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.

Answer 1

PRINBMF 1A - Unit 4 Lab - Sample Work

1 - Research (4 points)

Company Research Overview

Google

• Starting Wage: The starting wage at Google for entry-level positions typically ranges from $70,000 to $90,000 annually, with salaries varying based on skill level and location.
• Benefits: Google offers comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans (401k), generous paid time off, and employee wellness programs. Both full-time and part-time employees have access to various benefits including parental leave and employee assistance programs.
• Training: Google provides extensive training opportunities that encompass onboarding programs, continuous professional development, and access to online learning platforms. Employees are encouraged to pursue further education and skills development.
• Working Conditions: Positively, Google promotes a collaborative and innovative work environment, with perks like free meals and recreational facilities. Negatively, the fast-paced environment may cause work-life balance challenges for some.
• Employee Retention Rate: Google has a high employee retention rate, estimated around 90%, signifying employee satisfaction and loyalty.

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Costco

• Starting Wage: Costco has a competitive starting wage, starting at approximately $17 per hour for entry-level positions, with wages increasing based on tenure and role.
• Benefits: Costco offers benefits to both full-time and part-time employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, employee discounts, and paid time off.
• Training: Costco provides training for new employees that includes both orientation and on-the-job training, ensuring staff are well-prepared for their roles.
• Working Conditions: The positive aspects include a strong emphasis on employee satisfaction and a team-oriented culture. On the downside, employees may experience high workload during peak shopping seasons.
• Employee Retention Rate: Costco boasts a retention rate of around 85%, indicating a favorable work environment.

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Apple (Choice 1)

• Starting Wage: At Apple, starting wages range from $20 to $30 an hour for entry-level positions, often with additional stock options.
• Benefits: Apple provides robust benefits, including comprehensive health insurance, retirement options, and employee discounts. They also offer wellness programs and generous time-off policies.
• Training: Apple places strong emphasis on training and development, featuring extensive onboarding, ongoing training sessions, and opportunities for career advancement.
• Working Conditions: Positively, Apple is known for its innovative work culture and encourages creativity among employees. However, it can have a high-pressure environment, especially during product launches.
• Employee Retention Rate: Apple’s retention rate is about 75%, showing a reasonable level of employee satisfaction but also indicating potential areas for improvement.

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2 - Presentation (3 points)

Slide Layout Suggestions:

• Slide 1: Google

  • Title: Life at Google
  • Content: Include key bullet points on starting wage, benefits, training, working conditions (highlight positives and negatives), and employee retention rate. Add relevant images or charts to represent Google's workplace culture.

• Slide 2: Costco

  • Title: Life at Costco
  • Content: Similar structure with bullet points and visuals representing Costco's commitment to employee welfare. Use graphics to depict customer satisfaction and team dynamics.

• Slide 3: Apple

  • Title: Life at Apple
  • Content: Present key points in a visually appealing way, incorporating images of Apple products, workplace environment, and employee engagement statistics.

• Slide 4: Reflection

  • Title: My Ideal Company
  • Content: A concise personal reflection explaining your choice of the ideal employer among Google, Costco, and Apple, detailing what specifically draws you to that organization.

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3 - Reflection (3 points)

After careful consideration of the three companies, I would choose to work at Google. The combination of a competitive salary, excellent employee benefits, and a strong focus on professional development aligns with my career aspirations and values. The innovative culture at Google fosters creativity, which is crucial in a rapidly evolving tech landscape. Additionally, the company’s high employee retention rate reflects its commitment to employee satisfaction and implies a supportive work environment. Overall, the opportunities for growth and the positive work culture at Google make it the ideal employer for me.

Answer 2

Life at Google
like

Answer 3

Life at Google

Starting Wage:
At Google, entry-level positions can have a starting salary ranging from $70,000 to $90,000 annually, depending on the specific role and location. This competitive starting wage positions Google as a desirable employer in the tech industry.

Benefits:
Google offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Health Insurance: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Retirement Plans: Generous 401k matching and investment options.
• Paid Time Off: Ample vacation days, sick leave, and parental leave.
• Wellness Programs: Access to fitness facilities, mental health resources, and wellness initiatives.
• Other Perks: Free meals, on-site services (like fitness classes and massage therapy), and a generous employee assistance program.

Training:
Employees at Google engage in extensive training and development programs, which consist of:

• Onboarding: Comprehensive introduction processes for new hires.
• Skill Development: Access to various online learning platforms and resources for continuous improvement.
• Mentorship Programs: Opportunities to receive guidance from more experienced colleagues.

Working Conditions:
The working conditions at Google are characterized by:

• Positive Factors:
  • A collaborative and innovative work environment that encourages teamwork and creativity.
  • Numerous amenities, including recreational areas, cafes, and wellness facilities.
• Negative Factors:
  • A fast-paced and demanding environment that may present challenges in maintaining work-life balance for some employees.

Employee Retention Rate:
Google has a remarkably high employee retention rate of around 90%. This statistic reflects the company’s strong culture, commitment to employee happiness, and effective management practices that contribute to job satisfaction.

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Visual Elements for Presentation

• Use vibrant images of Google's campus, workspaces, and events to capture the environment.
• Add infographics to summarize benefits and training opportunities.
• Incorporate quotes from current or past employees regarding their experiences to add a personal touch.

This overview paints a detailed picture of life at Google, highlighting why it is considered one of the top companies to work for globally.