Construct a PowerPoint presentation of 15-20 slides, supported by speaker’s presentation notes, discussing the motivational strategies of a successful, cutting-edge corporation. There is no paper due for this assignment; PPT must contain speaker’s notes that clarify your message. 

To avoid duplication, your instructor MUST approve your choice of company.  This assignment is worth 20 points in Week Five.

A choice from the following list is recommended:

1)     Southwest Airlines

2)     Intel Corporation

3)     Ben & Jerry’s

4)     Federal Express

5)     PetSmart

6)     General Electric

7)     Microsoft

8)     Disney Corporation

9)     Ritz-Carlton

10)  W.L. Gore

In your presentation, cover the following four topical areas:

a.     Background of the industry

1)     A brief history of the business

2)     Products and services offered

3)     General Financial information for the last 5 years

b.    Corporate culture & management

1)     Mission statement

2)     Organizational structure

3)     Decision-making strategies

c.     Motivational strategies

Identify in your presentation which of the following strategies the selected company uses to motivate employees:

1)     Employee empowerment

2)     Selection and training

3)     Incentives

4)     Benefits

5)     Quality programs

6)     Managerial roles

7)     Goals and objectives

8)     Performance appraisals

9)     Job design

10)  Alternative work schedules

11)  Stress management

12)  Leadership style

13)  Other

d.    Analysis

Consider what makes working for this company a positive experience for its employees. What is the essence of its approach to motivation? How does it combine the use of various motivational techniques to be successful? How is the combination of techniques that it uses unique in any way? Do the company’s motivational strategies serve as an attraction for new employees, or do they improve employee retention?  What could be taken as best practices from their example? What could be improved upon? Make recommendations on the specific steps the company could take to address deficiencies. 

Your slides should provide key information; your speaker’s notes will contain the details of your message.  You must include a minimum of 5 outside references plus the text, for a total of six references.

Learning Teams are required to submit a working draft of the final PPT for evaluation to the instructor in Week Three.  This draft should clearly identify the principles you are reviewing for your project as well as clearly defined work roles for each of the team members.  Please see the Week Three note in the Course Materials Forum for additional details.