1 page
The Discussion for Module 2 focuses on the control function; it poses two related questions to be addressed separately.
Two sources that supplement your background reading assignment are:
Controlling and its importance in management. (2012). Mexus Education. Available from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_TqI2PqF8g&nohtml5=False
Controlling organizational performance. (2014). Pearson Learning Solutions, New York, NY.
Week One – Strategic Management
Continuing with the event you discussed in the Module 1 discussion, let’s raise our perspective to 30,000 feet, drawing on your personal experience where that seems useful:
An important first step in formulating a strategy is to identify objectives and concerns (i.e., the criteria to be considered determining the approach(es) to achieving objectives, the goals that serve to benchmark progress, and the risks to be recognized and minimized).
What are/were some objectives and concerns to be considered in planning that event?
Week Two – Control
One of the goals to be considered in this event-planning effort is to maximize attendance (e.g., family members or company employees).
- What do you think would be a reasonable objective to achieve with respect to that goal?
- How would you propose to attract at least that level of attendance?
- What approach to forecasting attendance would you recommend, say, one week before the picnic is scheduled?
- Assume that forecast indicates some shortfall relative to that original objective. With only a few days left to bring planned and actual attendance together, what is your next step?
Discussion expectations are for students to post each week: a response to the questions posed and at least two or three substantive replies to the contributions of fellow students or the class instructor. “Substantive” implies more than simple agreement or other one-liners: explain your position, offer an example, and at least some external referencing is called for in each module. The best examples of discussion contributions provide some depth – compose a coherent paragraph or two, offer some originality, and demonstrate an understanding of the concepts covered in the module. Proofread what you have written before publishing it.