Chosen Book: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins
Background:
The individual consultative paper/report should be in APA format and about 6 pages including your cover page and reference sheet (Typically around 1000 words or 4 pages of double-spaced content). Having said that, it is just great to use bullet points or graphics if it will help you get your point across and help you manage the size of your paper to around 4 pages. Less than 4 pages/1000 words would generally be looked at as having fallen short of the assignment requirements. The sweet spot is 4 pages and 1000 words. However, no penalty if you go up to 5 pages or 1250 words of content. The cover page and the reference page DO NOT count toward the word count.
Effective use of peer reviewed sources is a mark of a student performing well in this level of course. Ensure you are using peer-reviewed sources. I recommend between 2-3:
• When you use 3 well that typically qualifies you to have enough learning on the topic you are writing about to earn an A-type grade (Far-exceeds expectations).
• 2-peer reviewed sources integrated well often equates to a B (Exceeds expectations)
Introduction Paragraph:
Briefly describe what you are going to overview in sections 1-3.
Section 1:
Assume this paper/report is for your manager. She or He has not read the book so summarize the most valuable information and points. Your goal is to get your manager genuinely interested in reading the book.
Section 2:
(Set the hook) this is where the consultative part of this assignment kicks-in. Describe how one or two key points from your summary can/could be implemented in your organization. This is the part where you manager goes… “Oh this is of value and will make a difference in our business.” If you are not currently working somewhere that you can use as an example, make up the context you need to do this. You could consider yourself a professional firm, a sales team, and HR team or a manufacturing or engineering company. You choose! I will not be grading on how good or clever the business context is that you use, so don’t spend much time or many words here. I am looking for your ability to pick high value, highly transferrable points/ideas out of your summary and apply it in the workplace.
Section 3:
Shifting gears here a little…. Now describe how you personally, within your personal life/career can implement one or two key points from your summary information in Section 1 above. Consider that the company you are working for cares very much that your professional learning and development also positively impacts your whole life/whole person self. That is why your manager wants to read this section and had made it part of this paper/report.
Conclusion
VERY briefly summarize what you did in sections 1-3 above along with a very savory/key point to leave the reader (your manger) with regarding your book.