Category: Undergraduate

Answer the following questions, using APA-style.  Each answer should contain meaningful and intelligent responses gathered from your reading.  Using headings/subheadings.

Discussion Question #1.  Taking a step back to align this weeks readings with Chapter 7:  Over the last 2 weeks, you have been answering questions based on whether you identified back in Chapter 3 as a Coach and/or as an Interpreter.  Review Table 7.1 (Change Images and Communication Purpose) note the FOCUS of communication for both Coach and Interpreter images and determine if that still applies to you.  Now, consider the text indicates there is an issue of communicating to a level of getting buy-in (participation) to the change as opposed to a level of getting the word out (providing information) about a change.

Based on how you identified (as a Coach or as an Interpreter), are you more apt to focus on seeking buy-in or on getting the word out and why?

Discussion Question #2.  Think of an example where you or someone close to you faced a major, significant life-impacting change at work or at school.  Identify as many Reasons for Resistance (listed on pages 253 through page 260) that you can AS IT RELATES to the example you used.  Try to use all 14 Reasons for Resistance in your answer, but at a minimum, identify 3. For each of the reasons you identify, list at least one action that was or could have been taken by management to reduce the source of resistance. Table 8.4 and Table 8.5 list possible actions that could be taken.  You are welcome to think of some other possible actions that could be taken based on your own knowledge, experience or intuitions.
Use change in church organization – merging 2 conferences into 1 conference; 5 districts into 4 districts. Closing some churches with less than 20 members. This is the  scenario I dealing with now.

Instructions
Based on the scenario above, select the three functional areas that you believe to be essential to the success of the organization. For each functional area, describe the primary purpose of the area and explain how that purpose works to promote and support the organizational goals.

Based on the scenario above, use the Week 6 Assignment Template [DOCX] to develop a white paper with the following sections.

Title page.
Introduction.
Explain the type of organization the assessment is based on and its primary goals.
Identify the three functional areas you believe are essential to the organizational structure.
Functional Area 1.
Explain the primary purpose of the functional area of an organization and why it is essential in supporting the overall organizational structure.
Explain how the purpose of the functional area supports the organizational goals in terms of continued organizational success.
Functional Area 2.
Explain the primary purpose of the functional area of an organization and why it is essential in supporting the overall organizational structure.
Explain how the purpose of the functional area supports the organizational goals in terms of continued organizational success.
Functional Area 3.
Explain the primary purpose of the functional area of an organization and why it is essential in supporting the overall organizational structure.
Explain how the purpose of the functional area supports the organizational goals in terms of continued organizational success.
Recommended Organizational Structure.
Describe the type of organizational structure best suited for the functional areas you selected, and justify your recommendation.
Conclusion.
Explain how your recommendation will promote continued success of organizational goals.
References page.
Your white paper should be 35 pages in length, well organized, and written in clear, succinct language. Follow current APA rules for attributing sources that support your analysis and conclusions.

Scenario
Different areas within organizations work together to achieve organizational goals. These areas are often referred to as functional areas and typically include:

Human resources.
Sales and marketing.
Information technology.
Production and operations.
Finance and accounting.
Suppose leadership in the organization where you currently work (or have worked) is considering changes to organizational structurein particular, to the functional areas it currently has. Before making any changes, the leaders have asked several managers, including you, to develop a white paper that outlines the manager’s recommendations for three functional areas that he or she believes to be essential to the success of the company. Based on the recommendations of each manager, as well as the strength of each manager’s arguments and supporting references, leadership will make final decisions.