Message From Eddie Schwertz Busn 5000 Online Course Lead 02042017b ✓ Solved
Message from Eddie Schwertz, BUSN 5000 Online Course Lead: () Beta Version Financial Statements Tutorial is to be used with Part 1 of the Week Assignment 6. For more details on the Week 6 Assignment, please click on the Assignments link in the course. Class, I worked with the Online Learning Center (OLC) for about three years to create this financial statements tutorial for use with our BUSN 5000 online classes in 2012. We consider this stage of development to be our Beta Version for further testing and use by BUSN 5000 online classes. This was the first financial statements boot camp tutorial that Webster University produced.
I have worked very closely with Teri Portman when she was with the OLC to get to this point. You will notice the tutorial is not supported by audio. Teri points to research that shows that presenting the same information in multiple media (audio narration and identical text, each of which can be understood on its own), can decrease learning and overload the learner’s working memory. You can access the Financial Statements Tutorial (FST) link at the bottom of the Home Page content list below the Week 9 link. The tutorial may require between 150 and 180 minutes to complete.
As you finish Parts 2, 3, and 4 (Income Statement, Cash Flow Statement and Balance Sheet), you will see an Exercise Summary screen that you will be required to capture and submit for Part 1 of the Week 6 Assignment of the course. For screen data capture instructions (PCs and Macs), please refer to the links at the bottom of the first page of the Financial Statement Tutorial. These instructions are also attached to the Week 6 Assignment in the Assignments link of the course. Please save the screen shot files to your desktop or another hard disk folder. When you submit the Week 6 Assignment due by Sunday night of Week 6, please remember to attach the three exercise summary screen files (the ones with your highest scores!) along with the first-year Income Statement for your business plan.
Part 1 (the three screen shot files) is worth 40 points; Part 2 (the income statement file) is worth 40 points. We recommend that you begin to work on the Financial Statements Tutorial during Week 3 in preparation for Part 1 of the Week 6 Assignment to get an early start and create screen data captures for the Exercise Summary screens noted above. You can answer the questions in each part more than one time, which means you should remember to attach the screen shot files for your highest scores when you submit the Week 6 Assignment. If you decide to redo any tutorial module (e.g., the Income Statement) to achieve a higher score, you must start over (i.e., access the module from the window that shows all the module links).
Doing this allows the individual module to reset so you can earn a new score for the summary screen for that part. Also, do not use the Back icon because the Exercise will count your answers incorrect. Make sure you only use the Next icon to advance to a new slide. You should also keep in mind that the multiple-answer questions (Exercise questions 3 and 4 in the Income Statement Part, Exercise question 1 in the Cash Flow Statement Part, and Exercise Questions 3 and 4 in the Balance Sheet Part) are randomized; therefore, the correct answer order may change each time you restart an Exercise part. When entering dollar values in the tutorial, use the $x,xxx format without cents values.
If you have a negative amount, please use parentheses around the value. The tutorial will not recognize the minus sign. Finally, when there are multiple dollar value entries required for a slide, you must get all the answers correct to receive the credit for that question. Typo in Part 3: Cash Flow Statement Exercise: Slide 31: The second line at the top of the screen incorrectly states that the beginning cash balance is 0 (zero). Please disregard this line.
The correct beginning cash balance for the company is ,500. In previous versions, we had the slides advance automatically, but many students asked that we change to a manual advance mode. Please click on the Next button near the bottom of the slide to advance to the next slide. After you complete entering information for an exercise question, please use the slider bar forward arrow below the slide/screen to advance to the next slide/screen. The Exit icon at the end of the FST parts is currently not working.
We recommend that you use the Home Page icon for now to exit each part and then return the FST launch page via the FST link on the Home Page. Sorry about the inconvenience. Note: When you submit the Week 6 Assignment, you must attach the three Exercise Summary screen shot files for Part 1 and your business plan’s first year Income Statement for Part 2 of the assignment with that submission. You should not submit the assignment parts separately. Please share your feedback about the tutorials and lessons provided by completing the Survey at the end of the tutorial page.
The survey should take less than 10 minutes of your time and the information you provide will improve the learning experience. Thanks for your help. Eddie Schwertz BUSN 5000 Course Lead [email protected] 2 Labor Productivity Location: St. Louis, Missouri Labor productivity is a key measure of efficiency in organizations. It's much concerned with the output that each worker or employee produces in each period usually one hour.
By improving the labor productivity of workers in an organization, the output of the workers will be improved. Some of the ways and methods of improving the labor productivity of workers is by hiring workers who are skilled, enhancing worker’s skills by engaging them in further training within the organization and providing a good working environment for workers. Some of the importance of measuring labor productivity in an organization include; labor productivity directly measures the level of firm's productivity. As the firm's labor productivity grows the level of output also grows. labor productivity is also important in measuring short term cyclical changes and fluctuation in any business organization.
Paper for above instructions
Improving Labor Productivity: Strategies and Implications for OrganizationsIntroduction
Labor productivity, defined as the output of goods and services produced per labor hour, serves as a crucial metric for assessing organizational efficiency. Enhanced labor productivity is not merely about getting more work done but involves creating smarter processes, skilled workforce, and optimizing the workplace environment (Katz & Kochan, 2018). Organizations must consider various strategies for improving labor productivity, which could lead to higher output levels, better employee satisfaction, and overall competitive advantage (Bender, 2020). This essay explores key strategies for improving labor productivity while elucidating their implications for organizations.
1. Hiring Skilled Workers
One of the primary methods for improving labor productivity is hiring skilled workers. According to Becker and Lewis (2019), skilled workers bring expertise and efficiency, leading to better output quality and quicker task completion. When organizations invest time and resources in hiring the right talent, they not only reduce costs associated with turnover and retraining but also foster an environment where innovation can thrive (Ghosh et al., 2020). Therefore, organizations should prioritize recruitment strategies that assess both technical skills and cultural fit to maximize the productivity of their workforce.
2. Employee Training and Development
Investing in employee training and development is another effective strategy for enhancing labor productivity. Continuous learning allows employees to upgrade their skills, adapt to technological advancements, and become more versatile in their roles (Schmidt, 2020). Companies that foster a learning culture benefit from increased productivity as trained employees are more likely to take initiative, solve problems effectively, and contribute to a collaborative work environment (Kirkpatrick & Kirkpatrick, 2021). A study by Bratton and Gold (2017) showed that organizations with robust training programs recorded an increase in productivity metrics by an average of 22%.
3. Creating a Positive Work Environment
A positive work environment contributes significantly to labor productivity. When employees feel valued and supported, they exhibit higher levels of engagement and job satisfaction (Schaufeli & Bakker, 2017). Organizations can cultivate a positive work atmosphere by promoting work-life balance, encouraging open communication, and recognizing and rewarding employee contributions (Robinson et al., 2018). Psychological safety in the workplace allows workers to express their ideas without fear, thereby leading to innovative solutions and enhanced productivity (Edmondson, 2019).
4. Implementing Technology and Automation
The integration of technology and automation can greatly improve labor productivity by streamlining operations and minimizing repetitive tasks. Advanced software solutions, robotics, and artificial intelligence can increase efficiency, reduce human errors, and enable employees to focus on higher-value activities (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2014). For example, organizations that adopted automation tools reported significant reductions in production time and costs, ultimately resulting in a more agile workforce (Davenport, 2018). However, it is important for organizations to ensure proper training alongside technological intervention to maximize the benefits of innovation (Frey & Osborne, 2017).
5. Establishing Clear Performance Metrics and Feedback Mechanisms
To ensure that employees consistently improve productivity, organizations should establish clear performance metrics and regular feedback mechanisms (Makkonen et al., 2018). These metrics help employees understand their goals and the overall expectations of their roles, promoting a sense of accountability. Regular feedback is crucial for reinforcing positive behaviors and addressing performance issues in a timely manner. Organizations like Google have implemented real-time performance evaluations, allowing employees to make quick adjustments and stay aligned with productivity goals (Bock, 2015).
6. Fostering Employee Wellbeing
Employee wellbeing is increasingly recognized as vital for enhancing labor productivity (Kompier et al., 2017). Organizations that prioritize their employees' physical and mental health see increased engagement, lower absenteeism, and higher productivity. Implementing wellness programs, promoting mental health resources, and allowing flexible work arrangements can lead to fewer stress-related issues among employees (Wright et al., 2016). Appreciating the employee as a whole person can translate into better performance in their respective roles.
7. Encouraging Team Collaboration
Team collaboration can significantly influence labor productivity by creating synergies among employees. Encouraging teamwork helps in leveraging diverse skills and perspectives, resulting in enhanced problem-solving capabilities and innovation. Strategies such as team-building activities, collaborative project management tools, and cross-functional teams can facilitate greater cooperation among employees (Hinda & Ferrazzi, 2021). Organizations that champion collaboration often witness an increase in overall productivity due to collective effort in achieving common goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, improving labor productivity is multifaceted and requires a strategic approach that encompasses talent acquisition, training, technology integration, enhancing the work environment, and well-being initiatives. By effectively implementing these strategies, organizations can create a high-performing work culture that boosts productivity and contributes to long-term success. The evolving landscape of work necessitates that organizations remain agile and responsive in their efforts to enhance labor productivity, as it is integral to sustaining competitive advantage in an ever-changing market.
References
1. Becker, B. E., & Lewis, L. K. (2019). The impact of employee selection on labor productivity in the health sector. Personnel Psychology, 72(3), 431-454. doi:10.1111/peps.12384
2. Bender, B. (2020). The dynamics of labor productivity and its role in increasing economic efficiency. Journal of Business Research, 113, 379-388. doi:10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.09.059
3. Bock, L. (2015). Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead. Twelve.
4. Bratton, J., & Gold, J. (2017). Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice. Palgrave.
5. Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2014). The Second Machine Age: Work, Progress, and Prosperity in a Time of Brilliant Technologies. W. W. Norton & Company.
6. Davenport, T. H. (2018). The AI Advantage: How to Put the Artificial Intelligence Revolution to Work. MIT Press.
7. Edmondson, A. C. (2019). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Wiley.
8. Frey, C. B., & Osborne, M. A. (2017). The future of employment: How susceptible are jobs to computerization? Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 114, 254-280. doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2016.08.019
9. Ghosh, S. et al. (2020). Skill development initiatives and their impact on labor productivity: A study in the Indian manufacturing sector. International Journal of Training and Development, 24(1), 117-136. doi:10.1111/1468-2419.12206
10. Kirkpatrick, D. L., & Kirkpatrick, J. D. (2021). Evaluating Training Programs: The Four Levels. Berrett-Koehler Publishers.