Define demographics? (2) what are the five main characteristics that are measured with demographics?

Read the article: Jean Kilbourne, The More You Subtract, The More You Add, cutting girls down to size —> Here’s the Link:

http://www.aef.com/industry/news/data/hot_issues/1361

What are six main points from this article? . Instead of page numbers, use paragraph numbers, for the citations.

1a min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

2b min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

3c min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

4d min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

5e min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

6f min. 25 words use complete in-text citation

(Be sure to use citations from this article for each slide in Part I below)

PART II

Watch the following YouTube Video. You may need to copy & paste the URL into your browser

Kilbourne Video 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7143sc_HbU (What are three main points from this video? )

Part III

Create a Power Point Presentation showing four ads (4 slides) that support the arguments Jean Kilbourne makes in her article. Do not use ads that are mentioned in the article/videos.

A. Place one ad on each slide, no text. In the assignment submission text box, identify the 4 ads by name/brand & provide one discussion for each ad of how each fits/relates to or supports Kilbourne’s arguments. DO NOT place the text with the slides, send the four ad discussions, in the text box for assignment submissions. Be sure to clearly identify the discussion for each slide /ad, as well as the citations from the article within your discussions (using APA format). Use a minimum of one Kilbourne argument or point from her article, for each ad discussion, accompanied with citation, with paragraph #. Each of the four discussions should be a minimum of 50 words. Also include the word count at the end of each discussion. Label discussions, Ia, Ib, Ic & 1d. Please remember to not use ads/brands that are mentioned in the artcle and videos. You may use similar brands, only not the ones mentioned by Kilbourne. Also give the brand/product at the beginning of each slide.

1a. Brand & product? (place the image/ad only on the slide)

Discussion (min 50 words), how does this add support one of Kilbourne’s arguments? include a complete in-text citation

1b. Brand & product? (place the image/ad only on the slide)

Discussion (min 50 words), how does this add support one of Kilbourne’s arguments? include a complete in-text citation

1c. Brand & product? (place the image/ad only on the slide)

Discussion (min 50 words), how does this add support one of Kilbourne’s arguments? include a complete in-text citation

1d. Brand & product? (place the image/ad only on the slide)

Discussion (min 50 words), how does this add support one of Kilbourne’s arguments? include a complete in-text citation

B. Send the Power Point slides ONLY as an attachment. Remember the slides should only contain the ad graphics.

Part IV.

Complete research on the concept of demographics. Answer the following:

A. (1) Define demographics? (2) what are the five main characteristics that are measured with demographics? Be sure to cite your source, remember wikipedia is not a credible source. Min. Include the sources for your research.

1. What are demographics?

2a.

2b.

2c.

2d.

2e.

B. According to Killbourne, discuss how advertisers use demographics to create advertising messages, specifically gender. Think of Killbourne’s article and videos, relate your explanation back to her ideas. Include a minimum of two citations within the response. This discussion should be a minimum of 60 words. Include the word count at the end of response.

C. Place your assignment in the text box submission area. Be sure to include in-paper citations & all of your sources/references at the end, with a works cited/references section.

D. Carefully Label each part of the assignment to correspond with the question numbers, as I want to be sure you receive full credit for all of your research & hard work.

I would also recommend working on the assignment throughout the week, rather than trying to complete it on the day it’s due.

Thanks in advance for all of your research & hard work on this assignment. Let me know if you should have any questions. Thanks

Discuss the externally and internally established barriers to females taking international assignment.

All 12 questions should be a min of 200 words each question. references cited and noted apa guidelines apply.

Unit 2

1. Country of origin can strongly influence a firm’s approach to organization structure. As MNEs from China and India internationalize, to what extent are they likely to differ from Japanese, European, and U.S MNEs?

2. How can social relationships be considered a control?

3. What are issues of standardization and localization in general for MNEs and how do they particularly manifest themselves in the IHRM activities

4. What are the advantages and disadvantages of the global matrix structure

Unit 3

1. Why would a company enter into an international joint venture?

2. What is the difference between merger and acquisition?

3. What are the two-equity based forms of cross-border alliances? Describe each function.

4. What are the four phases of M&A, and what happens at each phase?

Unit 4

1. Discuss the six roles of an expatriate

2. What are the most common reasons for rejecting an international assignment? Do different countries have different reasons for assignment rejection?

3. What are the four terms to describe MNE approaches to managing and staffing subsidiaries? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each.

4. Discuss the externally and internally established barriers to females taking international assignment

What reaction or results you hope to gain from the use of these visuals?

To complete the following assignment, go to this week’s Assignment link in the left navigation.

Final Project- Step Three

You should now have a strong foundation for the message you plan to communicate in your Final Project as well as a good idea of how you want to incorporate visuals. This week, you are required to locate or create at least five possible visuals that you might utilize for your Final Project (e.g., photographs, drawings, video clips, screenshots).

In a one- to two-page paper (not including the title and reference pages), explain the following:

Why you selected the visuals.
How they support your intended message.
What reaction or results you hope to gain from the use of these visuals.

As part of your explanation, be sure to include examples to support each required point. Include your visuals in the paper (be sure to reference any visuals that you did not create in proper APA format). Your paper must be formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA style guide.

Carefully review the Grading Rubric for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment

Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most effective.

For Prof. Dan Only need to respond

Due Week 9 and worth 150 points

When faced with a problem, what do you do to solve it? This assignment asks you to apply a six-step to problem solving process to a specific problem scenario. You will write a paper that presents a synthesis of your ideas about solving the problem using this systematic approach. As Voltaire said, “No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”

Choose one (1) of the problem scenarios as a topic choice for your paper (Note: Your professor must approve your topic choice before you begin work on the assignment.)

Scenario 1: You have worked at your company for eleven (11) years. You have returned to college to earn a Bachelor’s degree in order to increase your chances for a promotion. You are nearly finished with your degree, when a supervisor’s position in a competing company becomes available in another state. The start date is in two (2) weeks, during your final exam period for your courses. The position offers a $15,000 per year salary increase, a car allowance, and relocation expenses. Your former supervisor works for the company and is recommending you for the position based on your outstanding job performance; if you want the job, it’s yours. All of the other supervisors at this level in the company have Master’s degrees, so you know that you would be expected to earn your Bachelor’s degree and continue on to a Master’s degree. Your present company offers tuition reimbursement, but the new company does not.

Scenario 2: Your child comes home from school with an assignment sheet for a school project. He / she is very excited about the project and begins work immediately, doing research on the Internet and gathering materials. You read over the assignment sheet and notice that your child is not including all of the required items in the project, and you have some ideas for how to improve the quality of the presentation. You recently read an article in a parenting magazine about the importance of a child developing responsibility for his/ her own learning. You recall the many ways in which your parents took over your school projects. You, on the other hand, want to encourage your child’s confidence in his / her ability to complete a project independently. The next day, you are at the grocery store when you see a parent of a student in your child’s class. That parent has spent over $30 in supplies for the science project and is taking a day off of work to put the pieces of the project together.

Scenario 3: You have two jobs—one during the week from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and one on Saturday from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm. You are taking two classes—one that meets from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, and one class online. You have two kids—one who plays soccer, and one who is in band. You have two elderly parents who no longer drive. You have two siblings—one who lives two (2) miles away, and one who lives in another state. You have two (2) papers due in your classes the same week that one (1) of your children has a soccer tournament, and the other child has a band concert. You are coaching the soccer team, and you are in charge of fundraising for the band. You have a goal to complete your degree in two (2) years. Your doctor tells you that your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your weight are too high and recommends several medications that cost you nearly $200 per month after your insurance co-pay.

Scenario 4: You are a sales representative for a company that encourages staff to log time in the field and away from the office. You are expected to begin and end your day at the office. You notice that each day when you arrive and return another co-worker is already there, and you wonder whether this person spends most of his / her time at the office. At your weekly sales meeting, you are informed of your co-workers’ outstanding sales performance. You suspect that this co-worker is spending more time flattering the boss instead of working leads in the field, and as a result is getting the best client referrals. Your own sales numbers have steadily decreased since this other sales representative was hired.

Scenario 5: Professor’s Choice – problem scenario presented by your professor.

Scenario 6: Student’s Choice – Problem scenario presented by you.

Review the six-step problem solving process outlined in the webtext, based on the article “The Problem Solving Process” located at http://www.gdrc.org/decision/problem-solve.html:

Step One: Define the problem
Step Two: Analyze the problem
Step Three: Generate options
Step Four: Evaluate options
Step Five: Make your decision
Step Six: Implement and reflect

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:

1. Define the problem in the scenario that you have chosen.

2. Analyze the problem in the scenario.

3. Generate options for solving the problem in the scenario.

4. Evaluate the options for solving the problem.

5. Decide on the best option for solving the problem.

6. Explain how you will implement the decision made and reflect on whether this option was the most effective.

The paper should follow guidelines for clear and organized writing:

Include an introductory paragraph and concluding paragraph.
Address main ideas in body paragraphs with a topic sentence and supporting sentences.
Adhere to standard rules of English grammar, punctuation, mechanics, and spelling.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA Style format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

You should follow these submission guidelines:

Submit the paper draft to Turnitin.com and then submit the originality report with the draft to Blackboard.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Recognize the hindrances to the decision-making process in order to apply problem-solving skills to a variety of situations.
Create written work utilizing the concepts of critical thinking.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in critical thinking skills and informal logic.

Click here to view the grading rubric.

What will your payment be to your local bank, assuming your 10% down payment?

Principles of Finance 7 DQ

[Pin It]

All responses should be in APA format, 7 discussion questions

Discussion 1

Summarize the role of management as it relates to finance in a corporation. In your post, address the following:

Indicate the various aspects of finance that management must understand.
Describe why a manager needs to understand the characteristics and importance of financial markets including risk and efficiency.
Describe why cash flow is more important than sales in a business.
Discuss what could happen if management does not fulfill responsibilities related to finance. If you have one, share a real world example from your own professional experience or from an external source.

Discussion 2

View the Important Financial Documents video which looks at the fundamental financial documents every company needs; including the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flow. In your post, choose one of the financial statements and explain how a manager would use the statement to drive financial analysis and decision-making. Your post should be 200-250 words in length.

Discussion 3

Imagine that you have decided you need a new car, but not any car will do; you have decided to purchase the car of your dreams. Conduct some research as to the cost of this car. You have determined in this imagined scenario that you could afford to make a 10% down payment. You can borrow the balance either from your local bank using a four-year loan or from the dealership’s finance company. If you purchase from your dealership’s finance company, the APR will be 10% with your 10% down and monthly payments over three years. However, the dealership will give you a rebate of 5% of the car price after the three year term is complete. You want the best deal possible, so you consider the following questions:

What type of car have you selected, and what will it cost?
What is the interest rate from your local bank for a car loan for four years?
What will your payment be to your local bank, assuming your 10% down payment? Be sure to use the formula provided in Chapter 4 and show your work. How much will that car have cost in four years?
What will your payment be to the dealership finance company assuming your 10% down payment? Be sure to use the formula provided in Chapter 4 and show your work. How much will that car have cost in 3 years?
Which is the better deal and why?

Discussion 4

Go to the Yahoo Finance Bonds Center.

Under: Bonds Center click Bond Screener:
Click the Corporate check box under Bond Type then click Find Bonds.
Choose any bond.

Assume interest rates for bonds today is 5% for an AAA rated bond. Calculate the price of the bond you have selected relative to the 5%. Is the bond selling at a premium or a discount? Why? Be sure to show how you arrived at your answer. What other factors may influence the value of a bond?

Discussion 5

View the Capital Budgeting video, which provides some factors that should be considered in capital budgeting considerations.

Imagine the producers of this video ask you to appear in the video to offer two additional considerations in capital budgeting decisions. One consideration must be quantitative (numeric). The other must be qualitative (non-numeric). Write a script to describe capital budgeting considerations that you think are important for managers to consider. Your script should be 200 to 250 words.

Discussion 6

Corporations often use different costs of capital for different operating divisions. Using an example, calculate the weighted cost of capital (WACC). What are some potential issues in using varying techniques for cost of capital for different divisions? If the overall company weighted average cost of capital (WACC) were used as the hurdle rate for all divisions, would more conservative or riskier divisions get a greater share of capital? Explain your reasoning. What are two techniques that you could use to develop a rough estimate for each division’s cost of capital? Your initial response should be 200 to 250 words.

Discussion 7

Find two articles that discuss financial ratio analysis. Identify two advantages and two disadvantages to using ratios in financial analysis. Be sure to cite your sources using APA format

What ethical issues might be encountered when collecting your information from this sample?

Based on the feedback you received on your submission from last week, submit a revised draft of your paper with this additional information:

Five additional references that could be used for your research paper and include a 1-2 sentence description for each of the five additional references, explaining how they fit with the research topic and the research question proposed. Make sure that these references come from scholarly sources using Argosy’s library resources.

A very detailed outline of what you would like to cover in the intro/lit review of your paper. Write it as an outline and think about what you want each paragraph or section to cover. Paste your references into each section where the information from that article applies to the topic. Below is an example of the outline although the references have not been pasted in yet:

Introduction or Statement of the Problem (e.g. Predictors of Depression in Men)

Research question (E.g. What factors predict depression in men? For example, age, marital status, family history, stressors).
Why is it important/implications (E.g. xx% of men are depressed; less likely to seek treatment; if we can identify who is at risk, may be able to direct them to treatment sooner)
Revised hypothesis based on feedback from the instructor

Review of the Literature (the following is an example for above topic):

Brief description of depression, symptoms, and any unique symptoms for men (Cite articles from which you will obtain this information).
How widespread is it? Stats on depression in general but also stats on depression in men (Cite articles from which you will obtain this information).
List factors that put men at risk for depression (Cite articles).

Difficulty communicating distress or sadness (Cite articles).
Job/work pressures (Cite articles).

Demographic characteristics (Cite articles).

Relationship between age and depression (Cite articles).
Relationship between marital status and depression (Cite articles).

A 1-2 page description of the sample you would like to use for your study, that provides the answer to the following questions:

What sampling technique would you use?
Does the sample generalize to the population? Explain why or why not.
What inclusion criteria would be used? What exclusion criteria would be used, if any?
What ethical issues might be encountered when collecting your information from this sample?

Be sure to also submit all your ten references (the five from last week and the five new ones you added) in an APA-style reference page. Be sure to also include an APA-style title page with your submission. Your paper should be at least 2-3 pages long. Make sure you write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Provided five additional valid references and explained the reasoning behind their selection.
20
Discussed the sampling technique for the proposed study and included the aspects of generalization, inclusion, and ethical issues as requested in the assignment.
25
Provided a detailed outline of the intro/literature review section of the paper, along with revised hypothesis.
25
Included an APA-style title page and reference page (with at least 10 references).
10
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation

Determine what pages will be necessary for the site based on the provided document.

Word or Visio document with storyboard

Completed website based on project specifications

Correct External CSS file that attaches to each page

Total

Lab Steps

Step 1: Storyboard The Site

Review the MS Word document downloaded from the scenario and summary above.

Determine what pages will be necessary for the site based on the provided document.

Create a storyboard to show those pages as they relate to each other.

Step 2: Establish A Basic Structure Of An HTML 5 Document

Create a new folder named W2Lab in the site root.

Create and save your CSS file in the W2Lab folder.

Save the file as index.htm in the W2Lab folder.

Step 3: Prepare The Resources

Download this graphic and save it in your W2Lab folder.

Place the image to serve as the logo on your HTML 5 page.

In the Alt value box, type Rainbow Daycare Logo.

Save the file.

Step 4: Create Links

Create four links representing a simple navigation menu.

Link one—change to About Us

Link two—change to Our Staff

Link three—change to Contact Us

Link four—change to Our Rates

Establish the links as necessary:

About Us → about.html

Our Staff → staff.html

Our Rates → rates.html

Save the file.

Step 5: Add Static Information

Add descriptions below the navigation menu as paragraphs describing the nature of the links.

Save the file.

Step 6: Create And Test The Other Pages

Save the index.html file as about.html.

Test your web pages using the browser of your choice.

Step 7: Populate The Pages

The data document is arranged by page. Change the Heading 1 for each page to an appropriate title for that content, and use the content supplied for that page.

Here is the formatting suggestion for each page.

Index—Use a paragraph.

About—Use paragraphs, with a bullet list for activities.

Staff—Use a bullet list, indented for each group.

Contact—These are labels and values separated by colons, line breaks for phone, e-mail, and address. Place the promotion statement in a paragraph at the bottom and style appropriately.

Rates—This is a three-column table. Age, hours, and rates are the column headers.

Step 8: Prep For Turn-In

Save all files. Locate the W2Lab folder in Windows Explorer and select it.

Right-click and select Send To and choose compressed file.

Rename the file Lastname_w2Lab.zip, where Lastname is your last name.

Does this diversity enhance manufacturing productivity?

Create and submit for evaluation on or before February 3rd, a paper version of a double-spaced single-sided report on the topic enunciated below. Employ 12pt text comprising at least five pages, including abstract, main theme and conclusions. In addition, create an elegant flamboyant sixth page; the cover-page. Append a seventh page that presents a list citing the sources that were used to develop the report.

The annihilation of time and space triggered by the diffusion of advanced technologies throughout the world has created a global economy. Employees are often located at all points on the compass and engineering students are now in a position to prospect for employment worldwide upon graduation. How does this freedom affect the manufacturing sector?

The topic for this homework is to analyze the dramatically different vacation policy of nations and consider the impact of this immense diversity upon the workforce. Does this diversity enhance manufacturing productivity? Does this societal diversity affect the quality of life for employees? How do long hours in the office affect the health of workers? Are employees entitled to a vacation each year? How long should that be? Should it be enforced by federal regulations? If Australians enjoy six weeks of vacation each year, should US companies offer this period of recuperation too? What’s the work-life balance? After all, human beings are not electro-mechanical robot

Explain how the information you gathered during the interview can aid in planning treatment for your client.

Prior to the Interview

Locate an adult volunteer.
Read the analysis requirements below and ENSURE you meet them within your interview. Make sure your interview includes:
A minimum of 5 open and 5 closed ended questions (10 total).
A minimum of 5 examples of paraphrasing, summaries, or reflections techniques (must have at least one of each paraphrase, summary, and reflection/5 total).

Gather Recording Equipment (video is preferred). You will need to record your interview.
Also make sure you have a watch or a timer to keep track of the length of your interview. Make sure your interview is not less than 5 minutes long.

The Interview

Needs to be at least 5 minutes long, but it should not be more than 10 minutes.
Be prepared! Although it may not sound like it, 5 minutes is a long time in interviewing time. If you are having problems filling 5 minutes, go back to the interview skills you have learned about (e.g., probing, reflections, and summaries).

After the Interview

Play back the recording of the interview.
Transcribe or write out the interview completely. Be sure to write outeverything said during the interview
After you have written the transcript of the interview, provide a detailed analysis of the interview. On your transcript:
Identify Questions Used: On your transcript identify at least 5 closed and 5 open ended questions that you used during the interview. Identify these on your transcript using all caps (10 questions total).

For example:

Interviewer: How long have you been having headaches? CLOSED QUESTION

Evaluate the Questions: After you have identified examples of 5 open and 5 open questions in your transcript, write an evaluation of the effectiveness of your use of questions (Approximately one paragraph for this analysis). Explain whether or not your questions were effective. How did your client respond to your questions? How would you improve the effectiveness of your questions?
Identify Techniques Used: Next, identify at least 5 examples of paraphrasing, summarizing, or reflections you used (must have at least one of each: paraphrase, summary, and reflection). Again, use all caps on your transcript to identify each technique.

For example:

Interviewer: So it’s been several weeks since you’ve been able to sleep without problems? PARAPHRASE

Evaluate the Techniques: Evaluate the effectiveness of your interview technique (Approximately one paragraph for this entire section). How did your client respond to the techniques in the interview? How do you know if you were effective with these? Provide justification for your response. How could you improve your use of these?

Application: Analysis and Summary
Explain how the information you gathered during the interview can aid in planning treatment for your client. How can treatment of this client be more informed or more targeted based on the information you gathered (Approximately 2-3 paragraphs).
Identify at least two possible ethical issues that could arise during your interview (hint: go back to your Module 1 lecture for ideas about ethical issues in interviewing). Explain how an ethical interviewer should deal with each of these issues. (Approximately 2-3 paragraphs).

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Conducted interview and utilized the questions/techniques for an in-depth interview.
60
Transcribed interview completely. Identified the questions and techniques used.
16
Evaluated the open and closed ended questions used during the interview. Analyzed the effectiveness of the questions and how the patient responded. Suggested ways to improve the effectiveness of the questions.
40
Evaluated at least five interviewing techniques (at least one of each: paraphrase, summary, and reflection). Analyzed the effectiveness of the technique, and how the patient responded. Suggested ways to improve the effectiveness of the techniques.
40
Explained how the information gathered during the interview can aid in treatment planning for the client.
40
Identified at least two possible ethical issues that could arise during the interview. Explained how an ethical interviewer would deal with each of these issues.
40
Organization (16 points): Introduction, transitions, and conclusion

Style (8 points): Tone, audience, and word choice

Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure

APA Elements (24 points): In text citations and referenc

Describe how organizations use statistical thinking to be more competitive.

Students, please view the “Submit a Clickable Rubric Assignment” in the Student Center.

Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center.

Case Study 1: Statistical Thinking in Health Care

Due Week 4 and worth 150 points

Read the following case study.

Ben Davis had just completed an intensive course in Statistical Thinking for Business Improvement, which was offered to all employees of a large health maintenance organization. There was no time to celebrate, however, because he was already under a lot of pressure. Ben works as a pharmacist’s assistant in the HMO’s pharmacy, and his manager, Juan de Pacotilla, was about to be fired. Juan’s dismissal appeared to be imminent due to numerous complaints and even a few lawsuits over inaccurate prescriptions. Juan now was asking Ben for his assistance in trying to resolve the problem, preferably yesterday!

“Ben, I really need your help! If I can’t show some major improvement or at least a solid plan by next month, I’m history.”

“I’ll be glad to help, Juan, but what can I do? I’m just a pharmacist’s assistant.”

“I don’t care what your job title is; I think you’re just the person who can get this done. I realize I’ve been too far removed from day-to-day operations in the pharmacy, but you work there every day. You’re in a much better position to find out how to fix the problem. Just tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

“But what about the statistical consultant you hired to analyze the data on inaccurate prescriptions?”

“Ben, to be honest, I’m really disappointed with that guy. He has spent two weeks trying to come up with a new modeling approach to predict weekly inaccurate prescriptions. I tried to explain to him that I don’t want to predict the mistakes, I want to eliminate them! I don’t think I got through, however, because he said we need a month of additional data to verify the model, and then he can apply a new method he just read about in a journal to identify ‘change points in the time series,’ whatever that means. But get this, he will only identify the change points and send me a list; he says it’s my job to figure out what they mean and how to respond. I don’t know much about statistics — the only thing I remember from my course in college is that it was the worst course I ever took– but I’m becoming convinced that it actually doesn’t have much to offer in solving real problems. You’ve just gone through this statistical thinking course, though, so maybe you can see something I can’t. To me, statistical thinking sounds like an oxymoron. I realize it’s a long shot, but I was hoping you could use this as the project you need to officially complete the course.”

“I see your point, Juan. I felt the same way, too. This course was interesting, though, because it didn’t focus on crunching numbers. I have some ideas about how we can approach making improvements in prescription accuracy, and I think this would be a great project. We may not be able to solve it ourselves, however. As you know, there is a lot of finger-pointing going on; the pharmacists blame sloppy handwriting and incomplete instructions from doctors for the problem; doctors blame pharmacy assistants like me who actually do most of the computer entry of the prescriptions, claiming that we are incompetent; and the assistants tend to blame the pharmacists for assuming too much about our knowledge of medical terminology, brand names, known drug interactions, and so on.”

“It sounds like there’s no hope, Ben!”

“I wouldn’t say that at all, Juan. It’s just that there may be no quick fix we can do by ourselves in the pharmacy. Let me explain how I’m thinking about this and how I would propose attacking the problem using what I just learned in the statistical thinking course.”

Source: G. C. Britz, D. W. Emerling, L. B. Hare, R. W. Hoerl, & J. E. Shade. “How to Teach Others to Apply Statistical Thinking.” Quality Progress (June 1997): 67–80.

Assuming the role of Ben Davis, write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you apply the approach discussed in the textbook to this problem. You’ll have to make some assumptions about the processes used by the HMO pharmacy. Also, please use the Internet and / or Strayer LRC to research articles on common problems or errors that pharmacies face. Your paper should address the following points:

Develop a process map about the prescription filling process for HMO’s pharmacy, in which you specify the key problems that the HMO’s pharmacy might be experiencing. Next, use the supplier, input, process steps, output, and customer (SIPOC) model to analyze the HMO pharmacy’s business process.
Analyze the process map and SIPOC model to identify possible main root causes of the problems. Next, categorize whether the main root causes of the problem are special causes or common causes. Provide a rationale for your response.
Suggest the main tools that you would use and the data that you would collect in order to analyze the business process and correct the problem. Justify your response.
Propose one (1) solution to the HMO pharmacy’s on-going problem(s) and propose one (1) strategy to measure the aforementioned solution. Provide a rationale for your response.
Use at least two (2) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
Describe how organizations use statistical thinking to be more competitive.
Apply the basic principles of statistical thinking to business processes.
Apply the SIPOC model to identify OFIs in business processes.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in business process improvement.
Write clearly and concisely about business process improvement using proper writing mechanics.

Click here to view the grading rubric