Management Principles Application Assignment BUSA 200

Management Principles Application Assignment (2020) BUSA 2005 - Assignment

The assignment involves two parts: a written report and a PowerPoint presentation. The written component (Part 1) requires a detailed analysis of how four management functions—Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling—are applied within a small business scenario. You will need to create a hypothetical business (such as a coffee shop, gym, or COVID-19 product). The report should include an introduction with your business details, an application of each management function with theoretical concepts from your textbook and practical insights tailored to your business, a conclusion, and a references list formatted in APA style. The report should be approximately 6-7 pages double-spaced, with in-text citations supporting your analysis. The second part (Part 2) is a 5-minute PowerPoint presentation summarizing your applied concepts, delivered online with slides focusing on your management strategies and planned growth. Both parts are graded, emphasizing clarity, depth of analysis, referencing, and professional presentation skills.

Paper For Above instruction

The strategic management of small businesses is crucial for sustainable growth and competitiveness. This paper explores the application of the four fundamental management functions—Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling—in the context of a hypothetical small enterprise. The business selected for this analysis is a newly established artisanal coffee shop named "Brew Bliss," located in a bustling urban neighborhood. Brew Bliss specializes in ethically sourced, specialty coffee blends, and aims to expand its customer base over the next year while doubling sales and staffing levels.

Introduction

Brew Bliss is an emerging coffee shop dedicated to providing high-quality, ethically sourced coffee to urban consumers. Since its inception six months ago, it has attracted a loyal local clientele with a focus on sustainability and community engagement. With a current profit of $50,000 and 3 employees including the owner, Brew Bliss plans to expand by increasing staff, scale operations, and enhance its market presence to meet rising demand and investor interest.

Planning

Planning is the foundation of effective management, involving setting objectives and outlining strategies to achieve them. In Brew Bliss's context, strategic planning involves market analysis, financial forecast, and setting specific growth targets, such as increasing monthly sales by 30% and hiring additional baristas to support increased sales volume. Operational planning includes inventory management, supplier relationships, and scheduling. Applying theoretical models like SWOT analysis helps identify strengths such as unique product offerings, weaknesses such as limited brand awareness, opportunities like expanding community reach, and threats from competitors.

In practical terms, Brew Bliss plans to implement a marketing campaign targeting social media platforms and local events, alongside optimizing its supply chain for cost efficiency. These plans align with strategic planning principles by setting clear, measurable objectives and specific action plans, ensuring the business’s goals are achievable within the next year.

Organizing

Organizing entails designing a structure that effectively allocates resources and tasks to achieve objectives. Brew Bliss will need to formalize its organizational structure as it scales. Initially, a simple functional structure is suitable, with roles such as store manager, baristas, and inventory clerk. As the business grows, it might adopt a divisional structure based on product offerings or customer segments. This structure facilitates better specialization and accountability, which are essential for growth.

Moreover, resource allocation must be strategic—hiring additional staff to handle increased customer volume, investing in equipment for efficiency, and establishing relationships with suppliers for a consistent supply of premium coffee beans. An effective organizational structure will also include clear communication channels and delegation, empowering staff to make decisions aligned with business goals, thus supporting operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Leadership

Leadership involves influencing and motivating employees to achieve organizational goals. Brew Bliss’s management will need to demonstrate transformational leadership by inspiring staff with a compelling vision of growth, emphasizing quality and community engagement. This includes creating a positive work environment, offering training, and encouraging innovation such as new drink recipes or service initiatives.

Effective leadership requires clear communication of expectations, recognition of employee contributions, and fostering teamwork. As the business expands, leadership also involves developing future managers and establishing organizational culture. For Brew Bliss, demonstrating leadership means aligning staff with the company's values, encouraging ownership, and maintaining high service standards even amidst growth pressures.

Furthermore, leadership is crucial in change management—guiding employees through operational changes and new initiatives with transparency and support, which minimizes resistance and fosters a shared commitment to the business’s success.

Controlling

Controlling ensures that business activities align with plans through monitoring, evaluating, and taking corrective actions. Brew Bliss will establish performance metrics such as sales targets, customer satisfaction scores, and inventory turnover rates. Regular reviews, including daily sales reports and customer feedback, will enable swift identification of deviations from goals.

Implementing quality control measures, such as staff training and standardized procedures, ensures consistent service delivery. Additionally, financial controls, such as budget tracking and cost analysis, will help maintain profitability as the business scales. Using tools like Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Brew Bliss can measure progress toward its growth objectives and make data-driven decisions. For instance, if sales fall short of projections, targeted marketing campaigns or menu adjustments might be initiated to boost performance.

Controlling also involves adapting to external changes such as supplier disruptions or shifts in customer preferences, requiring flexibility and prompt response strategies to safeguard business stability and growth aspirations.

Conclusion

Effective management of a small business requires a comprehensive understanding and application of the four core functions—Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling. Through strategic planning, Brew Bliss will set clear goals and develop actionable plans. Proper organizing will define roles, allocate resources, and establish effective structures to support growth. Demonstrating strong leadership will motivate staff, foster a positive culture, and navigate change successfully. Rigorous controlling processes will monitor performance and facilitate continuous improvement. Together, these functions create a cohesive management approach that positions Brew Bliss for sustainable growth in a competitive market. Properly applying these principles ensures strategic objectives are met, and the business remains resilient and adaptable in a dynamic environment.

References

  • Bateman, T. S., & Snell, S. A. (2019). Management: Leading & Collaborating in a Competitive World (13th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Daft, R. L. (2021). Management (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Robbins, S. P., & Coulter, M. (2020). Management (14th ed.). Pearson.
  • Lussier, R. N. (2019). Management Fundamentals: Concepts, Applications, and Skill Development (7th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Hitt, M. A., Ireland, R. D., & Hoskisson, R. E. (2020). Strategic Management: Competitiveness and Globalization (12th ed.). Cengage Learning.
  • Northouse, P. G. (2018). Leadership: Theory and Practice (8th ed.). SAGE Publications.
  • Fayol, H. (1916). General and Industrial Management. (Translated by Constance Storrs, 1949). Pitman.
  • Kinicki, A., & Williams, B. (2018). Management: A Practical Introduction (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.
  • Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2018). Strategic Management and Business Policy (15th ed.). Pearson.
  • Simon, H. A. (1997). Administrative Behavior: A Study of Decision-Making Processes in Administrative Organizations. Free Press.

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