Emerging Business Issues

Participants are expected to research one of the below topics prior to the presentation. Be prepared to present both an affirmative (pro) or negative (con) argument in your presentation within your time allotment.

1. Each presentation must be the result of your own independent work. Facts and working data may be secured from any source.
2. Please quote your sources in your presentations.
3. You will be permitted to bring prepared notes to the preparation and presentation areas on notecards (not full sheets of paper).
4. Information may be written on both sides of the note cards. Note cards will not be collected.
5. No reference materials, visual aids, or electronic devices may be brought to or used during the preparation or performance.
6. You will have seven (7) minutes to present the case.
7. You should introduce yourself, describe the situation, make your recommendations, and summarize your case.
8. A timekeeper will signal at six (6) minutes. When the presentation is finished, the time used will be recorded, noting a deduction of five (5) points for any presentation over seven (7) minutes.
9. Following each presentation, teacher/class will conduct a three (3) minute question-answer period.
10. Presentations will take place __________.
11. You have a choice of one of the topics below...good luck and have fun.

Topic 1:

Consumers are shopping at traditional brick and mortar stores, on Websites, and increasingly through mobile applications. Does the availability of a mobile application provide a business with a stronger consumer base and higher revenue? Argue either the affirmative or negative that having a mobile application increases consumer base and revenue for businesses.

OR

Topic 2:

The idea of companies implanting tiny microchips in the hands of employees is starting to take hold.  This raises questions about health and privacy risk. The idea behind these chips are that workers will no longer have to bother with log-ins at their PC or swipe badges to open security doors. Be prepared to argue the affirmative that yes, companies should be allowed to require the insertion of microchips in their employees; and be prepared to argue the negative that no, companies should not be able to require that employees have these microchips embedded.