Saddleback College Communications Question

Hi. It is a business report that I have to submit before mid-May. It is about Artificial Intelligence in Retail Pharmacy Practices. I will provide the study materials, or if you have some sources on your own, I would be glad to take advantage of. I also have the template for title page, abstract, etc.

DIRECTIONS:

Business Communication – Term Project Guidelines and Topics
Topic – Informative Report: Explain an Emerging Industry Trend (Innovation Oriented)
Underpinning Question: How do you move from a student to an integrated member of your future workplace?
What does that future look like? All good stuff or are there some valid concerns or issues?
Assignment Abstract / Format: Write a professional business report that investigates and analyzes a significant
trend in an industry of your choice. Choose one major trend and explain what it is and how it impacts the industry
and the stakeholders of the industry. This report is not a product commercial, it is a serious review of an industry
in change – how employment will be affected – good or bad. It is about possible careers being changed.
•
•
•
•
•
Length – 8 to 15 pages, single-space (includes cover letter, title page, etc., etc.)
Cover Letter, Title Page, Abstract, Table of Contents, Body of Work, Reference Page, Appendix
Format: Single-spaced | .5 / 1-inch margins | 12 pt. Times New Roman font.
Block format (full justification desired).
Use headings both to separate information logically and to create high skim value.
Purpose: Your “job” here is to envision your report handed out to 100 College Students who are gathered to
listen to presentations on exciting business innovations and trends. To that end, your “job” is to explain a trending
topic in a specific industry to college students interested in such matters. The research and analysis of this
assignment demand detailed preparation and research – Report, PowerPoint, and Oral Presentation.
What this means is that you will:
• Synthesize a substantial number of resources to support your analysis
• Read and analyze online and print sources and summarize the key takeaways from them
• Develop a well-formatted, reader-oriented professional report
• Practice integrating sources with APA citations. Ethically and accurately crediting outside information
will establish professional credibility with your audience.
Necessary Parts: Your final “report” product consists of two items – a Formal Cover Letter and a Report.
Formal Cover Letter: Make up a name and address for a College Student. You can use our college location for
your address. The cover letter should be short and to the point, reflecting what you hope the report will
accomplish. Perhaps secondary, try to enlist or create some excitement about your work.
Professional Report: (Do not use APA except for citation. No APA running headers or paragraph formatting).
• Title Page
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• Body of Work
▪ Introduction that identifies the purpose, scope, methodology, and sources of information. If useful,
some introductions may discuss limitations.
▪ Main section synthesizing your research and analyzing key considerations. Employ/insert at least
one graphic (it must be relevant and valuable in explaining the trend). Source required.
▪ Short summative closing
• APA References page
• Optional Appendix (highly desirable)
Audience Thoughts:
1.
Your 100 students are interested in the fundamental subject matter of innovation in business.
2.
Design your report to help the audience better understand a vital trend impacting this industry.
3.
Although your audience are peers, keep in mind that your goal is to create a professional document.
4.
Consider that audience engagement responds to fun facts and entertaining considerations.
5.
The best reports will be full of useful information and focused on the future.
Reference Source Considerations:
1.
Two or more recent, reliable news sources
2.
Two or more recent trade journal articles
3.
One or more website sources from a professional organization (if available)
4.
One industry report or one company report (if possible)
Citations: Use APA in-text parenthetical citations and an APA formatted reference page. Avoid plagiarism at
all costs. Smoothly and accurately integrate quotations and paraphrases, being attentive to the differences among
quoting, paraphrasing, summarizing, and plagiarizing. Remember, I do not desire or require APA format for the
report headings/structure. Use full justification and paragraph headers the assist reader comprehension.
Reminder – Cover Letter: Include a cover letter addressed to your chosen audience. Explain to the reader why
this research paper is important. Submit as part of your report to the link provided.
Deliverables: Complete and submit project on or before the required due date.
Term Project Report: As detailed and formatted above (CL/Report).
Evaluation Criteria
Critical Thinking (logical orientation of subject matter)
• well-articulated problem/purpose statement
• informative and accurate analysis and synthesis of sources
• credible integration and discussion of your sources
• specific examples and details that support your analysis
Organization (cogent & clean)
• reader-oriented organization: concise and focused introduction
• well-organized paragraphs with topic sentences, research, and explanation or analysis of that research
• concise summative closing
• clear, detailed, logical headings
Formatting/design (professional)
• thoughtful design that highlights key information and has high skim value
• appropriate use of whitespace
• parallel lists
Use of sources (appropriate and effectively employed)
• credible research from reliable sources of the types required
• effective incorporation of sources into your sentences
• varied attributive tags that introduce sources and give credit for all outside information, ideas, and words
• appropriate use of summary, paraphrase, and quotation
• accurate and correctly formatted References page (APA style)
• correctly formatted in-text citations (APA style)
• coordination between in-text citations and References page
Writing (collegial and well-edited – to include Grammarly or a valued 3rd party)
• clear, concise, and easy-to-follow sentences that get straight to the point
• active voice
• appropriate tone and word choices
• grammatically correct, error-free prose
Submission: On or before the assigned due dates (see LMS).
BCOM – Term Project Outline Format Requirements / Prompt
Directions: This is all about a professional report. This is not a APA formatted
essay. It is collegiate effort through-and-through. That stated, it is to be formatted
as a business report. Borders, full justification, embedded graphs, illustrations,
charts, and tables, etc.
Complete as much of YOUR outline as possible – with your notes / reminders,
ideas, etc., etc. This outline is not for me, it is for you! So, whatever useful notes
or line items you have / find / locate / research to help you craft and then write a
cogent report, then use those.
• A simple example: Say you find a cool illustration you want to use to
support your findings. A simple note – hey, place this cool illustration in the
appendix and reference it… Make sense?
• Another simple example: You may want to do a simple outline for your
cover letter to make sure you hit all of the markers in the right order (formal
letter with “informational” content).
Your Grade: This will simply be based upon how much you developed a
meaningful outline and have tacked your “possible” reference sources as per the
prompt. The more thorough your effort, the better your grade – that simple.
Caution:
Project Outline Template / Prompt
I.
II.
Cover Letter
a. One-page formal business “cover” letter
b. Explains to the audience why this paper is important and what it
covers.
Abstract – 150 to 300 words
III.
Cover / Title Page (Non-APA)
a. Title (Simple 2-5 words)
b. Subtitle (Ask a Question or State a Fact)
c. Your Full Name
d. School Name | Class Detail (BUS XXX / 10:10, etc., etc.)
IV.
Table of Contents – Optional but Highly Desired
V.
Table of Figures – Option for inline illustrations
VI.
Body of Work
a. Introduction: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT. Briefly introduce your topic
(trending industry innovation).
i.
ii.
b. Discussion: WHAT’S IT ALL MEAN?
i.
ii.
c. Observations: WHY DOES ANYONE CARE?
i.
ii.
d. Findings / Conclusion Et. Al: NEXT STEPS / FUTURE
i.
ii.
e. Provide facts and cite sources as required (APA Parenthetical format).
Note, the prompts specific sourcing requirement.
VII.
Reference Page (APA Format)
VIII.
Appendix (Optional but Highly Desired)
My Name
My Address
My City, CA 92929
April 29, 2020
Report Reader Name
Fullerton College
321 E Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
Subject: Two Day & Faster Shipping – Affecting eCommerce & Consumers
The enclosed report will help the reader understand the effects that around brought onto the
eCommerce industry by offering 2 day and faster shipping for many products bought today. This
report was written for anyone whom participates in online ordering and is curious on the history
and future of the eCommerce industry and specifically to help future business leaders of America
understand the impact of the trend on our environment.
We look into this information to try and see the environmental impact on the world and truly
understand what it takes to get everything from A to Z to your door step in one-click or less. The
convenience is driving the industry into a trend of offering online only sales and putting well
named brick and mortar retailers out of business. We will look into how we can stay with the
trend while offering a positive impact for all.
Sincerely,
Student Name
Student
Fullerton College
321 E Chapman Ave
Fullerton, CA 92832
Enclosure: Technical Report
Page 1
Abstract
150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to. Almost like an
executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to.
Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if
you need to. Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up
on abstract if you need to. Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report
abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to. Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300
word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to. Almost like an executive
summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to. Almost like
an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if you need to.
Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up on abstract if
you need to. Almost like an executive summary. 150 to 300 word of a report abstract. Read up
on abstract if you need to. Almost like an executive summary.
Page 2
How 2 Day & Faster Shipping
is Affecting eCommerce & Consumers
______________________________________________________________________________
STUDENT NAME
My College
April 18, 2020
Professor McCarthy
BUS XXX
Page 3
Contents
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Logistics…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
Observations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Findings …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
References …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 10
APPENDIX ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Page 4
Introduction
Instead of walking into a store today, it could be as simple as one-click and it will arrive at your
door within minutes of ordering. Majority of consumers today are swaying towards online
retailers to fulfill their wants and desires where demand beats the supply in some cases. The
demand for Free 2-day shipping is an expectation for eCommerce shoppers looking to get their
next big deal, but it is getting that item from the supplier to the consumer that many forget about
and it is daunting task that is shaping our world into an uncontrollable trend of fast delivery
services. An average American household receives 5 or more packages a week from online
shopping, with a majority being delivered in 2-days or less, yet only 15% of adults will shop
online weekly (Smith & Anderson, 2016).
If the percentage continues to grow like it has, it will only mean more packages and orders on
their way from distributors to consumers (See Appendix A). Popular eCommerce retailers like
Walmart and Amazon are masters of this service. Bringing your needs to you quickly is their
specialty, but this is affecting other online retailers and brick and mortar stores could be a
downward trend on small businesses if they do not find their special niche. While online
shopping and eCommerce introduced itself to the American people in the 1960, it was during the
years of 1990’s that you saw an explosion of attraction from the American households. The ease
of searching the internet for things definitely means more orders online, but it also started the
comparison of prices in which you could find the best “bang-for-your-buck”. This report will
show the biggest stakeholder in the industry for expedited shipping and how they have affected
small businesses in rural areas of the United States.
Discussion
Most of the world can agree that if there is any business model successfully running in the world,
Amazon has more than likely attempted it. 43% of online sales in the United States comes from
this company (Hyken, 2017). Amazon is the largest online retailer in the world and the key
leader itself for 2-day shipping, but this was not always the case. It first opened in Seattle,
Washington, as an online book seller in 1994, when the eCommerce trend was first beginning. It
then saw the opportunity and market in 2005 to expand its offerings and began to later sell any
item A to Z, as Amazon would say, for anyone who shopped their website.
To receive complimentary 2-day shipping though, there was a catch. You needed to pay the $79
membership fee that allowed you into the Prime service. This allowed for unlimited free 2-day
shipping on a majority of their items for 365 days.
While Amazon was mastering the eCommerce world, Walmart was dominating the brick and
mortar sector of the retail industry by offering low prices, every day, all under one roof. As
eCommerce has grown over the years, Walmart has decided to play and pay catchup by investing
hundreds of thousands of dollars into their online sales division, but they still were missing the
logistics that Amazon had mastered, and that was 2-day shipping. Walmart provided a great deal
for their items and additionally free shipping, but by the time it got to you, you could have went
to the store and back 7 times over the course of the week your package was in transit.
Page 5
The Walmart business model works by cutting unnecessary costs down the supply chain and
passing those savings on to the consumer. Walmart allowing their customer to order any quantity
of items with free 2-day shipping and no membership fee would tank their business and require
prices to rise on items, diminishing their model. Walmart could not keep their toes out of the
water for the eCommerce trend, so for free 2-day shipping on your items, you must spend a
minimum of $35. Many people will still opt in for this deal because it allows you to purchase a
majority of your grocery needs without leaving your home and if you play the cards right by
allowing enough time for the items to reach your home, you could enjoy an extraordinary
amount of convenience, while saving money with everyday low prices.
Logistics
As we have seen how Amazon and Walmart are the two largest stake holders in the expedited
shipping industry, they are fortunate enough to have warehouses or distribution centers across
the country (See Graphic 1). Other retailers must conform to this trend of online sales in order to
keep their business aligned with demand, but it becomes a challenge when they only have a few
or no warehouses of their products.
Graphic 1. – Chart shows the convenience of Amazon warehouses being spread out evenly
across the United States for ease of expedited shipping (Faggiano, 2018).
Page 6
Apple is one of the greatest examples of using logistics to drop ship their item from the
manufacturer direct to the consumer. Following in the footsteps of the 2005 release of Amazon
Prime, Apple knew the consumers will want to get their items quick with minimal effort. It took
Apple almost 10 years to master their Apple Store app to pre-order new and upcoming devices.
Every September millions worldwide flock to the application to get the latest and greatest new
gadget, all with guaranteed deliveries. During the launch of the iPhone X, in a one-week period
of pre-orders, over 50 million consumers ordered the device. Once the orders came in, it is now
time for Apple to rely on the shipping partners to get the item to your doorstep. The carrier of
choice for expedited, efficient, safe, and low-cost shipping is the United Parcel Service and
during this special time for Apple, the influx of packages creates thousands of new jobs at
distribution centers across the country.
Apple begins to ship the order a maximum of 3-days before the launch in-stores to insure they
arrive to you no later than their launch day. This trend has created more iPhone sales for Apple
3
because of convenience of purchase. You no longer
need to wait in a long queue on launch day
to get the latest tech. One-click and a fingerprint and your next phone is on the way to you.
Retailers heavily rely on companies like Federal Express, United Parcel Service, and United
States Postal Service in order to complete their shipments and get their product to the consumer
fast. These shipping companies would not be as vast and strong as they are today without the
help of these key industry leaders like Apple. Due to the large quantity of orders from Amazon,
Apple, and Walmart, the United Parcel Service reached a new milestone in 2017, shipping 5.1
billion priority packages (UPS Fact Sheet).
Observations
While the demand of 2-day shipping has tripled over the course of the last 5 years, Walmart is
still playing catch up. The trend has caused for a closure of 70 Sam’s Club stores, which is a
segment under the Walmart company. This has displaced thousands of workers nationwide in the
short-term, but the company hopes to have a positive long-term impact with re-envisioning these
locations. They will become new eCommerce distribution centers for 2-day and faster shipping.
Allowing to cut back on the supply chain needs and get the items to you quick.
This cuts the carbon footprint and expenditure of delivery needs saving close to $1 billion and
cutting 650,000 metric tons of C02 emissions between the baseline year of 2005 to 2015. When
shipping items to consumers, Walmart’s goal in the 2017 Global Responsibility Report shows
they are on target for a zero net deforestation goal. Insuring products are being made from paper
products and pulp, it is easier to used recyclable materials and then recycle them again (“2017
Global Responsibility Report”). “Walmart’s efforts to drive practices on the ground, combined
with its global reach, are helping spread these good ideas and models around the world.” said
Peter Seligman, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Conservation International.
Page 7
Amazon has experimented in the past few years allowing drone delivery for their items for
customers that live within a few miles radius of their distribution centers. Rather than simply
dropping your package from a parachute a few miles up as many people would think, this drone
could actually interact with its customers. Allowing customers to deny packages by waving their
arms or allowing the customer to ask it a question. While Amazon has filed many patents for this
drone technology and is awaiting approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration, it is
successfully being tested in the United Kingdom.
This could allow for a more environmentally friendly way to delivery packages that cut out many
carbon emissions that normal delivery cars or trucks would have (Shaban, 2018). Although it is
hard to control emissions that are created from shipping millions of items each year, Amazon is
committed to focusing on the environment at what they can control. Offering things like
Frustration-Free Packing to help over piling landfills and has cut over 100 million pounds of
extra packaging items that could can be avoided (“Amazon and the Planet”).
Findings
The shift of demand for online eCommerce has left many brick and mortar locations in the dust.
Studies show that people not only prefer online than in person shopping but will place their
orders online without comparing prices (See Appendix B). Small businesses across the country
were crippled by the Walmart take over in the early 2000’s when they could not keep up with the
low prices that Walmart offered. Now the remaining retailers deal with the challenge of not
offering their products or services online and risk being out bid once again.
Michael Silva-Nash, resident of Bentonville, Arkansas, discussed the trends that he experiences,
living a few miles away from the world headquarters of Walmart. “It was wild to see the
negative hit on small businesses in our town once Walmart started growing, but business owners
got smart” Michael said during his interview. “You have to offered something Walmart nor
Amazon can have. Fresh, local, quality products. You cannot ship freshly butchered ground beef
in 2-days and expect it to be good. You must fill the market that they can’t, and then you will be
successful.” Michael continued.
As a resident that has seen first-hand at what the 2-day shipping trend has created, he told me
that items are only going to be getting to us faster. Walmart is already testing local pickup
services where you order all of your groceries online and once you check in to their parking lot,
you simply log on to the app and Walmart Associates come and load everything directly into
your car for you (Ford & Silva-Nash). The process takes just a few minutes and has you in and
out and shows the popularity of using a cell phone to now do shopping (See Appendix C).
Walmart is partnering with Uber to delivery same-day goods and the goal is to have this delivery
service available to 40 percent of households in the United States by the end of 2018 (Saunders,
2018).
Page 8
Conclusion
The trend of 2-day shipping has and will continue to grow for many generations to come.
Businesses in the short-term might be affect at their brick and mortar locations, but as long as
they increase their coverage in the online market, you can still stay successful the eCommerce
industry. The United States demand for 2-day shipping is at an all-time high and the
environmental impact is large, but leaders like Amazon and Walmart are eager to introduce new
delivery services and strategies in order to cut down costs, lower emissions, and raise your
interest for their online footprint. The eCommerce industry helps businesses and consumers alike
be their very best and the convenience it creates helps the world run just a little easier.
Page 9
References
2017 Global Responsibility Report. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://corporate.walmart.com/2017grr/sustainability/reducing-environmental-impacts#grr-h2class-cms-heading-grr-h2-working-with-our-suppliers-to-improve-efficiency-of-factories-grr-h2
Amazon and the Planet. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.amazon.com/p/feature/tdfn6a3sn2bg5xg
Faggiano, M. (2018, April 17). Where are all Amazon Fulfillment Centers? Retrieved from
https://blog.taxjar.com/amazon-warehouse-locations/
Silva-Nash, M. (2018, April 14). How eCommerce affects small town Bentonville, Arkansas
[Personal interview].
Hyken, S. (2017, June 19). Sixty-Four Percent Of U.S. Households Have Amazon Prime.
Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/shephyken/2017/06/17/sixty-four-percent-of-u-shouseholds-have-amazon-prime/#70f36ef34586
Saunders, J. (2018, April 24). Walmart kicks off DoorDash grocery delivery partnership with
DoorDash in Atlanta. Atlanta Business Chronicle. Retrieved from
https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/2018/04/24/walmart-kicks-off-grocery-deliverypartnership.html
Shaban, H. (2018, March 22). Amazon is issued patent for delivery drones that can react to
screaming voices, flailing arms. The Washington Post. Retrieved from
Page 10
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/03/22/amazon-issued-patent-fordelivery-drones-that-can-react-to-screaming-flailing-arms/?utm_term=.e3befe663ca3
Smith, A., & Anderson, M. (2016, December 19). Online shopping and purchasing preferences.
Retrieved from http://www.pewinternet.org/2016/12/19/online-shopping-and-purchasingpreferences/
United Parcel Service. (2018, February 16). UPS Fact Sheet [Press release]. Retrieved from
6
https://www.pressroom.ups.com/pressroom/ContentDetailsViewer.page?ConceptType=FactShee
ts&id=1426321563187-193
Page 11
APPENDIX
Page 12
A
Page 13
B
Page 14
C
C.
8
Page 15
Artificial
Intelligence in
Retail Pharmacy
By Elijah Elias, Saddleback College, Spring 2023
Elijah Elias
28000 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
April 29, 2023
Report Reader Name
Saddleback College
321 E Chapman Avenue
Fullerton, CA 92832
Subject: Artificial Intelligence in Retail Pharmacy
The enclosed report will help the reader understand the effects of Artificial Intelligence in
Retail Pharmacy. This report provides adequate information to anyone who participates in
healthcare and is curious about the history and future of Retail Pharmacy. It also helps
future business leaders of America understand the trend’s impact on our healthcare.
We identify, analyze and evaluate the impacts of Artificial Intelligence in Retail Pharmacy
and how this innovation trend will change Pharmacy Benefits Management (PBM) at the
managerial, operational, and administrative levels. We evaluate the pros and cons of
implementing a modern, robotic, and artificial business module in retail pharmacy
practices and how it would affect Americans financially and economically.
Sincerely,
Elijah Elias
Student
Saddleback College
28000 Marguerite Pkwy
Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Enclosure: Technical Report
Abstract
As the world population grows and artificial intelligence technology develops, the need for
a healthcare system that can provide excellent patient care continues to increase. Delivering
medications with the correct dose and dosage form to the right patient is the focus of any
pharmacy practice.
Artificial Intelligence in Retail Pharmacy
______________________________________________
Elijah Elias
Saddleback College
April 18, 2023
Professor McCarthy
BUS 104
Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Discussion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Logistics……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6
Observations………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Findings……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 8
Conclusion …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 9
References…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
APPENDIX ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….12
Project Outline Template / Prompt
I. Cover Letter
a. One-page formal business “cover” letter
b. Explains to the audience why this paper is essential and what it
covers.
II. Abstract – 150 to 300 words
III. Cover / Title Page (Non-APA)
a. Title (Simple 2-5 words)
b. Subtitle (Ask a Question or State a Fact)
c. Your Full Name
d. School Name | Class Detail (BUS XXX / 10:10, etc., etc.)
IV. Table of Contents – Optional but Highly Desired
V. Table of Figures – Option for inline illustrations
VI. Body of Work
A. Introduction: WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?
a. Briefly introduce your topic (Trending industry innovation).
i. Impacts of population growth on pharmacy practices and businesses, and how
Artificial intelligence would impact the market in future pharmacy practices.
ii. Give an example of a pharmacy mail order or Amazon Pharmacy
iii. Thesis:
1. Among the other pharmacy practices, outpatient pharmacy, especially
retail pharmacy, is transforming rapidly as Artificial Intelligence emerges
as an intervention for data in healthcare.
2. Does the emergence of this technological phenomenon of Artificial
Intelligence impact pharmacy practices?
3. Would it have an impact on employment?
4. What will be discussed in this report is to identify the purpose, scope,
methodology, and sources of information on how employees would be
affected in the new future of Artificial Intelligence in pharmacy
practices.
b. WHAT’S IT ALL MEAN?
i. Purpose
c. WHY DOES ANYONE CARE?
i. Scope
1. Critics
2. Proponents
d. Findings / Conclusion Et. al: NEXT STEPS / FUTURE
i. Methodology
ii. Sources of information
e. Provide facts and cite sources as required (APA Parenthetical format).
i. Note, the prompts specific sourcing requirements.
VII. Reference Page (APA Format)
VIII. Appendix (Optional but Highly Desired)