Operations, technology, management, and social responsibility plan

Overview

In this assignment, you will focus on these sections of your business plan:

• Operations.
• Technology.
• Management.
• Social Responsibility.
• Financials.

You will revise the Operations, Social Responsibility, and  Financials sections based on the feedback you received in the discussion  threads and any changes you want to make to your business plan.

The Technology and Management and Organization sections are new.  You have not worked on these sections in your discussion threads.

The assignment consists of two parts:

1. The business plan (an MS Word document).
2. Business plan financials (using the Business Plan Financials Excel Template).

To successfully complete this assignment, you must attach both  documents to the submission area as separate files and then click Submit.

Reminders and Notes

• Your chosen company will operate in a 100-mile radius from your home address. Your goal is to reach $1 million in sales by the end of the second year.

• You are not starting this assignment from scratch. You have  already worked on these sections of your business plan in the weekly  discussions:        
  • Operations (Week 5 discussion).
  • Social Responsibility (Week 6 discussion).
  • Financials (Week 7 discussion).

Part 1: Business Plan

Write a 4–8 page paper, in MS Word, in which you provide the specified information in each section.

Operations Section (1–2 pages)

Notes:

• Chapter 11, “Operations,” pages 195–218, provides information  about developing an operations plan. The chapter also provides a sample  operations plan. You’ve already read this chapter in Week 5. Refer to it  on an as needed basis as you work on this section of your business  plan.
• Assign a dollar amount to each operational cost you find; you  will need these figures for your financials (Business Plan Financials  Excel Template).
• If you are working with the snack food company scenario, be  sure to use the information and costs provided in the Snack Food Company  Guidelines.
• Revise your post and the feedback you received on it in the Week 5 discussion thread to create your operations plan.

Instructions:

• Create an operations plan for your selected company expanding on each of these topics:        
  • Facilities. 
    • Consider questions such as these regarding facilities:            
      • Will you rent or buy your facilities, or will you outsource production to an existing company?
      • If you are renting or buying your facilities, what utilities will be required to run the operation?
      • What will be the costs associated with any necessary utilities?
  • Production Process or Description of How Your Business Will Operate If Retail or Service Company. 
    • Include any equipment you plan to use, if applicable.            
      • Research needed equipment, such as machines, refrigerators, burners, ovens, and so on.
      • Will you rent or buy needed equipment?
      • How will you maintain and clean the equipment?
      • How will you ensure quality control?
      • What capacity do you intend to reach?
      • If you have a retail or service business, consider any equipment you might need in your process.
    • Explain your approach to inventory, as applicable.            
      • Where do your supplies come from?
      • What is your turnaround time to produce your product once you have received an order?
  • Research and Development. 
    • How will you stay abreast of new developments in the industry?
    • What new products or services are in development?
  • Personnel Needs in Operations. 
    • How many operations employees do you plan to have?
    • What will their roles be?

Technology Section (1–2 pages)

Notes:

• Chapter 12, “Technology Plan,” pages 225–234, provides  information about developing a technology plan. The chapter also  provides a sample technology plan. You’ve already read this chapter in  Week 5. Refer to it on an as needed basis as you work on this section of  your business plan.
• Assign a dollar amount to each technology cost you find; you  will need these figures for your financials (Business Plan Financials  Excel Template).
• If you are working with the snack food company scenario, be  sure to use the information and costs provided in the Snack Food Company  Guidelines.
• Consider the type of technology your selected company will use  to conduct activities, such as managing personnel; taking, fulfilling,  and tracking orders; managing inventory; communicating with customers  and providing customer service; and producing your product or providing  your service.

Instructions:

• Create a technology plan for your selected company expanding on each of these topics:        
  • Software Needs. 
    • Examples of software you might need include: graphics,  customer relationship management, accounting, inventory, and office  suite.
  • Hardware Needs. 
    • Examples of hardware you might need include: computers, monitors, servers, routers, and tablets.
  • Telecommunication Needs. 
    • Examples of telecommunication equipment you might need include: phones, Internet, fax, and mobile phones.
  • Personnel Needs in Technology. 
    • Will your technology personnel be in-house or outsourced?

Management and Organization Section (1–2 pages)

Notes:

• Chapter 13, “Management & Organization,” pages 235–258,  provides information about developing a management and organization  plan. The chapter also provides a sample management and organization  plan. This chapter was part of the assigned reading for this week. Refer  to this chapter on an as needed basis as you work on this section of  your business plan.
• Be sure to include the salary costs associated with the  management personnel; you will need these figures for your financials  (Business Plan Financials Excel Template).

Instructions:

• Create a management and organization plan for your selected company expanding on each of these topics:        
  • Key Management Employees. 
    • List key management team members along with a several  sentence description of each person’s relevant business background and  responsibilities.
  • Advisors. 
    • List any people you will use as advisors for your business;  include a several sentence description of these individuals’ areas of  expertise and their expected contribution to the business.
  • Management Hierarchy. 
    • Outline your company’s management hierarchy using the flow charts on page 248 of your text as a guide.
    • Import/include all charts or diagrams into the MS Word document.

Social Responsibility Section (1–2 pages)

Notes:

• Chapter 14, “Social Responsibility & Sustainability,” pages  259–270, provides information about developing your social  responsibility plan. The chapter also provides a sample social  responsibility and sustainability plan. You’ve already read this chapter  in Week 6. Refer to it on an as needed basis as you work on this  section of your business plan.
• Revise your post and the feedback you received on it in the Week 6 discussion thread to create your social responsibility plan.

Instructions:

• Create a social responsibility plan for your selected company expanding on each of these topics:        
  • Impact on Stakeholders. 
    • Describe the ways your chosen company will impact  stakeholders, such as employees, customers, suppliers, and the  community. This is the people section of the triple bottom line.            
      • What types of benefits (such as health care, flexible  work hours, and opportunities for advancement and education) will your  company offer employees?
      • What types of opportunities (such as classes, sponsored  events, and assistance to causes and charities) will your company offer  the community?
  • Environmental Impact. 
    • Explain how your company’s activities will affect the environment.
    • Identify the steps you will take to mitigate any negative impacts.            
      • How will you minimize your ecological footprint in your  operations? Consider energy usage, waste disposal, recycling, using  recycled materials, et cetera.