Introduction: 2 minute Pitch: Due in-class May 17, 2008.
2 minute monologue (networking-oriented) self introduction. Also 1-page typed free format.
Requirement:
Introduction: Prepare a two minute pitch (introduction) about Who you are, Your Background, What you do, What you want to do, Your Goals (you wish to share with the class), Why you are doing an MBA, What do you expect from this course, What would you particularly like to accomplish from this class, etc..

Describe:
* Who YOU are (background, culture, academic, work-experience); What you CAN do (Skills, etc.)
* What you DO (currently as a student + work, home, etc.) | What you WANT to do (job/business, etc)
* What you want to LEARN from this class | Anything else that you want others to know about you.

Requirement:
Read/Review: Chapter 1 (Intro) and Chapter 2 (Systems Planning); Prepare Assignments:
    1) Assignment #2 on page 40 (Org Chart)
    2) A SWOT analysis (ref Chapter 2) of Personal Trainer Inc. (p.39/81)
    3) Assignment #2 on page 82 (Interview List)
    4) P.133 Case Exercise #1, 4: Personal Trainer, Inc - System Requirements & Diagram as per the case and also using notes from the class! to upload latest by May 25.

Format:
Format: ~2-3 Pages: Single Spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font (or other serif font) MS Word document, justify, spelling, grammar;
Include Name & Case Title on each page. Discuss the above issues including specifics, and include Scope,  Analysis, Conclusions, AND OPINION based on your research. Include sources.
You may use the Sears' Example Case (See Reference Section) as reference template for content, value, focus and approach!! Size of the file should be <1MB!!

Requirement:
* P.553-554 #2 Maintenance Memo
Using the format below, make the complete report approximately ~2-3 pages. The key is to be persuasive!

Format:
Format: ~2-3 Pages: Single Spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font (or other serif font) MS Word document, justify, spelling, grammar;
Include Name & Case Title on each page. Discuss the above issues including specifics, and include Scope,  Analysis, Conclusions, AND OPINION based on your research. Include sources.
You may use the Sears' Example Case (See Reference Section) as reference template for content, value, focus and approach!! Size of the file should be <1MB!!

Requirement:
* P.129 of text Discussion Topic 4: Use the Instructor as the speech-presenter from the previous sessions. Read/Review the Toolkit Part 1, and Summarize the key points in a short report (~1 page- see format below).
Using the format below, make the complete report approximately ~1-2 pages. The key is to be persuasive!

Format:
Format: ~1-2 Pages: Single Spaced, 12 pt Times New Roman font (or other serif font) MS Word document, justify, spelling, grammar;
Include Name & Case Title on each page. Discuss the above issues including specifics, and include Scope,  Analysis, Conclusions, AND OPINION based on your research. Include sources.
You may use the Sears' Example Case (See Reference Section) as reference template for content, value, focus and approach!! Size of the file should be <1MB!!

Presentation: Web-Based Implementation Plan for a small business environment Due on Saturday June 14, 2008 in class!

Your title will be: Web Design Implementation Plan. A copy should be made available to the Instructor either in printed form or via upload.

Requirement:
A small business owner has contracted you to assist her in the Systems Implementation of the small business she owns. Your effort is to present a complete planning, design and implementation solution for the business environment as a web-based business- the details are listed below.
Implementation is as follows:
* Rollout of new web-based work-environment with single-sign-on and user-id/passwords
* New documentation process that all staff has to adhere to
* New time-mgmt/Project mgmt web-based platform for tracking billable time and expenses
* New Workstations for SOME of the staff with connectivity and security
* New Blackberry rollout and implementation
* New security and office package rollout
* Feedback process and integration
After the detailed analysis and setup, summarize why and how your particular approach will work! You may use the PAPERS methodology to support your plan. Others will comment on your presentation. Your grade is for Presentation AND Commentary.

STRUCTURE: 
Small biz environment. Approximately, staff of ten (employees and contractual consultants), in three locations (NYC, Greenwich, CT & Delaware), and two satellite offices (Boston, Newport Beach-CA). The satellite offices are indirect spaces from third parties and do not require security! Most of the business structure is virtual (eBiz).
The services offered by the company are consulting services for specialized financial model development and customization. Since the particular area is highly technical, you should focus on the basics common to any service oriented business.
Some items to consider:
Overview and Description of each area, and Introduction
Feasibility (Cost/Benefit), Strategy (Structure, Keys to Success, Strengths)
Planning (Requirements, Assumptions, Design, Overcoming Weaknesses)
Implementation (Website/page, Hosting, Merchant Services, Toolset, Personnel, Equipment,
        Deployment/Mktg, Customer Service, Competitive Advantage, Additional Income)
Maintenance (Changes, Updates, Upgrades, Help w/problems), Growth & Expansion.
Reference & Research (Books, Articles, etc..)

The Total Project is 20% of your grade. Reality is KEY! Extra Points will be awarded for PERSUASIVE arguments for OR against any of the above items. You should cite your own reference material & sources! Format as below. Grades are individual, based on presentation and on commentary. There will be peer evaluation; Your content, value, focus and approach commentary on others' presentations will also count towards your grade. Each will have ~5 minutes to present; More points for being brief and clear! Practice for responsible timing, coordination, introduction(Start) & Q&A. Instructor will only give last 30second-warning.

PRESENTATION: You may wish to have a one page handout for everyone, to facilitate comprehension. You may use PowerPoint slides, or overheads. Please make your own laptop, etc. arrangements!

COMMENTARY: The content commentary will be based on the following talking points:
   $ Is this a feasible plan (budget, individual responsibility)
   $ Is the security plan seem valid and workable, simple to use
   $ Is the design balanced and valid as we learned in class
   $ Is the plan implementation match the description and is it REAL

HINTS:
* Keep coherence throughout the presentation!
* Each has ~4 minutes (MAX 5 minutes - Practice to keep within the timeframe
* Keep slides clean, clear and simple (Don't clutter) | Don't read the slides | Use slides to supplement your presentation
* Prepare for contingencies - if PC or Projector doesn't work; Have a backup plan, etc.
* Comment on what works and what doesn't work within each presenter's content

TERM PAPER:
Create a project plan proposal to respond to an RFP for the following:

A small business with 12 employees has requested a project plan to analyze, design, implement and integrate, a web-based eBusiness component. Your job as a management consultant is to create a plan (with timeline) to integrate an entire web site into the current business. The business is similar to the presentation project.

The project plan will include the following [This is what is currently in-place]:
*   Three different services, with four discrete personnel.
*   Project Status available by email on a daily/weekly basis based on project length
*   Receivables via bank check only
*   Web research is currently cut-n-paste into emails and documents
*   Current web page is simple with email and phone numbers only, not much content
*   All service and support is via phone and email
*   Other items that may be required are not yet identified

Requirements [This is what is needed!]:
*   Login for customers to see their own status (SSL/shtml)
*   Form for anonymous/client email interaction
*   More content on website
*   Navigation on web site
*   Payment acceptance using Visa/MC/AE but with a 8% premium; Save Agreement for audit;
*   Other web content syndicated from RSS feeds, etc.
*   Database maintenance for clients
*   Breaking New boxes on main web page
*   Startup, B2C, Shopping Cart, Merchant Services, Help Page
*   Description of the eBiz, Business Objectives, Target Audience
*   Company/DomainName, Home Page, Logo, color scheme, fonts, navigation/layout, images/thumbs
*   Use storyboarding for design of site, and formal chart of site organization and page links
*   Web technologies, analytical tools, Risk-management, Backups, Security, etc.
*   Affiliate programs, other revenue sources.

Project Plan:
Your Paper should be ~15 pages, (format see below); It should be a complete detailed business plan which includes all relevant items.

Your RFP Response will include (format below) a complete assessment of the current structure, the upgrades, etc. required, the inclusion of an itemized budget, Your recommendations (and detailed costs of alternatives), Your solution: including architecture plan, diagram, integration, issues, service, etc.

Using the format below, make the report ~15 pages. The key is to be persuasive!

Format:
Format: ~15 Pages: Single Spaced, 12 pt serif font (e.g. Times New Roman), Word document, justify, spelling, grammar; Include TITLE Page, TOC Page, Introduction / Background / Scope, Analysis & Investigation, Conclusion, Opinion, Bibliography / Sources. Also, Name, Title, Page Number of each page. Edit paper for content, value, focus and approach!! Size of the file should be ~<1MB!!