Chapter 9: Competition and Monopolies "A Mighty Mouse"

Introduction
In this lesson students will read about the business and management structures of a conglomerate, and they will see that a conglomerate must stay focused on its future goals to grow.

Lesson Description
Students will use information from the DisneyOnline Web site to read the company's annual report. Students will read the CEO's letter and browse through the report to answer four questions. They will then use what they have learned to write letters to the shareholders regarding their visions for the company's next ten years.

Previous Knowledge Expected
conglomerate: a large corporation made up of smaller corporations dealing in unrelated businesses

Applied Content Standards (from the National Council on Economic Education)
Standard 10: Institutions evolve in market economies to help individuals and groups accomplish their goals. Banks, labor unions, corporations, legal systems, and not-for-profit organizations are examples of important institutions. A different kind of institution, clearly defined and well-enforced property rights, is essential to a market economy.

Instructional Objectives
1. Students will understand the business and management structures of a conglomerate and the many businesses comprising a conglomerate.
2. Students will be able to review an annual report from a corporation to gain important financial information about that company.
3. Students will use this knowledge to imagine they are the CEO of the corporation and write letters to the shareholders for the annual report.

Student Web Activity Answers
1-4. Answers will vary.
5. Students' letters will vary, but they should include information concerning the growth of business segments, competitive concerns, and acquisitions.

Go To Student Web Activity