Aristotle argues that the most important form of happiness consists neither in momentary episodes of pleasure nor in long series of such moments,but rather in the happiness one can take in old age in reflecting back on a life well-lived.

Please answer the following question:

• What, according to Aristotle, constitutes a life well-lived, and how does his conception of this relate to his conception of virtue and his ideal of virtuous action that avoids both “excess” and “deficiency” but rather that realizes “a mean”?

This is a challenging question, so please begin discussing near the start of this lesson and please discuss with your peers and work with your professor step-by-step to develop a clear understanding of Aristotle’s ideas. As you do this, please remember to quote and analyze “crucial passages,” to ask specific questions about concepts or argumentative moves that strike you as important but that you do not fully understand. Finally, please be sure to discuss carefully the discussion of virtue and of virtue within the context of “a complete life” that occurs from the top of page 245 through the end of the excerpt from Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics.

Discussion must be 75 to 150 words, but may go longer depending on the topic. Please cite any outside sources used.

my company of choice is Wells FARGO

Choose a publicly held corporation from an industry with which you are familiar. Conduct research on the organization using the internet, the CSU-Global Library, and other credible sources. Your analysis of that organization needs to include the following:

1. Analyze how people, information, and information technology help the company remain competitive in their industry.
2. Analyze Porter’s Five Forces Model in relation to competition within the industry of that corporation.
3. Evaluate how supply chain management systems, enterprise resource planning systems, and customer relationship management systems are currently used, or could be used, within the organization.
4. Evaluate how a database management system and a data warehouse are currently used, or could be used, within the organization.
5. Analyze how the five agent‐based technologies are currently used, or could be used, within the organization.
6. Evaluate which of the nine major e‐commerce business models are currently used, or could be used, within the organization, and synthesize how these could work together to create value within the organization.
7. Analyze how the organization could benefit from using the systems development life cycle (SDLC), and what type of projects within the organization could benefit from this process.
8. Evaluate the phases of business continuity planning as they relate to the organization.
9. Analyze how the organization could use emerging trends such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cell phones, and RFID to remain competitive in the future.
10. Evaluate measures that the organization takes, or could take, to ensure information is protected and free from security vulnerabilities.

Your paper should be 7 to 10 pages in length and encompass your knowledge from all modules of the course. Support your argument with at least five credible, outside sources. Remember to use proper citations and references, and adhere to CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements. The Library is a good place to find this information. You may wish to refer to the Portfolio Project Rubric to see the evaluation criteria for this project.

Consider a problem that has developed within your organization (or an organization with which you are familiar). Imagine you are a leader in the organization. In your paper address the following:

1. Briefly summarize the problem that has developed within your organization.
2. Use a systems theory approach to describe two ways this problem has affected the organization holistically.
3. If you were the leader, recommend a solution to the problem.
4. Describe the implications the solution may have on the organizational system.

Your paper should be 2-3 pages plus a title page and reference page. Follow APA format, Include 2 outside academic sources to support your responses. Use outside sources other than the textbook, course materials, or other information provided as part of the course materials.

Sample paper attached

Systems Theory explanation:

Systems theory provides a way to consider an organization holistically. When a leader considers the organization systemically, it is easy to see how any change will affect other parts of the system (Bott, 1994). Systems theory research has shown that problems within the organization often give rise to symptomatic displays in other parts of the workplace. For example, a problem with employee morale may trickle down and affect sales for the quarter. Effective leaders must take into account that when a change is implemented, there will be some outward manifestation of that change throughout the organization. Since organizations are complex systems, systems thinking can be central to improving relations and building follower trust and commitment. Systems theory can be further linked to how children interact with each other. Researchers have found that children who have unstable family systems may be unable to cope effectively with interactions with their peers. This inability to cope leads to bullying, which has been linked to transactional or autocratic leadership (Cross & Barnes, 2014).

Carleton (2005) wrote, “working at the enterprise or organizational level of performance, as opposed to individual performance, requires a fundamental shift in thinking about performance… [This shift requires] applying systems theory as a primary performance factor” (p. 5). A theory provides guidance, structure, and a clear sense of direction for future action (Di Paola & Tschannen-Moran, 2005). Effectively led organizations require attention to the continuous exchange of information and resources with stakeholders. Because environmental factors are often uncertain and difficult to predict, authentic and effective leaders must be prepared to respond in a variety of ways to maximize the success of an organization (DiPaola, et. al, 2005). Increased cooperation and coordination of information coming into the system helps build bridges that can sustain an organization during times of growth and change. Effective and authentic leaders are at the helm, adapting to changes, creating coping strategies, and keeping watch for opportunities and threats within the organization (DiPaola, et. al, 2005). Systems theory presents an opportunity to address the multiple facets of the organization, thereby allowing the leader the chance to oversee the organization effectively using his or her unique leadership style.

Systems theory advocates purport that all members of an organization are part of a cohesive unit, and stakeholders must be viewed, not merely as individuals, but in the broader context of the system. Research highlights the potential applications of systems theory for the whole organization (Gilbert, 1992). Systems theory represents a “radically different way of understanding the organization” and authentic leadership (Bott, 1994).

Business organizations have benefited greatly when a leader uses a systems approach (Carleton, 2005). By understanding the systems approach, successful relationship skills can be fostered within the organizations and a leader can flourish. Because of their stature in an organization, leaders have significant powers to affect positive change (Gilbert, 1992). Organizational theory should provide guidance for leaders. An understanding of systems theory can provide intentional opportunities for leaders as they interact with their environments. Di Paola and Tschannen-Moran (2005) wrote, “in using theory instead of intuition or past practice to interpret the environment, a leader has a better chance of selecting strategies that will have a positive impact” (p. 71) on the success of the organization when leading from a systems approach. While systems theory is not the only approach leaders may take, it is a helpful paradigm to consider. An effective leader can approach organizational thinking by recognizing that how he or she interacts with one facet of the system will trickle down to all other aspects of the workplace. Without a consistent leadership approach, organizational management might become fragmented.

Bott, D. (1994). A family systems framework for intervention with individuals. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 7(2), 105-116.

Carleton, J. R. (2005). HPT: Focused on individuals or focused on the enterprise. Performance Improvement, 44(3), 5-12.

Di Paola, M. F., & Tschannen-Moran, M. (2005). Bridging or buffering? Journal of Education, 43(1), 60-72.

Gilbert, R. M. (1992). Extraordinary relationships: A new way of thinking about human interactions. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons.

DO NOT REPSOND BY SAYING THINGS LIKE “THE STUDENT SAID” INSTEAD TALK LIKE ME AND SAY “I AGREE WHEN YOU SAID, ETC….

POST 1:

Week 3 Discussion Post

In the PowerPoint for the week, it states that quality management is comprises of 3 entities. These are quality planning, quality control, and quality improvement. Planning is preparing to release new products and services to meet consumer needs. It is important to attempt to decrease dissatisfaction and financial deficiencies. Control is analyzing results from the planning and making alterations to the plan as needed. Improvement is permanently removing the problems from the plan and creating a new and improved version that meets the needs of the customers. After reading through the PowerPoint and reading materials, I found an article that went into further detail of how organizations implement quality management.

An article on ASQ identifies 7 different principles of implementing quality management within an organization. The first principle is customer focus in which an organization needs to understand the needs of all customers, both current and future, meet those needs, and then measure their satisfaction with our services. With my organization, Florida Dance Theatre, we understand that our customers want to see entertaining dance performances and want exceptional dance training for their children. After we meet those desires, we can measure their satisfaction by analyzing our ticket sales numbers and enrollment retention numbers. The second principle is about leadership within an organization must establish a mission and vision for the company and demonstrate said mission. At Florida Dance Theatre, we strive to encourage artistic education and inspire the young minds through the art of dance. Our teachers plan their classes around the best education we can provide while also helping our students express themselves within the artform. The third principle is engagement of people that allows for participation and contribution and also enables employees to learn and share their knowledge with their peers. At FDT, we share our experiences with our fellow teachers and dancers as it helps us enhance our own processes of teaching and dancing. The fifth principle is improvement in which an organization improves performance and measures those developments in order to keep the improvement cycle. The sixth principle is evidence-based decision making. This goes hand in hand with improvement because an organization must look at the evidence of their outcomes in the organization in order to make improvements. At my organization, if we see that there is evidence of something that needs to be altered, we then develop a plan to improve said outcomes. Relationship management is the seventh principle and Florida Dance Theatre works to establish relationships with other organizations in the community to continue out outreach, collaborative projects, and positive face within the city of Lakeland (“ISO 9000 Quality Management Principles,” n.d.).

ISO 9000 Quality Management Principles. (n.d.). Retrieved July 17, 2018, from http://asq.org/learn-about-quality/iso-9000/overvi…

Desper, D. BA670- Intergrated Business Operations [PowerPoint Notes]. Retrieved from Canvas Announcements Website: https://brenau.instructure.com/courses/1571823/dis…

POST 2:

Week Three Discussion Question

There are three individual people that are considered the founders of the quality improvement movement; those three founders are Shewhart, Deming, and Juran. All three individuals had their own take on the quality improvement movement and what improved quality in an organization. Deming made one main argument for quality management, in an organization, which was that productivity can be increased by improving quality. In other words, by improving the process of the organization, the quality of the organization’s services or products is improved. Deming listed six benefits that an organization would receive by improving the process to also improving the quality. The six benefits include: uniformity of output, reduced number of mistakes, reduced waste of manpower, reduced waste of machine time, reduced waste of materials, and the reduction of waste free capacity to make more good products. Overall, according to Deming, a positive change in the organization’s system will improve productivity as long as it is followed, directed, and supported by all management. The management must help people work smarter and not harder (Deming, 1981).

Deming listed fourteen points that need to be covered in order for an organization to successfully achieve top management. The first must do is innovate for the future, invest in research and education, and invest in maintenance. Point number two is learn new philosophies to help the organization grow and be sufficient. Thirdly, show that the process control is being successful by statistical analysis. The fourth point is do not award organizations on price alone. Point number five is always continue to improve the process both physically and statistically. The sixth must do, that Deming explained, is the employees must know what to do. Management must offer multiple training and retraining dates to the employees. The seventh point is there must be leadership within the organization. The management must know their responsibilities and know the responsibilities of their trainees. The eighth point is for management to be easy to talk to for the employees; make sure the employees know it is okay to talk to management about issues. Point number nine is make sure there are no barriers between departments within the organization. Management needs to get rid of numerical goals for the organization to increase productivity is point number ten. The eleventh must do is make sure the work standards are set correctly and are manageable for all employees. The twelfth point is to remove barriers to pride of workmanship. Next to last, management needs to continue to train new skills to their employees. The last point is that management must be on the same page with the process and know how to move forward for the process to be successful (Desper, 2018).

An organization that displays all these important points, according to Deming, and more is Brenau University, which I am currently employed at. The university is always looking to improve different processes throughout the entire university for quality to improve. The university holds several monthly meetings for individual departments and all-department meetings for the university. This way all departments know what is happening throughout the university, not just in one particular department. Brenau University is always holding clinics, seminars, and online training to keep employees informed on any new changes to the system. Recently, Brenau University created a new process that helped improve the quality of clocking in and out for hourly employees. Before the new process, employees were writing the times they clocked in and out every day on a piece of paper and scanning them to the accounting office. Now, with the new process in place, employees are able to clock in and out from their smart phones using an app. This improved the quality of the process greatly and made the process less time consuming for hourly employees.

References

Deming, W. E. (1981). Improvement of quality and productivity through action by management.

National Productivity Review (Pre-1986), 1(1), 12-12.

Desper, D. (2018). BA 670 – Integrated Business Operations [PowerPoint]. Retrieved from

Part I

Event

Attend a relevant community event, located at Chicago IL, provide the following:

Event details – Name, location, date

whom you met

Make a 150-200-word post addressing at least the following questions:

What 2 or 3 key ideas did you learn from the event attended?

What surprised you and why?

Formulate 2 questions that you would like answered or points you would like clarified.

Part II

videos

For each item in Assignment sections “Watch”, “Read” and “Event”, each student is to write a 150-200-word discussion post as follows:

What 2 or 3 key ideas did you learn from the videos, readings or events attended?

What surprised you and why?

Formulate 2 questions that you would like answered or points you would like clarified.

1. “How to Start a Startup” Video #11 (http://startupclass.samaltman.com/)

2. “How to Start a Startup” Video #15 (http://startupclass.samaltman.com/)

3. “How to Start a Startup” Video #17 (http://startupclass.samaltman.com/)