Management

Well-planned organizational design is crucial to the success of any business. In Designed to Work (Organizational Design of Businesses), students will learn the importance of structure within an organization and discover the many types of organizational design used by successful companies today. In the Gray Zone, students will evaluate a situation in which a manager potentially abuses their authority within an organization’s hierarchy. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive...

Successful organizations have clear visions for their futures. But what makes a shared vision successful? This LAP explains the difference between organizational visions and team visions, shows what an effective vision looks like, and describes what team leaders can do to “sell” people on their company’s vision. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with...

Organizational culture is an essential component of every workplace. In this LAP, students will discover the core components of organizational culture and how they shape employees’ lives at work. They will learn the benefits of maintaining a positive culture, as well as the factors that influence a company’s culture. Students will also investigate organizational culture in the real world by researching successful companies. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional...

Chances are, most students will find themselves in a position of power at some point in their lives. But do they know how to use that power to reach their goals? In this LAP, students will learn about the different types of power and how to use them appropriately so that they can become effective and respected leaders. In the Gray Zone, students will examine the tricky situation facing individuals that suddenly have authority over their peers and friends. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are...

When businesses consider new ventures, they need to find out whether or not they can succeed. Teach your students about feasibility studies—why businesses conduct them, what they include, and the benefits they provide. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about conducting feasibility studies, a (So What?)...

Starting and running a successful, well-respected company doesn’t just require business smarts—it requires dedication to ethical principles and a commitment to doing what’s right. In this LAP, students will explore several common ethical dilemmas associated with starting a company and will discover the importance of using ethics as a “compass” when beginning a new business venture. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a...

Running a business without a budget is like trying to steer a ship on a cloudy day without a compass—it’s far too easy to sail off course. Money Tracks helps you teach your students why budgets are so important, prepares you to discuss various types of budgets, and maps out your discussion of the characteristics that effective budgets possess. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP...

Just like individuals, businesses weigh risks and rewards when making important decisions. Teach your students more about cost-benefit analysis. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about cost-benefit analysis, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to learn, ideas (Make it Pay!) for immediate...

Human resources management is a lot more than just interviewing and hiring! HR managers administer benefits, oversee training and development, ensure compliance, and more. This LAP shows students just how influential the HR function is in every business. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about human...

Teach your students how effective leadership can help a business be more productive, its employees be more creative and skilled, and its leaders enjoy both internal and external rewards. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about leadership in organizations, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to...

Knowledge is as important in the business world as it is in your personal life. Sometimes, there can be so much knowledge in one place that it can be overwhelming. That’s why organizations need knowledge management. Teach your students about knowledge management and its key role in businesses today. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes...

Knowledge management has become increasingly important to organizations of all shapes and sizes. But do your students understand the role that ethics play in effectively managing knowledge? If they don’t, this LAP can help. Know What’s Right (Ethics in Knowledge Management) explains how knowledge management makes organizations more ethical. It also discusses ethical issues that can disrupt the knowledge management process. This comprehensive lesson includes engaging activities and relevant...

In the world of business, one thing leads to another. The actions companies take today will lead to the results, good or bad, that they face tomorrow. Teach your students about positive and negative company actions and results with Just Do It...Right. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about company actions and results, a (So What?)...

Just as people have personal goals and ambitions, businesses have their own goals for corporate success. One way that companies measure their progress toward their goals is by evaluating their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT). In this LAP, students will learn how to conduct a SWOT analysis for their own companies as well as the benefits of SWOT analysis for long-term success. In the activities, students will have the opportunity to conduct SWOT analyses for real-life...

Businesses need plans when they undertake projects. Creating an effective plan can mean the difference between the success and failure of your project. Use this LAP to teach your students more about the essential components of project plans, as well as how to develop and use them. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about developing...

Everything starts with a project - a short-term undertaking that creates a unique good or service. Projects help businesses maintain flexibility so that they can take advantage of new opportunities quickly and effectively. Teach your students more about projects, why they’re important, and how businesses manage them effectively. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT!...

No matter the size or nature of any project, they all require planning. Plan On It! (Planning Projects) focuses on teaching students the importance of planning ahead when completing all kinds of projects—at work, at school, and in their personal lives. This LAP includes the benefits of planning projects, factors that impact project planning, tools for project planning, and steps to planning a project. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all...

While working on a project, it is important to check on its progress periodically to make sure the work is turning out the way it should be. Check Your (Project) Pulse (Monitoring Projects and Taking Corrective Actions) explains why it is important to monitor projects and what aspects of the project should be monitored. It also provides step-by-step instructions so students can learn how to monitor projects and take the necessary corrective actions to get their projects back on track. LAPs...

Many traits are beneficial to project management. One of the most important ways to lead a project to success is by being ethical. Projects With Principles (Ethics in Project Management) teaches students the importance of being ethical throughout the course of a project. Students will also learn about common ethical dilemmas in project management, as well as ways to be ethical role models to project team members. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that...

Quality management is an integral practice of every successful business – from the smallest startups to the largest corporations. In this LAP, students will study the characteristics of high-quality goods and services and discover the three main components of quality management: quality control, quality assurance, and quality improvement. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with...

This LAP walks students through the basics of management—what managers do, what skills they need, and what types of resources they manage—as well as what levels of management most companies have. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about management, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to learn,...

Teach your students what a business plan is, what goes into its different components, and how it benefits startup and existing businesses. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about nature of business plans, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to learn, ideas (Make it Pay!) for immediate...

Teach your students how to create a business plan that gets results, regardless of the business’s product, size, or stage of development. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about creating a business plan, a (So What?) discussion of why it's important to learn, and a short (Gray Zone) case addressing...

Managers of all types of businesses must spend a portion of their time organizing. But what exactly do managers do when they are organizing? To teach your students about managerial organizing, check out our latest LAP, Put It All Together (Managerial Considerations in Organizing). This LAP discusses the importance of organizing as a management function, as well as the process managers use to organize their businesses. LAPs are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a...

Staffing is one of the five functions of management that are essential for organizational success. This LAP explores the staffing process and takes a deeper look at how managers develop human resources management strategies. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about staffing, a (So What?) discussion of...

Directing is considered the “heart” of management. When managers are directing, they are guiding workers to achieve goals. This LAP explains what directing is, the importance of directing, and activities included in this management function. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements of a performance-oriented lesson plan. This LAP includes a student handout (with CopyIT! permission) that includes information about managerial...

All business is risky. But smart businesses manage their risk. Help your students understand how businesses use risk management to avoid loss, create strategy, and increase profits. Prepare for the Worst; Expect the Best explains how risk management is used to identify, monitor, and evaluate past and future risks. Cyber security, drones, computer animation, and space exploration are used to explore some cutting-edge technologies businesses use to manage risk today. LAPs are comprehensive...

Managerial control is essential for organizational success. In this LAP, students will discover what managerial control is and how managers utilize control in real life. They will learn the various types of controls that can be put in place as well as the characteristics of effective controls. In the Gray Zone, students will examine a situation in which managerial control is taken too far. LAPs (Learning Activity Packages) are comprehensive instructional packages that include all elements...