Welcome to MT140 Introduction to Management Unit 3 Seminar Planning

Agenda General Questions and Announcements Introduction Levels of Planning Mission Strategic Vision Recap Unit 3 Assignment Q & A Conclusion of Seminar

Introduction In Unit 3, we are considering:  That planning is one of the four primary functions of management.  That planning involves a systematic process of making decisions about goals and activities that will be carried out by individuals, groups, and the organization.  That successful management depends on an accurate and thorough evaluation of the organization's environment.

Levels of Planning  In a business sense, how many levels of planning do you imagine that there are?  Can you name them?

3 Levels There are levels of planning that go hand-in-hand with the three levels of Management. What are the three levels of management?

3 Levels of Planning There are 3 levels of management (top, middle, and frontline). The 3 levels of planning that correspond to each are: -Strategic (top-level) -Tactical (middle-level) -Operational (front-line level)

Strategic Planning …involves making decisions about the organization’s long-term goals and strategies. Senior Executives (top level managers) are responsible for the development and execution of the business’ strategic plan.

Tactical Planning …translates the strategic goals into specific goals and plans related to carrying the strategy out using the various departments of the business. Middle managers generally are responsible for the development, communication, and execution of tactical planning.

Operational Planning …identifies the specific procedures and processes required at lower levels of the organization. Frontline managers usually focus on carrying out the day- to-day, routine tasks necessary to meet these functions.

If you have questions or comments about the 3 levels of planning, please add them.

Mission What is meant by a business’ mission? How would you define “mission” in your own words?

Mission The first step in strategic planning is establishing a mission, vision, and goals for the business. Mission articulates (in varying degrees) the business’ purpose. It answers the question of why the business exists in the first place. …what the business does, who its audience is, what it’s values are.

Strategic Vision Note: Vision Statements describe what the business is trying to become in the future; where it sees itself becoming in the future. For example: Redmond, WA’s vision statement is: “Together we create a community of good neighbors.”

Assignment Questions There are 3 graded assignments in Unit 3. They are: Discussion Board: You are introduced as part of your reading assignment to the business case study, Sandwich Blitz, Inc. which we will continue to consider at various times throughout this course. Refer back to the description of the company and to your reading on “Levels of Planning” After completing the readings, in your judgment, what are some considerations that Dalman and Lei must have at each of the three levels (strategic, tactical, and operational) of planning for Sandwich Blitz, Inc? Be sure to address each of the three levels.

Dropbox Assignment …paraphrasing After reading the scenario about Dalman and Lei and the readings for Unit 3, what do you think are the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) that the business faces if Dalman and Lei commit to a large-scale expansion of their business? Be sure to identify at least one strength, one weakness, one opportunity, and one threat that apply to the scenario.

Review Don’t forget that you can take the Review as often as you need to during the Unit Week prior to the Tuesday midnight deadline until you get the score that you desire.

Thank You for Attending! This concludes our seminar for Unit 3. I appreciate your taking the time out to join me and to invest in the concepts.