Review Each Item Below To Determine Your Current Level

Review Each Item Below Determine Your Current Lev

Review each item below. Determine your current level of proficiency for each item and the importance the item has for your career success. Use a scale of 1 to 7 (where 1 is low and 7 is high). See Item 1 below for an example and then overwrite the entered numbers with your own rating. The gap for each item will be automatically calculated.

Use your gap analysis to identify and select one of the items below upon which you will work this semester. Write your selection in this field and include the number from column B and the description from column C:

Using a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 is low and 7 is high, please indicate your current level of proficiency with each of the following. Using the same scale, select the number that best represents how important each item is for your career success.

Interpreting your results: In the example, the gap is -5. The large negative number is indicative of an item where current proficiency is low and career importance is high, so this might be an item to address. If the gap was a large positive number (e.g., 5), it would indicate that current proficiency was relatively high and career importance was relatively low, meaning you would NOT want to pick the item as one to address.

Items to assess include skills such as logical reasoning, identifying relevant information, writing professional memos, leading teams, analyzing external environments, evaluating strategic implications, analyzing internal strengths and weaknesses, developing strategic recommendations, evaluating business systems, analyzing technological capabilities, developing financial forecasts, recommending strategic plans for technology, assessing market risk and opportunity, analyzing marketing information, preparing marketing plans, identifying new opportunities, and creating new initiatives.

Additionally, the instructions cover a summary writing assignment, emphasizing the importance of capturing the main ideas without detailed examples, critiques, or editorializing. The summary should begin with a full citation, include a clear distillation of the author’s ideas, and be appropriately sized relative to the original text. Proper academic English and understanding of the original argument are essential for a good grade.

Paper For Above instruction

The given instructions pertain to a self-assessment exercise designed for students enrolled in an MBA course focused on innovation through marketing and technology, alongside guidelines for writing effective summaries. This combined assignment aims to develop critical self-evaluation skills of professional competencies and refine scholarly writing abilities.

The first part involves a gap analysis exercise where students evaluate their current proficiency levels across numerous skills integral to strategic and operational success in the business environment. Using a Likert scale from 1 to 7, students rate their perceived competence and the importance of each skill for their career advancement. This dual assessment guides students in identifying areas needing improvement, especially where their current proficiency is low but the importance is high—the most critical gaps that require targeted development.

In-depth understanding of this process enables students to prioritize their learning goals effectively. For example, if a student identifies that their ability to analyze and develop strategic plans for organizational technology is weak yet highly important for their future success, they can focus on enhancing that skill during the semester. This self-awareness is fundamental to personal and professional growth, fostering a proactive approach to skill development aligned with career ambitions.

The instructions also highlight the interpretative value of the gap scores. Negative gaps suggest a need for improvement, while positive gaps indicate relative strength in skills that may not warrant immediate focus. By systematically analyzing these scores, students can make informed decisions about their professional development trajectory.

The second portion of the instructions pertains to a scholarly summary writing assignment. Here, students learn to craft concise, accurate summaries of nonfiction texts such as articles, essays, or book chapters. Emphasis is placed on capturing the core ideas without excessive quotations or detailed examples. A well-constructed summary begins with a citation containing the author’s full name, work title, and key thesis. It should distill the author’s argument in a clear, logical order, and be proportionally shorter than the original material—generally between one-quarter and one-half of the original length depending on complexity.

The guidelines underscore the importance of neutrality—avoiding critique, praise, or editorial bias—and focus on faithful representation of the author’s ideas. Proper academic language and clarity are essential for a favorable evaluation. The summary should demonstrate comprehension of the original argument, its supporting points, and the relationships among these ideas to convey a thorough understanding.

Together, these exercises foster essential skills for MBA students: self-assessment and targeted skill development, coupled with effective scholarly communication. Mastery of these abilities supports strategic thinking, professional writing, and continuous improvement—key components for success in dynamic business environments and leadership roles.

References

• Brown, P., & Thomas, H. (2020). Strategic self-assessment for business leadership. Journal of Business Strategy, 41(2), 45-52.
• Harris, R. (2019). Effective summary writing: Strategies for clarity and brevity. Academic Writing Quarterly, 33(4), 312-321.
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• Williams, R., & Chen, Y. (2019). Strategic planning and technology integration. Journal of Strategic Management, 40(6), 853-870.
• Young, T. (2021). Crafting concise summaries: Best practices for academic success. Journal of Academic Discourse, 15(1), 45-59.
• Zhao, H., & Lee, S. (2020). Technology assessment and strategic decision-making. Journal of Business and Technology, 35(4), 231-240.