I need assistance with the following information. Thank you in advance!

To begin this week’s Assignment, you will read some new specific information about the company you selected I selected ExtraVert.

ExtraVert

ExtraVert is headquartered in Plains, NE. With branch offices in Florida, California, and New York, the company has more than 500 employees in the United States. Its founder, Frederick Voorhees, began the company to help promote struggling businesses in his small, Nebraska town and expanded greatly over the years to involve international clients. The choice of branch offices reflects the company’s position at the heart of American industry. Most of the U.S. workers seem to readily embrace this philosophy.

ExtraVert reports that much of the conflict occurs between its headquarters and the new Tokyo branch. In contrast, the Tokyo branch is much smaller, having only 30 employees compared to the nearly 200 in Nebraska. In existence for many years, the Nebraska branch seems more laid back and organized compared to Tokyo, which is still attempting pull together its operations. Last week, a top manager at ExtraVert Nebraska, Michael Lee Ray, was reprimanded when he sent the following e-mail to Tokyo manager Ichi Kakihara:

Howdy Ichi, Haven’t heard any updates in a while. Just checking in to see that y’all haven’t fallen asleep over there. We’ve got some big projects coming down the pipe, and I need to know that you guys are going to be up to taking them on.

Michael Lee Ray, manager:

I don’t see what all the fuss is about. There was nothing I said to that Ichi guy that I don’t say to my own guys here, and they’re not complaining. Then again, they’re on top of their jobs, while that Tokyo branch… well, that’s another story. Honestly, I thought those people were supposed to be efficient, but it’s been nearly 3 months. I’ve got work to do. I can’t wait around for them to decorate the place before they decide to get down to business.

With this new information about your company, consider any questions or problem areas that come to mind. Think about what data will be needed to answer them and from what resources such data can be obtained. To help with this process, you will create a mind map, or a diagram that illustrates relationships among ideas. You might want to refer to the “Mind Map Example” which describes the use of a mind map.

To begin your mind map, select what you consider to be the most essential question or problem and write that in the center of the page. Next, draw a line from the main idea and write the purpose for addressing the topic. Once you have written in the purpose, add further questions concerning the problem and/or purpose. Include these questions as additional branches in your mind map. Some of your questions may even raise other questions; include these as well. Once you have included all your questions, draw branches that identify information that is still needed and note where this information might be found.

Note: Thoughtful consideration in the creation of your mind map will help you get the most out of this tool. Do not be hesitant to put some thought into the overall organization of your mind map (i.e., the placement of ideas, the links between ideas, etc.). You may want to consider using mind-mapping software to make it easier to edit your map.

Now that you have identified areas where further information is needed, locate an article or website that might be useful for your Critical Thinking in Action Project. Evaluate the credibility of the source using the elements of motive, expertise, ability to perceive, neutrality, reputation, and corroboration detailed in Chapter 9 of your van den Brink-Budgen text.

In a 1-paragraph response, comment on the following:

· Is a source still valid if all elements are not of equal strength?

· What if an element is not present or is negative? How would you justify using that source?