Monthly Archives: February 2023

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS – CATEGORY MANAGER ANALYSIS

Due Date

Week 3

Note: While representative of possible situations faced by Alikay Naturals, all scenarios in this assignment are fictional.

Real Business

Let’s roll up our sleeves and use what we’ve learned this week in a real-life business situation. Each week, you’ll encounter a scenario where you will assume the role of a business person at or who works at a national discount retail store, like a Walmart or Target. These companies provide important, everyday staples for millions of people across the country and have become very successful businesses in the process.

Discount retail stores have locations in communities across the country. They often have strong and recognizable brands that are household names. We will explore how business works throughout this course by taking on a few of the many different roles at successful companies like these.

Your Role

This week, you’ll assume the role of a Category Manager for the Beauty Products category at a national discount retail store.

WHAT IS A CATEGORY MANAGER?

Category Managers are responsible for related groups of products (for example, baseball equipment or laundry detergents) for a retail business. They use research, information and insights about the category to change shopper behavior and increase sales of the products in the category. They also work with the suppliers of the products in their category to ensure that good products and services are available to customers.

As a Category Manager, part of your role is to analyze data and information about how well a product is selling to help the maker of that product improve the product and consider introducing new products. Rochelle and her team at Alikay Naturals have asked you, the Beauty Products Category Manager, to review one of their products and determine where it lies in the product life cycle. Additionally, they have asked you to recommend ways to improve the product in order to increase sales.

INSTRUCTIONS

Click DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE and DOWNLOAD RESOURCES at the bottom for all of your assignment materials!

Step 1: Product Life Cycle

Read the Product Report for Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo. The Product Report contains important information that will help you to identify where the product stands in the Product Life Cycle and give you clues about what changes customers might like to see. Respond to Rochelle and her team at Alikay Naturals based on the information in the Product Report.

• Identify where Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo is currently positioned in the product life cycle and describe the rationale for your position.
• Compose 3 questions that Rochelle should pose to her team to better understand the product’s positioning and potential at this particular stage in its life cycle. (E.g., if you have determined the product is in the Introduction Phase, you might suggest the question: How have competitors priced similar products?)

Step 2: Product Changes

Based on what you’ve learned:

• What recommendation(s) do you have for Alikay Naturals to improve or replace Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo?

Step 3: New Product Development

Read the New Product Proposal, which contains three examples of possible products that could be developed to replace Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo. Based on the information in this proposal and the customer feedback in the Product Report:

• If you had to recommend one product, which product would you recommend they create? Explain your decision.
• Determine which type of innovation this represents from among the four main types discussed this week. Briefly explain why you chose that type of innovation.

Note: You should complete Step 4 after reading the material in Week 3

Step 4: Production Methods

Based on your understanding of Alikay’s position in the product life cycle and expected sales volume:

• Which production method do you think Alikay is using for the Black Soap Shampoo? Explain your rationale.
• If Alikay chose to keep the Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo and launch your recommended product as a ͞limited time only͟ trial, what production method should Alikay use for the test market product? Why?

Step 5: Real-World Application

Choose a product at your company or one that you are familiar with that is in the mature stage of the product life cycle. Briefly describe the product, why you believe it is in this phase, and what improvements could be made to change its current path.

You have been assigned to analyze the project plan of a payroll system  that is behind schedule and over budget. The project was supposed to be  completed in one year, but now it is running about three months behind  schedule and 25 percent over budget. It is expected that the project may  continue to fall further behind schedule and over budget. Your superior  wants to know if the project can be saved. Recommend a series of  actions to save the project, and identify the risks in taking such an  approach.

employee training and development

• Write a letter from the perspective of a person who lived through an important historical event, innovation, or movement during the 19th or 20th century. Describe that event, innovation, or movement as if you were someone who actually experienced it, and discuss the potential impact of historical events on the future.

Old pictures are a joy to look at, aren’t they? A trip down memory lane just isn’t complete without a glance at those moments of smiling faces, silly candid shots, and priceless memories captured at weddings, births, and holidays. When we examine the past of our own lives, we do so with all of the knowledge and experience we have now. In other words, we’re looking at the past from a future perspective. 

When it comes to the study of history, considering historical events from our own, current perspective can be dangerous, as doing so can lead us to make erroneous decisions and assumptions about the world. By thinking critically about the past and adopting the perspective of those who experienced it, you will be practicing your problem-solving and agility skills, which will help youmake better decisions in this course and your future.

• Essential Skills

Using your agility skill requires examining the world through the lens of multiple personal perspectives while also placing those individual viewpoints in their larger social and historical contexts. Like the women who succeeded in their quest to secure voting rights, access to birth control, and workplace rights, when you are agile you are better able to understand multiple sides of an issue and thus develop a uniquely tailored solution.

In your professional life, you will encounter many situations where you’ll need to evaluate historical context and cause and impact before you make a decision. That might mean trying to decipher why a past business decision was ineffective, considering a patient’s medical history, or looking at the professional successes in your own life so you can replicate your accomplishments in the future. Whatever the situation, your ability to step outside yourself and consider other perspectives is critical to staying agile every day and solving problems personally and professionally.

Skill Application

How does practicing your agility skill set you up for success? In this document, you’ll travel through time to discover why agility is an essential skill for leaders. And, you’ll evaluate situations where a lack of agility has contributed to failure

• Overview

For this assessment, imagine you are a person living through an important historical event, innovation, or movement during the 19th or 20th century—one that emerged to solve a problem or that created problems of its own. Write a letter describing that event, innovation, or movement as if you were someone who actually experienced it. For example, you could write from the perspective of someone who was part of the women’s suffrage movement in the 1910s, a member of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s, or a soldier in the Vietnam War during the Tet Offensive in 1968.

Preparation

Explore a particular historical event, innovation, or movement from the 19th or 20th century that interests you. Refer to the chapter readings in the Resources for options from which you may wish to choose. 

Instructions

Step 1: Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.

• Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement that happened during the 19th or 20th century from the perspective of someone who lived in that time (either a real person or fictionalized).

Step 2: Explain the personal impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on that person.

• You can also discuss the impact of the historical event, innovation, or movement on the family and/or community of the person.

Step 3: Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement and potential solutions to that problem.

• For example, if you are writing as a member of the Underground Railroad in the mid-19th century, you might discuss your thoughts on addressing the problem of slavery. Similarly, if you are writing as someone who experienced the Great Depression, you might examine the factors that caused this crisis and ways to address such economic problems.

Step 4: Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.

• Reflect on how the event might impact the future. For example, if you are writing as someone experiencing the Cold War, consider how those living at the height of Cold War tensions might have viewed the future.

Step 5: Write coherently with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Additional Requirements

Your submission should meet the following requirements:

• Written communication: Written communication should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.• Citations and formatting: Include a title page formatted according to APA Style and Format guidelines. Citing sources is not required for this assessment, but be sure to write in your own words based on your knowledge of the time period.• Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.• Length: 3–5 pages of text (in addition to the title page).

Competencies Measured

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

• Competency 2: Determine the causes and long-term impacts of an historical event. o Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.o Explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.o Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.• Competency 3: Explain lessons learned from U.S. historical events and their potential influence on a current problem or situation. o Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem. • Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and relevant to its purpose and audience. o Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.• Living History Scoring Guide

Living History Scoring Guide 

Criteria 

Non-performance 

Basic 

Proficient 

Distinguished 

Describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time. 

Does not describe an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.

Attempts to describe an historical event, innovation, or movement but doesn’t do so from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.

Describes an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time.

Describes an historical event, innovation, or movement from the perspective of someone who lived in that time, giving specific examples. 

Explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time. 

Does not explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.

Attempts to explain the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time, but the explanation is incomplete or inaccurate.

Explains the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time.

Explains the impact of an historical event, innovation, or movement on a person who lived in that time, using specific examples. 

Describe the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event. 

Does not identify the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.

Identifies the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event, but provides little description.

Describes the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event.

Describes the potential impact of an historical event on the future, based on the perspective of someone who lived through that event, using specific examples. 

Explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem. 

Does not explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem.

Attempts to explain the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem, but the explanation is incomplete or inaccurate.

Explains the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem.

Explains the problem associated with an historical event, innovation, or movement, including potential solutions to that problem and specific evidence. 

Write in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics. 

Does not write in a well-organized and concise manner.

Writing is unclear, wordy, or disconnected, with errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Writes in a well-organized and concise manner that adheres to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Organizes content so clarity is enhanced and all ideas flow logically and smoothly. Writes concisely, precisely, and directly, with nearly flawless adherence to the rules of grammar, usage, and mechanics. 

Introduction

Leadership coaching is becoming a trend for those who are looking to expand their leadership horizons. This discussion is designed to explore your thoughts on developing a coaching program in your own organization.

Tasks

Discuss how you would develop and implement a leadership coaching program in your organization. In doing so, be sure to address:

• How you will incorporate the leadership coaching plan with the organization’s mission
• How leaders will develop goals for specific situations
• How your program will address at least one of the following:
  • To prepare for a position that requires substantively different leadership skills than you currently possess
  • To take a new position within your organization
  • To transition to a new organization
  • To improve your performance when someone has expressed concern about a deficit in your leadership skills that may be negatively affecting your performance

To support your work, use your course and textbook readings and also use the South University Online Library. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Your initial posting should be addressed at 500–1000 words

This week, you will decide what topic in modern society interests you. The deliverable for this week’s course project will be 2 paragraphs that

• Introduce the topic you have selected for the paper;
• Explain why it is significant in modern society;
• Identify which two philosophers you will be applying in the paper; and
• Are written in APA format.

Please make sure that it is your own work and not copy and paste. Please watch out for spelling errors and grammar error. Please read the study guide.

Book Reference:  Gomez-Mejia, L. R., Balkin, D. B., & Cardy, R. L. (2016). Managing human resources (8th ed.) [VitalSource Bookshelf version]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780133953718 

 If you were managing workflow within teams, how would you attempt to keep team employees motivated within your current organization? Explain your response, and use at least one academic source to support your points. 

The selection of a research design is guided by the study’s purpose and research questions and hypotheses, and the design then links the research questions and hypotheses to the data that will be collected. You should keep in mind, however, that the research process is interactive, not necessarily proceeding in a linear fashion from one component to the next. Rather, the writing of research questions could, for example, necessitate adjustments to the study’s purpose statement. Nevertheless, when presented together, the various components of a research study should align. As you learned last week, alignment means that a research study possesses clear and logical connections among all of its various components.

In addition to considering alignment, when researchers select a research design, they must also consider the ethical implications of their choice, including, for example, what their design selection means for participant recruitment, procedures, and privacy.

For this Discussion, you will evaluate quantitative research questions and hypotheses in assigned journal articles in your discipline and consider the alignment of theory, problem, purpose, research questions and hypotheses, and design. You will also identify the type of quantitative research design the authors used and explain how it was implemented. Quasi-experimental, casual comparative, correlational, pretest–posttest, or true experimental are examples of types of research designs used in quantitative research.

With these thoughts in mind, refer to the Journal Articles document for your assigned articles for this Discussion.

By Day 4

Post a critique of the research study in which you:

• Evaluate the research questions and hypotheses.

  The Research Questions and Hypotheses Checklist serves as a guide for your evaluation. Please do not respond to the checklist in a Yes/No format in writing your Discussion post.

• Identify the type of quantitative research design used and explain how the researchers implemented the design.
• Analyze alignment among the theory, problem, purpose, research questions and hypotheses, and design.

APA 

references

Kwate, N. O., & Goodman, M. S. (2015). Cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of racism on mental health among residents of Black neighborhoods in New York City. American Journal of Public Health, 105(4), 711–718. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302243

Imagine that you are a senior consultant at Practical Health Care Consulting. Your supervisor has instructed you to spend three months at the Caring Angel Hospital to help improve the quality of care, add value to the organization, improve employee morale, design an efficient organizational chart, create a strong team environment, and create the hospital’s competitive advantage. The hospital has traditionally made losses year after year. Furthermore, it is not performing well financially, and the banks are not willing to lend it large sums of money for more effective marketing.

After spending two months within the hospital, you are very happy with your progress, and you think you are capable of acquiring more patient base and expanding the hospital market. However, with a closer look, you notice that your patients are still hopping from one specialized hospital to another in search of various specialized treatments. You also notice that the seats are not comfortable in the waiting area, and the patients continuously show up for appointments on the wrong dates. The nurses and the employees are not smiling during patient conversations, and everyone looks for ways to blame others for failures in the patient treatment process. Everyone seems to work alone and hide what they do from their colleagues.

At the end of the 3-month period, you must provide a report with your recommended strategies designed to help Caring Angel Hospital achieve its goals.

Note: You may create or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.

Requirements

Write a 4–6 page paper in which you:

• From a consulting perspective, propose the major steps that Caring Angel Hospital could take to achieve each of the following goals:
  • Improve the quality of care.
  • Add value to the organization.
  • Improve employee morale.
  • Design an efficient organizational chart.
  • Create a strong team environment.
  • Create the hospital’s competitive edge.

In an essay, answer the following questions about the concepts tied to this unit. Your response needs to be at least one page in length.

• To what extent is employment-at-will an issue in discipline cases in nonunion companies?
• To what extent is it an issue in unionized companies?
• Based on your research, what advice do you have for managers?
• What advice do you have for lawmakers (i.e., to what extent should employment-at-will be relevant for employee discipline)?