You are a business development manager in a life sciences organization based in the Midwest. You report to the vice president (VP) of business development. While the organization has shown constant growth and profitability since its inception in 1999, the owners have decided that it is time to sell. The VP has called on you to join the strategic planning team to assess the organizations exit strategy and make recommendations to the board of directors.

The proposed exit strategy means that the organization will be acquired by another one, which will be a major transformation for the organization and its employees. In order to support the employees through the upcoming acquisition, the planning team wants to understand how they are likely to respond to organizational change. To that end, they decide to ask employees to complete a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis of their skills as they relate to change readiness. As a member of the planning team, you are one of the first people asked to complete a SWOT analysis and evaluate your change readiness.

Prompt

In this mentor-focused video check-in, you will look at the project scenario for MBA 699 (listed above) and have an asynchronous discussion with your instructor regarding any initial concerns about this scenario. Review the course infographic, review the course structure, and check when the three milestones and the project are due.

You are highly encouraged to continue reaching out to your instructor, so any concerns and questions are addressed before the project is due. Discuss your progress and these concerns with your instructor through this video submission.

Review the guidelines and rubric for Milestone One. Then record a short video using the Bongo Q&A tool addressing the following criteria:

1. Share your expectations and understanding of the project scenario and milestone submission.
   1. Identify any initial questions or concerns you have regarding:
      • The project scenario
      • The organizational structure
      • The employee personas in relation to the guiding coalition
      • The deliverables expected in Milestone One
2. In preparation for the upcoming Milestone One and Two assignments, address the following:
   1. What is the importance of change management when planning strategic opportunities?
   2. Explain the role a guiding coalition plays in organizational change.
   3. Share at least one quality you will look for when selecting members of the guiding coalition. Explain why this quality is needed to be a guiding coalition member.