Business and Management
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
o 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 (double-spaced, indented) 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. 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:
o 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.
o Problem: Describe the problem that you will be solving for another company,
describing the situation (1–3 paragraphs).
o Thinking Critically: Apply the framework for critical thinking as outlined by Michael
Kallet in Think Smarter to the problem you identified. Describe Kallet’s “clarity”
concept and apply this to the problem, along with other aspects of Kallet’s model
as is appropriate. Describe how critical thinking can be used to understand, and
resolve, the problem. If applicable, you can explain how the company already
solved this problem, and how critical thinking was applied (2–4 paragraphs).
o Applying VUCA: Explain how VUCA could affect the situation. Specifically apply
each aspect of VUCA—volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—applies
to this problem and must be considered in any solutions. (2–4 paragraphs)
o 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.
o References: Include at least 2 APA-formatted citations in your paper.
Deliverable
Write a 3–4 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.
NOTE: You MUST organize this paper (and all papers in your MBA program)
with headings. Any paper submitted without headings will be returned, ungraded,
for revision and points will be deducted.
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.
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.
o Apply a critical thinking framework to a business situation.
o 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.
o Recommend an evidence-based solution to a business situation.
Competency 4: Communicate effectively through academic and professional
writing.
o Provide an overview of a business situation.
o Develop text using organization, structure, and transitions that demonstrate
understanding of the relationship between the main topic and subtopics.
o Integrate appropriate use of scholarly sources, evidence, and citation style.
o Convey clear meaning in text through sound grammar, usage, word choice, and
mechanics.
Your instructor will use the scoring guide to review your deliverable as if they
were your boss. Review the scoring guide prior to developing and submitting
your assignment.
