Purpose

To assess your ability to analyze and recommend the best strategy a firm can have.

Action Items

1. Review the Grading Rubric (below).
2. Access your eTextbookand read the Unique Partnership Drives Wegman’s case in Chapter 10 (pp. 305, 306, and 334 in the 11th edition).
3. Access your eTextbookand read “A Really Great Place to Work” in Chapter 10 (p. 334 in the 11th edition).
4. Access your eTextbookand consider the Questions for Discussion in Chapter 10 (p. 334 in 11th edition).
5. Review and consider the guidelines from the 5-step critical-thinking decision-making matrix located in the MBA Toolbox in Critical Thinking Process.

 

 

 

5-Step Critical Thinking Decision-Making Process Matrix

Step 1: Identify the problem(s) and uncertainties.

What exactly is the problem…

(Study the problem to clarify what you need to know to solve it.  Distinguish problems over which you have some control from problems over which you have no control. Pay special attention to controversial issues in which it is essential to consider multiple points of view.)

 

The problem is this …

(Write out the problem clearly and precisely, with details. Write the problem in different ways until you get it perfectly clear in your mind.)

 

This is an important problem because…

(Remember in business, a problem is important if it affects the bottom line. So how does this problem affect the bottom line (net income).

 

The key question(s) that needs to be answered to solve this problem is…

(Every problem has questions connected to it. Here we want you to write out the most important question(s) you need to answer to solve the problem. State it clearly and precisely. Being specific is very important.)

 

Step 2: Obtain information.

The following information is needed to answer this question…

(Here you are looking for the facts and/or data that help you solve the problem. Actively seek the information most relevant to the question. Include in that information options for action, both short-term and long-term. Recognize limitations in the terms of resources such as money, time, and people.)

 

Some important assumptions I am using in my thinking are…

(Figure out what you are taking for granted. Make sure these assumptions are reasonable. Watch out for self – serving or unjustified assumptions.)

 

 

The points of view relevant to this problem belong to…

(Who are your stakeholders?  Determine whether the stakeholder’s point of view is relevant.)

 

Note: Remember to view the information you have obtained for potential bias. This is from the perspective of your own bias to the research and the bias of the authors who compiled the data and the research you gathered. In other words, do not discount the importance of other’s data because of your own bias(is).

Step 3: Make predictions about the future.

If this problem gets solved, some important implications are…

(Evaluate options, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of possible decisions before acting. What consequences are likely to follow from this or that decision?)

 

If this problem does not get solved, some important implications are…

(Evaluate options, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of possible decisions before acting. What consequences are likely to follow from this or that decision?)

 

The potential alternative solutions to solve the problem are…

(If the problem involves multiple conflicting points of view, you will have to assess which solution is the best.)

 

Note:  if the problem is one-dimensional, there may be just one correct solution.

Step 4: Make decisions by choosing among alternatives.

What is the best solution and why…

(After following the process above, I think the best solution to the problem is… Defend your recommendation.)

 

Step 5: Implement the decision, evaluate performance, and learn.

In business, the fifth step in the decision making process is implementation. In the MBA program, most times you will end with Step 4 since you will not have the opportunity to implement. You may be asked to develop an implementation plan and recommend how you will evaluate performance in some assignment

 

6. Review the Sample Business Brief.
7. Write a1-page analysis according to the Business Brief Guidelines. Complete sentences must be used (bullets not acceptable). Your analysis must be written using a concise writing style. Your brief should incorporate all of following instructions:
   1. An opening paragraphbriefly introducing the case situation. Note: The first half of opening paragraph is to provide a synopsis of the company. The second half of the opening paragraph is state the problem (From Step 1 of the matrix).
   2. Analysis header– This analytical section should be based on your personal assessment of the situation. The information for this section of brief should be derived from Steps 2 and 3 of the matrix. Your analysis should address the following:
      1. How has Wegman’s approach to supporting and rewarding its employees and managers created an environment that drives employee engagement, faith in leadership, business productivity, and customer satisfaction? Support your response with examples from the Wegman’s case and with appropriate citations from the text
   3. Conclusion header– This section should include your opinion based on your analysis of the case information and situation outcome. Your recommendation should address the following question and provide only key relevant information and logical discussion in support of your opinion:
      1. Should Wegman’s continue to use the practices described in the case, based on your additional reading and your consideration of the questions?
   4. Appendix A, containing the grading rubric for this assignment.