Assignment Prompt & Instructions
**files (3)**
– ## Week1AssignmentInstructions-Capstone.docx
– ## Week1LearningResources-Capstone.docx
– WAL_MBAX_6990_assignmentTemplate.docx
**## Week1AssignmentInstructions-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Assignment**
**Capstone**
**Section 1: The Organizational Profile- Part 1**
Capstone Assignment Overview: Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results
In this Capstone experience, you will develop a strategy playbook for a selected organization. You may be familiar with the concept of a playbook as it relates to a sports team, but what might that mean for a business? The Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is a roadmap, of sorts, that can help an organization achieve excellence, respond to challenges, and attain short-term and long-term goals. The organization you choose for this exercise could be an organization for which you have worked (or hope to work in the future) and for which there is adequate information available to complete all necessary sections of the playbook. For the Module 1 Assignments, you will begin work on the Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results that you will build during the 8 weeks of this course. In this playbook, you will draw upon the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout your MBA program to provide your selected company’s leadership with an analysis of the organization, as well as your recommendations for changes the company could make over the coming years to improve its organizational performance. The final compilation of your Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results will be tangible evidence that you can put your MBA education to use, and it will provide you with a template for how you can help any organization achieve exceptional results.
**Important Note:** This playbook could be a helpful tool for any organization that is experiencing a problem, either internal or external. Please note that your selected organization may not be currently experiencing any known issues; however, you could bring to the table certain common issues. For example, your organization could be experiencing a decline in sales and losing its once abundant target market, or, internally, the organization could be experiencing a high turnover in the operations department, and the recent climate survey showed a decline in morale throughout the organization. These examples are not all-inclusive to an organization, but they may be present in some form. For the purposes of this exercise, you are at liberty to use your creativity to craft an issue the organization is facing. Be sure to consider the different functional areas, or business units, within the organization to ensure that you are doing a thorough analysis.
With those thoughts in mind, your task for the final playbook is to use the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout this program to perform an analysis of the organization (Section 1), assess its readiness for change and improvement (Section 2), and then develop strategic recommendations for how the organization can overcome its challenges and achieve greater organizational performance (Section 3).
Section 1: The Organizational Profile—Part 1
For the Assignments in this module, you will play the role of a consultant who has been brought in by the CEO of your selected organization to lead a tiger team. A tiger team is an efficient, highly motivated, and diverse team created to solve or troubleshoot specific major issues facing your organization. The Assignment will be a building block for the playbook that you will develop as you work through the rest of this course. Your final, synthesized Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is due at the end of Week 8, and it represents what can be thought of as a form of “due diligence analysis,” where you are stepping into the role of a consultant to a senior leadership team and are preparing a forward-looking, crisp, and impactful evaluation of where you think the company ought to be going over the next 5 years or so—and how it might get there.
In the Assignments for this module, you will complete Section 1 of your playbook in which you will analyze your selected organization’s culture, social and economic climate, and overall purpose. This week, you will begin to compile Section 1 of your playbook. Be sure to address the requirements for Part 1 and include specific examples (where appropriate) and relevant citations from the Learning Resources or from others throughout the program, the Walden Library, and/or other appropriate academic sources to support your work.
**To prepare for this Assignment:**
· Once you have selected your organization, proceed to the
**Class Café** and respond to the thread labeled “Playbook Organization Selection.” Include in your post the name of your selected organization as well as the homepage of the organization’s website (if applicable).
**Please Note:** Be sure to select an organization other than Walmart, Amazon, or Apple.
· Download the MBAX 6990 Assignment Template to complete Section 1—Part 1 of your strategy playbook.
**Note:** Be sure to keep a copy of your completed Assignment this week and in every week of this course as you will be adding to the same file for every playbook Assignment for this course.
**Submit** your approximately 2-page analysis of the organizational culture, to include the following:
**Part 1: Analyzing the Organizational Culture**
· Classify the current organizational culture of your selected organization, including how ethics, values, diversity, and social responsibility play a role in the culture. Provide two or more examples to support your response.
· Examine the benefits of organizational culture to your company’s position in the market.
· Analyze how conditioning and culture could challenge your organization’s strategy.
**## Week1LearningResources-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Learning Resources**
**Capstone**
**What Organizational Culture Is**
When you think of organizational culture, what comes to mind? Simply put, organizational culture refers to a company’s mission, objectives, expectations, and values that guide business practices and employee behaviors. Using these resources, you will consider what organizational culture is and will begin using these ideas—as well as others you have examined throughout this program—to analyze the organizational culture of the organization that you selected to be the focus of your playbook.
· Cheng, J. Y-J., & Groysberg, B. (2021, June 18).
[Research: What inclusive companies have in common](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06F0I-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–7. http://hbr.org
· Dillard, S. R. (2021, April 19).
[How inclusive is your leadership?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06AN0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8. http://hbr.org
**Time Estimate:** 6 minutes
· GreggU. (2019, November 18).
[_Organizational cultureLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8
**Note:** The approximate length of this media piece is 14 minutes.
· Kegan, R., Lahey, L., & Fleming, A. (2014, January 22).
[Does your company make you a better person?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH00MWO-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Greene, J. R. (2022).
[Boards can accelerate business performance by fully engaging on organizational cultureLinks to an external site.](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=bth&AN=156834273&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200).
_Board Leadership, 2022_(181), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/bl.30215
· Traphagan, J. (2017, January 6).
[We’re thinking about organizational culture all wrong](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH03E82-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Benefits and Challenges of Organizational Culture**
Businesses with a well-established organizational culture tend to be more successful because they have operational systems in place that not only support employee performance, productivity, and engagement, but also promote the mission, objectives, expectations, and values of the organization. There is a clear sense of purpose, whereby employees not only understand the organization’s goals but can also feel more connected to those goals and to one another. On the other hand, the culture of an organization can present challenges to the strategic success of a business as well. Through these resources, you will consider the benefits and challenges of organizational culture.
· Furst, P. (2021, May 12).
[Organizational culture drives (safety) performance. \
_Occupational Health & Safety_.Links to an external site.](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx) https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx
· Herrity, J. (2022. October 31).
[_Corporate culture examples and benefits_ Links to an external site.](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career%20-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits). Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits
· PwC. (2021).
_Global culture survey 2021:_ [_The link between culture and competitive advantageLinks to an external site._](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf).
[https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf)
**Incorporating Culture into Strategy and Business Practices**
Not only can a strong, well-defined organizational culture support employee engagement and even improve retention, but that culture can be used as part of a business’s strategy. As you consider the culture and business practices of the company that you selected to feature in your strategy playbook, also begin to think about how those elements could serve as a strategic advantage for that company. Or, if there are adjustments that may need to be made, consider how doing so can promote the organization’s success into the future.
· Bartone, P. T., & Stein, S. J. (2020, March 9).
[Build “hardiness” into your organizational culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05G3F-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Gafni, N. (2021, July 1).
[_Do your DE&I efforts consider age, class, and lived experience?_](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06GA7-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–9. http://hbr.org
· Grant, A. (2021, February 3).
[Building a culture of learning at workLinks to an external site.](https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp). strategy+business. https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp
· Groysberg, B., Lee, J., Price, J., & Cheng, J. Y. (2018, January–February).
[The leader’s guide to corporate culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FS18010-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review_,
_96_(1), 44–52.
· Yohn, D. L. (2019, December 17).
[Build a culture to match your brand](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05BK0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–6. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2018, October 2).
[6 ways to build a customer-centric culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH04KFV-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–5. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2021, February 8).
[Company culture is everyone’s responsibility](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH065SN-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Important Documents for the Week**
·
**Document:** [MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794?wrap=1) [Download MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794/download?download_frd=1)
· GoSkills.com (2023, June 26).
[_How to create a table of contents in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Word 365 – Basic & Advanced CourseLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI)[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI
· ITsEasyTraining1st. (2023, January 1).
[_How to add a bibliography entry into a Microsoft Word document_ Links to an external site.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o
**WAL_MBAX_6990_assignmentTemplate.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/wal-mbax-6990-assignmenttemplate-docx)
**WAL_MBAX_6990_assignmentTemplate.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/wal-mbax-6990-assignmenttemplate-docx)
**## Week1AssignmentInstructions-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Assignment**
**Capstone**
**Section 1: The Organizational Profile- Part 1**
Capstone Assignment Overview: Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results
In this Capstone experience, you will develop a strategy playbook for a selected organization. You may be familiar with the concept of a playbook as it relates to a sports team, but what might that mean for a business? The Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is a roadmap, of sorts, that can help an organization achieve excellence, respond to challenges, and attain short-term and long-term goals. The organization you choose for this exercise could be an organization for which you have worked (or hope to work in the future) and for which there is adequate information available to complete all necessary sections of the playbook. For the Module 1 Assignments, you will begin work on the Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results that you will build during the 8 weeks of this course. In this playbook, you will draw upon the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout your MBA program to provide your selected company’s leadership with an analysis of the organization, as well as your recommendations for changes the company could make over the coming years to improve its organizational performance. The final compilation of your Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results will be tangible evidence that you can put your MBA education to use, and it will provide you with a template for how you can help any organization achieve exceptional results.
**Important Note:** This playbook could be a helpful tool for any organization that is experiencing a problem, either internal or external. Please note that your selected organization may not be currently experiencing any known issues; however, you could bring to the table certain common issues. For example, your organization could be experiencing a decline in sales and losing its once abundant target market, or, internally, the organization could be experiencing a high turnover in the operations department, and the recent climate survey showed a decline in morale throughout the organization. These examples are not all-inclusive to an organization, but they may be present in some form. For the purposes of this exercise, you are at liberty to use your creativity to craft an issue the organization is facing. Be sure to consider the different functional areas, or business units, within the organization to ensure that you are doing a thorough analysis.
With those thoughts in mind, your task for the final playbook is to use the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout this program to perform an analysis of the organization (Section 1), assess its readiness for change and improvement (Section 2), and then develop strategic recommendations for how the organization can overcome its challenges and achieve greater organizational performance (Section 3).
Section 1: The Organizational Profile—Part 1
For the Assignments in this module, you will play the role of a consultant who has been brought in by the CEO of your selected organization to lead a tiger team. A tiger team is an efficient, highly motivated, and diverse team created to solve or troubleshoot specific major issues facing your organization. The Assignment will be a building block for the playbook that you will develop as you work through the rest of this course. Your final, synthesized Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is due at the end of Week 8, and it represents what can be thought of as a form of “due diligence analysis,” where you are stepping into the role of a consultant to a senior leadership team and are preparing a forward-looking, crisp, and impactful evaluation of where you think the company ought to be going over the next 5 years or so—and how it might get there.
In the Assignments for this module, you will complete Section 1 of your playbook in which you will analyze your selected organization’s culture, social and economic climate, and overall purpose. This week, you will begin to compile Section 1 of your playbook. Be sure to address the requirements for Part 1 and include specific examples (where appropriate) and relevant citations from the Learning Resources or from others throughout the program, the Walden Library, and/or other appropriate academic sources to support your work.
**To prepare for this Assignment:**
· Once you have selected your organization, proceed to the
**Class Café** and respond to the thread labeled “Playbook Organization Selection.” Include in your post the name of your selected organization as well as the homepage of the organization’s website (if applicable).
**Please Note:** Be sure to select an organization other than Walmart, Amazon, or Apple.
· Download the MBAX 6990 Assignment Template to complete Section 1—Part 1 of your strategy playbook.
**Note:** Be sure to keep a copy of your completed Assignment this week and in every week of this course as you will be adding to the same file for every playbook Assignment for this course.
**Submit** your approximately 2-page analysis of the organizational culture, to include the following:
**Part 1: Analyzing the Organizational Culture**
· Classify the current organizational culture of your selected organization, including how ethics, values, diversity, and social responsibility play a role in the culture. Provide two or more examples to support your response.
· Examine the benefits of organizational culture to your company’s position in the market.
· Analyze how conditioning and culture could challenge your organization’s strategy.
**## Week1LearningResources-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Learning Resources**
**Capstone**
**What Organizational Culture Is**
When you think of organizational culture, what comes to mind? Simply put, organizational culture refers to a company’s mission, objectives, expectations, and values that guide business practices and employee behaviors. Using these resources, you will consider what organizational culture is and will begin using these ideas—as well as others you have examined throughout this program—to analyze the organizational culture of the organization that you selected to be the focus of your playbook.
· Cheng, J. Y-J., & Groysberg, B. (2021, June 18).
[Research: What inclusive companies have in common](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06F0I-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–7. http://hbr.org
· Dillard, S. R. (2021, April 19).
[How inclusive is your leadership?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06AN0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8. http://hbr.org
**Time Estimate:** 6 minutes
· GreggU. (2019, November 18).
[_Organizational cultureLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8
**Note:** The approximate length of this media piece is 14 minutes.
· Kegan, R., Lahey, L., & Fleming, A. (2014, January 22).
[Does your company make you a better person?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH00MWO-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Greene, J. R. (2022).
[Boards can accelerate business performance by fully engaging on organizational cultureLinks to an external site.](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=bth&AN=156834273&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200).
_Board Leadership, 2022_(181), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/bl.30215
· Traphagan, J. (2017, January 6).
[We’re thinking about organizational culture all wrong](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH03E82-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Benefits and Challenges of Organizational Culture**
Businesses with a well-established organizational culture tend to be more successful because they have operational systems in place that not only support employee performance, productivity, and engagement, but also promote the mission, objectives, expectations, and values of the organization. There is a clear sense of purpose, whereby employees not only understand the organization’s goals but can also feel more connected to those goals and to one another. On the other hand, the culture of an organization can present challenges to the strategic success of a business as well. Through these resources, you will consider the benefits and challenges of organizational culture.
· Furst, P. (2021, May 12).
[Organizational culture drives (safety) performance. \
_Occupational Health & Safety_.Links to an external site.](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx) https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx
· Herrity, J. (2022. October 31).
[_Corporate culture examples and benefits_ Links to an external site.](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career%20-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits). Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits
· PwC. (2021).
_Global culture survey 2021:_ [_The link between culture and competitive advantageLinks to an external site._](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf).
[https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf)
**Incorporating Culture into Strategy and Business Practices**
Not only can a strong, well-defined organizational culture support employee engagement and even improve retention, but that culture can be used as part of a business’s strategy. As you consider the culture and business practices of the company that you selected to feature in your strategy playbook, also begin to think about how those elements could serve as a strategic advantage for that company. Or, if there are adjustments that may need to be made, consider how doing so can promote the organization’s success into the future.
· Bartone, P. T., & Stein, S. J. (2020, March 9).
[Build “hardiness” into your organizational culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05G3F-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Gafni, N. (2021, July 1).
[_Do your DE&I efforts consider age, class, and lived experience?_](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06GA7-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–9. http://hbr.org
· Grant, A. (2021, February 3).
[Building a culture of learning at workLinks to an external site.](https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp). strategy+business. https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp
· Groysberg, B., Lee, J., Price, J., & Cheng, J. Y. (2018, January–February).
[The leader’s guide to corporate culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FS18010-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review_,
_96_(1), 44–52.
· Yohn, D. L. (2019, December 17).
[Build a culture to match your brand](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05BK0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–6. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2018, October 2).
[6 ways to build a customer-centric culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH04KFV-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–5. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2021, February 8).
[Company culture is everyone’s responsibility](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH065SN-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Important Documents for the Week**
·
**Document:** [MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794?wrap=1) [Download MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794/download?download_frd=1)
· GoSkills.com (2023, June 26).
[_How to create a table of contents in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Word 365 – Basic & Advanced CourseLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI)[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI
· ITsEasyTraining1st. (2023, January 1).
[_How to add a bibliography entry into a Microsoft Word document_ Links to an external site.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o
**WAL_MBAX_6990_assignmentTemplate.docx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/wal-mbax-6990-assignmenttemplate-docx)
**## Week1AssignmentInstructions-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Assignment**
**Capstone**
**Section 1: The Organizational Profile- Part 1**
Capstone Assignment Overview: Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results
In this Capstone experience, you will develop a strategy playbook for a selected organization. You may be familiar with the concept of a playbook as it relates to a sports team, but what might that mean for a business? The Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is a roadmap, of sorts, that can help an organization achieve excellence, respond to challenges, and attain short-term and long-term goals. The organization you choose for this exercise could be an organization for which you have worked (or hope to work in the future) and for which there is adequate information available to complete all necessary sections of the playbook. For the Module 1 Assignments, you will begin work on the Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results that you will build during the 8 weeks of this course. In this playbook, you will draw upon the knowledge and skills you have gained throughout your MBA program to provide your selected company’s leadership with an analysis of the organization, as well as your recommendations for changes the company could make over the coming years to improve its organizational performance. The final compilation of your Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results will be tangible evidence that you can put your MBA education to use, and it will provide you with a template for how you can help any organization achieve exceptional results.
**Important Note:** This playbook could be a helpful tool for any organization that is experiencing a problem, either internal or external. Please note that your selected organization may not be currently experiencing any known issues; however, you could bring to the table certain common issues. For example, your organization could be experiencing a decline in sales and losing its once abundant target market, or, internally, the organization could be experiencing a high turnover in the operations department, and the recent climate survey showed a decline in morale throughout the organization. These examples are not all-inclusive to an organization, but they may be present in some form. For the purposes of this exercise, you are at liberty to use your creativity to craft an issue the organization is facing. Be sure to consider the different functional areas, or business units, within the organization to ensure that you are doing a thorough analysis.
With those thoughts in mind, your task for the final playbook is to use the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout this program to perform an analysis of the organization (Section 1), assess its readiness for change and improvement (Section 2), and then develop strategic recommendations for how the organization can overcome its challenges and achieve greater organizational performance (Section 3).
Section 1: The Organizational Profile—Part 1
For the Assignments in this module, you will play the role of a consultant who has been brought in by the CEO of your selected organization to lead a tiger team. A tiger team is an efficient, highly motivated, and diverse team created to solve or troubleshoot specific major issues facing your organization. The Assignment will be a building block for the playbook that you will develop as you work through the rest of this course. Your final, synthesized Strategy Playbook for Exceptional Results is due at the end of Week 8, and it represents what can be thought of as a form of “due diligence analysis,” where you are stepping into the role of a consultant to a senior leadership team and are preparing a forward-looking, crisp, and impactful evaluation of where you think the company ought to be going over the next 5 years or so—and how it might get there.
In the Assignments for this module, you will complete Section 1 of your playbook in which you will analyze your selected organization’s culture, social and economic climate, and overall purpose. This week, you will begin to compile Section 1 of your playbook. Be sure to address the requirements for Part 1 and include specific examples (where appropriate) and relevant citations from the Learning Resources or from others throughout the program, the Walden Library, and/or other appropriate academic sources to support your work.
**To prepare for this Assignment:**
· Once you have selected your organization, proceed to the
**Class Café** and respond to the thread labeled “Playbook Organization Selection.” Include in your post the name of your selected organization as well as the homepage of the organization’s website (if applicable).
**Please Note:** Be sure to select an organization other than Walmart, Amazon, or Apple.
· Download the MBAX 6990 Assignment Template to complete Section 1—Part 1 of your strategy playbook.
**Note:** Be sure to keep a copy of your completed Assignment this week and in every week of this course as you will be adding to the same file for every playbook Assignment for this course.
**Submit** your approximately 2-page analysis of the organizational culture, to include the following:
**Part 1: Analyzing the Organizational Culture**
· Classify the current organizational culture of your selected organization, including how ethics, values, diversity, and social responsibility play a role in the culture. Provide two or more examples to support your response.
· Examine the benefits of organizational culture to your company’s position in the market.
· Analyze how conditioning and culture could challenge your organization’s strategy.
**## Week1LearningResources-Capstone.docx**
**Week 1 Learning Resources**
**Capstone**
**What Organizational Culture Is**
When you think of organizational culture, what comes to mind? Simply put, organizational culture refers to a company’s mission, objectives, expectations, and values that guide business practices and employee behaviors. Using these resources, you will consider what organizational culture is and will begin using these ideas—as well as others you have examined throughout this program—to analyze the organizational culture of the organization that you selected to be the focus of your playbook.
· Cheng, J. Y-J., & Groysberg, B. (2021, June 18).
[Research: What inclusive companies have in common](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06F0I-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–7. http://hbr.org
· Dillard, S. R. (2021, April 19).
[How inclusive is your leadership?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06AN0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8. http://hbr.org
**Time Estimate:** 6 minutes
· GreggU. (2019, November 18).
[_Organizational cultureLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6Y61qshVv8
**Note:** The approximate length of this media piece is 14 minutes.
· Kegan, R., Lahey, L., & Fleming, A. (2014, January 22).
[Does your company make you a better person?](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH00MWO-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Greene, J. R. (2022).
[Boards can accelerate business performance by fully engaging on organizational cultureLinks to an external site.](https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=bth&AN=156834273&site=eds-live&scope=site&custid=s6527200).
_Board Leadership, 2022_(181), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1002/bl.30215
· Traphagan, J. (2017, January 6).
[We’re thinking about organizational culture all wrong](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH03E82-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Benefits and Challenges of Organizational Culture**
Businesses with a well-established organizational culture tend to be more successful because they have operational systems in place that not only support employee performance, productivity, and engagement, but also promote the mission, objectives, expectations, and values of the organization. There is a clear sense of purpose, whereby employees not only understand the organization’s goals but can also feel more connected to those goals and to one another. On the other hand, the culture of an organization can present challenges to the strategic success of a business as well. Through these resources, you will consider the benefits and challenges of organizational culture.
· Furst, P. (2021, May 12).
[Organizational culture drives (safety) performance. \
_Occupational Health & Safety_.Links to an external site.](https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx) https://ohsonline.com/articles/2021/05/12/organizational-culture-drives-safety-performance.aspx
· Herrity, J. (2022. October 31).
[_Corporate culture examples and benefits_ Links to an external site.](https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career%20-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits). Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/corporate-culture-examples-benefits
· PwC. (2021).
_Global culture survey 2021:_ [_The link between culture and competitive advantageLinks to an external site._](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf).
[https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/upskilling/global-culture-survey-2020/pwc-global-culture-survey-2021.pdf)
**Incorporating Culture into Strategy and Business Practices**
Not only can a strong, well-defined organizational culture support employee engagement and even improve retention, but that culture can be used as part of a business’s strategy. As you consider the culture and business practices of the company that you selected to feature in your strategy playbook, also begin to think about how those elements could serve as a strategic advantage for that company. Or, if there are adjustments that may need to be made, consider how doing so can promote the organization’s success into the future.
· Bartone, P. T., & Stein, S. J. (2020, March 9).
[Build “hardiness” into your organizational culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05G3F-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–4. http://hbr.org
· Gafni, N. (2021, July 1).
[_Do your DE&I efforts consider age, class, and lived experience?_](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH06GA7-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text) _Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–9. http://hbr.org
· Grant, A. (2021, February 3).
[Building a culture of learning at workLinks to an external site.](https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp). strategy+business. https://www.strategy-business.com/article/Building-a-culture-of-learning-at-work?utm_source=itw&utm_medium=itw20210701&utm_campaign=resp
· Groysberg, B., Lee, J., Price, J., & Cheng, J. Y. (2018, January–February).
[The leader’s guide to corporate culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FS18010-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review_,
_96_(1), 44–52.
· Yohn, D. L. (2019, December 17).
[Build a culture to match your brand](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH05BK0-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–6. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2018, October 2).
[6 ways to build a customer-centric culture](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH04KFV-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 2–5. http://hbr.org
· Yohn, D. L. (2021, February 8).
[Company culture is everyone’s responsibility](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/external_tools/retrieve?url=https%3A%2F%2Fservices.hbsp.harvard.edu%2Flti%2Flinks%2FH065SN-PDF-ENG%2Frich-text).
_Harvard Business Review Digital Articles_, 1–8.
[http://hbr.org](http://hbr.org/)
**Important Documents for the Week**
·
**Document:** [MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794?wrap=1) [Download MBAX 6990 Assignment Template (Word document)](https://waldenu.instructure.com/courses/247046/files/21119794/download?download_frd=1)
· GoSkills.com (2023, June 26).
[_How to create a table of contents in Microsoft 365 | Microsoft Word 365 – Basic & Advanced CourseLinks to an external site._](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI)[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-1vBwJvvzI
· ITsEasyTraining1st. (2023, January 1).
[_How to add a bibliography entry into a Microsoft Word document_ Links to an external site.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXPGQB4PD3o
**WAL_MBAX_6990_assignmentTemplate.docx**
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