Length 3000 words (±10%, excluding end-text reference list)
Format Written with 1½ line spacing, Times New Roman size 12 font, and APA 6th Edition style referencing.
Due Date & Time Sunday 21 November (before midnight)
How to Submit Electronically, via Blackboard Assessments Turnitin link
Unit Learning Outcomes • Conceptualise the issues and outcomes of leadership behaviours and styles through analysis, evaluation, and synthesis.
• Apply relevant leadership knowledge and theory to local and global business situations.
• Communicate leadership knowledge and concepts in a clear and persuasive
manner.
Course Learning Outcomes CLO1: Apply broad and coherent knowledge to a range of business situations, incorporating international/global/cultural perspectives.
CLO5: Generate creative ideas for business innovations that respond to opportunities and constant change.
PREPARATION
Before starting this assessment, you should familiarise yourself with the various leadership theories, skills, and approaches to communication that are covered in this unit.
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS
This assessment gives you the opportunity to step into a leadership role and apply the theories and skills learnt during this unit.
You are the Managing Director of a medium-sized manufacturing organisation (100 employees in total) that designs and produces kitchen appliances. You have a production facility in Perth and regional offices around Australia, with a head office in Melbourne that houses your design, accounting/finance, marketing, sales, and operations teams.
The date is 1 April 2020 and the world is approaching the peak of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Most international and domestic travel is suspended, schools and universities have moved to online delivery.
The government has just announced that all non-essential businesses where staff work in closer than 1.5m proximity must cease operations from 2 April onwards—this includes your production facility and offices.
Residents are confined to their homes except for work and essential services. There is no clear indication about how long these measures might stay in place.
You are the leader of your organisation and you need to communicate with your key stakeholders at this time. Prepare a report that includes three separate pieces of communication, directed at your:
a) Staff
b) Suppliers
c) Customers
Write out the exact wording that you would use for each intended communication (around 300-400 words each). You can convey whatever information you think is appropriate for each group, and specify any online or digital communication format (e.g. email, text message, WhatsApp, virtual meeting on Zoom, MS Teams, etc.). You can fabricate a company culture and any background information about the organisation you wish.
Be creative and think carefully about the purpose, tone, and content of each message, in light of how it is likely to be received and what impact it might have on its recipients. Provide a comprehensive debrief after each communication that explains your approach (around 600-700 words each).
Refer to relevant leadership theory and skills that we have covered during this unit. Support your application of these concepts in your debrief with reference to academic literature wherever possible.
Academically, there are no right or wrong solutions, as long as you support your decisions and approach with reference to relevant theory. However, some may be more ethically responsible, and you will need to consider the short- and long-term consequences of your approach; it is up to you.
You are welcome to research how other organisations have handled their communications around this time.
Provide a brief introduction and conclusion (50-80 words each) that outline the purpose of this report.
To perform satisfactorily in this assignment, consider the following:
• All aspects of the question are addressed in depth.
• The application is thoughtful, creative, and shows insight into the subject.
• Leadership theory, skills, and communication techniques are applied effectively.
• Relevant academic sources are cited in the debrief to support the approach.
• All aspects of the work conform to a high academic / professional standard.
• Clearly written, using appropriate language.