[SOUND] Hi, I'm Jeff Fletcher. Welcome to the Strategic Leadership and Management Specialization High Engagement Capstone course. This course is based on a realistic problem-based scenario. It includes elements of all the specialization courses. While the case is fictitious, the underlying scenarios and problems are based on real situations. The case incorporates multiple elements with the continuous thread of leadership, organization, and strategy. The case is based on the digital dentistry division of Sorriso Incorporated. The division is comprised of four smaller businesses, all of which are recent acquisitions. The case is focused on a new leader tasked with improving performance in a supporting leadership team as they work through his transition and the updating of division strategy. There are six general topics included in the case. Leadership transition in the initial planning to establish control communication and coordination. Building a leadership team, establishing effective senior team, identifying opportunities, exploring synergies and needs, optimizing support, organizing effective and efficient supporting functions, planning for growth, updating goals to reflect a framework for growth. And leadership development leveraging management and strategy to develop a leadership talent. The course includes Coursera content that provides case details, materials, and planning templates. We'll also use a group approach for case study elements, a presentation and paper are required group submissions. And there are two individual assignments, an individual development plan and peer feedback. The assignments will encourage application through realistic methods. There will be a realistic planning templates used for multiple planning elements. They'll be many options and opportunities to apply specialization course concepts. Due to the nature of the leadership problem solving, there will be a possible equifinality of responses or in effect there's more than one possible viable approach. However, those responses should be aligned with and integrate the concepts from the specialization courses. We'll also have the opportunity to reflect good practice in management responsibility and contribution through active dialogue and debate during our live sessions. In the course we'll participate in live sessions where we'll discuss concepts and cases, case study analysis, and assignments with teammates. We'll have discussion boards for general course related questions or issues and group feedback. I'll have office hours for individual's specific questions or issues, and we'll have group case assignments with presentations and a written paper. Finally, there's an individual leadership development plan, which will be your personal roadmap for leadership growth. And we'll have critical feedback and observations provided for the peer presentations and the teamwork. For the group project the first assignment's an in-depth presentation based on a single segment of the transition or updated strategic plan, this is worth 25 points. Following the presentation there will be an opportunity for live feedback in the session and they'll be postings on a discussion board. All groups can use the collective information to revise their final papers. The group produced written papers for the entire case is worth 50 points. The individual project includes a personal leadership development plan, which is worth 15 points. Each individual will also provide feedback on the group presentations through the discussion board postings, and they'll do peer evaluation for their team members. The postings and evaluations are worth up to ten points. The group project presentation will be approximately eight minute video or slide based presentation on a single segment of the case. Additionally, they'll be about seven minutes for live Q&A following each presentation. Groups will be assigned to the segment's randomly, but the segments will be presented in order of the case activities in our live session. The presentations will provide an in-depth discussion of the background, template data, and outcomes for that specific segment of the case, including the transition plan, the updated strategy, and the leadership development plan. During the presentation at least one group member must be present in the session. The group project paper will include the total case, all template content, references, and reflection elements. The references will include specialization course components, so for example, content, articles, or assignments that were used. Groups will also have the opportunity to incorporate group presentation and discussion board feedback for the entire project prior to the final submission date. The individual project includes an individual development plan with the general approach for the case and a personal leadership development plan for each student. A guide in plan template will be provided. It will also include reflection on application and awareness gained from the specialization courses and connection to your future growth. It must include at least two specific growth goals. The group presentation feedback consists of discussion board feedback comments made for group presentations, those are for the peer groups, not for your own. You can get up to five points, one point for each relevant comment for a peer group. The maximum number of points for this assignment is five, even if your comments are more numerous. Our goal is to provide constructive critique and feedback based on the content and presentation methods used. You will also evaluate peer effort in your group using a rubric provided. The total points awarded is five for the peer evaluation. During our course I encourage you to be planful and opportunistic, define your group roles, processes, and contribution expectations clearly to members. Make personal time to be up to date in the materials and readings. Practice your presentations, but also take advantage of the networking and relationship building opportunities. Ask questions, engage and leverage the instructor and your peers, and treat the assignments and activities as if they're real practice, they are. I'm looking forward to a great learning experience. I'm happy to support the processes and wish you the best as we undertake this journey together. [SOUND]
