Create an 8–10 slide PowerPoint presentation that defines a business problem, explains how the problem affects an organization, and describes possible solutions. Recommend the best solution for the problem and organization, and justify the recommendation. The ability to effectively solve complex business problems is critical to sustaining organizational quality, essential to achieving strategic goals (Deutsch, 2013). Van Aken, Berends, and Van Der Bijthe (2012, p. xiv) note that in solving business problems the “focus is on designing what can be, or what should be, in order to improve the performance of a specific business system on one or more criteria.”

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

• Competency 1: Explain the underlying principles of successful business. 
  • Explain how a business problem affects an organization
  • Explain how a solution to a business problem will result in increased sustainability.
• Competency 3: Solve business problems using critical and creative thinking. 
  • Describe solutions to a business problem.
  • Explain the advantages and limitations of solutions to a business problem.
  • Recommend a solution to a business problem.
  • Support a recommended solution to a business problem with relevant evidence.
• Competency 5: Communicate in a manner that is scholarly, professional, and consistent with expectations for the field of business. 
  • Write in a well organized, clear, and succinct manner.

Reference

Deutsch, C. (2013). The seeking solutions approach: Solving challenging business problems with local open innovation. Retrieved from http://timreview.ca/article/664

van Aken, J., Berends, H., & van der Bij, H. (2012). Problem solving in organizations: A methodological handbook for business and management students (2nd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Cambridge University Press.

Preparation

Begin your preparation work for this assessment by selecting a business-related topic. This can be a business topic you would like to research to gain new insight that will be helpful to you in your current work environment, or it might simply be a business topic you are interested in. Some examples of business topics include:

• Workplace diversity.
• Management techniques.
• Globalization.
• Marketing trends.
• Change management.

As you choose your topic, think about how knowing more about that topic will improve your career or advance your organization’s mission. Selecting an appropriate topic will enable you to develop a sound argument that is supported by expert knowledge.

Once you have your topic, think about a problem or challenge associated with that topic. For example, if your topic is workplace diversity, the associated problem might be the challenge faced by organizations in creating a productive, healthy, and supportive work environment.

Next, research your topic and problem. Locate 3–7 reputable resources on the topic. The resources you choose will help you to define the focus of your research and writing. For example, if your topic is workplace diversity and your problem is how organizations can create a productive and supportive work environment, your research may lead you to focus on how company policies can influence the work environment. Your research should also help you develop possible solutions to the problem.

Now, suppose the topic and problem you have selected are also primary concerns for your organization’s leadership. You have been asked to research the topic and problem and prepare a presentation for the executive board that includes your evaluation of the problem and your recommendation for a solution.

Requirements

Develop a PowerPoint presentation on the business topic and problem you selected. Use the notes feature of each slide to expand your bullet points and reference your resources. PowerPoint presentations generally shouldn’t have sentences such as a white paper or plan would, but instead should have bullet points that are organized and clearly convey the intent of the presentation. You should still follow APA rules for attributing sources that support your analysis and conclusions.

Your presentation should include one or more slides covering each of the following areas, and you could use slide titles more explicitly related to your chosen topic than are shown below. A template with this structure is provided in Resources for you to use to create your presentation if desired.

• Title slide.
• Introduction (optional).
• The Problem. 
  • Define the business problem.
• How the Problem Affects an Organization. 
  • Explain how the business problem affects an organization and consider the consequences of not solving the problem.
• Possible Solutions. 
  • Describe solutions to the business problem, and explain how each is relevant to the organization.
• Advantages and Limitations of Possible Solutions. 
  • Explain the advantages and limitations of solutions to the business problem, including aspects of costs, efficiencies, and effectiveness.
• Recommended Solution. 
  • Recommend a solution to the business problem, and explain how the solution is right for an organization in terms of cost, needs, organizational culture, and effectiveness.
• Organizational Sustainability in Profits and Satisfaction. 
  • Explain how your recommended solution to the business problem will result in increased sustainability with regard to profit and/or customer and employee satisfaction.
• Conclusion: Supporting Evidence. 
  • As a summary, justify and support your recommended solution to the business problem with relevant evidence and sound reasoning.
• Reference Page.

Example assignment: You may use the assignment example, linked in the Resources, to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like.

Additional Requirements

Based on the intended audience, your presentation should be well organized and written in clear, succinct language. Follow APA rules for attributing sources that support your analysis and conclusions.

Academic Integrity and APA Formatting

As a reminder related to using APA rules to ensure academic honesty:

1. When using a direct quote (using exact or nearly exact wording), you must enclose the quoted wording in quotation marks, immediately followed by an in-text citation. The source must then be listed in your references page.

2. When paraphrasing (using your own words to describe a non-original idea), the paraphrased idea must be immediately followed by an in-text citation and the source must be listed in your references page.