Business Short Paper

Business Short Paper

The short paper and business memo should be two pages long (double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins, excluding title paper, references, figures and tables). Note that single-spaced quotes or bullet points may be included in the text of these papers. Each paper is worth 30 points or 15% of the total course grade. Papers will be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Overall crisp, well-constructed analysis (up to 5 points)
• Utilization of principles and concepts from the readings and a minimum of two sources with appropriate citations (up to 10 points)
• Good examples to illustrate key points (up to 10 points)
• Clear implications/recommendations and conclusions (up to 5 points)

             What does it mean to organizations?

             What are some strengths and weaknesses?

• Points will be reduced for papers that exceed two pages

The following points provide additional clarity around the Short Papers.

• Feel free to use a case from your internship experience or something in the public domain. It does NOT have to be tied to your Field Project.
• The objective is to have you look at the case for change and analyze it based on your learnings from the readings, class discussion, and any other relevant, available material. The analysis, using one, or more, of the change models, i.e., Kotter, LaMarsh, Bridges, Deming, Heath, is what matters most.

The Short Paper and Business Memo should utilize the following format:

             Introduction of Issues (including a brief description of the AB journey)-brief discussion of the situation to be discussed, including key considerations.

             Implications and Rationale-in essence, this analysis is the meat of the paper.

             Conclusion and Recommendations-this is the “So What”. Based on your analysis, provide a clear conclusion and recommendations.

Short Paper Sample

Introduction of Issues (including a brief description of the A to B journey)

Implications and Rationale

Conclusion and Recommendations

Introduction Example: The recent acquisition of Acme by US Holdings has brought about the need in the short-term to ensure there are no losses of key individuals as we develop an integrated strategy, structure, and business plan.

• Key-Brief discussion of the situation to be discussed, including key considerations.

Implications and Rationale Example: The following are examples of things to discuss: 1) Uncertainty of Acme’s employees causes the need to assess key employees that need to be retained for both short and long-term business needs. There are pros and cons of letting key employees know their value to the business (discuss/reference e.g., Larkin and Larkin, Bridges, etc.); 2) Consider change management training/timing and implications (reference e.g., Bridges model here or at end); and 3) Discuss development of a change management model (reference e.g., Kotter/Heath) to guide actions.

• Key-In essence, this Analysis is the meat of the paper.

Conclusion and Recommendations: Conclusion and recommendations (one can reference e.g., Larkin and Larkin, Bridges, Kotter/Heath here), your thoughts on what was done, how well/not so well, changes on how it could have been done better.

• Key- “So What,” provide a conclusion and recommendations.