MAN4671 / Executive Skills Development

This library research guide will help you with your Professional Profile, Industry Trends Report, & Innovative Practices Report.

Professional Profile: Select a contemporary entrepreneur, CEO, or other high-achieving business leader whose interests and/or approach to business success aligns with your interests. Select someone you do not know personally. Examine a successful businessperson’s path toward wealth, power, influence, and/or innovation—whatever you consider to be “success.” To what extent did the person’s education and family background contribute to his or her pursuit of private-sector and public-sector interests? Consider how the person overcame leadership, financial, health, personal, and/or legal challenges, and note surprising shifts in career trajectory. As you research the person, look for unique, surprising details that set them apart. Consider the person’s business interests internationally and domestically. Format: APA. Length: 2-3 DS pages, plus a title page and “references” page that includes at least five primary sources. (Avoid Wikipedia, Biography.com, and other common sources.) At least eight citations are required within the body of the paper. Create at least one citation for each source that appears on your References page. Cite each of your sources at least once. Review your Safe Assign report. Aim for a 0% match. Papers that demonstrate a disregard for these guidelines will not be graded. 

Industry Trends Report: To demonstrate your readiness for the evolving dynamics of your business career, research and evaluate current domestic and international trends in your field. Prepare an APA-compliant report (include at least one chart, table, or other visual); and present your findings to the class in a format that considers the international makeup of your audience. Format: APA. Length: 3-4 DS pages. See the red comments for the Professional Profile. Except for the page count, the same guidelines apply.

Innovative Practices Report (IPR):In randomly formed groups (4-6 students per group), you will develop a “white paper” that synthesizes each member’s business education, new and ongoing research, and creative and critical thinking. The projects culminate with polished, professional presentations that integrate electronic media and other visual aids. Key components of the IPR (which mimics the structure of a “best practices report”) include domestic sustainability and portability, plus an examination of the portability and sustainability of your domestic innovation to international settings—with consideration paid to current and anticipated economic, political, societal, geographic, and environmental challenges. Length: 6-8 single-spaced pages, plus the title page, APA-style citations and references page, and other requirements. You will receive a detailed assignment sheet.