While you are playing the role of a new leader in an organization, remember that you are also writing a paper that will be evaluated by an instructor. Thus, you want to make it easy for the instructor to clearly see that you have demonstrated the outcomes of the assignment. Don’t make your instructor search for information; guide them to it. How? By double-checking the scoring guide and ensuring that you have clearly demonstrated each of these competencies at what you believe is the “distinguished” level.
Read the following and think about how Panera used critical thinking and an understanding of VUCA to solve its “mosh pit” problem.
Jargon, J. (2017, June 2). How Panera solved its “mosh pit” problem. Retrieved from https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-panera-solved-its-mosh-pit-problem-1496395801 Note: As an MBA learner, you have access to a free subscription to the Wall Street Journal. See the Wall Street Journal page on Campus to access your subscription.
Then, find another company with a problem they need to fix. You may use NASA, BP, or United Airlines, all of whom have had numerous high profile problems to solve in recent years, if you wish. Or, you may choose a company that you know has an issue. If you are unsure who to use, try searching “Companies with customer service problems” online and you will get a lot of ideas, though your problem doesn’t have to be about customer service.
Write an APA-formatted paper that does the following:
1.Summarize the problem you researched. Then, apply Kallet’s critical thinking framework to describe how the leadership of this company should think through the problem to create a solution. Finally, give at least one evidence-based solutioneither that you came up with through your research or that you read the company is going to employ or did employ. Next, describe what VUCA considerations the leadership must keep in mind as they implement this solution.
2.Work on being concise but thorough, keeping your academically formatted paper to no more than 4 double-spaced pages.
3.Your paper should include, and be organized, as follows: Introduction: Write an introduction that tells the reader what to expect of this paper (1 paragraph). It would be most effective to include a brief mention that leaders at Panera bread effectively used an understanding of critical thinking and VUCA to solve their “mosh pit” problem, and that this paper applies a similar framework to solving whatever problem in the organization that you chose. Choose an organization with a problem that you can research.
Problem: Describe the problem that you will be solving for another company, describing the situation (13 paragraphs).
Thinking Critically: Apply the framework for critical thinking as outlined by Michael Kallet in Think Smarter to the problem you identified to describe an evidence-based recommendation for this company to improve. You can create your own unique recommendation, or show how critical thinking applied to a solution that someone else came up with already or applied, which you read about in your research. (13 paragraphs)
Applying VUCA: Explain how VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) could affect both the situation and your recommendation, and any important considerations for management in implementing the recommended solution (12 paragraphs).
Conclusion: Write a conclusion that wraps up and summarizes your document (1 paragraph). The Capella Writing Center, which you can reach by clicking MBA Program Resources, then Writing, has good information on how to write an effective conclusion.
References: Include at least 2 APA-formatted citations in your paper.
Deliverable
Write a 2 page academic paper following APA style and formatting. Refer to the writing resources in the MBA Program Resources in Tools and Resources, especially paying attention to the MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines, under Writing Resources.
ePortfolio
This portfolio work project demonstrates your competency in applying knowledge and skills required of an MBA learner in the workplace. Include this in your personal ePortfolio. See the Tools and Resources for more information on ePortfolio.
Note: Your instructor may use the Writing Feedback Tool when grading this assignment. The Writing Feedback Tool is designed to provide you with guidance and resources to develop your writing based on five core skills. You will find writing feedback in the Scoring Guide for the assignment, once your work has been evaluated. Learn more about the Writing Feedback Tool on the course Tools and Resources page.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding scoring guide criteria:
Competency 2: Apply leadership strengths and behaviors to workplace situations. Apply a critical thinking framework to a business situation.
Explain how VUCA can affect a business situation and a recommended solution.
Competency 3: Recommend evidence-based strategies for leading and collaborating in complex environments. Recommend an evidence-based solution to a business situation.
Competency 4: Communicate effectively through academic and professional writing. Provide an overview of a business situation.
Develop text using organization, structure, and transitions that demonstrate understanding of the relationship between the main topic and subtopics.
Integrate appropriate use of scholarly sources, evidence, and citation style.
Convey clear meaning in text through sound grammar, usage, word choice, and mechanics.
