Category: Business & Finance homework help

Question:REPORT BRIEF You have been appointed as a Senior Consultant to report to the Board of Directors of a major UK car manufacturer. The task you have been set is to write an analytical report to focus on the ‘Operations Strategy’ of car makers in a global business environment and the major operations good practice they have adopted. You are specifically tasked to: 1. Describe the key strategic issues that UK carmakers have faced (e.g. Toyota, Volkswagen) since the global financial crisis and more recent quality & environmental challenges. In your response, consider the implications of these issues on the competitive performance of your selected carmaker. 2. Assess the lessons that have been learnt and influence that the Japanese car manufacturers (i.e. ‘lean thinking’, ‘quality’ leadership) have had for your selected carmaker and implications for setting up operations and/or supply chains in low cost countries (i.e. BRIC countries). 3. Evaluate the statement “Green business is good business” from the perspective of what the Operations function can contribute to your selected organisation environmental performance. Consider in your response, whether you can justify a relationship between ‘being green’ and ‘being lean’? 4. Based on your analysis, list some recommendations to your selected carmaker to remain competitive in a turbulent and global business environment. Note: Your recommendations should be listed, following your conclusion and clearly relate to your analysis in the main body (to questions 1 – 3).

3.5 Business Ethics The National Enquirer, Inc., is a Florida corporation with its principal place of business in Florida. It publishes the National Enquirer, a national weekly newspaper with a total circulation of more than 5 million copies. About 600,000 copies, almost twice the level in the next highest state, are sold in California. The National Enquirer published an article about Shirley Jones, an entertainer. Jones, a California resident, filed a lawsuit in California state court against the National Enquirer and its president, who was a resident of Florida. The California lawsuit sought damages for alleged defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Calder v. Jones, 465 U.S. 783, 104 S.Ct. 1482, 79 L.Ed.2d 804, Web 1984 U.S. Lexis 4 (Supreme Court of the United States) Based on the information above (not going into details of the actual case) answer the following questions: 1. What kind of paper is the National Enquirer? 2. Was it ethical for the National Enquirer to try to avoid suit in California? When answering question 2, I expect to find a discussion which includes reason why, why not and which of the two you favor and what tipped the scale one direction or the other. 3. Are the defendants subject to suit in California? Why or why not? When answering question 3, I expect to find a discussion which will include subject matter and personal jurisdiction, long arm statute, significant contact, and other relevant considerations, for both the state and federal court and your conclusions of whether the defendants are subject to suits in either court or both. Your discussion of question 3, should also include a summary of what law would be applied, ie. state, federal, common law. etc. For example if I was answering question three I would start by explaining that for a person to be subject to a suit in a court the court must have subject matter jurisdiction to hear that type of claim and personal jurisdiction over the defendant and go on to give a more detailed information about both and how it applied to the defendant. To correctly answer a question you should provide the rule, the relevant facts, and then your conclusion. hide problem

“H owns 50% of the stcok of Y corporation and has a basis for that stock of $25,000. His wife W owns the remaining 50% of the stock at a basis of $25,000. H has all his stock redeemed for its fair market value of $250,000. What is H’s tax treatment alternatively with and without family attribution being waived?a) with family attribution?b) family attribution waivedc) what happens to the vasis of H’s shares in the question if family attribution is not waived?”

710 1,050

Job 6.02 started in production in May, and these costs were assigned to it in May: direct materials, $600; direct labor, $180; and overhead, $90. Jobs 6.03 and 6.04 were started in June. Overhead cost is applied with a predetermined rate based on direct labor costs. Jobs 6.02 and 6.03 are finished in June, and Job 6.04 is expected to be finished in July. No raw materials are used indirectly in June. (Assume this company’s predetermined overhead rate did not change over these months.)

REQUIRED:

1. What is the cost of the raw materials used in June for each of the three jobs and in total?
2. How much total direct labor cost is incurred in June?
3. What predetermined overhead rate is used in June?
4. How much cost is transferred to finished goods inventory in June?

the Case 500 to 800 words

Once you have gathered the necessary information, a draft of your analysis should include these sections:

1. Introduction
2. Identify the key problems and issues in the case study.
3. Formulate and include a thesis statement, summarizing the outcome of your analysis in 1-2 sentences.
4. Background
5. Set the scene: background information, relevant facts, and the most important issues.
6. Demonstrate that you have researched the problems in this case study.
7. Alternatives
8. Outline possible alternatives (not necessarily all of them)
9. Explain why alternatives were rejected
10. Constraints/reasons
11. Why are alternatives not possible at this time?
12. Proposed Solution
13. Provide one specific and realistic solution
14. Explain why this solution was chosen
15. Support this solution with solid evidence
16. Concepts from class (text readings, discussions, lectures)
17. Outside research
18. Personal experience (anecdotes)
19. Recommendations
20. Determine and discuss specific strategies for accomplishing the proposed solution.
21. If applicable, recommend further action to resolve some of the issues
22. What should be done and who should do it?

Overview: In this journal assignment, you will be asked to explain how a company raises capital through the issuance of equities.

Prompt: There are many approaches a corporation or company can use to raise capital. Based on the resources for this module, explain how a company can raise capital through the issuance of equities. Include the advantages and disadvantages of the methodology.

Think about the Fortune 500 company you will be making recommendations for in the final project (I choose AT&T). As the CFO of the company, would you recommend the issuance of equities to raise capital? Explain why or why not.

Rubric Guidelines for Submission: Your journal assignment should be 2 to 3 paragraphs in length. Sources should be cited according to APA format. Submit assignment as a Word document with double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, and one-inch margins.

Over the past 30 years, the US has existed in a situation of constant current account deficits while Japan has had nothing but current account surpluses over that same time period. The book suggests that current account deficits have a detrimental effect on a country’s wealth while surpluses have a positive effect. Over most of the same time period, the US economy has experienced massive expansion, while the Japanese economy’s performance has been lackluster. How do you reconcile these seemingly contradictory facts? What are the primary causes of the US deficits and the Japanese surpluses?

This case describes Hewlett Packard Enteprise’s “Dandelion Program,” which has developed a new service offering for the company’s clients by drawing on the special talents of people with autism. The company has deployed “pods” organized around 8 or 9 employees with autism, to function as high performance mini-ecosystems, which have turned out to be 30% more effective than average service teams (in some areas).

In this assignment, you are asked to analyze Hewlett Packard Enterprise – The Dandelion Program. The case centers around questions of how to adapt this successful model to new demands in a different service domain, specifically, cybersecurity and defense related areas. The case also explores how the company is innovating and refining its assessment and training processes in support of the program.

A case study is a description of a real-life business situation that allows you to apply management concepts already learned while examining theoretical concepts. Think of a written case analysis as a report being handed in to a manager for their study and subsequent action. 

To effectively analyze a case study, you should read the entire case attempting to avoid any conclusions about the case the first time you read it. This will allow you to gather the relevant data about the situation before you propose any solutions or make any judgements. It is helpful to re-read the case several times to ensure that you haven’t missed a key detail. 

Use the course materials to help analyze the case. Consider any discussions in the text or articles and, if necessary, map out organizational structures, list key components, and write down questions that come to mind. Consider that cases such as this one, like real life, may include details and issues that aren’t relevant to the diversity issues. Organizational life is messy and complex and, often, it is critical that a diversity expert or human resource staff person be able to sort out the information that is relevant to the diversity issue. 

Resist the temptation to report on every detail. In a diversity initiative, an organization may not be able to address every detail and must focus on the central issues in the situation. As you write your analysis, ask yourself how you know any particular fact or interpretation to be true and whether you have sufficiently justified your interpretation with actual data. 

You may find these directions helpful in structuring your case analysis paper:

1. Write a summary of the case. Be succinct and generally keep the length to one paragraph.
2. Identify the key people if applicable. What are their names, titles, importance to the case and problem?
3. Identify the key issues or problems and then focus on what you think is the most important. Begin integrating your learning. Refer to your textbook chapters, additional reading, references you found that relate to this diversity issue or offer insights or suggestion for the problem identified, and the case itself that relate to this case and the problem you identified.
4. Propose a solution or multiple solutions. Support your proposed solutions with material from the readings. This is critical for you to present because solutions will demonstrate your new learning.
5. Make a recommendation. Provide a solid support full of detail from your readings. Please do not expect the instructor to “read your mind.”

The paper should be 8-10 pages, double-spaced, with 12-size fonts. Please submit the assignment only as a Word (.doc, .docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) attachment.

Marketing strategies should state what should be accomplished and the process to be used to achieve that goal. The final step in the consumer purchase decision-making process is the actual purchase. One of the major advantages that large businesses have over small businesses is close customer contact. 6. Peter Drucker stated that businesses have __________ basic functions. a) Two b) Three c) Four d) Five 7. The philosophy of a business in which the wants and needs of customers are determined before goods and services are produced is referred to as the a) Marketing concept b) Production concept c) Relationship concept d) Demand concept 8. The number of products a business plans to sell during a future time period is known as the a) Product projections b) Sales predictions c) Sales forecast d) Sales estimates 2 9. The five steps of the marketing research process, in order, are which of the following? a) Develop plan, identify problem, collect data, analyze data, draw conclusions b) Identify problem, develop plan, collect data, analyze data, draw conclusions c) Identify problem, collect data, develop plan, analyze data, draw conclusions d) Draw conclusions, identify problem, develop plan, analyze data, collect data Under a licensing agreement, an inventor generally receives a royalty of about 50 percent of the sale of the product. Maintaining inventory has two aspects—the business does not want to run out of supplies or products for the customers, but inventory represents money sitting idly on a shelf. The Pareto rule states that 80 percent of the firm’s revenue will come from 20 percent of the firm’s inventory. Inventory, like cash flow, can make or break a business. 16. Changing the perception that customers have of a product is called a) Repositioning b) Repackaging c) Reneging d) Reprising 17. A small business entering into a contractual agreement to manufacture a product under another company’s name is called a) Private label manufacturing b) Private placement manufacturing c) Selective placement manufacturing d) Generic label manufacturing 3 18. The first step in the purchasing process is which of the following? a) Investigate suppliers b) Select suppliers c) Place an order d) Recognize the need 19. Maintaining a balance between _________ and ___________ is part of the difficult job of controlling inventory. a) Ordering costs, holding costs b) Storage costs, holding costs c) Inventory costs, ordering costs d) Shrinkage costs, spoilage costs The type of traffic passing a business is just as important as the volume of traffic that is passing the business. If a small business owner chooses a stand-alone location, the competitive advantage of the business must be very clear. Lease payments are deductible business expenses, while if a building is owned, only depreciation is deductible for tax purposes. 26. Sandra visits the local farmer’s market every Friday during the summer, where she picks up fresh produce that was grown by the same farmers who are there to sell the goods. The farmer’s market where Sandra likes to shop illustrates what type of distribution channel? 4 a) Direct b) Closed system c) Indirect d) Non-linear 27. Comparative information on ___________ can be found in the annual Metro Report by Inc. and the Sales and Marketing Management Survey of Buying Power. a) Products b) Advertising c) Economic performance d) Competitors 28. Types of sites, accessibility, legal considerations, and economic factors are all issues to address when choosing a) A potential product b) A potential advertising campaign c) A potential management team d) A potential business location 29. A large retail store that attracts people to shop at malls is known as a) Wal-Mart b) An anchor store c) The main attraction d) The primary store The right price is a range of possible prices. The breakeven point is that point where total revenues are greater than total costs. 5 The longer a credit account goes uncollected, the less likely the small business owner will receive the money owed to him/her. Public relations involves promotional activities designed to build and sustain goodwill between a business and its customers, employees, suppliers, investors, government agencies, and the general public. 36. Consumers typically do not want the cheapest product available, they want the a) Best product for the highest price b) Most reasonable product at the highest price c) Most reasonable product at the lowest price d) Best product for the most reasonable price 37. Which of the following is not a recommendation for small business owners trying to compete with major retail chains? a) Compete directly b) Emphasize customer service c) Advertise more d) Extend the hours the business is open 38. Products for which customers are price sensitive are said to be a) Price elastic b) Price inelastic c) Price volatile d) Price subjective 39. To accomplish the goals of increasing sales, increasing store traffic, and discouraging competition, which of the following is an appropriate strategy? a) Penetration pricing b) Price skimming c) Psychological pricing d) Price lining Chapter 16 6 More time will be spent by the business owner performing the basic tasks of running the business, such as cleaning machinery, as the business is beginning than will occur later in the life cycle of the business. The distinguishing characteristic of the second stage of growth is that the key problem shifts to cash flow. When transitioning a small business to professional management, it is important to avoid delegation. Money always motivates people. 46. According to the Chapter 16 opener, the best skill for managers to possess is to be a) Tech savvy b) A jack-of-all-trades c) Strong negotiators d) Flexible 47. Within the __________ role of management, the manager needs to determine the direction of the company. a) Entrepreneur b) Resource allocator c) Monitor d) Leader a) Take the company public b) Sell to a strategic buyer c) Sell to a financial buyer d) Sell to a key employee or group of employees 49. What is often the result when small business managers do not delegate authority and responsibility? a) Productivity increases b) Employees stop trying or leave c) Motivation goes up d) Employees want to negotiate 7 An inexpensive source that can generate qualified and highly motivated employees is current employee referrals. It is suggested that every employee handbook include a disclaimer specifying that the handbook is not a contract of employment. 56. According to the Chapter 17 opener, which group of individuals has the lowest small business failure rate? a) The Amish b) First-generation Americans c) Southerners d) Naturalized citizens 57. The recruitment source that can be useful for small businesses needing one or two key people is which of the following? a) Employment agencies b) Advertisements c) Executive recruiters d) Employee referrals 8 58. Family-managed businesses, except the smallest businesses, need to staff key positions with a) The eldest members of the family b) The youngest adult members of the family c) Company employees d) Nonfamily professionals 59. According to the ADA, when is it admissible to give physical examinations to determine if there are physical or medical limitations to performing the duties of the job? a) During the applicant review stage b) Only after a conditional offer of employment has been made c) Only during the initial interview d) Only after the initial interview has ended Service providers need and use operations management just as much as product manufacturers do. Mass customization is a process where products are produced on a mass basis and then sold to a variety of customers interested in that product. There is no concept more important to business today than quality. Inspecting and testing products after they are produced is called feedback quality control. 66. The processes and procedures of converting labor, materials, money, and other resources into finished products or services available for consumer consumption are referred to as 9 a) The supply chain function b) The operations function c) The marketing function d) The input function 67. The primary reason small businesses can now compete with larger businesses in the area of manufacturing is a) Today’s lower costs b) Today’s more skilled worker c) Easy availability of financing d) Automation that makes flexible production possible 68. Small business owners can increase the productivity of their business by a) Increasing outputs b) Decreasing inputs c) Increasing outputs and decreasing inputs d) Decreasing outputs and increasing inputs 69. Which of the following types of dispatching would a taxi company use? a) First-come, first-served rule b) Earliest due date rule c) Longest processing time rule d) Shortest processing time rule 70. Six sigma is the tolerance range in which only ______ defects per ______ are allowed. a) 2.5, thousand b) 3.4, million c) 3.4, thousand d) 2.5, million

Assignment 2: Communicating Bad News

Leaders and managers often have to deliver unpleasant or difficult information to other employees or other internal or external stakeholders. How well this news is delivered can affect employee relations as well as public perceptions.

Review the following scenario:

Assume that you are an assistant to the company’s chairperson. Based on your analysis of the scenario and using the reading material covered in this module, draft two memos for the chairperson. One memo should address the board of directors and the other the company’s employees.

Make assumptions about whether it is the food product that has bacteria or if there is another explanation for the pets’ sickness.

Write a 1–2-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M2_A2.doc.

By Wednesday, May 17, 2017, submit your assignment to the M2: Assignment 2 Dropbox.