Mind Your Business <\/p>\n
COMPETENCIES TO MASTER<\/p>\n
Can use logic, reasoning and analysis to address a business problem<\/p>\n
Can locate and use information in basic business documents, such as manuals and reports<\/p>\n
Can use a spreadsheet to perform a variety of calculations<\/p>\n
Can write a business memo<\/p>\n
Can use appropriate language, tone and word choice for the target audience<\/p>\n
Can generate a variety of approaches to addressing a problem<\/p>\n
Overview<\/p>\n
You work for Winnie Widget, the president of Acme Widget Company. Acme is a small but growing company that has 26 current employees. The company is housed in an old factory building with several other small- and medium-sized companies. The area around Acme is very industrial and there are not many places to eat nearby. A number of employees have asked Ms. Widget to install vending machines in the office. Ms. Widget wants to keep employees happy but also wants to keep costs low. She needs your help. She has asked you to analyze the situation using a spreadsheet and to write up a memo in which you present the options and make a recommendation.<\/p>\n
Directions<\/p>\n
Part 1: Spreadsheet<\/p>\n
Begin by consulting the relevant documents in the Project resources, including the employee survey and the brochures from two vending companies. Define the problem as precisely as you can and formulate the question you want to answer. Then, brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.<\/p>\n
Next, complete the Spreadsheet in the Project resources to guide your analysis of the problem and possible solutions. Your spreadsheet should include:<\/p>\n
the number of employees who want each machine.<\/p>\n
the average purchases per day for those who responded \u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
the monthly costs to Acme for each option.<\/p>\n
the monthly cost for employees for each option.<\/p>\n
the total monthly cost (Acme cost + employee cost) for each option.<\/p>\n
Use the spreadsheet to perform the required calculations. Do not perform calculations yourself (on paper, with a calculator, etc.). Make sure to use the following formulas and functions at least once:<\/p>\n
SUM<\/p>\n
AVERAGE<\/p>\n
PRODUCT or multiplication<\/p>\n
QUOTIENT or division<\/p>\n
COUNTIF or COUNTA<\/p>\n
IF<\/p>\n
After you have finished the spreadsheet, answer the following questions, which are included at the bottom of the spreadsheet:<\/p>\n
Why is it useful to use formulas in this scenario?<\/p>\n
Which formula did you find most useful or hardest to use, and why?<\/p>\n
This spreadsheet will be submitted as one of two deliverables for this Project.<\/p>\n
Part 2: Memo<\/p>\n
Flesh out the details of your top three solutions that you think you will present in your memo. Note the advantages and drawbacks associated with each solution. Remember there are nonmonetary considerations as well. You can certainly use your own real-world knowledge in coming up with solutions, but be sure to work within the framework of the information provided.<\/p>\n
Analyze your top three solutions, and decide which one is best and the key reasons why. Then, write a business memo to Winnie Widget. Your memo should:<\/p>\n
briefly explain the situation.<\/p>\n
explain three feasible solutions.<\/p>\n
identify the best solution and explain why it is best.<\/p>\n
be written in standard format (see the Business Memo Purpose and Format resource in the Project resources).<\/p>\n
use appropriate language for its purpose (see Audience and Purpose resource in the Project resource).<\/p>\n
be free of spelling and grammar mistakes.<\/p>\n
DELIVERABLES<\/p>\n
Completed Spreadsheet<\/p>\n
Accepted File Types: .xls, .xlsx<\/p>\n
Business Memo<\/p>\n
Accepted File Types: .doc, .docx, .odt, .rtf, .txt, .pdf<\/p>\n
Project Resources<\/p>\n
These are links to public external resources. Any comments or statements made on these public websites are not representative of College for America.<\/p>\n
Spreadsheet<\/p>\n
This resource contains the Acme Widget Company Employee Survey Results. Review the spreadsheet, explore the remaining Project resources, then complete the spreadsheet. Submit it as a deliverable for this Project.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Superior Sodas and More Brochure<\/p>\n
Review this resource, which contains the brochure for Superior Sodas and More. <\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Vendor Queen Bruchure<\/p>\n
Review this resource, which contains the brochure for Vendor Queen.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Cell References, Formulas and Functions in Google Spreadsheets<\/p>\n
Read this document, which explains the formulas you will need to utilize in the spreadsheet for this Project.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Business Memo Purpose and Format<\/p>\n
Review this document, which contains the purpose of a memo, as well as instructions for appropriate formatting.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Creating Simple Formulas in Google Spreadsheet<\/p>\n
Watch this video, which explains how to add, subtract, multiply and divide using Google Sheets. <\/p>\n
Note: The formulas operate similarly in Excel.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Creating Complex Formulas in Google Spreadsheets<\/p>\n
Watch this video, which explains how to perform more complex calculations that require more than one type of operation using Google Sheets.<\/p>\n
Note: The functions operate similarly in Excel.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Audience and Purpose<\/p>\n
Read this article, which describes the purpose of a memo and writing appropriately to an audience.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Sample Memo<\/p>\n
Review this resource, which contains a sample business memo.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Skill-Building Resources<\/p>\n
These are links to public external resources. Any comments or statements made on these public websites are not representative of College for America.<\/p>\n
CfA Citation Guide<\/p>\n
This resource helps to explain how citations should be used in CfA Projects including formatting guidelines and where to get help.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Goal Question and Answer Sessions<\/p>\n
Read this document to learn how to join a live question and answer session about this Goal hosted by a College for America Goal Mentor.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Introduction to Google Sheets: Video Collection<\/p>\n
Review these videos for an introduction to using Google Sheets. <\/p>\n
This is a SNHU Library resource. Consult the SNHU Library Resource Guide in Project resources for instructions on how to access SNHU Library resources.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Cell References, Formulas and Functions in Google Sheets<\/p>\n
Read this document, which explains how to use functions, formulas and cell references in Google Sheets.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
SNHU Library Resource Guide<\/p>\n
Use this resource to learn how to access SNHU Library resources from within CfA projects. <\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
APA Citation Question and Answer Sessions<\/p>\n
Read this document to learn how to join a live question and answer session about citing information in APA format hosted by a College for America Goal Mentor.<\/p>\n
VIEW <\/p>\n
ADD TO LIST<\/p>\n
Rubric<\/p>\n
The Rubric is used to evaluate your Project. Satisfying all of the Rubric criteria shows that you have mastered the project and the relevant competencies.<\/p>\n
CriteriaMastery? <\/p>\n
Relevant information from the business documents has been identified and entered correctly into the spreadsheetYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Spreadsheet uses all required formulas appropriately and cell references wherever possibleYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
All calculations are correct and use formulasYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Memo identifies problem accuratelyYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Memo contains an accurate analysis of the problemYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Memo includes three feasible solutions to the problemYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Analysis of problem and possible solutions is supported with evidenceYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Memo follows standard business memo format, with an introduction, body and closingYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Memo uses appropriate language, tone and word choice for target audienceYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Writing is clear, with no major errorsYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n
Any sources of information are cited using APA format, with no major errorsYes<\/p>\n
Not Yet <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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