Category: Writing

1. Linda Turner will face different challenges as her company progresses through the five stages of growth described in this chapter. Describe how you believe her business would change in each stage. 2. Business growth that occurs too quickly can present some significant problems and challenges compared with a business that grows at a slow, steady pace (of course, zero growth or decline makes for a whole new set of problems). Describe the challenges of hyper growth that Turner could face, and explain how she should respond as a small business owner. Ten years ago, Linda Turner was in an exercise class and saw a pregnant woman struggling through her routine. After class, Turner asked the woman if she knew of any products that would help her be more comfortable. Because none existed, she began developing a prototype of the BellyBra—a support device designed for women in their third trimester. The BellyBra has tank-top shoulder straps and fits snugly all the way down below the wearer’s enlarged stomach area. Turner experimented with different fabrics, including white lace and CoolMax fabric that pulls heat away from the body.

Analyze the African American subculture and the unique marketing aspects it entails?

1. If Carvin experienced an increase in orders from its website over a period of two weeks, should it expand its production capacity to make sure it can handle increased demand in the future? Why or why not? 2. Watch the video of Carvin’s production in action at http://www.carvinchannel.com. How would this information help convince potential buyers to consider Carvin? 3. Wooden musical instruments have been carved by hand for hundreds of years. Why wouldn’t Carvin want to continue this tradition?

1. Given the early stage of the business, should the Network Collie management team even be considering an exit at this time? Why or why not? 2. If a company acquires Network Collie, what are they buying? What are they not buying? 3. What criteria should the Network Collie management team use in making a decision on what they should do? 4. In your opinion, is Network Collie really worth $1 million? 5. What do you like and not like about the two offers the Network Collie founders have received? 6. What would you advise the Network Collie team to do?

1. Explain why the communication skills and techniques used within a business unit (department) are not always effective in communicating across business units or up and down the corporate ladder. 2. Explain why conflict resolution communication skills are not always present in everyday workplace situations and how a skilled communications professional would add value to that workplace. 3. How would a Communications Plan effectively handle a crisis in the workplace, such as violence, sexual abuse, scandal, etc? What would likely happen in a crisis situation without a communications plan in place? The decision to dedicate the resources needed to fund and support the Department of Communications within Navistar International sends a signal that Corporate Communication is seen as vital to the health of this $12 billion truck and engine manufacturing and financial services corporation. The Department of Communications functions as a business partner with the three major business units. Each plant has a communications manager or communicator who dual reports to the plant manager and the Corporate Director of the Department of Communications. The role of the Communications Manager is to drive the message to the target audience. They use different approaches depending on the audience and the direction of the message, whether it’s heading up or down the corporate ladder, or across business units.

1. Explain why the communication skills and techniques used within a business unit (department) are not always effective in communicating across business units or up and down the corporate ladder. 2. Explain why conflict resolution communication skills are not always present in everyday workplace situations and how a skilled communications professional would add value to that workplace.