Letter Grade Breakdown:

Category 1:  Concept based

Exams and Chapter Quizzes

The exams are non-cumulative. An exam review guide will be distributed before each exam. You are expected to take the exams at the scheduled time.  Make-ups will be considered only with prior approval, and may be essay in nature. The quizzes are over your required textbook reading and will be given at the beginning of the class period. The top five quiz scores will be used to determine your final quiz points; there are no make-ups given.

BusinessWeek Discussion

One of the items with gives our text a "competitive edge" is its close association with BusinessWeek.  Through their partnering, we are able to receive BusinessWeek magazine, have on-line access to updates, etc.  We'll take advantage of this association to access current information about what real businesses are facing by reading articles and discussing them in class.  Your opinion is important, and will be actively solicited.  You'll be expected to come to class with the articles read, a brief reaction paper written and ready to hand in, ready to engage in meaningful discussion of the issues with your classmates.

Category 2:  Business Simulation

Through use of the Business Strategy Game, you will have the opportunity to become active strategic thinkers and planners.  Your company team will use the tools and concepts of strategic analysis to assess the industry environment, evaluate the strength of competitive forces, and monitor the actions of rival companies.  You will be challenged to form a strategic vision and to chart a basic direction for your company.  Plus, it's fun to kick corporate butt!

Quizzes on the Simulation

There will be two open-book simulation quizzes.  The first will focus on understanding what the simulation is all about; the second assesses your understanding of how to read reports that contain critical information about your company and its competition.

Strategic Plan

Through use of  some practice decision cycles, and after a few years decisions have been made, your team should be comfortable with how the simulation and your company works.  At that time, you'll be asked to plot a strategy by constructing a three-year strategic plan.  You'll develop objectives for your company, plan your strategic direction,  and identify  and analyze issues within your own company and those of your competition.  Your company will be evaluated, in part, based on how well it achieved its strategic objectives.

Company Performance

This component will be evaluated based upon the relative success of your company, and will be determined by performance scores. Performance scores will be equally weighted based upon an "Investor Expectation" standard and a "Best in Industry" standard.

Stockholders Report

Each team will prepare and present a stockholders report covering a six-year period of Years 11-16. There will be annual reports from real businesses and from simulated businesses from previous semesters on reserve in the Economics Department main office for you to review to get an idea concerning what might be included.  Adequate preparation and keeping up to date financial records are essential for successful completion of this component. Discussion of your strategy will strengthen your presentation.  Professional attire and the use of multi-media techniques are required. Presentation time of 15 minutes (including questions) will be strictly enforced.  A copy of your presentation will be given to the instructor and the other teams at the time of presentation.

Peer Evaluation

At the end of the semester, there will be a peer performance evaluation. The evaluation will be individually completed and submitted to assure confidentiality.

Management Audit

During the final exam period, all companies will turn in a  management audit.