What past personal experience(s) can you relate to the parable?

The parable of the Place of Honor examines the power of being humble. We as leaders and businesspeople should operate from a place of humility rather than a place of haughtiness. As we think about how we interact with others and how others see us from our interactions, we need to be mindful of how Christ has called us to be humble in our approach to leading and serving. This is difficult at times because many of us are wired to move forward, get things done, and do whatever it takes to be successful. We can still do all these things, but we need to accomplish them through a lens of humility. We should not be people who only try to promote ourselves, but we should be people that work hard, care for others, and do whatever it takes to build healthy and gracious relationships. God has called us to a life of humility, and when we lead, love, and care through humility, we will always do so from a seat of honor through Christ’s strength within us.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

Integrate the VBM into research, reading, writing, and reporting.
Demonstrate the ability to write for practitioner websites.
Background Information
This is the seventh parable in our series for the course. We have been discussing and learning together about the Virtuous Business Model through these parables. We have also been applying the learning gained from the parable readings and our reflection on the VBM to our personal and professional lives. In this final week, you will do the same; however, as you reflect on the scripture reading for this week, also consider the prior weeks and how the you might integrate the broader scope of learning that has occurred more fully in your life.

Instructions
Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
Read Luke 14:7-11(new tab) and review the Virtuous Business Model(Excel spreadsheet).
Reflect on the following questions:
What past personal experience(s) can you relate to the parable?
How does the Scripture inform your understanding of the VBM?
What can you do differently or better as a result of this reflective learning exercise?

Explain the three key components of the TBL framework and how each component benefits businesses and society.

Competencies

In this project, you will demonstrate your mastery of the following competencies:

Recommend operations management methods and techniques to increase value for customers

Evaluate how operations management generates value for an organization

Explain local, national, and global sustainability in relation to functional areas of business

Scenario

You work as the chief supply-chain officer at the large international corporation, NationaliTeas. NationaliTeas manufactures and sells tea worldwide. Its motto is “Keeping people and their taste buds awake (when they want to be awake).” Its mission is “Make the world more awake through rejuvenating and refreshing beverages and sustainable practices that uplift workers, communities, and souls.” Its vision is “to be the most respected tea manufacturer across at least three continents for our tea and our actions, which will be driven by a commitment ethical sourcing, minimal waste, and empowerment of our employees.”

You would like to establish an operational goal of having your corporation apply for a B Corp Certification within the next two years. You believe this would add value to the organization and help it to prioritize a stronger focus on sustainable operational practices. You have conducted a preassesment based on the recommendations for applying for B Corp Certification, and you’ve evaluated the corporation’s current strengths and areas for improvement.

Now you need to develop a proposal for the board of directors that explains why prioritizing the triple bottom line (TBL) through working toward B Corp Certification has organizational value. You must also propose three high-impact initiatives to help strengthen the corporation’s commitment to people, planet, and profit based on your evaluations.

Directions

Part One: Justification of Benefits: Justify the value of working toward more intentionally incorporating the TBL framework into organizational decision making, specifically how ethical business practices regarding people, planet, and profit can benefit society, the environment, and the company’s profit. Specifically, address the following:

Key Components: Explain the three key components of the TBL framework and how each component benefits businesses and society.

Organizational Value: Provide a justification regarding the value and benefits of using the TBL framework to inform corporate decision making, and explain connections between the organizational mission and the organizational vision.

B Corporation Benefits: Briefly describe the organizational benefits of attaining B Corp Certification.

Part Two: Operational Recommendations: Read through the Preassessment Evaluation Summary (located in the Supporting Materials section) for each aspect of the TBL (people, profit, and planet). You will need to provide a detailed description of the initiatives that will create the needed improvement. You should note the organizational and societal value of the initiative along with the operational management techniques recommended to plan and complete each initiative. For each of your three initiatives, address the following:

Organizational Impacts: Describe the organizational benefits of each initiative, specifically noting the expected positive impact of completing each. Examples of positive impacts include better alignment to the organization’s mission, vision, and culture statements; increased amounts of funds or resources saved; and improvements to the organization’s brand.

Societal Impacts: Describe the societal benefits of each initiative, specifically noting the expected positive impact of completing each. Examples of positive impacts include increased community building and positive environmental impact.

Customer Impacts: Describe the consumer benefits of each selected initiative, specifically noting the expected positive impact of completing each. Examples of positive impacts include increased alignment to target markets, improved product access and availability, and improved customer satisfaction.

Business Risks: Explain the business risks associated with prioritizing, planning, and resourcing each initiative and how these risks will be considered and monitored.

Operational Management Techniques: Recommend an operational management strategy or technique (e.g., project management, lean manufacturing, or Six Sigma) that is appropriate to implement for each selected initiative, and explain why.

Defining Requirements and Scope: Define the requirements for the successful implantation of each selected initiative as well as the scope of each. Describe how changes to the requirements and scope would impact timelines, budget, and risk.

Roles and Responsibilities: Explain the key internal and external stakeholders who would be involved in planning and implementing each selected initiative, as well as why each identified stakeholder is needed to successfully implement the initiatives.

Analyze the importance of stable dividend policies.

Stock Repurchases
In the short article “Royal Dutch Shell Finally Delivers Big Stock Buyback, But Shares Break Support” by Aparna Narayanan (see below), stock repurchases may produce favorable effects on key financial ratios.

After reading the article, address the prompts below.

Include an introduction that summarizes the article.
Analyze the importance of stable dividend policies.
Determine reasons behind stock repurchases.
Analyze how individual financial metrics are specifically affected by stock repurchase plans and returns.
Should be at least two pgs in length, not counting the title and reference pages. You are required to cite and reference at least your textbook and the article. Use APA format to cite in-text and reference citation

compose a brief essay where you will develop an opposing case in response to one of the following readings

For this assignment, you will compose a brief essay where you will develop an opposing case in response to one of the following readings

Does Patriotism Matter? (Chapter 9, p. 228)
Right to Bear Arms (Chapter 9, p. 229)
Why Prisons Don’t Work (Chapter 10, p. 238)
Multitasking: A Poor Study Habit (Chapter 10, p. 254)
As you write, keep in mind that this is not a critique of the existing case. Use the reading of your choice as motivation to form and advance your own claim about the same issue discussed in the reading.

Requirements:

Support your arguments with credible sources accessed through the library.
Follow the basic essay format.
Develop a thesis that includes three supporting ideas that will be repeated as level I headings.
Place the thesis at the end of the introduction.
Include level I headings for each body paragraph and the conclusion.
Use third person.
Cite at least two credible sources. One must be a scholarly journal article

What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?

Primary Task Response: Read the dialogue below. Within the Discussion Board area, write 400-600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Michelle knows that MM needs to determine who the target customer is for the new product. She knows that marketing research needs to be done as part of this market segmentation and product development processes, but she is not well-acquainted with some of the details that are involved in the processes. She has stopped by your office to ask some questions.

“Thanks for canceling your other meeting this afternoon,” she says.

“No problem,” you say. “I rescheduled my meeting with multimedia; it actually works out better for them, too.”

“I’ve heard about quantitative and qualitative research, but I’m not sure I really understand the difference between the two,” she begins. “I’m sure there are advantages and disadvantages to each of them, but without knowing, I’m not sure which type of research we need to conduct. What do you think?”

Before you can respond, Michelle’s cell phone vibrates.

“Excuse me, I have to take this,” she says.

Michelle takes her call and then stands up.

“Well, I’m sorry to do this, but I have an emergency that I have to deal with right now,” she says. “Would you do me a favor? Send me a memo that explains the two types of research and include brief explanations about the advantages and disadvantages of each as related to how they could be used by MM. I’d like to be able to speak intelligibly to this at the next board meeting.”

“Sure,” you respond, thinking that this will make for a pretty lengthy e-mail. “I’ll also include how each method can help us define our target market. Will that help?”

“Yes, great idea,” she replies.

“Ok! I’ll get that to you by close of business tomorrow,” you say.

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100-word reply about their Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

What did you learn from your classmate’s posting?
What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?

Identify the criminal justice agencies that may want to claim jurisdiction in all three of the case studies

Need an APA format paper for case studies regarding jurisdiction. Attached is the case studies and below are the requirements.
Part one:

In 250-500 words do the following for all three case studies

Identify the criminal justice agencies that may want to claim jurisdiction in all three of the case studies
Explain briefly why each agency would want to claim jurisdiction and what the benefit would be to each agency.
Explain briefly why an agency may NOT want to assume jurisdiction.
To what degree should ethical considerations, such as what is best for the victim, the community, or even the offender, factor into jurisdictional decisions?
Part two:

In 500-700 words

Select one of the case studies discussed in Part 1. Then, choose one of the agencies and imagine that you are going to argue to your superior that your agency deserves jurisdiction.
Write a report explaining why your agency deserves—or may not want—jurisdiction. Expand upon and build support for the brief explanation from above.
Be sure to state your position and draw upon examples from the case study and learning resources to support your position.

What should the company do to develop good customer relationships? How can managers of the company develop good business relationships?

Best Practice Paper: the objective of this paper is to apply the theories presented to you in the text and the lectures. You may choose a company, for which you will write a paper of approximately 2,000 words minimum, which contains answers or recommendations to the next seven questions.

What should the company do to develop good customer relationships? How can managers of the company develop good business relationships?
How can managers of the company design the customer journey? What is the role of technology in developing the customer experience?
What should the company do to measure the customer’s perspective? How can managers of the company measure, control and manage the operation?
What should the company do to manage and motivate service providers? How can customers be ‘managed’ and motivated?
What should the company do to use “value” to drive continuous improvement?
Identify PUV criteria of the company. What are the options for change?
What should company and its managers do to influence cultural change?

“Is environmental damage an inevitable consequence of the pursuit of growth in GDP?”

ASSESSMENT
You are a trainee at Odburn and Clear LLP (OC), a leading international law firm with offices in 11 major cities throughout the UK and Europe and its headquarters in London

QUESTION 1

OC’s environmental lawyers are hosting a conference for existing and potential clients on current environmental law developments. As part of that conference OC will have stands in the foyer at which junior lawyers will present a short paper on a topical area into which they have researched. Attendees at the conference will circulate the stands and gain an insight into the issues so the paper needs to be short, professional in tone, thought provoking, well researched and demonstrate critical evaluation. The title for the paper you have been allocated is as follows:

“Is environmental damage an inevitable consequence of the pursuit of growth in GDP?”

You have been advised as a guide to:

• Use approximately 1000 words for the paper.

• Evaluate the component parts of the current calculation of the UK’s GDP from the point of view of the relationship between growth in GDP and environmental damage. Provide examples where you can from your research.

The component parts are:

GDP = C + I + G + (NX)

Where

C is private consumption I is private investment
G is government spending NX is imports minus exports

• Research alternative metrics which focus on sustainability and critically evaluate two of the most useful alternatives.

Total marks for Question 1: 30 marks

Given the flexible working patterns of their lawyers OC are considering reducing their city centre footprint nationally and instead opening hot desk office space close to public transport hubs. The footprint reduction will produce significant cost savings. A schedule of the likely cost savings and the estimated costs of the hot desk facilities is set out below.

Your supervising partner, Raul Patel is to attend a partners’ meeting at which the issues are to be discussed. When speaking to Raul you mentioned the payback method and net present value (NPV) as a way of analysing the data, he was impressed that you had such an insight. Raul has asked you to prepare a note for him to read prior to the meeting in which you provide:

(a) A payback period calculation based on the information in the grid below and an analysis of the usefulness of this method in this scenario.

(10 marks)

(b) An explanation of NPV including what it would add to the analysis together with any factors to take into account in using NPV.

(10 marks)

(c) Your analysis of the risks and benefits of the proposed plan. Please ensure your note covers the wider commercial implications as well as financial issues, drawing conclusions where you can.

(10 marks)

Year 0 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Cost saving – reduction in city centre footprint (based on current cost) 7m 7m 7m 7m 7m 7m
Investment in setting up and running hot desk space (12m) (5m) (3m) (3m) (3m) (3m)

Total marks for Question 2: 30 marks
Question 3
You were recently involved in preparing a pitch for a client. Your team are going to prepare a pitch for the work of a large retail company but your seat in the department has come to an end. Your partner has asked you to prepare a note for incoming trainees in which you set out:

(a) Your reflections on what you personally learnt from the process, please include your initial view and how you adjusted your view as a result of the process; and

(5 marks)

(b) An instructional guide for new trainees in which you explain the rationale for the pitch process and provide instructions and guidance for preparing the content and delivering a pitch. Please reference useful resources throughout your guide which the trainees can use to explore points more deeply.

(15 marks)

Total marks for Question 3: 20 marks

QUESTION 4

Ruby Abara, the recruitment partner at OC, has drafted questions to be put to all candidates at the forthcoming trainee interviews. She has asked you to provide a brief answer to the following strategy question for use by members of the interview panel.

“Is the increasing use of legal technology by in-house lawyers a threat or an opportunity to OC?”