Learning Activity #1
1. The Martin family has been making guitars out of its factory in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, for more than 150 years. In 2004, Martin Guitar was proud to produce its millionth instrument. Go to http://www.martinguitar.com to link to the Martin Guitar Web site and read about the company’s long history. You’ll discover that, even though it’s a family-run company with a fairly unique product, it operates like any other company. Identify the main activities or functions of Martin Guitar’s business and explain how each activity benefits the company.
2. Explain the difference between an ethical dilemma and an ethical decision. Then provide an example of each. Describe an ethical lapse and provide an example.
Learning Activity #2
1. Critically discuss the trade deficit in the United States. What is its nature and purpose? Support your claims through the use of a scholarly source.
2.You own a company that employs about two hundred people in Maine to produce hockey sticks. Why might you decide to outsource your production to Indonesia? Would closing your plant and moving your operations overseas help or hurt the U.S. economy? Who would be hurt? Who would be helped? Now, armed with answers to these questions, ask yourself whether you would indeed move your facilities or continue making hockey sticks in Maine. Explain your decision. Support your claims with a scholarly source.
Learning Activity #3
1. Talk with a sole proprietor about his or her selected form of business ownership. Ask him or her which of the following dimensions (discussed in this section) were important in deciding to operate as a proprietor: setup costs and government regulations, control, profit sharing, income taxes, skills, continuity and transferability, ability to obtain financing, and liability exposure. Discuss what you learned from the business owner, and link it to either a concept in the text book or another scholarly source.
2. Critically discuss the following questions: How ―small is a small business? If a substantial portion of small businesses in the United States suddenly closed, what would be the impact on the U.S. economy? How would all these closings affect workers, consumers, and other businesses? Use scholarly support for your claims.
Learning Activity #4
1. Without a plan, it’s hard to succeed. Successful managers set goals and determine the best ways to reach them. Successful students do the same thing. Develop a strategic plan for succeeding in this course that includes the following steps:
1a. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats as they relate to this course.
2b. Establish goals and objectives, or performance targets, to direct all the activities that you’ll perform to earn a high grade in this course.
3c. Describe tactical and operational plans for achieving your stated goals and objectives.
2. Describe your definition of a leader vs. a manager and how vision and communication, among other characteristics play a role. Use scholary sources to support.
