Q Beginning with the third week of class, enter a forum/discussion post in the News-of-the-Week Forum. Three posts (and comments) required over the period of three weeks, as directed below. Requirements: This post should be a synopsis and brief analysis of a news report/article appearing in the national or international media. It should be at least 150 words and include a link to the article with proper documentation (not included in the word count). To get credit, your synopsis must reflect three things: 1.) The item selected must be business related in some way, and 2.) You must link the information in the article to a larger systemic issue or an ethical concern. Additionally, do not summarize the exact article that your peers have done although your post can be about the same topic so long as it offers a different angle/focus. 3.) Your synopsis should be accurate (do not misrepresent the original source) and complete (include all the important points), and it should end with an analysis and/or your position on the issue covered. Possible news sources include: Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Investor’s Business Daily, Barron’s, Fortune, CNBC, MarketWatch, Bloomberg News, CNNMoney, Business Insider, LA Times, NY Times, etc. (The report must be on some aspect of business/management/labor.) Responses: In addition, pick two posts by your classmates, read them and the underlying article, and comment substantively on their synopsis. Try to respond to two different classmates every week. To get credit, your responses must reflect that you fully understand the article and take a position regarding the issues raised in the synopsis. Length: At least 75 words Post Example: Gensler, Lauren. "McDonald’s Profit Down 30% on Sales Slump." Forbes, 21 Oct. 2014. http://www.forbes.com/sites/laurengensler/2014/10/21/mcdonalds-profit-down-30-on- salesslump/ This Forbes article deals with the recent slump in McDonald's sales. Staff writer Lauren Gensler discusses management changes and changes to the items offered, but she fails to discuss market shifts in consumer preference. Does the current slump mean that people are getting the message about fast food and demanding better choices, or does it simply mean that McDonald's is not being properly managed in order to maximize profit in some other way? The article fails to indicate whether or not the issue is macroeconomic, or particular to the business. Despite recent food scares regarding Chipotle, for example, it remains to be seen whether this is simply reflective of a lack of full execution of their business strategy, or the emergence of a new trend in popular food tastes. I prefer to think that the slump signals a turning of the corner in public awareness of nutritional values. Media attention to this issue seems to be having a positive effect on people’s habits. (163 words) Deadlines/Evaluation: Post your synopsis by Monday evening (5.00PM) and two responses by Wednesday evening (5.00PM). Yes, you will do three posts during the early part of the semester, as scheduled in weekly Modules/Discussions. Grading Scale: 30 pts for the post and 10 pts each for the responses. Objectives: This assignment gives you an opportunity to a) learn about and analyze current issues in business/management and/or the workplace, b) improve summary/synopsis writing skills, c) develop analytical skills, d) be conversant in the general language of business/management and/or the workplace as used in the media, and e) research popular sources on important issues and initiate or join the conversation professionally with colleagues/peers. Professor's Role and Assessment: I will regularly read the posts and responses but generally not join the forum (unless I feel a need to), so you don't find me judging each post publicly. Instead, I will be reading and grading your contributions (post+comments) individually and, occasionally, share general observations with the class in the form of an email or discussion notes. I expect you to read my comments/notes and use them to improve your future posts/responses. If you have any concern or question about this plan, let me know immediately.