Financial Decision Making _ Project 1.5

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MBA Discussion Guidelines
Throughout the MBA program, you will be asked to participate in discussions. Assigned discussions, both individual and group work, are part of the process of developing your project deliverables.
In general, address your discussion posts to your classmates, rather than the instructor. Do not attach files; use only the discussion textbox. Your posts do not need the structure or format of formal business memos or reports. These discussions should be an informal exchange of ideas with your peers. You should, of course, still adhere to the norms of standard written English.
To receive the maximum benefit, you should participate in accordance with the guidelines provided below.
· timeliness
· initial posting(s) submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Saturday
· response(s) to other discussion postings submitted by 11:59 PM ET on Tuesday
· proper citation
· cite sources any time you quote or paraphrase an idea or evidence from another work
· use APA citation style (example below)
· meaningful engagement
· posts contribute to substantive scholarly discussion
· student demonstrates professionalism in interaction with peers
· posts critically discuss topics presented in the current week and, when appropriate, in previous weeks
· posts are grounded in the theories and concepts presented in the course
Example:
Based on the 
UMUC library’s guidance on APA citations
, including guidance on how to cite content from the UMUC online classroom, please use the following format for classroom resources with no author or no date:

Title of resource. (n.d.). Document posted in University of Maryland University College Course Name Course Number online classroom, archived at: hyperlink

SWOT analysis. (n.d.). Document posted in University of Maryland University College MBA 610 2182 online classroom, archived at: https://lti.umgc.edu/contentadaptor/page/topic?keyword=SWOT%20Analysis

Writing the Executive Summary

An executive summary is a brief document typically directed at top-level managers who sometimes make decisions based upon a reading of this summary alone. As a result, the executive summary must be concise but comprehensive, meaning that it must present in summary form all major sections of the main report, such as:
· purpose
· problem
· methods of analyzing the problem
· results of analysis
· recommendations

To repeat, because of the critical role it plays, the executive summary is often the first and only part read by key decision makers. Therefore, it must be designed so that it can be read independently of the main document. Typically, figures and tables are not referenced in the executive summary. Uncommon terminology, symbols and acronyms are avoided. If the executive summary is sufficiently persuasive, the entire proposal will then be read in full.

Therefore, your summary is key to the success of your proposal and should reflect these characteristics: 

Perfect Miniaturization. The executive summary should contain the same sections in the same order as the full report.

Major Findings Only. Because it is a distilled version of the full report, the summary should include only the proposal’s principal points and major evidence. Most charts, tables, and deep-level analysis are reserved for full proposal. 

Proportional. The executive summary should typically be only 10% the length of the full proposal it distills. Therefore, the executive summary for a 10-page proposal would be 1 page or less.

Stand Alone. The summary should be written in a way that it can be read as a stand-alone document. Before submitting it, allow a test subject to read the summary. The subject should be able to give to you the basics of the full proposal from one reading of the summary.

Flawless. Like a job resume, even the most minor error of proofreading or grammar can spell rejection.

SAMPLE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: