SCHOOL OF HOSPITALITY
FOOD & BEVERAGE MANAGEMENT

FSM3001 Food Service Management Systems & Human Resource Applications

Final Term Project
Due Dates: See the final page of this document
 
Required Paper Format:
Cover Page:          Per MLA format for each section submitted
Table of Contents:             1 page – MLA format for each section submitted
Project sections:                Part one- all sections must start on a new page
Part two- all sections must start on a new page
All stand-alone HR documents must start on a new page and be in HR/Business format (including logo’s etc)
Works Cited Page:             MLA format for each section submitted
Font:                                       New Roman Times
Font Size:              12-point font
Line Spacing:        MLA format-double
Margin:                  MLA format- 1”
Page Numbers:   MLA format 10 pages (not include the format paper and work cited)
 
All professional and business documents need to be formatted a such, including but not limited to business letters, form documents etc.. This includes the use of logo’s business letterhead etc.
 
Note: Spelling, Grammar, Tone and Format matter– see rubric at the bottom of this document for grading details.
 
 
The project is fun but be forewarned – it does take time to complete. Please plan accordingly and do a professional job.
 
Suggested Starting Point for Resources

• NRA
• City Data
• JWU Library
• Direct vs. Indirect Competitors
• HR Council  
• Society for Human Resource Management (use resources and tools link)   
• Your textbook

 
Part I Overview:
The restaurant observation is the first part of this project. You are required to conduct an operation analysis of a local full service restaurant. Note that the restaurant observation must be completed prior to completing the second part of the project.
 
The purpose of part one of this assignment is to allow, through a critical analysis of a working restaurant, the development of skills and knowledge linked with course objectives. These course objectives include:
 

1. Identify the segments and trends of the hospitality industry
2. Define important technical terminology used in the hospitality industry.
3. Examine the organization and structure of hospitality and foodservice operations.
4. Design an employee evaluation instrument that includes performance standards.

 
You will visit the restaurant of your choice and gather data for parts I and II of the project
 
Your goal is to take the concepts taught in the classroom and apply them in a real-life restaurant setting. The project is fun but be forewarned – it does take time to complete. Please plan accordingly and do a professional job.
 
Section 1.1 (5%)
 

1.     Decide on what restaurant you will focus on
2.     List name, location, address, etc. and a personal contract that you will abide by.

 
Examples- https://cns.utexas.edu/images/CNS/TIDES/teaching-portal/Examplegroupcontract.pdf
https://www.cmu.edu/teaching/designteach/design/instructionalstrategies/groupprojects/tools/index.html
http://www.pmtraining.com.tw/member_pmp/Team%20Contract%202.0.pdf
 
 
Section 1.2 Introduction (10%)
This section introduces your work following the guidelines and questions listed below.

1. Background of chosen operation including all the following
   • Name and Address of establishment
   • History of establishment if available
   • Ownership type and management information
   • Demographics– Who is there customer with rational
   • 3 Direct/ 3 Indirect Competitors with rational
   • How many seats in areas such as dining room, bar, etc
   • Do they provide catering, if so please give an overview
   • Industry Articles summary (no hyperlink)
   • Mission Statement
     • If they currently have a mission statement provide a rational for your interpretation of its purpose and meaning
     • If they currently don’t have a mission statement create one with a rational for its purpose and meaning

 
Section 1.3 Analysis (10%)
This section provides a detailed narrative about your findings following the guidelines and questions listed below. This is where you present the key insights youobserved (where you impress the reader with your keen observations). Make sure this section progresses logically from one paragraph to the next. An easy way to assure you maintain logical progression is to write up this section of the paper and analyze the content of each paragraph to confirm that the main points in one paragraph link with or properly set up the very next one. A well written paper flows from one paragraph to the next with intention and clarity.
 
Segment-

• What restaurant segment does the business properly fit into?
  • Casual, fast casual, family, full service, fine dining etc.
  • Why do you think the restaurant fits in this segment? (with rational)
  • What is their price point?
  • Who is their target market? (with rational)
  • Do they do anything that makes them unique?
  • Do they offer any value-added items? Gratis, music, happy hour, specials etc.

 
Reservations/Technology

• Can you make online reservations? if so how? What service/technology
• Do they take phone reservations?
• Do they have social media?
  • What do they use?
  • How do they use in from a marketing standpoint? (with rational)
  • Who is their target market from your analysis of social media outlets?
  • What would you change, stop or start if you were now the social media manager? (detailed action plan)
  • Do any of these methods appears to be working to promote the business? (with rational)
• What technology does the restaurant use? (point of sales, menu display, other)
• Review their customer feedback: tweet’s, snapchat, text, videos, Yelp etc. give an detailed overview of all methods used by customers and summarize the data.
• Do a detailed menu analysis – your professional opinion, price, variety, quality, is the menu current, etc.

 
Affiliations

• Is the restaurant affiliated with any trade organizations, groups, (National Restaurant Association, American Culinary Federation, Chefs Collaborative, James Beard Foundation, Rhode Island Hospitality Association)?
  • If not, why?

 
 
Section 1.4 Executive Summary  (10%)
Here’s where, in narrative form, you summarize your key points based on your findings. Make the link between the content provided in the body of the paper (as evidence) and your final perspective. Note that your Executive Summary represents your team’s professional perspective about the case and your findings.
 
An executive summary, or management summary, is a short document or section of a document, produced for business purposes, that summarizes a longer report or proposal or a group of related reports in such a way that readers can rapidly become acquainted with a large body of material without having to read it all.
 
Part II Overview:
This project allows students to apply human resource concepts to the restaurant the observed conducted during the term (project part I).
 
The purpose for this assignment is to allow, through a critical analysis of a working restaurant, the development of skills and knowledge linked with course objectives. These course objectives include:

5. Identify the segments and trends of the hospitality industry
6. Define important technical terminology used in the hospitality industry.
7. Examine the organization and structure of hospitality and foodservice operations.
8. Design an employee evaluation instrument that includes performance standards.

 
You will assume the role of general manager of the restaurant you analyzed for project part I. As general manager, you will conduct a human resource analysis with recommendations following the outline listed below answering all questions in sections 1-6 from the perspective of being the general manager of the restaurant you visited. Please maintain this perspective throughout your project. Again – your goal is to take the concepts taught in the classroom and apply them in a real-life restaurant setting. The project is fun but be forewarned – it does take time to complete. Please plan accordingly and do a professional job.
 
 
Section 2.1: Human Resource Analysis: Organization Structure (5%)
Develop and Organizational chart of the restaurant and explain each role. Estimate persons work in each positon. Your organization chart must be in organizational chart format.
 
Write a narrative about how the restaurant team is organized with a brief description of each role in the hierarchy. Include an organization chart in the narrative as an example (insert a JPEG of the chart to make this easy).

• What key positions did you observe (general manager, executive chef, sous chef, cooks, utility, FOH manager, bartender, servers, etc.)
• What does each role entail (what do these people do?)
• Which of these positions are management (why do you think this is the case)?
• Did you observe any examples of supervision or management occurring during your visit?

 
 
Section 2.2: Human Resource Planning: Job Descriptions/Specifications (10%)
In this section you will apply knowledge gained in class to draft three sample job descriptions:

• one hourly position (server, cook, bartender)
• one supervisory position (sous chef, FOH manager)
• one management position (executive chef, general manager).

 
Follow guidelines for developing a job description presented in your textbook (pgs. 34-39). Your job descriptions must include: a job title, job summary, duties, and position requirements.  You must use the template provided to you when creating the job descriptions.
 
Using the internet, conduct research to see if the restaurant you visited has posted job descriptions for these positions. If it has – how does your job description compare to the one(s) posted. What observations can you share? If not give a rational in your opinion as to why.
 
The format of this section includes a brief introduction in narrative form explaining what you have written and why followed by each of the three job descriptions (inserted after the narrative).
 
I may be easier to capture a PDF of the job description once it is complete and then convert the PDF to a JPEG so you can insert it easily into the document. Format does matter. Each job description should be separated from the other, when one stops start the next one on a new page.
 
Section 2.3: Human Resource Recruiting (10%)
 
Now you will write a recruiting plan to fill the positions based on the job descriptions listed above for all three positions. (detailed you are creating a recruitment plan). Following guidelines presented in your text (pgs. 40-47), write a strategy for recruiting these three positions.
 
Conduct internet research to determine how the restaurant you visited currently recruits employees. Pull up a recruitment posting for the establishment and consider how the restaurant communicated job openings. If the restaurant currently has no postings available to review explain how (in your opinion) the restaurant currently recruits.
 
Create a help wanted recruitment ads for all three positions.
On three separate pages (three different formats)
 
 
Section 2.4: Employee Screening and Selection (10%)
In this section you will write a brief employee screening and selection plan for the two positions you seek to recruit following guidelines presented in your text (pgs. 48-58).
 
This includes the development of five behavior based (open ended) interview questions that you would use for recruiting each position (15 total questions).  Be sure to explain in narrative form why you have chosen each question.
 
List the applicant tests you will use for screening candidates and explain why they will be used.
Create a job offer letter for each of the three positions. (use company logo’s letterhead, etc.)
Create a rejection letter (1). (use company logo’s, letterhead, etc.)
Each letter should be on its own page
 
 
Section 2.5: New Hire Check List (5%)
Based on the restaurant you analyzed, create a new hire checklist for use in your establishment (use company logo, info etc.  the checklist should be on its own page/pages.)
 
Be sure to explain why you selected each item on the list. Your explanation must be in narrative form follow by the checklist itself. For more information, please refer to your text book (pgs. 70 -75)
 
Section 2.6: New Hire Orientation Plan, including an Orientation Checklist (5%)
Again – based on the restaurant you analyzed, create a detailed orientation plan including an agenda and timeline for all new hires.
 
Consider all aspects of the role (as noted in the job description) that require orientation. Think about what a good orientation program includes (general knowledge that all new hires should know) and the process the person should go through to become familiar with the job and role expectations. For more information, refer to your text book (pgs. 75-81)
 
Section 2.7: Employee Handbook (5%)
Based on the restaurant you analyzed, create a list of the categories with specific topics you would address in your employee handbook. (pgs. 79,94)

• table of contents format

 
Section 2.8 Social Media Policy (5%)
                Create a social media policy statement with examples of policy violations.
 
Section 2.9: New Hire Training Plan- 1 Task (10%)
Based on the restaurant you analyzed, create a training plan for one job – one day
 
Consider all aspects of the role (as noted in the job description) that you are training for. Think about what a training program includes (job specific knowledge that a new hire should know) and the process the person should go through to become efficient on what they are being trained to do. For more information, refer to your text book (pgs. 75-81)
 
 
Rubric for point deductions other than content. 
 

FINC 330 Project Description
Research Project Part 2
Due at the end of week 7
This project is closely aligned with the Course Outcomes and Finance Program Objectives.  Completion of this project can be used as part of a portfolio to show potential employers the student is skilled at performing company valuations and financial statement analysis and can be included on the student’s resume.
Bond and Stock Performance Analysis
OBJECTIVE
In this part of the project you are to assume to have been hired to join a team serving as an internal financial analyst to THE COMPANY. Your client plans to invest in bonds and (or) stocks issued by THE COMPANY DOLLAR TREE, INC (DLTR). In part 6 of the assignment you are asked to provide some recommendations to THE COMPANY’S management.
THE COMPANY for part 2 of the project can be the company that you were using for the Research Project Part 1 or ANOTHER COMPANY determined by your professor. THE COMPANY for this part of the project must have bonds listed on the website http://finra-markets.morningstar.com/BondCenter/Default.jsp. To find the information on bonds, click on Search in the middle of the screen (under Market Center Bond Guide), under Quick Search type the Issuer Name and the Symbol, and click SHOW RESULTS.
Alternatively, you can request approval of another publicly traded company. This request must be submitted before the end of the first week of the course. The request must include

• identification of the company by ticker symbol and name
• a reasonable and appropriate explanation of why you want to examine the alternative company
• the source of the analyst’s report that will be used in the analysis (which must be submitted to me)
• acknowledgement by you that all the specific elements of the assignment (see below) will be prepared by you and included in the final research project report

SUGGESTED WEBSITES
www.morningstar.com – To find the information for your company you need to type the stock symbol in the Quotes window to get into the company’s page.
http://finra-markets.morningstar.com/BondCenter/Default.jsp – To find the information on bonds, click on Search in the middle of the screen (under Market Center Bond Guide), under Quick Search type the Issuer Name and the Symbol, and click SHOW RESULTS.
https://markets.businessinsider.com/bonds. To find the information on bonds, scroll down the page, type the name of the company in the window under Bond Finder, and click SEARCH.
www.marketwatch.com  -To find the information for your company you need to type the stock symbol in the Search window to get into the company’s page.
www.money.cnn.com  -To find the information for your company you need to type the stock symbol in the Search window to get into the company’s page.
www.finance.yahoo.com – To find the information for your company you need to type the stock symbol in the Search window to get into the company’s page.
www.nyse.com – Click on Data, then click on Stocks (under Quotes), and type the name of the company or the stock symbol in the window “Keyword or symbol” to get into the company’s page.
www.nasdaq.com – To find the information for your company you need to type the stock symbol in the Search window to get into the company’s page.
Company’s websites
 
YOUR SPECIFIC ASSIGNMENT
Using the information from the websites the student will develop evaluation of bond and stock performance for THE COMPANY THE COMPANY DOLLAR TREE, INC. (The evaluation portion will total 85% of the assignment grade)
-1—Background and Industry (one short paragraph).
-2- The financial leverage ratios (10% of the project grade)

1. a) Find the financial leverage ratios for THE COMPANY assigned for you of the project for the last 3-5 years in the Internet. Present these ratios as the table(s) in your project.

You can find these ratios in the Internet or calculate them. If you use published ratios you must indicate that and cite their source.

• Debt-to-assets ratio (Debt ratio)
• Debt-to Equity ratio
• Interest Coverage ratio (the Times Interest Earned)

1. b) Write (about) 1 page of the analysis of the ratio results. In your analysis you should answer the following questions. Please explain your answer to each question.

How is THE COMPANY financing its assets? Discuss how much risk is associated with the bonds issued by the company? How can this risk be measured? Please explain.
-3- Collect and evaluate the data about bond performance of the assigned company. (15% of the project grade).
The information on bonds can be found on the website http://finra-markets.morningstar.com/BondCenter/Default.jsp. To find the information on bonds, click on Search in the middle of the screen (under Market Center Bond Guide), under Quick Search type the Issuer Name and the Symbol, and click SHOW RESULTS.
Another useful website on bond information is https://markets.businessinsider.com/bonds. To find the information on bonds, scroll down the page, type the name of the company in the window under Bond Finder, and click SEARCH.
 Copy the quotations of two bonds issued by THE COMPANY (SELECTED BY INSTRUCTOR) that contain the Price. Present these quotations in your project.

1. Assume that par value of the bond is $1,000. What were the last prices of the bonds in $$$ (listed in the Price column)? Show your work in your project.
2. Assume that par value of the bond is $1,000. Calculate the annual coupon interest payments. Show your work in your project.
3. Assume that par value of the bond is $1,000. Calculate the current yield of the bonds. Show your work in your project.

4. Write a 1-2 page of the analysis of the In your analysis you should answer the following questions. Please explain your answer to each question.
   1. How much is the YTM listed in quotations is for the bonds? Explain the meaning of YTM.
   2. If you are going to buy a bond issued by THE COMPANY, which bond would you choose? Why?
   3. Are these bonds callable? If the bonds that you chose are callable (non-callable), will it change your decision to buy them?
   4. If you are an investor who is looking for a bond to invest in, are you going to buy a bond that you chose? Take a look at the balance sheet and income statement of the company. What data or ratios support your decision to buy this bond or not? You may want to incorporate the results of the Research Project Part 1, as well as the results of the financial leverage ratios to answer this question. You should develop a specific recommendation, with supporting rationale to explain your answer.

 
-4- Collect and evaluate the data about stock performance of the assigned company for the last one year. (totally 35% of the project grade).
1) Find the market ratios for the company for the last 1-3 years and its major competitor for the last year in the Internet. (10% of the project grade)

• Price/Earnings ratio
• Market/Book ratio (also called (Price/Book ratio)
• Earnings per share
• Dividends per share
• Other market ratios on your choice

 
These ratios are available on www.morningstar.com > Company’s page – under Valuation, Financials, and under Dividends
 
You can find these ratios in the Internet or calculate them. If you use published ratios you must indicate that and cite their source.

1. Present the market ratios as the table(s) in your project.
2. Write about 1 page of analysis of the market ratio results that you found. Compare the market ratio results against the industry or main competitor. In your report please answer the question: Are the common stockholders receiving an adequate return on their investment?

1. Compare the P/E ratio of your company with the industry average or 5-year average. Is the stock overvalued, undervalued, or properly valued? Why?  In accordance with your findings, is it reasonable to buy the stock? Please explain your answers.

-2) Analysis of the historical stock prices trend for the last year. (10% of the project grade)

1. Collect and evaluate the data about stock prices of the assigned company for the last one year for the company and its major competitor.
2. Create the chart(s) using the stock price chart tools on the websites or Excel. Present the chart(s) in your project.
3. Write about 0.5 page of analysis the historic stock prices trend for the last year.

3) Apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Security Market Line to estimate the required return on THE COMPANY stock. Note that you will need the risk-free rate and the market return. Show this information in your project. (15% of the project grade)

1. Apply the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Security Market Line to estimate the required return on stock. Note that you will need the risk-free rate, beta, and the market return.
2. a) To get the current yield on 10-year Treasury securities go to www.finance.yahoo.com -click on Markets – U.S. Treasury Bonds Rates.  You will use the current yield on 10-year Treasury securities as the risk-free rate to estimate the required rate of return on stocks. Discuss how appropriate this rate is as a measure of risk.
3. b) Between 1926 and 2017, the compound annual rate of return of S&P 500 is estimated a 6.5%. We will use this number as the market return. Discuss how appropriate this rate is as a measure of return.
4. c) Beta is listed in finance.yahoo.com and in www.morningstar.com on the company’s front page. What is the beta listed for the company? What does it mean?
5. d)  Calculate the required return on the stock using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) Security Market Line. Please show your work.
6. There are several methods how to calculate the growth rate. One of the possible ways is to calculate the sustainable growth rate as g = ROE *(1- Dividend payout ratio). You can find ROE and the Dividend Payout Ratio on www.morningstar.com > Company’s page – under Financials and under Dividends

Calculate the company’s sustainable growth rate. Please show your work.

3. Apply the Gordon model (constant growth rate model) to calculate the intrinsic (economic) value of the stock. Please show your work.

Please note that for some companies it is not possible to use the Gordon model. If that is the case, please explain why it is not possible to use this model for your company. What other models is it possible to use?

4. Compare the result of your calculations with the current stock price. Is the stock overvalued, undervalued, or properly valued? Why?  In accordance with your findings, is it reasonable to buy the stock? Why? Please explain your answer.

–5- Develop a specific recommendation, with supporting rationale for your client, as to whether the assigned company’s recent trend in financial and stock performance is of sufficient financial strength to warrant entering in a long-term investment in bonds and/or stocks of the company. Explain your answer (about 1 page) (10% of the project grade).
-6- Develop a specific recommendation, with supporting rationale for the COMPANY’S management – Think about the financial strategy of the company, how to best balance THE COMPANY’S financial leverage to optimize shareholder wealth going forward taking into consideration the company’s current market position, credit rating, dividend policy, etc.  (10% of the project grade).
-7- Reflection – the students should write a paragraph in their own words reflecting on what they learned from the assignment and how they think they could apply what they learned in the workplace. (5% of the project grade).
PRESENTATION OF PAPER AND WRITING (15%) of the project grade):
-Organization, Format and Presentation of Paper including the Title page, Introduction, Body, and Summary. Each section of the paper must begin with a sub-heading.  Please use the sub-headings included in the assignment (4% of the project grade)
Use of Tables, Figures and Other Graphics to Summarize and Support Analysis Presented in the Paper (3% of the project grade)
Logical and Smooth Flowing Transitions and Relationships among Sections of the Written Report (3% of the project grade)
Research Sources and Significance of Research Information and Data, Use of APA Citation Methodology (5% of the project grade)
The Research Project report should be about 6-8 pages double-spaced typewritten pages (without tables and graphs)

Your manager comes to you and says:
Okay. We are seeing a rapid increase of our employees bringing Mac laptops to the office which is becoming a problem. Previously we were a Windows environment, so our forensic tools were purchased with Windows in mind. Now we need to be ready to handle Mac devices.I’m giving you $50,000 as a budget. I want you to investigate the right solutions that will let us:
1. Take physical images of a Macintosh device
2. Take logical images / captures of an Macintosh device
3. Perform analysis of the Macintosh data
4. If training is included in the purchase – then that’s a plus.
5. And let me know if we need to purchase a Macintosh computer for you too (I heard something called “TDM”).
Can you do some research? There’s at least two vendors that I’ve heard about: Sumuri and Blackbag. Check these out on the website. Make some phone calls if you’d like. Then tell me which product you would choose and why. Do your research carefully. No more than 2 pages please!
Note: This is an actual real-world example. Last year , I gave this assignment to two of my direct reports who delivered well on this! So, this has real-word applications for you!

Use standard APA writing and the application of the Blooms taxonomy and 2-3 pages without the cover page and references, answer the following questions.
Define Information Governance
Identify 5 or more questions organizations are asking themselves about Information Governance (IG), and provide possible answers to those questions.
Name 5 or more success factors for Information Governance
In line with the differences in terminologies and definitions between Information Governance (IG), Data Governance (DG) and Information Technology Governance (ITG), how do you see these whole areas of IT evolving in the next 5- 10 years?
How do you see yourself evolving with the developments and what difference(s) will you speculate this will make in your career? Do you think practitioners of IG should be restricted to a specific group or spread across an organization?