• Please read the case and analyze it by answering these case analysis questions.
• You may answer each case discussion question in each paragraph and separate different paragraphs for different questions. You don’t have to copy the discussion questions in your answer.
• Although quantity is not quality, however I do not accept 1-2 sentence answers to each question. Please make a thorough case analysis, post 300 to 500 words’ case analysis (roughly 1.5-3 pages double spaced with12-font), and post it in the text entry format online

Case Discussion questions

1. Why has Le Pliage been so successful? To what do you attribute it popularity and longevity? What is the role of the Longchamp brand in its success?
2. How should Longchamp best manage its Le Pliage product line to ensure that it maintains its mythical status?
3. How strong is Longchamp’s current value proposition in the marketplace? What do you think of its aspiration to change its position to move the brand up market and away from accessible luxury brands? Is this a wise move? Does the company have what it takes to do so? What defines a high luxury brand?
4. How should Longchamp manage its product portfolio and distribution strategy to best achieve its goals? What is the right mix of products and what is the right mix of distribution channels for Longchamp?

•  Prepare a 20 minute presentation on your topic.
• Week 15. Submit final project materials.
  • A 500-700 word, double spaced paper, written in APA format, showing sources and a bibliography
  • Presentation materials (PPT, handouts, etc)  

Please read Case Study 9.1: Delis Foods Corporation. After reading Case Study 9.1, please answer the questions below.

Instructions:

Please provide at least 1 (one) well- written and well-reasoned answer to the following discussion questions and then 5 (five) responses to your classmates’ posts

What primary errors did Delis make during the market feasibility study? What kind of strategy would you advise Delis to adopt to avoid this kind of situation in the future?

Can cultural values be changed?

Submission Instructions:
All responses in this discussion forum must be professional, well-reasoned, well-written, and free from profanity.  This discussion assignment should reflect the fact that this is a written product for a graduate professional program

Please read Case Study 9.2: Air America.

Instructions:
Please provide well- written and well-reasoned answers to the following discussion questions.

Question 1:

Which of the three options would you recommend to Air America and why? What would be the problems with the other options?

Question 2:

Is there a need for Air America to change its international staffing policies to avoid sending expatriate managers to overseas locations?

Submission Instructions:
All responses in this discussion forum must be professional, well-reasoned, well-written, and free from profanity. This discussion assignment should reflect the fact that this is a written product for a graduate professional program. All responses should be professional, and if you disagree with a submission, keep it professional. 

 Turn-it-in is enabled on all papers. 

 In a three- to four- page paper, address the elements below. Use a minimum of four peer-reviewed scholarly sources, current within 5 years, to support your work. See the rubric for specific, required content criteria within each section of the paper.

1. Provide an introduction to the paper.
2. Discuss the characteristics of a culture of excellence.
3. Present the mission, vision, and values of a selected organization, and explain the interrelationships between each element in the concept map. Describe how the mission, vision, and values do or do not support a culture of excellence.
4. Discuss application of three specific leadership strategies that promote a culture of excellence

Things are really moving along well now. You have the problem identified, you know what change you want, the people around you are fired up and ready to work, and you have a solid team assembled. Are we done yet? No! Your team is ready and they have sound guidance from you on how to facilitate the rest of the group to help make this change happen. But does everyone really know what the end game is? It’s your job to be sure they can really ‘see’ your vision. The more concrete, descriptive, and specific you can be in painting everyone a picture of your end result, the more successful you will be in getting everyone on the team working toward exactly the same end goal.

Specific questions or items to address:

Read Step 3 “Get the Vision Right” from Kotter and Cohen’s The Heart of Change. First, review the feedback you’re your instructor on Part 3. Use any new information you gained from the discussion and feedback from your instructor to revise and improve Part 3 of your project.

Next, compile Part 4 of your project, explaining in as much detail as possible, your vision for the change you desire. Be sure to paint a vivid picture that helps your team see, feel, and envision the change you desire. Include a description of how the situation is different, what outsiders may have to say about what they see when they look at the change you have created, what your team and employees are seeing and feeling after the change is completed, and what relevant indexes you can use to measure and quantify the change. You may find the end of the section under the “Get the Vision Right” header helpful in reviewing the key points of what to do and not do when creating your vision. Be sure your paper touches on the key elements of each as they pertain to your organization.

Be sure to include at least three scholarly references to support your assertions written in your own words. Do not copy word for word from the course text or any other sources. Your submission this week is Part 4 of the final project.

The requirements below must be met for your paper to be accepted and graded:

• Write between 1,000 – 1,250 words (approximately 4 – 6 pages) using Microsoft Word in APA style.
• Use font size 12 and 1” margins.
• Include cover page and reference page.
• At least 80% of your paper must be original content/writing.
• No more than 20% of your content/information may come from references.
• Use an appropriate number of references to support your position, and defend your arguments. The following are examples of primary and secondary sources that may be used, and non-credible and opinion based sources that may not be used.
  1. Primary sources such as, government websites (United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Census Bureau, The World Bank, etc.).
  2. Secondary and credible sources such as, CNN Money, The Wall Street Journal, trade journals.
  3. Non-credible and opinion based sources such as, Wikis, Yahoo Answers, eHow, blogs, etc. should not be used.
• Cite all reference material (data, dates, graphs, quotes, paraphrased words, values, etc.) in the paper and list on a reference page in APA style.

For each of the following topics, write a strong thesis statement with points. Use each of the following formats at least once:

1. Three supporting points stated at the start of the thesis statement

Example: Reductions in pollution levels, traffic, and missed work days are reasons that public transportation should be free.

1. Three supporting points stated at the end of the thesis statement

Example: Public transportation should be free because it would reduce pollution levels, relieve congestion on roadways, and lead to a more reliable workforce.

1. Three supporting points stated in a second sentence, which may be connected with a semicolon to form a compound sentence.

Examples:

Public transportation should be free. It would reduce pollution levels, relieve congestion on roadways, and lead to a more reliable workforce.

OR

Public transportation should be free; it would reduce pollution levels, relieve congestion on roadways, and lead to a more reliable workforce.

1. Should college be free?
2. Should drivers and their passengers be required to wear seat belts?
3. Is there any justification for cheating?
4. Should college students be required to use support services such as tutors and advisors?
5. What popular activity do you consider overrated? Why?

Midterm Exam

The midterm exam is based on the following case study:

http://www.systemsthinkingmethod.com/downloads/Vanguard-O2-case-study.pdf

You may want to read this article prior to opening the exam.  You may refer to the case study throughout the exam, as well.

There are six essay questions on this exam.

Question 1

Review the case study information provided at the link below for Vanguard then address the questions that follow.

http://www.systemsthinkingmethod.com/downloads/Vanguard-O2-case-study.pdf

Based on the case study data and the actions taken by Vanguard, which change method do you feel most closely resembles their actions (Kotter’s 8 steps, Complexity Theory, Learning Organization Theory, Green and Sustainability Theory, and Kurt Lewin’s Force Field Analysis (Unfreeze, Change, Freezing)? Explain your reasoning.

Question 2

Do you feel that the approach you identified in question 1 was the most appropriate choice for Vanguard? Why or why not? If you said no, which theory would you have recommended they use? Why?

Question 3

Do you feel Vanguard’s change efforts were successful? Why or why not?

Question 4

If you were in charge of the change efforts at Vanguard, what key actions would you have done differently? Why?

Question 5

What actions did Vanguard take to create a vision for their team? Was it effective? Why or why not?

Question 6

Vanguard claims that their approach to change was different. Why was their change different than what other industries or other organizations might have done?