My Reflection on Meeting this Outcome:
My first artifact, MBA 585, highlighted my verbal, interpersonal, and written communication when executing the course-long CESIM Global Challenge; furthermore, the challenge was an online simulation where our class competed against one another as individual global business entities. The simulation dynamically changed week to week in comparison to your classmates in different globalization business aspects. For instance, the first week classmates had to plan and implement a global demand-supply strategy in three markets using either in-house or outsourcing manufacturing means. This was a challenging experience where I had to look at weekly reports to adjust my business decisions based on my classmate competitors. Furthermore, I learned how to utilize research and development resources to determine what new features would maximize my long-term strategy and product life-cycle management, and I learned how to manage international taxation through transfer pricing while controlling liquidity and adjusting my company’s capital structure. I presented my findings once the five-week simulation was complete. First, I had to develop a strategic mission and vision statement for a large mobile phone manufacturer, as well as defining their core values. Secondly, I needed to develop a competitive strategy using Porter’s low-cost strategy, the focused differentiation strategy, and the best-cost provider strategy (Porter, 1985). Third, I dynamically managed the company’s operations using many popular key performance indicators like earnings per share, total shareholder return, debt to equity, and EBITDA. Lastly, once the simulation was complete, I presented the results of my international business and discussed the global market conditions as well as the competitive landscape my organization operated in. (See Artifact I)
My second artifact, MBA 545, exhibits my verbal and written communication skills when I created and presented a case regarding the newly developed hypersonic missile that affects U.S. national security. First, I researched and derived information to capture the hypersonic missile radical innovation; consequently, I learned the US and its allies are on the cusp of an arms race that could be reminiscent of the nuclear proliferation that happened during the Cold War. Second, I highlighted who the key world leaders in hypersonic missile development and separated them into advisories and allies. During the analysis it was revealed that Russia and China are years ahead of US development, which is very concerning. Stone (2020) wrote “For decades, the U.S. military—and its adversaries—have coveted missiles that travel at hypersonic speed, generally defined as Mach 5 or greater” (para 2); however, the US is years behind. Third, I affirmed why this radical innovation is a game changer; countries that have hypersonic capabilities will own the world's airspace, and they would have first strike capability with an unstoppable missile that can be deployed anywhere in the world within minutes. Lastly, I developed a business case as well as mitigation strategies to decrease the US threat of hypersonic technologies. (See Artifact II & Recorded Presentation)
My third artifact, MBA 580, showcases my ability to research and present detailed information during my presentation of expatriate performance and applying improvement strategies. It’s important to note that expatriate failure rates are anywhere from 25 to 75 percent depending on location (Basra, 2019). First, I provided the background of a multinational corporation’s (MNC) issues with expatriate problems with declined performance in a foreign assignment who returned with diminished contribution once repatriated. First, I determined the most common drivers and cause of failed expatriates; consequently, expatriate failures are common when international employees have difficult work environments, family issues, lack of organizational support, and contextual problems within the host country (Cole & Nesbeth, 2014). Second, I analyzed and presented the consequences to MNC when their expatriates fail in their international assignment, which can lead to reduced performance, rebuilding trust in the host country, decline in morale with international team members, and damage to MNC reputation and brand (Cole, Nesbeth, 2014). Third, I covered the impact on employees who failed their assignment, which affects self-esteem, harms physical and mental well-being, damages career, and causes family problems (Cole, Nesbeth, 2014). Lastly, I proposed recommendations that MNC should use when sending employees abroad; moreover, I suggested that they use a three-phase expatriate strategy that covers pre-assignment, active assignment, and post-assignment to reduce the risk of failure, which cost MNCs over 300K in average loss per failed assignment (Basra, 2019). (See Artifact III & Recorded Presentation)
My Future Learning Goals Related to this Outcome:
My reflections and artifacts have given me great confidence to effectively converse in many environments; furthermore, I’m highly capable of communicating with my professors, classmates, colleagues, leadership, and subordinates through written, verbal, and interpersonal means. I plan to continue developing these valuable skills. First, I’m joining the Toastmasters International organization in Wichita to bolster my public speaking, build leadership skills, and network with community leaders. Second, I am in the process of developing Air Force leadership courses that will be presented in person and via zoom; moreover, I will be selecting candidates to help me build these courses and deliver the material. This ensures that I continue to hone my interpersonal skills and presenting abilities while developing our future Airman. Lastly, I will be working with my business development team by attending conferences and working with military customers before creating white papers for key decision-makers.