Week 4 Discussions

Discussion 1: Methods to Motivate Employees to Improve Behaviors

This case presents a behavior problem in light of potential downsizing.

For this Discussion:

• Read “Incident: Motivating and Maintaining Morale During Downsizing” on p. 273 of Nkomo, Fottler, and McAfee.
• Select two of the following five possible solutions on which to conduct research:
  • Termination
  • Coaching and counseling for behavior modification
  • Training for new skills
  • Demotion
  • Transfer
• Research and evaluate each of the solutions you chose.
• Consider any assumptions you made about the case, in addition to the information presented, in order to evaluate the solutions.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post by Day 3 a 2- to 3-paragraph (at least 200 words) evaluation of the potential solutions you researched and a recommendation for a policy to handle similar situations.

In your evaluation include the strengths and weaknesses of both solutions. Also include a description of any assumptions you made about the case when evaluating your solutions. Support your evaluation with proper citations from this week’s Learning Resources and at least two additional resources from the Walden Library or Internet.

Based on your evaluation, make a recommendation for policies the firm should have in place in the future.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and the insights you gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources and any additional sources.

Discussion 2: Supervisor Development

Consider the following scenario:

You have just been promoted to supervise a team of employees. In your previous role, you were responsible for yourself and your individual results. Now you will be in charge of a team of five employees. As a brand new supervisor, you recognize the need to strengthen your skills.

• Review the section on Management Development in Chapter 9 of the Mathis text.
• Identify two skills you would like to strengthen, and explain why these areas would help you supervise your new team.

Post by Day 3 a response of approximately 150 words, which indicates the two skills you would like to develop. In your response, you will need to justify your selection of these skills. Explain why these skills are important in enabling you to supervise your team.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.

Respond by Day 6 to two or more of your colleagues’ postings in one or more of the following ways:

• Ask a probing question.
• Share an insight from having read your colleague’s posting.
• Offer and support an opinion.
• Make a suggestion.
• Expand on your colleague’s posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and the insights you gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made.

Be sure to support your work with specific citations from the Learning Resources and any additional sources.