Mind Your Business
COMPETENCIES TO MASTER
Can use logic, reasoning and analysis to address a business problem
Can locate and use information in basic business documents, such as manuals and reports
Can use a spreadsheet to perform a variety of calculations
Can write a business memo
Can use appropriate language, tone and word choice for the target audience
Can generate a variety of approaches to addressing a problem
Overview
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.
Directions
Part 1: Spreadsheet
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.
Next, complete the Spreadsheet in the Project resources to guide your analysis of the problem and possible solutions. Your spreadsheet should include:
the number of employees who want each machine.
the average purchases per day for those who responded “Yes.”
the monthly costs to Acme for each option.
the monthly cost for employees for each option.
the total monthly cost (Acme cost + employee cost) for each option.
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:
SUM
AVERAGE
PRODUCT or multiplication
QUOTIENT or division
COUNTIF or COUNTA
IF
After you have finished the spreadsheet, answer the following questions, which are included at the bottom of the spreadsheet:
Why is it useful to use formulas in this scenario?
Which formula did you find most useful or hardest to use, and why?
This spreadsheet will be submitted as one of two deliverables for this Project.
Part 2: Memo
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.
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:
briefly explain the situation.
explain three feasible solutions.
identify the best solution and explain why it is best.
be written in standard format (see the Business Memo Purpose and Format resource in the Project resources).
use appropriate language for its purpose (see Audience and Purpose resource in the Project resource).
be free of spelling and grammar mistakes.
DELIVERABLES
Completed Spreadsheet
Accepted File Types: .xls, .xlsx
Business Memo
Accepted File Types: .doc, .docx, .odt, .rtf, .txt, .pdf
Project Resources
These are links to public external resources. Any comments or statements made on these public websites are not representative of College for America.
Spreadsheet
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.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Superior Sodas and More Brochure
Review this resource, which contains the brochure for Superior Sodas and More.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Vendor Queen Bruchure
Review this resource, which contains the brochure for Vendor Queen.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Cell References, Formulas and Functions in Google Spreadsheets
Read this document, which explains the formulas you will need to utilize in the spreadsheet for this Project.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Business Memo Purpose and Format
Review this document, which contains the purpose of a memo, as well as instructions for appropriate formatting.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Creating Simple Formulas in Google Spreadsheet
Watch this video, which explains how to add, subtract, multiply and divide using Google Sheets.
Note: The formulas operate similarly in Excel.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Creating Complex Formulas in Google Spreadsheets
Watch this video, which explains how to perform more complex calculations that require more than one type of operation using Google Sheets.
Note: The functions operate similarly in Excel.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Audience and Purpose
Read this article, which describes the purpose of a memo and writing appropriately to an audience.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Sample Memo
Review this resource, which contains a sample business memo.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Skill-Building Resources
These are links to public external resources. Any comments or statements made on these public websites are not representative of College for America.
CfA Citation Guide
This resource helps to explain how citations should be used in CfA Projects including formatting guidelines and where to get help.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Goal Question and Answer Sessions
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.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Introduction to Google Sheets: Video Collection
Review these videos for an introduction to using Google Sheets.
This is a SNHU Library resource. Consult the SNHU Library Resource Guide in Project resources for instructions on how to access SNHU Library resources.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Cell References, Formulas and Functions in Google Sheets
Read this document, which explains how to use functions, formulas and cell references in Google Sheets.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
SNHU Library Resource Guide
Use this resource to learn how to access SNHU Library resources from within CfA projects.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
APA Citation Question and Answer Sessions
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.
VIEW
ADD TO LIST
Rubric
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.
CriteriaMastery?
Relevant information from the business documents has been identified and entered correctly into the spreadsheetYes
Not Yet
Spreadsheet uses all required formulas appropriately and cell references wherever possibleYes
Not Yet
All calculations are correct and use formulasYes
Not Yet
Memo identifies problem accuratelyYes
Not Yet
Memo contains an accurate analysis of the problemYes
Not Yet
Memo includes three feasible solutions to the problemYes
Not Yet
Analysis of problem and possible solutions is supported with evidenceYes
Not Yet
Memo follows standard business memo format, with an introduction, body and closingYes
Not Yet
Memo uses appropriate language, tone and word choice for target audienceYes
Not Yet
Writing is clear, with no major errorsYes
Not Yet
Any sources of information are cited using APA format, with no major errorsYes
Not Yet
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