Reference no: EM132217017

Module Overview

This Module focuses on the operations side of running a business. Every business should have a plan for product or service distribution and management of suppliers and inventory. In this module, you will discuss the factors that need to be considered while operating a business.

This module also focuses on the business management of employees. It deals initially with human resource management (HRM) processes, such as those related to hiring employees and building teams, the responsibilities of a manager to successfully maintain a good workforce, and the possible firing or laying off of employees.

Module Readings

Complete the following readings early in the module:

Module overview

From your course textbook, Entrepreneurship: Starting and operating a small business, read the following chapters:

Operating for Success

Management, Leadership, & Ethical Practices

From the Argosy University online library resources, read the following article:

Prater, E., & Ghosh, S. (2005). Current operational practices of U.S. small and medium-sized enterprises in Europe. Journal of Small Business Management, 43(2), 155-169. (ProQuest Document ID: 221006693)

Gaskill, L.R., Van Auken, H. E., & Manning, R. A. (1993). A factor analytic study of the perceived causes of small business failure. Journal of Small Business Management, 31(4), 18-31. (ProQuest Document ID: 220986551)

Module Conclusion

In this Module, you reviewed the operations management of any business that wants to succeed. Special attention was given to supply chain management, quality control, and use of technology to improve performance. You also discussed the management and leadership of successful businesses. You reviewed the importance of an efficient and effective HRM and the development of an ethical culture with a focus on the corporate social responsibility.

In this modules second assignment, you will deliver the fourth step toward preparing the business plan and submit it to the Assignment Titled: Business Plan Breakdown 4-The Operations Plan. You need to perform a complete evaluation of the operations of the future businesses and prepare an operations plan.

Assignment Summary: Module Assignment 2:

Business Plan Breakdown 4-The Operations Plan

This is the fourth milestone of your business plan-the operations plan.

Tasks:

Research the operational components of your chosen project (Supplied As Attachment). Based on your research and the knowledge that you have gained from this program: Master of Science in Organizational Leadership [MS_OL] course: The Functional Contribution to Organizational Success, create a 4- to 5-page operations plan by completing the following tasks:

Define the management team by drafting an organizational chart and a plan for hiring employees.

Draft the key employee policies and a code of ethics.

Provide the details on the workplace environment, the location of the business, and the facilities necessary to operate the business. If a virtual component is a part of the workplace, explain how that is going to be incorporated.

Describe the supply chain of the venture, with its main components and its management approach.

Describe the manufacturing or customer service processes, discussing economies of scale and plans for attaining those economies (if applicable).

Discuss significant innovations related to the delivery process, production (if applicable), inventory management (if applicable), and distribution.

Describe methods to define and ensure the quality of the products or services.

Discuss laws impacting the business and methods for compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws.