Task:

This assessment will address the following unit learning outcomes:

1. Integrate diverse OB theory and practices in critical analysis of problem situation and communicate those ideas in a clear and coherent manner.

2. Apply problem solving and critical thinking abilities by identifying and analysing the choices available for developing alternative organisational behaviour approaches in the workplace 

Task A

1. Do you think it is better to focus on assessing and developing employees’ weaknesses, or to focus on their strengths? Why?

2. Why would strengths-based development increase employee engagement? Provide examples.

3. If you were a manager, how might you interact with employees differently if you were using strengths-based development rather than deficit-based development? 

Learning Objective: Explain why different people are motivated by different things.

Summary: The goal of this exercise is to give students practice aligning individual and organisational goals, and thinking like a manager in managing employee motivation. Imagine that you are the management team of a new retail clothing store named Threads. Your company’s business strategy is to provide high-quality customer service and to provide high-quality products. You are not the cheapest store in town, but you expect your employees to create a service-oriented atmosphere that customers will be willing to pay a little extra for. You recognise that your sales staff will be essential to your store’s success,and you want to create a system that motivates them to help create a competitive advantage for your business. Because this is the first store you have opened, you have the opportunity to decide how to best motivate your staff. Market-competitive starting salaries have already been established, but you have decided to allocate 10 percent of the stores’ profits to use to motivate your sales staff in any way you see fit.

Task: A Group of 4 students should answer the following questions:

1. What behaviours would you want from your sales staff?

2. What goals would you set for your sales staff, given your answer to Question 1?

3. What type of system would you set up to reward these behaviours?

4. What challenges would you be on the lookout for? How would you proactively address

these potential challenges to prevent them from happening? 

Task B 

Learning Objective: Explain the impact of diversity and its benefits in contemporary organisations

Summary: Black Diamond Equipment specialises in climbing and skiing equipment. The global company looks for employees who share the company’s attitude, values, and passion toward outdoor sports and ethical values. Black Diamond also promotes fair labour practices, sustainability, and low environmental impact.

Task: A Group of 4 students should answer the following questions:

1. How can Black Diamond integrate social responsibility into its culture? Provide examples.

2. How does the global nature of the company and its markets influence how it thinks about employee diversity? Provide examples.

3. If you were the CEO of Black Diamond, how would you create a culture of inclusion to help your company realize the benefits of diversity? How can diversity be a source of competitive advantage at Black Diamond? 

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