Capstone component 1 executive summary

OL 421 FINAL PROJECT GUIDELINES AND RUBRIC

Due of submission: 04/22/18 at 4PM, EST.

Overview

You will complete a capstone that integrates the knowledge and skills you have developed in the business core coursework and over the duration of the term by

creating an executive summary that highlights the performance of your company from the Capsim simulation. The executive summary is your opportunity to

show your knowledge of the organization, products, and business functions—skills that professionals in this field must possess. You will also reflect on your

journey through the business core and how you plan to position yourself both professionally and in your upcoming program of study. This personal and

professional reflection will specifically focus on business communication skills, professional etiquette, and peer-to-peer and peer-to-leader collaboration.

Evaluation of Capstones

This capstone will be assessed somewhat differently than other courses you have taken online at SNHU. There are two separate components, which will be

evaluated as a unit in determining whether you have demonstrated proficiency in each outcome. Your instructor will guide you through this process, keeping a

running narrative of your strengths and weaknesses in relation to the outcomes as you progress through the class. Your work is expected to meet the highest

professional standards.

This assessment will evaluate your mastery with respect to the following outcomes:

• OL-421-01: Demonstrate business communication skills and etiquette for constructing personal and professional reflections in a variety of business environments

• OL-421-02: Analyze strategic problem-solving skills for enhancing business success

• OL-421-03: Analyze the use of quantitative and qualitative tools for informing strategic decision-making • OL-421-04: Assess ethical, legal, and social challenges for suggesting improvement and enhancement strategies

• OL-421-05: Assess peer-to-peer and peer-to-leader collaboration for improving performance and decision making

• OL-421-06: Analyze global business markets for informing future business expansion choices • OL-421-07: Analyze entrepreneurial and innovative approaches for solving authentic business problems

Prompt

Since you just finished the Capsim simulation, compiled your results, and are now looking to the future of your company, the first component of your capstone

requires you to compose a company performance summary. Imagine that this summary is for new members of the topic of directors of your company. It is

imperative that the topic understand your company, its value, and its development cycle over the last eight years. This is your opportunity to exhibit your

knowledge of your organization, your products, and how your business functions.

High-level business executives are often short on time, so it is important that your summary is concisely written and rich in content. As has been emphasized in

previous classes in the business core, effective business communication, peer-to-peer and peer-to-leader collaboration, and professional etiquette are

mandatory skills to have when entering today’s business world. Because this is the last course in the business core, the second component of your capstone requires you to reflect on your use of business communication skills, professional etiquette, and collaboration skills throughout the Capsim simulation, this course, and the previous courses you have taken in the business core.

Capstone Component 1: Executive Summary

For the first of two capstone components, you will develop a comprehensive, professional executive summary by analyzing quantitative and qualitative tools,

analyzing strategic problem-solving skills, assessing any ethical, legal, or social challenges that may be encountered, analyzing global markets, and analyzing

entrepreneurial approaches. This executive summary will be used to inform new members of the topic of directors who must become familiar with your

company.

The following sections should be included:

I. Progress of the Company. You should briefly bring the new topic members up to speed about the progress of your company over the past eight years. While it is not important to describe every change, be sure to give an executive-level overview of the various products, strategies, and performances.

II. Current Situation. Here, discuss the current situation of your company by performing and analyzing a full SWOT analysis.

a) Strengths: Identify the strengths of the organization.

b) Weaknesses: Identify the weaknesses of the organization.

c) Opportunities: Identify potential opportunities the organization should explore in order to expand.

d) Threats: Identify external factors that could negatively affect the organization.

III. Future of the Company.

Consider the results of your SWOT analysis, and detail an approach you plan to take regarding your top priority at the company. Be sure to include any innovative or sustainable approaches in your plan.

IV. Ethical, Legal, and Social Challenges. Discuss any ethical, legal, or social challenges the company may have faced or could face in the future, and suggest strategies for how the company could overcome these challenges.

V. Global Considerations. In this section, discuss what necessary factors would need to be considered if the company were to expand into the global market. Consider the opportunities and threats outlined in the SWOT analysis previously in order to analyze the greatest advantages and disadvantages to expanding this company into the global market.

Final Project Rubric

This rubric will be applied to both components as a whole, and no component will be assessed on its own. The “Possible Indicators of Success” are examples for you and the instructor of the types of concepts to look for to demonstrate proficiency. They are neither exhaustive nor proscriptive and should be used as guides for illustrating how your capstone embodies the outcome. All outcomes are weighted equally.

Guidelines for Submission: The submitted executive summary should be comprehensive and adhere to best practices for business writing. Be sure that your writing is concise and appropriate for your target audience. Any quoted, paraphrased, or borrowed information should be cited according to the guidelines in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).