PRINBMF 1A - Unit 4 Lab - Sample Work (10 points)

Question

** You must use a word processing program (ex. Microsoft Word, Google Docs) for this assignment that allows you to format text. Do not submit picture files (ex. .jpg), text files (.txt), or share links. If using Google Docs, use the File/Download command to obtain a .doc file to upload to the lesson Dropbox.

This Lab has 3 parts and involves 2 files to submit to the Dropbox:
Research 3 companies - 2 are given, 1 you pick
Presentation of your findings
Reflection paragraph

1 - Research (4 points)
Which Company Would be Your Choice Employer?
While you have learned a little bit about working at some of the biggest and most popular companies, such as Google, Costco, and Walmart, there is still so much more to learn!
And, while you may not be personally interested in working at any of these companies, having a deeper understanding of what various companies offer their employees can help you form a more concrete picture of the environment that you want to create for your employees at your future business!
For this lab, you will be comparing and contrasting the differences between what three major companies offer their employees in an effort to retain and keep their staff happy. You will then determine at which of the three companies you would be most interested in working, based on the pay, benefits, and any other factors that you uncover in your research.
Two of the companies have already been decided for you—Google and Costco (you don’t have to do Walmart) - you can find a lot of information about them in the unit. You will choose the third company - for a total of three (you do not have to do “Choice 2”). Think about big corporations, not small or local businesses. Some possibilities might include Target, Apple, Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, or one of the large pharmaceutical chains.
Research and collect information on the following for each of the three companies:
Starting hourly wage or salary
Benefits offered for full-time AND part-time employees
Training required and/or offered
Working conditions—both positive and negative factors
Employee retention rate

See the sample chart below. You do not have to use a table, but you do have to show your research; ex. Notes for each company.

TABLE 1 Example chart (does not show all data points - there are 5)

Google
Walmart
Costco
Choice 1
Choice 2
Starting Wage
Starting wage is ___

Benefits
Benefits offered are ___

Retention Rate
Retention rate is ___

2 - Presentation (3 points)
Once you have located and evaluated enough information to paint a well-rounded picture of what it would be like to work at each of these companies, you will organize this information into a slideshow presentation. For each company you will create one slide that creatively displays all of the information that you have gathered on being an employee at that company. You may use text/text bubbles, images, graphics, quotes, charts, etc.—any means necessary to create a kind of ‘collage snapshot’ of what it would be like to work at that company.
Each slide should clearly display the company’s name at the top—other than that, how you organize and creatively display your research is up to you.

3 - Reflection (3 points)
The final piece of this lab is to write a one- to two-paragraph reflection that identifies and explains at which of these three companies you would be most interested in working if you had to choose one. Discuss and explain what appeals to you about this company and why. You should write in full and complete sentences, using proper grammar, capitalization, and punctuation. You can place this reflection on a slide in your presentation, if you like.

GPT-4o mini · Answer

Sure! Below is a structured outline for your lab assignment, including the research notes and a reflection paragraph. You can use this as a framework to create your word-processed document and slides for submission.

PRINBMF 1A - Unit 4 Lab - Research & Presentation

Part 1: Research (4 points)

1. Google

Starting Wage: Approximately $15 - $20 per hour for entry-level roles; salaries vary significantly by position, with software engineers making $100,000+ annually.
Benefits: Comprehensive benefits including health insurance, 401(k) matching, paid parental leave, on-site wellness and fitness programs, and access to counseling services. Full-time and part-time employees have access to some benefits, though part-time options might be limited.
Training Offered: Extensive onboarding program with ongoing professional development resources. Access to online courses and workshops is available.
Working Conditions: Positive factors: innovative environment, work-life balance, and various employee programs. Negative factors: high-pressure work culture and competitive atmosphere.
Employee Retention Rate: High retention rate due to the appealing company culture and benefits.

2. Costco

Starting Wage: Starting wages are generally around $16 - $20 per hour, depending on position and location.
Benefits: Offers full-time and part-time employees health insurance, retirement plans (401(k)), life insurance, and paid leave. Part-time employees receive some limited benefits.
Training Offered: Comprehensive training for new employees, including product knowledge and customer service training, with opportunities for advancement.
Working Conditions: Positive aspects include a strong commitment to employee satisfaction and community involvement. Negative aspects might include the physical demands of the job and sometimes long hours during peak seasons.
Employee Retention Rate: High retention rate, often attributed to competitive pay and benefits.

3. Amazon (Choice 3)

Starting Wage: Starting wage is generally around $15 per hour; some positions may offer higher wages based on demand and skills.
Benefits: Full-time employees can access health insurance, retirement options, and paid time off. Part-time employees have limited benefits compared to full-time.
Training Offered: Amazon emphasizes training with a focus on operational excellence; employees receive training on safety, warehouse operations, and roles specific to their job.
Working Conditions: Positive factors include fast-paced work environment and opportunities for career growth. Critics note high-stress levels and demanding work targets as negative elements.
Employee Retention Rate: Relatively lower compared to the other two companies, amid criticisms about work-life balance and workload.

Part 2: Presentation (3 points)

Slide Outline for Each Company:

Slide 1: Google
- Title: Google Employee Experience
- Include attractive visuals of the workplace, infographics on benefits, and employee testimonials.
Slide 2: Costco
- Title: Costco Employee Experience
- Use images showing the team environment, charts displaying wages, and notable benefits.
Slide 3: Amazon
- Title: Amazon Employee Experience
- Feature visuals that convey the work environment, data on employee training, and benefits offered.
Slide 4: Reflection
- Title: My Choice of Employer
- Briefly outline the reasons for choosing one of these companies, using bulleted points or short paragraphs.

Part 3: Reflection (3 points)

After reviewing the opportunities and working conditions at Google, Costco, and Amazon, I believe that Costco would be my preferred choice for employment. The high starting wages, excellent benefits, and focus on employee satisfaction align with my career goals and personal values. The commitment Costco shows to both full-time and part-time employees, particularly in training and development, is impressive. Additionally, the company's strong retention rate suggests that employees feel valued and are likely to find long-term fulfillment at Costco. This, combined with the company's favorable work environment and community involvement, makes it an ideal workplace for me.

Final Steps

Make sure to structure this information nicely in your chosen document program. Include images and customize the design of your slides to enhance the visuals. Good luck with your assignment!