Overview: In this week’s assessment, you will use The Open Group Framework (TOGAF) to address how can you strengthen your project proposal to ensure that both the business and technology stakeholder needs are met. This assessment has two deliverables.

Note: Developing a business proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.

The Open Group Framework (TOGAF) is commonly used as a model that ensures organizations consider the many complex components of their organization as a key step in developing an IT solution.

Suggested resources:

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Understanding Enterprise Architecture

The enterprise is becoming more complex, with new technological advances and market demands. Due to these complexities, the enterprise will fluctuate and change. If business and IT goals are truly integrated, the business needs to ensure that the many IT systems function together seamlessly. For many larger organizations, an enterprise architect is responsible for deciding how all of these systems are integrated. Just as an architect has to develop a blueprint for a building in order to ensure that electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, security systems, and other components all end up appropriately integrated into the larger plan, so does the enterprise architect have to develop an architecture that will combine networks of all types, systems developed both internally as well as those that are outsourced, and all of the application software that ties everything together and customizes the software to your institution’s needs. An enterprise architecture will help an organization during times of change because it guarantees that all of the fundamental systems will still be integrated no matter what is revised. TOGAF enables some definition to be put around enterprise architecture.

Use your The TOGAF® Standard, Version 9. 2 text to read the following:

• Chapter 2, “Core Concepts.”
• Chapter 3, “Definitions.”
• Chapter 4, “The ADM Method.”
• Chapter 7, “Business Architecture.”
  • 7.5.6, “Applying Modeling Techniques.”

  Assessment Instructions:

• Note: Developing a business proposal requires specific steps that need to be executed in a sequence. The assessments in this course are presented in sequence and must be completed in order.
  

  Preparation

  After reviewing the material provided on TOGAF and enterprise architecture, consider if you have everything necessary for the proposed project. For example, does the current architecture of the IT infrastructure within the company allow for ease of integration? Do you have the appropriate personnel to work on the project? Does a budget exist for the project? Can security standards be met? Can users be trained properly? What other IT systems need to be included as part of your proposal?

  Instructions

  Review your proposal that you created for your course project. Using TOGAF, address how can you strengthen the project proposal to ensure that both the business and technology stakeholder needs are met?This assignment has two deliverables: Part 1) a paper, and Part 2) the revised presentation. You will use elements from these deliverables in your final project to submit a coordinated communication package for your project.

  Part 1: Paper

  Prepare a 3–5 page paper in which you do the following:

  • Identify the components of the TOGAF that are going to be included in your proposal.
  • Explain your rationale for including these other components from the TOGAF. Analyze the impact TOGAF components have on the effectiveness of business processes.
  • Describe potential challenges from you expect these additional components to add to your proposal. Plan strategies for overcoming these challenges.
  • Evaluate how the TOGAF model helps align business goals with an IT solution.

  Part 2: Revised Presentation

  Add a third slide to your PowerPoint presentation from last week’s assignment that succinctly identifies:

  • The components TOGAF included in your proposal.
  • Your plan for integrating the associated IT and business components into the proposed solution.

  Submit both of your files in the assignment area, and attach the PowerPoint presentation that has been revised to also include TOGAF components to be considered.

  Additional Requirements

  • Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message.
  • APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to APA found in the Capella Writing Center.
  • Number of resources: Minimum of four resources.
  • Length of paper: 3–5 double-spaced pages.
  • Paper font and font size: Arial 10-point or Times New Roman 12-point.
  • Length of presentation: Three slides.

  Competencies Measured

  By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

  • Competency 1: Examine business goals to determine benefits from information technology and information systems.
    • Evaluate how the TOGAF model helps align business goals with an IT solution.
  • Competency 3: Plan a strategy for designing and employing an information system to meet business goals.
    • Plan strategies for overcoming potential challenges in employing TOGAF components in an information system to meet business goals.
  • Competency 4: Analyze enterprise architectures and the impact they have on the effectiveness of business processes.
    • Analyze the impact TOGAF components have on the effectiveness of business processes.
  • Competency 5: Communicate effectively using professional standards appropriate to the IT field.
    • Follow APA guidelines for resources and citations, and create a document that is clearly and professionally written and generally free of grammatical errors.

Primary Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 300–500 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

For this Discussion Board, please complete the following:

Today’s competitive world is about understanding how a company fits into the bigger picture of environmental issues and the concerns of the public. Societal marketing is sometimes referred to as corporate social responsibility (CSR) or social marketing. It is a huge part of today’s organizational responsibilities.

Pick any major automotive brand, and look at the company’s Web site to determine whether it participates in any societal marketing activities.

Respond to the following questions:

• How does the company participate in societal marketing? What type of activities does it use?
• How do you think the social marketing platform supports the company’s overall brand image?

Responses to Other Students: Respond to at least 2 of your fellow classmates with at least a 100-200 word reply about his or her Primary Task Response regarding items you found to be compelling and enlightening. To help you with your discussion, please consider the following questions:

• What did you learn from your classmate’s posting? What additional questions do you have after reading the posting?
• What clarification do you need regarding the posting?
• What differences or similarities do you see between your posting and other classmates’ postings?

First student: Clark

Corporate Social Responsibility

Social environmental concerns play a vital role in how major corporations do business around the world. One industry that has made leaps in this regard has been the automotive industry. One of the automotive industry’s biggest brands is Toyota so I found it only fitting to use them for this week’s discussion board.

Toyota’s corporate social responsibility policy is the goal of contributing to society by manufacturing vehicles that help push society forward. That being said, Toyota’s environmental philosophy strives to preserve the environment across all of its business activities. Toyota works to develop and promote technologies that are environmentally friendly and economically active, (Corporation, 2022). Toyota’s aim is to create a rich natural environment for future generations to enjoy. Toyota continues to set challenging goals for itself to reduce the environmental impact of its business operations, (Corporation, 2022). There are four items that Toyota is has seen as points of concern:

• Establishing a carbon-neutral society- The prevention of global warming is the highest priority for Toyota, (Corporation, 2022).
• Establishing a recycling-based society- The aim is to promote the effective usage of resources at the developing stage of production, (Corporation, 2022).
• Reducing environmental risk and establishing a society in harmony with nature, (Corporation, 2022).
• Promoting environmental management, (Corporation, 2022).

How has social marketing supported Toyota’s overall brand image? Toyota has become one of the most well-known image brands in the world. It offers many different product lines that keep its portfolio diversified. This strategy gives Toyota a broad consumer base and allows for a greater brand image. One of the best things that Toyota has done throughout the years is that it listens to its customers and is proactive to follow what is needed.

Moving forward I think that Toyota has the right mindset with regard to how it has branded itself. I also liked learning about its social responsibilities to the environment as well as society.

References: Corporation, T. (2022). Basic Stance | Toyota Industries Corporation. Retrieved 19 April 2022, from https://www.toyota-industries.com/csr/environment/policy/index.html

Second student : James

How does the company participate in societal marketing? What type of activities does it use?

The last campaign was kicked off in 2019 when Ram was on a tear of the first quarter sales taking over the second-place spot from Chevrolet. Ram later took over the ratings by an increase of 28% from previous year sales. They used commercials as their main marketing scheme to advertise the latest Ram trucks. They did this with a unique way of poking fun at their rival Ford F-150s and Chevrolet. These commercials poked fun at the two other company’s and provided a plat form for people to share these funny commercials through social media. These became a trending and the consumers started sharing these videos on social media platforms which proved a genius marketing plan for the free shares and advertisements.

How do you think the social marketing platform supports the company’s overall brand image?

The overall brand of Ram is very much supported by social media. The Ram truck is very popular with the new technology it has to offer. Being that most of the consumers have grown up with the vast improvements of technology are more interested in the features and the look of having an offroad truck right off the lot. The image of Ram is that the truck can pull or haul any job or complete any task and is a working man truck. The traveling man or outdoor enthusiast. I personally shopped for this truck for roughly four months prior to my purchase. I utilized Instagram and Facebook to see what they had to offer. I used social media to find exactly what I wanted in my truck. I reached out to other ram owners through these tools and was not disappointed in the responses. I basically shopped for their product using real customers and social media groups like 5^th gen Instagram.

Reference: Ram Truck Launches Aggressive New Marketing Campaign: (moparinsiders.com)

 apply decision-making to the process of international human resource management as you determine which of the four final applicants to hire into a global executive position.  

You are a member of the management committee of a MNE that conducts business in 23 countries. While your company’s headquarters is located in the Netherlands, your regional offices are located fairly evenly throughout the four hemispheres. Primary markets have been in the European Union and North America; the strongest emerging market is the Pacific Rim. Company executives would like to develop what they see as a powerful potential market in the Middle East. Sales in all areas except the Pacific Rim have shown slow growth over the past two years.

At present, your company is seeking to restructure and revitalize its worldwide marketing efforts. To accomplish this, you have determined that you need to hire a key marketing person to introduce fresh ideas and a new perspective. There is no one currently in your company who is qualified to do this, and so you have decided to look outside. 

The job title is “Vice President for Global Marketing”; an annual salary of $250,000-$300,000, plus elaborate benefits, an unlimited expense account, a car, and the use of the corporate jet. The person you hire will be based at the company’s headquarters in the Netherlands and will travel frequently.

A lengthy search has turned up four people with good potential. It is now up to you to decide whom to hire. Although all the applicants have expressed a sincere interest in the position, it is possible that they may change their minds once the job is offered. Therefore, you must rank them in order of preference so that if your first choice declines the position, you can go on to the second, and so on.

First, read the biographies of each applicant. As you are doing this, rank each of them from 1 to 4, with 1 being your first choice, and explain your reasons for their ranking. 

For your essay this week, respond to the following questions using the decisions you have made with your rankings. 

The first section of your paper should be an overview of your rankings and reasons for your decisions.

Did your decision include any culturally based biases you may have—for example, feelings, personality traits, or politics in your rankings?

Did you make any observations that you feel would have been fully acceptable in your own culture, but were not accepted in other cultures? If so, explain.

What implications do you believe any of the applicant’s cultural differences would have in business dealings? In what countries or cultures? 

What expatriate adjustments for the candidate need to be considered? How will the company handle these? 

Explain the decision-making process you used to make your decisions. 

Park L.

Park L. is currently senior vice president for marketing at a major South Korean high-technology firm. You have been told by the head of your Seoul office that his reputation as an expert in international marketing is outstanding. The market share of his company’s products has consistently increased since he joined the company just over 15 years ago. His company’s market share is now well ahead of that of competing producers in the Pacific Rim.

Park graduated from the University of Seoul and has worked his way up through the ranks. He does not have a graduate degree. In addition to his native tongue, Park is able to carry on a reasonably fluent conversation in English and has minimal working knowledge of German and French.

Saya K.

Saya K. is a woman living in Malaysia. She began her teaching career while finishing her DBA (Doctorate in Business Administration) at the Harvard Business School and published her first book on international marketing ten months after graduation. Her doctoral dissertation was based on the international marketing of pharmaceuticals, but she has also done research and published on other areas of international marketing.

Two months after the publication of her book, Saya went to work in the international marketing department of a Fortune 500 company, where she stayed for the next ten years. She returned to teaching when Maura University offered her a full professorship with tenure, and she has been there since that time. In addition, she has an active consulting practice throughout Southeast Asia. In addition to fluency in Malay, English, and Japanese, Saya speaks and writes German and Spanish and can converse in Mandarin.

Peter V.

Peter had worked in a key position in the international marketing division of a US Fortune 100 company until the company pulled out of his country South Africa eight months ago. Peter has a long list of accomplishments and is widely recognized as outstanding in his field. 

Peter has a Ph.D. in computer science from a leading South African university and an MBA from Purdue’s Krannert School of Business. Peter speaks and reads English, Dutch, Afrikaans, and Swahili and can converse in German.

Joe P.

Joe is currently job hunting. His former job as head of marketing for a single-product, high-technology firm—highly specialized workstations for sophisticated artificial intelligence applications—ended when the company was bought out by Texas Instruments. 

Joe has both his undergraduate and MBA degrees from Stanford University. In addition, he was a Rhodes Scholar and won a Fulbright scholarship, which he used to support himself while he undertook a two-year research project on the marketing of high-technology equipment to Third World countries. In addition to his native English, Joe has a minimal command of French—which he admits he hasn’t used since his college days.

Week 4 Assignment Template: Reflecting on Your Skills, Goals, and Accomplishments

Part 1: About Me: Reflection on Goals, Strengths, and Areas of Growth

Answer the following questions in your own words to capture how you see yourself in terms of values, aspirations, key qualities, goals, strengths, and areas of growth:

1. What are your values, motivations, or aspirations?

2. What are some of your main personal, academic, and professional goals?
(Make sure to write five or more complete sentences.)

3. What are some of your strength areas? Think about the top 2–3 skills you would advertise about yourself, or consider what others come to you for advice about.
(Make sure to write five or more complete sentences.)

4. What are some areas you would like to grow and improve in?
(Make sure to write five or more complete sentences.)

Part 2: Accomplishment Statements

Accomplishments don’t have to be as large as climbing the top of Mount Everest or starting your own company. We accomplish many things that have meaning every day. For example, perhaps you organized volunteers for your school’s food drive or made an extremely profitable sale. Or, if you’re more advanced in your career, perhaps you’ve received a promotion or special recognition.

Review the Accomplishment Categories to help you identify two accomplishments from work, school, volunteering, or other activities and practice communicating them using the formats below.

Your Two Accomplishment Statements Using Brainstorming Format

Step 1: Write two accomplishment statements using the brainstorming format: Challenge, Action, Result, and Details, which is explained below.

Accomplishment Statement #1: Write your accomplishment statement, in your own words, using the brainstorming format in the boxes below.

Accomplishment Statement #2: Write your accomplishment statement, in your own words, using the brainstorming format in the boxes below.

Your Two Concise Accomplishments Statements Using Résumé Format

Step 2: The two accomplishment statements you wrote in Step 1 above will help you write your two accomplishment statements concisely using either of the two résumé format options below. (Note: you will not be completing a résumé).

• Résumé Format Option 1: Result + action + brief description with clarifying details.
  • Example: Decreased customer complaints from three per week to one or fewer per week by training staff and implementing a regular review process.
• Résumé Format Option 2: Action + brief description with clarifying details + results.
  • Example: Trained retail staff in customer-service techniques and implemented a regular review process, decreasing customer complaints from three per week to one or fewer per week.

Accomplishment Statement #1: Write your accomplishment statement using either résumé format option, in the box below:

Accomplishment Statement #2: Write your accomplishment statement using either résumé format option in the box below:

Part 3: Reflect on Your Experiences

Reflect on Your Experiences & Practices for the Future

• How has reflecting on your goals, strengths, areas of growth, and accomplishments been valuable for you?

2. What are 1 –2 ways you can build in a regular practice of reflection that will help you reach your future goals?

Connection between Accomplishments and 10 Skills

3. Identify two of the 10 Skills (from the Skill Definition Table) that have helped you reach the accomplishments which you listed in Part 2. Briefly explain how.

4. Do you feel more confident in expressing your accomplishments to an employer after writing your accomplishments in a résumé-appropriate style, which you did in Part 2? Briefly explain.

Assessment 1 Instructions: Financial Condition Analysis

PRINT

Create a 4-6 page report that analyzes financial ratios for a company, uses the data to tell the financial story of that company, and concludes with a recommendation on whether the company would be a viable partner based on its financial condition.Introduction
It’s essential for senior management to know the financial condition of an organization in order to make strategic decisions. In this assessment, you will apply the financial management skills learned thus far.

Tell the financial story based on financial statements.

• Conduct a financial analysis and identify focus areas for enhancing shareholder value.

Interpret ratio computations that are meaningful and inform business decisions and strategies.

• Make three recommendations that maximize shareholder value.

Scenario
Maria Gomez is founder and president of ABC Healthcare Corporation, a company that owns hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, urgent care centers, and outpatient clinics. She has called on you to review various financial documents and to make recommendations to maximize shareholder value.Your Role
You are one of Maria’s high-performing financial analyst managers at ABC Healthcare Corporation and she trusts your work and leadership.Requirements
Here is what your report should provide for Maria:

A summary of the financial strength of the company through your analysis of the price/earnings and price/book ratios.

The CFO for ABC Healthcare Corporation assessed the market value by reviewing its price/earnings ratios. The price/earnings ratio determines the market value of a stock as compared to the company’s earnings. The price/earnings ratios are listed in the chart below. To calculate the price/earnings ratio, the CFO took the earnings per share and divided that into the market value. As an example, this means that in 2019 investors were willing to pay $12.10 for $1 of earnings.Price/Earnings Ratio201920182017Market Price83.6283.6283.62Earnings Per Share6.917.879.15Price/Earnings Ratio12.1010.639.14To further assess market value, the CFO looked at book value per share. The book value per share ratio is the per share value of a company in terms of the equity available to stockholders. The book values per share over the past three years are listed in the chart below:Price/Ratio Ratio201920182017Market Price83.6283.6283.62Book Value per Share199.1209.05226Price to Book Ratio.42.40.37The price-to-book ratio (P/B ratio) compares a firm’s market capitalization to its book value. It’s calculated by dividing the company’s stock price per share by book value per share. Here, for fiscal year 2019, the book value per share ratio was 0.42. This explains that investors were willing to pay $0.42 for $1 of book value equity. Price to book value is an important measure to see how much equity shareholders are paying for the net assets value of the company. P/B ratios under 1 are typically considered solid investments.

• Based on your analysis, what is your general perception of the company’s financial strength? Is it performing well given industry standards? How does it compare to its closest rival, HCA Healthcare? What information do you need in order to conduct such an analysis?
• Given your review, how can it maximize shareholder value? What are focus areas for enhancing shareholder value for the long term? What short-term steps might be necessary for longer-term gains?
• In your analysis you may choose to look at competitive data. You may calculate ratios to gain a true comparison.
• After conducting your analysis, provide at least three recommendations to Maria that maximize shareholder value.
• Deliverable Format
  Create a report that tells the financial condition of this company. Your report should provide information on the following:

Analysis of the financial statements.

Evaluation of the true condition and valuation of the company.

Recommendation of actionable items for the company based on the financial analysis.

Financial Condition Analysis Report Requirements:
Remember that you’re preparing a professional document meant for executive leadership with limited time.

Title Page.

Executive Summary.

Company Background.

• Overall Financial Analysis.
• Financial Ratio Analysis.

Trend Analysis.

Competitive Comparative Analysis.

Recommendations.

Conclusion.

References.

Appendix (if you have additional data, reports, charts, et cetera, to support your analysis).

Additional Requirements:
Your report should follow the corresponding MBA Academic and Professional Document Guidelines, including single-spaced paragraphs.

Ensure written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message and quality.

Format your paper according to APA style and formatting.

Use at least three scholarly resources.

Length: Between 4-6 pages of content, beyond the title page, references, and appendices.

Use 12 point, Times New Roman.

Evaluation
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding scoring guide criteria:

Competency 1: Apply the theories, models, and practices of finance to the financial management of an organization.

Analyze financial ratio analysis, trend analysis, and competitive average analysis.

Competency 3: Apply financial analyses to business planning and decision making.

Evaluate the provided financial statements of the firm to find its true condition and valuation.

Competency 4: Use data to support evidence-based financial decisions.

Develop actionable items and conclusions, based on the analysis, recommending at least three ways to maximize shareholder value.

Competency 5: Communicate financial information with multiple stakeholders

Tell the current financial story as to the overall health of the firm as it relates to current valuation and the future prospects of the company. Identify focus areas for enhancing shareholder value for the long term. Note what short-term steps might be necessary for longer-term gains.