much that they fall forward if someone knocks the hand out from under them. This balanced position allows the player to start to his left, right or straight ahead with a low pad level. 

Players positioned in the two-point stance, as shown previously in figure 3.2, should keep some weight on each foot to stay balanced, with slightly more pressure on the foot that will stay on the ground when they take their first step. In a traditional two-point staggered stance, the player should move his back foot first, leaving the front foot on the ground. Therefore, before the snap the player should have slightly more weight on his front foot, but not so much that he risks losing his balance forward before the snap. 

The quarterback’s stance, as shown previously in figure 3.3, requires the quarterback to keep his weight evenly distributed between his feet, with slightly more weight and pressure on the foot that will stay on the ground when he takes his first step. If his first step is to his right, he should keep his left foot on the ground at the snap of the ball, pivoting slightly on that foot as he takes his first step with his right foot, opening up to the right. 

The two-point stance used by a tailback, or halfback, involves all the same elements of balance and pressure as the two-point stance for wide receivers or quarterbacks. However, the tailback’s feet should not be staggered in his alignment. Both feet should be parallel to the line of scrimmage and his hands can rest comfortably on his thigh pads as he bends slightly at the knees. At the snap, the tailback must push off the foot that is opposite his starting direction and take his first step with the foot closest to the direction he is going. 

In all stances, players should remember to keep weight on the balls of their feet, even if that means taking a somewhat pigeon-toed stance, because doing so will eliminate false steps. In addition, to take advantage of knowing the snap count, the offensive team needs to start plays at different times within the cadence, hoping that someone on defense will jump offside and that all defensive players will become hesitant about their start because they won’t know when the ball will be snapped. Of course, if offensive players commit a false start and incur illegal procedure penalties because of the changing snap count, the advantage swings the other way! 

Feeling Comfortable in the Stance 

Comfort in a stance is imperative. Offensive players must be able to remain poised and stable on a long snap count. They need to develop a poised, comfortable stance that is solid while at the same time being coiled—weight forward, hips low—for an explosive start. The knees must be bent slightly, weight evenly distributed, with just enough pressure on the plant foot to keep that foot on the ground at the snap. Regardless of whether the player is in a three-point, two-point or quarterback stance, feeling comfortable improves the chances for a positive start to the play. 

Keeping the Head and Eyes Up 

Regardless of the stance that they are using, all offensive players must keep their head and eyes up so that they can see the alignment of the defenders and process as much information as possible about the defense’s tactics before the snap. Offensive players should remember that they do not need to see the ball to know when the play is going to start (with the possible exception of wide receivers playing in stadiums with large, noisy crowds). The oral command of the quarterback will start the play. So, as the quarterback starts his cadence, the other 10 offensive players should be assessing the defense for clues about their intentions on the play. Remember, too, that without having a solid, comfortable stance, your players will probably be unable to use this crucial element of offensive strategy.

Center–Quarterback Exchange 

The center–quarterback exchange starts every offensive play in football and is therefore the single most important offensive skill in the game. Nothing is more frustrating to players and coaches, or more detrimental to offensive performance, than a fumble or mishandle of the snap. At worst, the other team might take the ball away; at best, the play breaks down, wasting the efforts of the nine other offensive players. A seemingly simple skill, the center–quarterback exchange is deceptively technical and must be practiced daily to be perfected.

Hand Positioning 

The quarterback must be sure to keep his hands far enough under the center, without any separation, so that a forceful snap will not push the quarterback’s hands backward or cause him to lose the ball between his hands. The quarterback should be sure that his entire top hand, as far back as his wrist, is underneath the center (see figure 3.4). The center should position his dominant hand on the side of the football, with thumb up and fingers pointed down, and far enough forward that he can get a secure one-handed grip on the ball.

 

Professional event planners use ancillary programs to add value for the attendees and their guests. These programs are designed to entertain and engage accompanying persons, and should occur while the main event is taking place. If children are involved, this necessitates extra caution and care on the part of the event planner since this vulnerable population needs to be protected from any harm.

An important element in companion programs is that they should be gender neutral and appropriate for the audience they serve. Some ancillary programs are included in the event budget, while others require the attendee to pay for the costs involved and therefore generate revenue. For some of the ancillary programs or services, the event planner will contract with outside vendors, sometimes including catering.

Topic: Children’s Program

You are an event planner for a chartered cruise meant to accommodate working couples and their children for a 3-day, two-family reunion (i.e., each partners’ families). You are tasked with developing the children’s program from start to finish, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two snacks (morning and afternoon).

• What will be your priorities for the children’s program and why?
• What contract stipulations should be included to address any dietary needs for the children’s food and why?
• What content regarding the children’s program might you include in your production book? (See the unit Reading area example.)

  

Module 3 – Case

STRATEGIC CHOICES

Assignment Overview

The Case in this course is an ongoing exercise, meaning that we will continue to review one company over the course of our four modules. In Module 3, we will be conducting a strategic analysis of Pepsico.

Specifically, the Module 3 Case requires that you identify the primary business strategy employed by Pepsico. You will also be providing a critical, written analysis evaluating that strategy in the context of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you identified in Module 2.

Required Reading

Refer to the required and optional readings related to strategic choices, the theme of Module 3.

Case Assignment

In a 6- to 8-page paper, respond to the following:

1. Which of the four generic (Porter) strategies does Pepsico follow, and how do you know?

2. Integrate the strategy you have identified above with the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats you identified in Module 2 (this exercise should provide you with some specific actions the company should be taking relative to its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. These actions are referred to as “strategic choices”). Do Pepsico’s strategic choices align with the firm’s generic strategy? If not, what are the specific points of disconnect? Think critically about this step, as no company achieves perfect alignment of its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats with its chosen strategy. As the MBA, it is your job to uncover the discrepancies and problems.

3. How can Pepsico leverage its strengths and shore up its weaknesses by altering its strategic choices? How can the company take advantage of environmental opportunities and minimize environmental threats by altering its strategic choices? Be specific.

4. Complete the paper by commenting on how your view of Pepsico’s vision and mission has changed or has been reconfirmed by this process of strategic analysis. Would you make any suggestions to revise the company’s vision, mission, or values statements, or to any of its goals/objectives?

5. Consider the Case as a formal business report that you are developing for the Board of Directors and CEO as Pepsico’s consultant. This is a professional document. Follow the format below:

· Executive summary: This is a synopsis of the main points, conclusions, and recommendations made in the longer report. If you would like a refresher on writing an executive summary, check this website: http://www.csun.edu/~vcecn006/summary.html

· Introduction: State the main purpose of the paper (thesis statement), what you hope to accomplish, and how you will go about doing it.

· Main Body: The “meat” of the paper. Emphasize analysis, not just description. Delineate separate topics or sections with headings.

· Conclusion: Summarize your paper in light of your thesis statement.

 
 

Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated using the grading rubric.

Tips and Suggestions

· Business school case-study assignments are meant to offer practice opportunities for future business people who are earning their MBA degrees. Consider yourself a consultant hired by the company to make these critical assessments. There are no right or wrong answers to the Case question, as long as your position is well defended.

· Study the theoretical concepts provided in the Background materials section of the module, and identify main strategy concepts.

· Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 6-8 pages of analysis described above.

· Include section headings as appropriate.

· Cite and reference all sources, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes of more than five words, and citations for information you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.

· Follow Trident Guidelines for Well-Written Papers.

· Submit your analysis by the end of this module.

Module 3 – SLP

STRATEGIC CHOICES

Wonder Company Simulation – CVP Analysis

Simulation

In Module 3, you will use CVP analysis to inform the pricing of your three products.

SCENARIO CONTINUATION:

You have now completed SLP2, and the date is (once again) reset to January 15, 2017.

You turn on the TV. The local television news anchor is talking about events that occurred on January 1, 2013.

Your decision-making process will be different this time, as you will be using CVP analysis, a technique with which you recently became familiar.

You analyze the results of the decisions you made in SLP2. But this time, you aim to improve your Final Total Score by using the CVP Calculator to help you determine a new and improved strategy.

You analyze your SLP2 results using CVP and develop your complete four-year strategy, again taking notes, documenting your reasoning.

You finish the report that shows your revised strategy for the next four years.

Do not run the simulation yet. Simply turn in your written report.

Session Long Project

Write a 6- to 7-page paper, not including cover and reference pages, in which you use the results from SLP2 and CVP analysis to develop a revised strategy.

Keys to the Assignment

The key aspects of this assignment that should be covered and taken into account in preparing your paper include:

1. The revised strategy consists of the Prices, R&D Allocation %, and any product discontinuations for the W1, W2, and W3 tablets for each of the four years: 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016.

2. You must present a rational justification for this strategy. In other words, you must provide clear and logical support for your proposed strategy using financial analysis and relevant business theories.

3. Use the CVP Calculator and review the PowerPoint that explains CVP and provides some examples.

4. You need to crunch some numbers (CVP Analysis) to help you determine your prices and R&D allocations.

5. Make sure all of your proposed changes are firmly grounded in CVP analysis, on the financial and market data provided to you, and on sound business principles.

6. Present your analysis professionally, making strategic use of tables, charts, and graphs.

Time Line Summary:

SLP1

· 2016: Hired on December 31, 2016.

· Turned first report in to Sally on January 15, 2017.

SLP2

· Time Warp 1 begins: January 15, 2017. You are warped back to January 1, 2013.

· You realize you have to make decisions for 2013 – 2016, which you do.

· December 31, 2016 – You have gone through all four years, and you write your report to summarize how you did.

SLP3

· Despite your efforts in SLP2, you are once again taken back to January 1, 2013. You decide to use CVP analysis to revise the four-year plan you developed in SLP2. You analyze the results of your decisions from SLP2, taking detailed notes. You use the CVP Calculator to help develop your revised strategy, taking additional notes explaining the logic of your decisions.

 
 

SLP Assignment Expectations

Your paper will be evaluated using the grading rubric.

Tips and Suggestions

Please note the following tips and suggestions:

You might find these downloads and readings useful:

Irfanullah, J. (2013). Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis. Accounting Explained. Retrieved from http://accountingexplained.com/managerial/cvp-analysis/

Decision Matrix Table – Download this Word doc with a blank table you can use to show your proposed strategy decisions.

PowerPoint discussing CVP – Provides a good overview of Cost Volume Profit analysis, the various equations that you can use, and how to use it. Some examples are provided showing how to use the CVP Calculator.

CVP Calculator – This is an Excel-based calculator that you can use to determine prices, volumes, and profits. Keep in mind that it will tell you what need, but the market determines what you actually get.

· Include a cover page and reference page, in addition to the 6-7 pages of analysis described above.

· Use section headings as appropriate. Use graphs, charts, or figures strategically – but not as “space fillers.”

· Cite and reference all sources that you use in your work, including those that you paraphrase. This means include citations and quotation marks for direct quotes, and citations for that information which you have “borrowed” or paraphrased from other sources.

· Follow Trident Guidelines for well-written papers.

For this assessment you will research one of the fifteen U.S. federal health care agencies and discuss its role within the health care delivery system, as well as explore current changes, concerns or issues, legislative actions related to this agency. In addition, you will research and discuss an example of a health care delivery system initiative related to the concept of population health management.

Introduction

This assessment is designed to increase your overall awareness of the current role the U.S. government plays in the health care delivery system. The assessment explores the concept of population health and population health management, a new perspective being applied to health care systems.

Presently the U.S. government oversees an extensive array of health care related agencies (fifteen different federal agencies) and provides federal funding for state and local programs. It is important for all health care management professionals to gain an understanding of these agencies and how they are directly connected to, or affect operations in their organizations.

The public health system in the United States is just as extensive and often not recognized for the scope of vital responsibilities and roles it plays in assuring the health and safety of the entire population. Historically, public health and clinical medicine efforts were considered to be competitive in nature. However, over the past decade, exciting and innovative collaborative efforts have been initiated to develop health care programs designed to both prevent and reduce disease incidence rates in the U.S. population. This new business model, defined as population health, is data-driven, and strives to build innovative bridges and partnerships, and define area-specific approaches related to community needs. Population health management is focused on successfully integrating clinical care and public health efforts with an emphasis on achieving the highest quality of care at the lowest cost.

Preparation

Prepare for this assessment activity by consulting the research resources provided with this assessment.

Use the Internet and the Capella University Library to learn about the fifteen U.S. federal health care agencies, and the responsibilities and mission of each.

Choose a U.S. federal health care agency to investigate in more depth. Research current information regarding changes, concerns or issues, current legislative actions or proposals related to this agency. Utilize the following resources:

• The Wall Street Journal.
• Newsletters you subscribed to earlier in the course.
• Other current and credible sources.

Research an example of an initiative in the U.S. health care system that is implementing the principles of population health management. Utilize the following resources:

• The Wall Street Journal.
• Newsletters you subscribed to earlier in the course.
• Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (n.d.). http://www.ihi.org/about/news/Pages/default.aspx
• The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicines. (2015). Fifteen ‘Vital Signs’ for assessing and monitoring progress of the nation’s health identified in new IOM report. http://nationalacademies.org/hmd/reports/2015/vital-signs-core-metrics/vital-signs-news.aspx
• The Triple Aim framework on the IHI website.
• Other current and credible sources.

Requirements

Write a 5–6 page paper that consists of two parts as described below:

Part 1: U.S. Federal Health Care Agency

• Summarize the role of a specific U.S. federal health care agency.
• Describe current information regarding changes, concerns or issues, current legislative actions or proposals related to this U.S. health care agency.
• Share personal insights about this agency, relating the insights to the overall U.S. health care system and your health care management career.

Part 2: Population Health Example

• Evaluate an example of a current initiative implemented in the U.S. health care system based on the principles of population health management.
• Discuss how the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (IOM) core metrics for health and health care progress and public health management approaches are related to the initiative.
• Identify any barriers that arose during the planning and implementation or affected the outcome or current state of the implementation initiative.

Include APA-formatted citations and reference for all your sources.

Refer to the scoring guide to ensure that your work meets the grading criteria for this assessment.

Additional Requirements

• Written communication: Writing should be clear and well organized, with no technical writing errors, as expected of a business professional.
• APA Style: Citations and references must be formatted using current APA style.
• Length of papers: 5–6 typed, double-spaced pages, excluding the title page and reference page for each paper.
• Font: Times New Roman, 12 point.