Undercover Boss Lessons

Introduction

The following lessons are based on my teaching philosophy that video can provide a common multimodal experience that can be the basis of discussion. Questions 1-6 are more close ended and descriptive. Questions 7 and 8 involve critical thinking. The student is asked to apply the SWOT and PEST analysis systems to the company being discussed.

Undercover Boss – Waste Management – Episode 1 Season 1

Lawrence O’Donnell, President and COO of Waste Management, Inc. works alongside his employees, cleaning porta-potties, sorting waste at one of their recycling plants, collecting garbage from a landfill and even being fired for the first time in his life. O’Donnell’s mission is to garner an up-close look at his company and workforce to see how and where improvements can be made from both an operational and morale standpoint.

Waste Management (corporation) – Wikipedia

1.0) What innovations is Waste Management, Inc. responsible for in the waste management business?

What is Innovation?

2.0) Describe the boss of Waste Management Inc.?

3.0) What is the goal of the boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is Waste Management Inc. autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

MGMT 100 – Leadership Styles Through Movie Scenes.wmv

5.0) Is Waste Management Inc. proactive or reactive?

proactive vs reactive

6.0) Is Waste Management Inc. service oriented or product oriented?

Goods & Services.mov

7.0) Apply SWOT to the Waste Management Inc.

How to SWOT analysis

7.1) Waste Management Inc. strengths?

Automated Trash Collection  

7.2) Waste Management Inc. weaknesses?

7.3) Waste Management Inc. opportunities?

Robot Separates Recyclables from Other Garbage

7.4) Waste Management Inc. threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

PEST Analysis

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect Waste Management Inc.?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect Waste Management Inc.?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect Waste Management Inc.?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect Waste Management Inc.?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Fred.

undercover-boss-us-s01e01-1fred

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.2) Describe Janice.

undercover-boss-us-s01e01-2janice

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.3) Describe Walter.

undercover-boss-us-s01e01-3walter

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.4) Describe Sandy.

undercover-boss-us-s01e01-4sandy

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.5) Describe Kevin.

undercover-boss-us-s01e01-5kevin

 

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.6) Describe Jaclyn.
undercover-boss-us-s01e01-6jaclyn

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

Undercover Boss – Hooters – Episode 2 Season 1

When Coby G. Brooks, President and CEO of Hooters, goes undercover in his own company, he finds himself struggling to keep up in a fast-paced kitchen and is later forced to take immediate action when a restaurant manager steps out of line.

Hooters – Wikipedia

1.0) What innovations did Hooters bring to the restaurant business?

At ‘Breastaurants,’ Business Is Booming

2.0) Describe the boss of Hooters.

3.0) What is the goal of the boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is Hooters autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles  

5.0) Is Hooters proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is Hooters service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) Hooters strengths?

7.2) Hooters weaknesses?

7.3) Hooters opportunities?

7.4) Hooters threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect Hooters?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect Hooters?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect Hooters?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect Hooters?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Britney and Amanda.

undercover-boss-us-s01e02-1britney-amanda

What are their jobs?

What are their positive qualities?

What problems did they have?

How was they rewarded?

9.2) Describe Dave.

undercover-boss-us-s01e02-2dave

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.3) Describe Marcee.

undercover-boss-us-s01e02-3marcee

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.4) Describe Jimbo.

undercover-boss-us-s01e02-4jimbo

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

Undercover Boss – 7-Eleven – Episode 3 Season 1

Joseph DePinto, President and CEO of 7-Eleven, goes undercover and discovers that a corporate policy is not being put into effect. Later on, a delivery driver’s approach to life opens the undercover boss’ eyes.

7-Eleven – Wikipedia

1.0) What innovations did 7-11 bring to the convenience store business?

10 Facts You Didn’t Know About 7-Eleven

2.0) Describe the boss of 7-11?

3.0) What is the goal of the 7-11 boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is the 7-11 company autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is 7-11 proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is 7-11 service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

How to SWOT analysis

7.1) 7-11 strengths?

7.2) 7-11 weaknesses?

7.3) 7-11 opportunities?

7.4) 7-11 threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect 7-11?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect 7-11?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect 7-11?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect 7-11?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Waqas.

undercover-boss-us-s01e03-1-waqas

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.2) Describe Phil.

undercover-boss-us-s01e03-2-phil

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.3) Describe Igor.

undercover-boss-us-s01e03-3-igor

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.4) Describe Dolores.

undercover-boss-us-s01e03-4-dolores

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

Undercover Boss – White Castle – Episode 4 Season 1

Dave Rife, Owner & Executive Board Member of White Castle, goes undercover in his own company where he accidentally ruins thousands of hamburger buns after mishandling equipment in one of his bakeries, and also discovers low morale among his employees at a local factory.

White Castle (restaurant) – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some White Castle innovations?

10 Things You Never Knew About White Castle

2.0) Describe the boss of White Castle.

3.0) What is the goal of the White Castle boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is White Castle autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is White Castle proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is White Castle service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) White Castle strengths?

7.2) White Castle weaknesses?

7.3) White Castle opportunities?

Why Doesn’t White Castle Franchise? – FranchiseHelp

Fast Food Company Develops Robots  

INNOMINATUS portal-robot (for BURGER KING) by LOGTRON Intralogistics GmbH  

Minimum Wage Backfire: McDonald’s Goes Touchscreen  

7.4) White Castle threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect White Castle?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect White Castle?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect White Castle?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect White Castle?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Donna.

undercover-boss-us-s01e04-white-castle-1donna

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.2) Describe Jose.

undercover-boss-us-s01e04-white-castle-2jose

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.3) Describe Brenda.

undercover-boss-us-s01e04-white-castle-3brenda

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.4) Describe Vicky.

undercover-boss-us-s01e04-white-castle-4vicky

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

Undercover Boss – Churchill Downs – Episode 5 Season 1

Bill Carstanjen, President and COO of Churchill Downs, goes undercover at his own racetracks. This however, proves difficult, as he is afraid of horses.

Churchill Downs – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some Churchill Downs innovations?

Behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs horse racetrack where they hold the Kentucky Derby.

2.0) Describe the boss of Churchill Downs.

3.0) What is the goal of the Churchill Downs boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is Churchill Downs autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is Churchill Downs proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is Churchill Downs service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) Churchill Downs strengths?

7.2) Churchill Downs weaknesses?

7.3) Churchill Downs opportunities?

Can Churchill Downs expand via franchising?

Churchill Downs Incorporated Withdraws From Empire Racing Associates’ Bid for New York Racing Franchise

Top 10 Business Mergers and Acquisitions of All Time  

Top 10 Disastrous Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)         

Mergers and Acquisitions

Incorporated Syfy Trailer  

When corporations take over the world – Telegraph

7.4) Churchill Downs threats?

Churchill Downs ups security for Kentucky Derby, Oaks

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect Churchill Downs?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect Churchill Downs?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect Churchill Downs?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect Churchill Downs?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Gillian.

undercover-boss-us-s01e05-1gillian

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.2) Describe Denise.

undercover-boss-us-s01e05-2denise

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.3) Describe Roxanne.

undercover-boss-us-s01e05-3roxanne

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.4) Describe Kenny.

undercover-boss-us-s01e05-4kenny

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

Undercover Boss – GSI Commerce – Episode 6 Season 1

Michael G. Rubin, Chairman, President and CEO of GSI Commerce, the e-commerce giant behind numerous top U.S. retailers, goes undercover in his own company, where he discovers that rushing through a task can result in injury to others, and that his packing and shipping skills are not up to company standards.

GSI Commerce is now called Ebay!

eBay Enterprise – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some GSI Commerce innovations?

GSI Drives the World of Commerce

2.0) Describe the boss of GSI Commerce.

3.0) What is the goal of the GSI Commerce boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is GSI Commerce autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is GSI Commerce proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is GSI Commerce service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) GSI Commerce strengths?

7.2) GSI Commerce weaknesses?

7.3) GSI Commerce opportunities?

7.4) GSI Commerce threats?

alibaba-vs-amazon-vs-ebay

Amazon vs Alibaba vs eBay | How Big Is Alibaba | Jack Ma | Startup Stories  

Alibaba vs Amazon and Why You Should Switch to Alibaba  

How Alibaba Works: Explained With 280 Pairs of Pants  

Jack Ma Success Story – Failure To Success | Alibaba Founder Biography | Startup Stories  

top-10-sites-in-thailand-720x635

Alibaba Expands in Southeast Asia With $1 Billion Lazada Deal

Amazon Versus Lazada – Demystify Asia

How to Buy on Lazada / วิธีการสั่งซื้อสินค้าออนไลน์ง่ายๆ กับลาซาด้า (Desktop)

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect GSI Commerce?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect GSI Commerce?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect GSI Commerce?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect GSI Commerce?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Rashelle.

undercover-boss-us-s01e06-1rashelle

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.2) Describe Cameron.

undercover-boss-us-s01e06-2cameron

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.3) Describe Shannon.

undercover-boss-us-s01e06-3shannon

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.4) Describe Danielle.

undercover-boss-us-s01e06-4danielle

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

Undercover Boss – Herschend Family Entertainment – Episode 7 Season 1

Joel Manby, President and CEO of Herschend Family Entertainment, a leader in the world of family theme parks and attractions, goes undercover. One of his employees says his dream job is CEO and correctly names Joel as the CEO, but does not recognize him.

Herschend Family Entertainment – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some Herschend Faimly Entertainment innovations?

Herschend Family Entertainment Evolves with a Sitecore Upgrade and Personalization

2.0) Describe the boss of Herschend Faimly Entertainment.

3.0) What is the goal of the Herschend Faimly Entertainment boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is Herschend Faimly Entertainment autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is Herschend Faimly Entertainment proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is Herschend Faimly Entertainment service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) Herschend Faimly Entertainment strengths?

7.2) Herschend Faimly Entertainment weaknesses?

Top 10 Theme Parks  

7.3) Herschend Faimly Entertainment opportunities?

7.4) Herschend Faimly Entertainment threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Captain.

undercover-boss-us-s01e07-1captain

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.2) Describe Jennifer.

undercover-boss-us-s01e07-2jennifer

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.3) Describe Richard.

undercover-boss-us-s01e07-3richard

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.4) Describe Mercedes.

undercover-boss-us-s01e07-4mercedes

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.5) Describe Albert.

undercover-boss-us-s01e07-5albert

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

Undercover Boss – Roto-Rooter – Episode 8 Season 1

President and COO of Roto-Rooter Rick L. Arquilla goes undercover in his own company and finds himself overwhelmed with emotion while working alongside several employees who force him to reflect on his past as well as his future legacy as the boss of their company.

Roto-Rooter – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some Roto-Rooter innovations?

Roto-Rooter Sewer & Drain Casper, WY – High Pressure Water Jetting (Hydro-Jetting)

2.0) Describe the boss of Roto-Rooter.

3.0) What is the goal of the Roto-Rooter boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is Roto-Rooter autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is Roto-Rooter proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is Roto-Rooter service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) Roto-Rooter strengths?

7.2) Roto-Rooter weaknesses?

7.3) Roto-Rooter opportunities?

7.4) Roto-Rooter threats?

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect Herschend Faimly?

9.0) Describe the employees.

9.1) Describe Darrell.

undercover-boss-us-s01e08-1darrell

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.2) Describe Dan.

undercover-boss-us-s01e08-2dan

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.3) Describe Candace.

undercover-boss-us-s01e08-3candace

What is her job?

What are her positive qualities?

What problems did she have?

How was she rewarded?

9.4) Describe Henry.

undercover-boss-us-s01e08-4henry

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

9.5) Describe Chris.

undercover-boss-us-s01e08-5chris

What is his job?

What are his positive qualities?

What problems did he have?

How was he rewarded?

Undercover Boss – 1-800-Flowers – Episode 9 Season 1

Chris McCann, COO of 1-800-Flowers goes undercover in his own company where he discovers misconceptions about the brand.

1-800-Flowers – Wikipedia

1.0) What are some 1-800-Flowers innovations?

Flower Girl Crowns

2.0) Describe the boss of 1-800-Flowers.

3.0) What is the goal of the 1-800-Flowers boss in going undercover?

4.0) Is 1-800-Flowers autocratic, democratic or laissez-fair?

5.0) Is 1-800-Flowers proactive or reactive?

6.0) Is 1-800-Flowers service oriented or product oriented?

7.0) Apply SWOT to the company.

7.1) 1-800-Flowers strengths?

Top 10 Best Online Flower Ordering Websites  

Top flower delivery companies  

7.2) 1-800-Flowers weaknesses?

7.3) 1-800-Flowers opportunities?

7.4) 1-800-Flowers threats?

Shocking True Story of Mother’s Day Flowers – Cartoon  

Blooms Away: The Real Price of Flowers – Scientific American

8.0) Apply PEST to the company.

8.1) What are some political factors that might affect 1-800-Flowers?

8.2) What are some macro-economic factors that might affect 1-800-Flowers?

8.3) What are some social factors that might affect 1-800-Flowers?

8.4) What are some technological factors that might affect 1-800-Flowers?

SWOT Analysis + People, Process and Product Analysis

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