Thursday 4 May 2017

Implementing a Data Management System

  • An organization does not have a good Management Information System (MIS) in place to help manage all of their data. What are some of the possible problems this could cause for decision makers?
  • Assume you are going to conduct some research in the field of toy making. What are some of the items for which you would want to collect data? For example: market trends in toy making, latest sales nationwide, etc. How would these pieces of data help the company to determine what toy to release for the holiday market?
  • With the implementation of an MIS for decision making, what would be some of the concerns related to ensuring that the organization can support the system? Would you control access to the system? Would there be someone to keep the data structures updated? Be sure to explain your ideas when answering these questions.
  • Why would an organization want to create an implementation plan for the integration of a MIS? Is this something that needs to be well thought out and, if so, why?

posted by simon jones @ 05:16   0 Comments

Psychological measure analysis.

Write a 1,400- to 1,750-word paper in which you analyze your selected psychological measure. As a part of your analysis, address the following items:
  • Using the University Library, the Internet, or other sources, select at least two articles that discuss the use of your selected psychological measure. Briefly summarize your selected articles, and compare and contrast their findings.
  • Based on the analysis of your articles, discuss the use of your selected measure. Explain who is qualified to administer and interpret the measure and the settings—such as occupational, academic, or counseling—in which it would be appropriate to use the measure.
  • Differentiate between the populations for which your selected psychological measure is valid and invalid.

posted by simon jones @ 05:16   0 Comments

Incident Response (IR) Revamp

Imagine you have just taken over the manager position for your organization’s incident response team, after coming from another division in the company. Your first realization is that proper procedures, best practices, and sound technologies are not being utilized. You decide to revamp the team’s efforts.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:
  1. Explicate the main efforts that would be included in the incident response efforts, including but not limited to personnel and team structure, tools and utilities, and proper procedures.
  2. Discuss in detail the role that an IDS / IPS would play in the IR efforts, and explain how these systems can assist in the event notification, determination, and escalation processes.
  3. Explain how the NIST SP800-61, Rev. 1 could assist the personnel in classifying incidents so each is identified appropriately and the proper incident-handling procedures are taken.
  4. Explain how the use of log management systems (e.g., Splunk) could be a legitimate and useful component of the IR efforts, and describe the potential issues that could arise if not utilized.5.Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

posted by simon jones @ 05:15   0 Comments

Constructive Dividends

Write a four (4) page paper in which you:
  1. Based on your research and the facts stated in the scenario, prepare a recommendation for the client in which you advise either acceptance of the proposed adjustments or further appeal of the issue based on the potential for prevailing on appeal.
  2. Create a tax plan for the future redemption of the client’s stock owned in the construction company that will not be taxed according to Section 301 of the IRC.
  3. Propose a strategy for the client to receive similar amounts in compensation in the future and avoid the taxation as a constructive dividend.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

posted by simon jones @ 05:15   0 Comments

Epidemic, Endemic, and Pandemic Occurrence of Disease(s)

One aspect of epidemiology is the study of the epidemic, endemic, and pandemic occurrence of disease(s).
Some critics may argue diseases and conditions such as bird flu are endemic in many countries, and some may argue human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS is a series of epidemics.
Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, research about the various epidemic, endemic, and pandemic occurrence of disease(s).
Based on your research and understanding, answer the following questions:
  • At what point does a disease become an epidemic, endemic, or pandemic? What are the parameters that define each of these states of a disease’s effect?
  • Do you agree that bird flu, HIV, or AIDS could be described as a series of epidemics? Why or why not?
  • Should we study epidemiology and disease control as a complement to the provision of healthcare services? Why or why not?
  • Disease control has evolved since the discoveries and achievements of these epidemiological pioneers—Hippocrates, John Snow, Pasteur, and Koch. Explain the impact of at least one major historical contribution on the current status of epidemiological practices. How can history potentially shape and impact our future work in public health and clinical medicine? Explain.

posted by simon jones @ 05:14   0 Comments

Operant Conditioning and Superstitions


Many people believe that superstitions are absolutely true. This often causes them to believe and act in ways that are out of the norm either to avoid a negative outcome or to bring about a positive outcome. However, the origins of all superstitions lie in operant conditioning (for example, wearing the same shirt worn during a victory game to all future games in order to ensure victory).
In this assignment, you will examine the process by which operant conditioning can lead to the formation of a superstition.
Using the module readings, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet, research the development of operant conditioning and its basic principles. Then, address the following:
  • Describe the historical antecedents of operant conditioning. What factors led to the rise of operant conditioning?
  • Describe the principles/concepts which can be applied to explain the process by which operant conditioning can lead to the development and maintenance of superstitions.
  • Brainstorm to come up with a number of superstitions you may have heard or read about. Using your knowledge and vocabulary of operant conditioning, choose one of these superstitions. Then, describe in detail, the thinking processes involved that resulted in the acquisition and perpetuation of this irrational belief.
  • Describe a specific aspect of the operant conditioning process that leads to these beliefs becoming so deeply ingrained and long standing in nature.
  • Explain whether a person can ever be rid of superstitions. What methods can be used to help such a person?
  • Interview a family member or friend to discover a superstition that he or she believes in. Explain the nature of the event that led to the formation of this superstition. Does this information fit with your understanding of how the operant conditioning process results in the development of superstitions? Why or why not?
Write a 3–4-page paper in Word format. The paper should be double-spaced and in 12 point, Times New Roman font with regular one-inch margins and free of typographical and grammatical errors. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Be sure to include a title page and a reference page. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M3_A2.doc.

posted by simon jones @ 05:14   0 Comments

Internal Environmental Scan/Organizational Assessment

This section provides the opportunity to develop your course project. Conducting an internal environmental scan or organizational assessment, provides the ability to put the strategy audit together.
In this module, you will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the internal environment at your business unit or organization you are working with for this project, also known as an organizational assessment, and present your findings in a report. In your report, you should analyze the operating characteristics and assets of your business unit.
The SWOT model is one of the most common business tools used during organizational assessment. Another is developing a balanced scorecard based on a prescribed or planned set of performance objectives that will be measured and evaluated regularly. In this assignment, based on the external environmental scan you conducted in M2: Assignment 2 and the internal environmental scan in this assignment, you will develop a SWOT analysis and a balanced strategic scorecard.
Part I: Internal Environmental Scan (2–3 pages)
The internal environmental scan or organizational assessment should include the following:
  • Mission, vision, and values: Assess the organization’s understanding of the mission, vision, and values, and how they relate the business strategy. Is there consensus on the mission and vision of the organization? What are the shared values of the organization? What are the behaviors espoused by these values?
  • Strategy clarification: Assess the organization’s understanding of the business strategy through the interview with a mid-level or senior manager. Assess his or her understanding and agreement of the business unit’s value proposition, market position, and competitive advantage.
  • Cultural assessment: Explain the unwritten rules and shared values that govern behaviors in the organization. Do they act as enablers or blockers to the strategy? For example, is there a culture of information sharing and collaboration that enables the organization to respond quickly across structural boundaries to solve problems for customers? On the other hand, do groups not share important information through informal mechanisms, thus slowing response times?
  • Value chain analysis: Identify the primary (direct) and support (indirect) activities that create and deliver your product or service to your customers. Assess each activity’s contribution to competitive advantage through cost or differentiation. Identify any areas where the business may be at a competitive disadvantage.
  • Summary of findings: Using these different analyses, identify the organizational strengths and weaknesses as they relate to the business strategy. Organizational strengths are assets, capabilities, and resources that contribute directly to the organization’s strategic fit, differentiation, and competitive advantage relative to competing organizations. Organizational weaknesses are characteristics and capabilities (often lacking) that place the organization at a disadvantage relative to competitors.
Part II: SWOT Analysis (1–2 pages)
Your SWOT analysis should summarize the opportunities and threats from the external environmental scan with the strengths and weaknesses from your organizational assessment or internal environmental scan.
Your output should include a matrix depicting strengths or weaknesses on the horizontal axis and opportunities or threats on the vertical axis. This matrix will reveal a set of strategy forces that can be used to assess the current strategy and identify important potential changes to the strategic direction of the company.
In creating your SWOT analysis, look for natural pairings of internal and external factors that match internal resources and capabilities to the external environment. Internal strengths and external opportunities depicted in the upper-left quadrant on your matrix might form complementary pairs that suggest necessary strategic focus for the business unit to pursue opportunities that fit its competitive strengths. Conversely, internal weaknesses and external threats shown in the lower right quadrant of the matrix may combine to illustrate the need for a defensive strategy to avoid becoming highly susceptible to competitive threats.
Your matrix should not simply be a collection of four lists compiled together in a matrix. Your analysis should combine factors and explain why specific strengths complement specific opportunities, and selected weaknesses are amplified by external threats. In addition to your matrix, provide a brief narrative that summarizes the main findings in your analysis and the implications for the current and projected strategy.
Part III: Balanced Strategic Scorecard (1–2 pages)
Use the balanced scorecard or another similar tool to recommend indicators and measurements that will tell you if the company is successful or unsuccessful in progressing toward your vision through execution of strategy.
A balanced scorecard presents organizational performance on four primary groups of measures:
  • Financial
  • Customer (external stakeholder)
  • Learning and growth
  • Internal process
You should develop a strategy scorecard that ties the performance of your business unit in these areas to its overall business strategy. The challenge you face is selecting two-to-three measures in each of the four areas that give a measurable and reliable indication of the business unit performance in the key activities that promote strategic fit, customer value, and sustained competitive advantage.
Write an 5–7-page report in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M4_A2.doc.
The paper should include a cover page, executive summary/abstract, table of contents, body of paper—proper headers (mission, vision, and values assessment; strategy clarification; cultural assessment; value chain analysis; summary of key findings; SWOT analysis; balanced strategic scorecard; and references).

posted by simon jones @ 05:12   0 Comments

Successfully Funding Your Business Venture

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:
  1. Determine the steps you would need to take to officially establish your company with the business structure that you feel is most appropriate. For each of those steps, be sure to include specifics that are relevant to your market and geographic area.
  2. Examine at least three (3) funding sources that might be appropriate for your business. Describe what those sources of capital are, and explain the pros and cons of each.
  3. Select the funding source that you believe to be the best fit for your business and explain why.
  4. Determine the form(s) of intellectual property that you will have to protect when starting your business. Develop a plan to protect these intellectual properties.
  5. Choose one (1) of the following approaches: Assume you decide to revamp your product or service so that it is completely virtual / online and concentrates on fulfilling a social need. Propose two (2) ways that you would need to alter your preferred funding sources and explain why. Determine whether you would or would not have additional forms of intellectual property to protect. Support your decision. Or If your initial business product or service was already completely online and geared toward social entrepreneurship, determine ways that you might need to revise your funding and protection of intellectual property had your company not been rooted in social entrepreneurship and had a physical location.
  6. Imagine that you established your initial idea for a company and have been successfully operating for five years (5). Describe how your hypothetical need for capital changed over the years. Determine which sources of funding would be the most appropriate if you wanted to raise capital to expand your hypothetical business. Examine how, if at all, those funding sources might have differed from those needed in early stage funding.
  7. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

posted by simon jones @ 05:12   0 Comments

Hiring for Success

At this point in the course you should be well armed with the tools and knowledge necessary to make better-informed and rational choices. Apply that knowledge as you tackle one of the most important, and yet heavily subjective, of management responsibilities—the hiring process.
Assume you have been tasked with redesigning your organization’s hiring processes. Respond to the following:
  • Select two of the six pitfalls listed below:
    • Influenced by initial impressions
    • Justifying past decisions
    • Seeing what you want to see
    • Perpetuating the status quo
    • Framing the hiring decision
    • Overconfidence
  • Examine how you might change the process to avoid your selected pitfalls.
Write your initial response in a minimum of 300 words. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
Review and comment on at least two peers’ responses. Consider the following in your comments:
  • Use contradictions and counter examples supported by the assigned readings when responding to your peers.
  • Question, disagree with, redirect, or ask your peers to rethink what they have posted and why.
  • Briefly mention which points of the previous posting you are responding to in your comments.

posted by simon jones @ 05:11   0 Comments

Presentation of Leadership and Management Strategy

In this assignment, you will present what you have learned about leadership and management from this course. Combine your research from Assignment 1 and Assignment 2 into a PowerPoint presentation that focuses on best practices in organizational leadership. Your presentation should highlight at least two (2) different business leaders and describe their business and philosophy. Your presentation should also include examples of leadership characteristics, traits, and behaviors of the chosen leaders. Your presentation should be detailed enough that it could provide new leaders with strategies to help them develop their own leadership and management styles.
In addition to your textbook, review the following optional articles and videos that detail creating a PowerPoint presentation for this assignment:
  • “Create your first PowerPoint 2013 presentation” by Microsoft, located at http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/support/create-your-first-powerpoint-2013-presentation-RZ102925085.aspx?&
  • “Top Ten Slide Tips” by Garr Reynolds, located at http://www.garrreynolds.com/preso-tips/design/
  • “Top 10 Best Practices When Using PowerPoint for Presentations” (22 min 57 s). Video Source: DNN Corp. (2012, April 9). Top 10 Best Practices When Using PowerPoint for Presentations [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?
Create a nine to twelve (9-12) slide presentation in which you:
  1. Develop a PowerPoint presentation in which you focus on overall best practices in organizational leadership.
  2. Choose two (2) different business leaders that you learned about from the previous two assignments, and describe two to three (2-3) fundamental aspects of each of their most important business philosophies. Provide one to two (1-2) examples of the application of such philosophies to support your response.
  3. Identify three to four (3-4) characteristics, three to four (3-4) traits, and three to four (3-4) behaviors that have made each of them successful leaders.
  4. Provide both a title slide (see the formatting requirements below) and an introductory slide to your presentation.
  5. Provide a summary slide that addresses key points of your presentation.
  6. Develop narration for each of the slides. Use the speaker’s notes section of the slides to indicate what you would say if you were actually presenting in front of an audience.
  7. Select three to four (3-4) relevant images, photographs, or graphs to focus your audience’s attention during your presentation.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
  • Format the PowerPoint presentation with headings on each slide and three to four (3-4) relevant graphics (photographs, graphs, clip art, etc.), ensuring that the presentation is visually appealing and readable from 18 feet away. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a title slide containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The title slide is not included in the required slide length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

posted by simon jones @ 05:11   0 Comments

Capital Budgeting Techniques

As a financial consultant, you have contracted with Wheel Industries to evaluate their procedures involving the evaluation of long term investment opportunities. You have agreed to provide a detailed report illustrating the use of several techniques for evaluating capital projects including the weighted average cost of capital to the firm, the anticipated cash flows for the projects, and the methods used for project selection. In addition, you have been asked to evaluate two projects, incorporating risk into the calculations.
You have also agreed to provide an 8-10 page report, in good form, with detailed explanation of your methodology, findings, and recommendations.
Company Information
Wheel Industries is considering a three-year expansion project, Project A. The project requires an initial investment of $1.5 million. The project will use the straight-line depreciation method. The project has no salvage value. It is estimated that the project will generate additional revenues of $1.2 million per year before tax and has additional annual costs of $600,000. The Marginal Tax rate is 35%.
Required:
  1. Wheel has just paid a dividend of $2.50 per share. The dividends are expected to grow at a constant rate of six percent per year forever. If the stock is currently selling for $50 per share with a 10% flotation cost, what is the cost of new equity for the firm? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of financing for the firm?
  2. The firm is considering using debt in its capital structure. If the market rate of 5% is appropriate for debt of this kind, what is the after tax cost of debt for the company? What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this type of financing for the firm?
  3. The firm has decided on a capital structure consisting of 30% debt and 70% new common stock. Calculate the WACC and explain how it is used in the capital budgeting process.
  4. Calculate the after tax cash flows for the project for each year. Explain the methods used in your calculations.
  5. If the discount rate were 6 percent calculate the NPV of the project. Is this an economically acceptable project to undertake? Why or why not?
  6. Now calculate the IRR for the project. Is this an acceptable project? Why or why not? Is there a conflict between your answer to part C? Explain why or why not?
Wheel has two other possible investment opportunities, which are mutually exclusive, and independent of Investment A above. Both investments will cost $120,000 and have a life of 6 years. The after tax cash flows are expected to be the same over the six year life for both projects, and the probabilities for each year’s after tax cash flow is given in the table below.
Investment B
Investment C
Probability After Tax Cash Flow
Probability After Tax Cash Flow
0.25 $20,000
0.30 $22,000
0.50 32,000
0.50 40,000
0.25 40,000
0.20 50,000
  1. What is the expected value of each project’s annual after tax cash flow? Justify your answers and identify any conflicts between the IRR and the NPV and explain why these conflicts may occur.
  2. Assuming that the appropriate discount rate for projects of this risk level is 8%, what is the risk-adjusted NPV for each project? Which project, if either, should be selected? Justify your conclusions.

posted by simon jones @ 05:10   0 Comments

Decision-Making

Within the context of your local business, organization, or place of employment, apply two (2) of the decision-making techniques presented this week to a decision that you will make now or in the near future. After doing so, compare the possible results of the two techniques/tools of choice. Also, assess which would be most effective. Finally, describe in detail how you used these tools to solve a problem within your organization, business, or place of employment.
Deliverables:
Your paper should be 4-6 pages long, double-spaced, and formatted according to Saudi Electronic University’s academic writing standards and APA style guidelines. Use at least three peer-reviewed scholarly sources and information from your module to support your decision.

posted by simon jones @ 05:08   0 Comments

The HGP Discussion

Bioinformatics is a subfield of medical informatics that deals with molecular biology. It is primarily used in genetics and genomics, specifically in DNA sequencing. Rapid developments in this area of science have led to an enormous amount of information that needs to be entered, organized, and mined for further analysis and sequencing. While the project was technically completed in 2003, analysis of the data is still going on and will continue well into the future.
Using the South University Online Library or the Internet, create a 10- to 12-page report in a Microsoft Word document that answers the following questions:
  • What, in your own words, is human genome project (HGP)? What are its goals? Why is HGP an important part of the evolution of bioinformatics?
  • Which legal and ethical issue will you select from the HGP website for further discussion? Why do you believe that the issue you have selected is of high importance for discussion? What are the criticisms or concerns surrounding this particular issue?
  • What response or solution does the HGP provide for the concerns and criticisms of the above issue? Do they identify any of their own concerns?
  • What role do you think medical informatics professionals should play in addressing such ethical, legal, or social issues?
  • What is personalized medicine? What are the different applications?
  • What are the legal and ethical considerations for personalized medicine, including HIPAA? What types of standards and interoperability issues must be addressed before adopting?
  • What are some of the informatics issues that will need to be addressed in the next ten years?

posted by simon jones @ 05:08   0 Comments

Forming an Innovative Business

1. Briefly describe your innovative idea.
2. Determine the business structure that would be the best choice for your venture. Support your decision.
3. Create an outline of the stages in the entrepreneurial process that you would need to follow when starting this business. Determine the resources and tools you would need to be successful at each stage.
4. Determine the market for your innovative idea. Include details on regarding your potential customers, the predicted size of the market, and the competitors that already exist in the marketplace.
  1. Create an action plan that describes how you would overcome any foreseen barriers to your venture’s success.
  2. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

posted by simon jones @ 05:08   0 Comments

Inventory Management Systems

Your sister owns a small clothing store. During a conversation at a family dinner, she mentions her frustration with having to manually track and reorder high demand items. She would like an automated system but has a very small budget.
Write a 4-5 page paper in which you create a plan for a low-cost automated inventory system in which you:
  • Describe all the necessary equipment.
  • Explain the costs involved in the creation of the system.
  • Describe the ongoing maintenance that will be required.
  • Provide a workflow diagram in Visio or equivalent software to illustrate how the system will work.
Your assignment must:
  • Be typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
  • Include charts or diagrams created in Excel, Visio, MS Project, or one of their equivalents such as Open Project, Dia, and OpenOffice. The completed diagrams/charts must be imported into the Word document before the paper is submitted.
The specific Course Learning Outcomes associated with this assignment are:
  • Describe the types of business needs that can be addressed using information technology-based solutions.
  • Create requirements for a system through a formal technique that enables a productive change in a way the business is conducted.
  • Use contemporary CASE tools in process and data modeling.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in systems analysis and development.
  • Write clearly and concisely about Systems Analysis and Development topics using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

posted by simon jones @ 05:07   0 Comments

Cash Management

Solve the following problem. Norma’s Cat Food of Shell Knob ships cat food throughout the country. Norma has determined that through the establishment of local collection centers around the country, she can speed up the collection of payments by two and one-half days. Furthermore, the cash management department of her bank has indicated to her that she can defer her payments on her accounts by one-half day without affecting suppliers. The bank has a remote disbursement center in Iowa.
  1. If the company has $5 million per day in collections and $3 million per day in disbursements, how many dollars will the cash management system free up? Justify your answers.
  2. If the company can earn 8 percent per annum on freed-up funds, how much will the income be? Justify your answers.
  3. If the annual cost of the new system is $800,000, should it be implemented? Explain why or why not.

posted by simon jones @ 05:07   0 Comments

Break-Even Analysis

When expenses and revenues are equal, this is known as the “break-even point” or BEP. To determine break-even, an examination of fixed and variable costs (expenses) in relationship to revenues is necessary. Understanding where the BEP is for a given product or service helps managers determine how to make modifications to increase profitability.
For this Assignment, review this week’s Media Computing break-even and the Weekly Briefing, and the information given below.
LaTricia Jones is planning to make a unique toy that will keep small children entertained for hours! She believes that parents everywhere will want to buy her toy, and she needs to determine her costs and the number of toys she needs to sell before earning a profit.
After researching her costs, she has come to the following conclusions.
  • The rental of a small facility will be $2,200 per month, insurance $500 per month, and other fixed costs are estimated at $1,300 per month. In this facility, she will be able to produce 100 toys per month at a variable cost for each toy of $5.00. She plans to sell them for $30 each.
  • The rent for a larger facility will be $5,000 per month, insurance $1,000 per month, and other fixed costs are estimated at $2,580 per month. In this facility, she will be able to produce 400 toys per month at a variable cost for each toy of $4.00. She plans to also sell them for $30 each.
The Assignment:
  • Part 1: Calculate the break-even point for LaTricia Jones’ toy company under each of the two different scenarios using a spreadsheet program such as Excel. Be sure to apply the appropriate accounting process to determine the break-even points.
  • Part 2: Recommend which option, based on the scenarios for the company, that you would select using a word processing program such as Word. Support your conclusion with both a written analysis and quantitative data.

posted by simon jones @ 05:06   0 Comments

The Key Concepts in Economics

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
  1. Identify at least four (4) key points of a relevant economic article from either the Strayer Library or a newspaper. The article must deal with any course concepts covered in Weeks 1-8.
  2. Apply one (1) of the following economic concepts (supply, demand, market structures, elasticity, costs of production, GDP, Unemployment, inflation, aggregate demand, and aggregate supply) to the key points that you highlighted in Question 1.
  3. Explain how the concept that you identified in Question 2 could affect the U.S. economy.
  4. In your concluding paragraph, state whether you agree or disagree with the economic article identified in Question 1. Provide a rationale for the response.
  5. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment with one (1) being your article.

posted by simon jones @ 05:06   0 Comments

Capital budgeting decisions.

The availability of funds effects the capital budgeting decisions. The amount of funds available for capital expenditures will be either limited or unlimited. Funds would be considered unlimited when a firm is willing to acquire, through borrowing or equity, any amount of capital as long as the return on the investment is higher than the cost of the funds. When the funds that a firm will make available for capital investment are limited, and the firm has more opportunities for profitable investments than the limited funds can cover, the condition is described as capital rationing.
Your assignment is to focus on the following:
  • Describe how capital-budgeting decision criteria would be different in a capital-rationing situation than in a situation in which capital rationing was not necessary, and explain the reasons for the difference in criteria.
  • Describe the discounted-cash flow technique or techniques you would recommend in a capital-rationing situation and explain your reasons for your recommendation.

posted by simon jones @ 05:05   0 Comments

Evaluation of Business Operations

Develop a PowerPoint presentation that accomplishes the following:
  1. Create a diagram of the organizational structure showing the hierarchy and chain of command.
  2. Develop a flowchart that analyzes the steps of the organization’s business processes.
  3. Conduct a capacity analysis of the location(s) and logistics. Your capacity analysis should address both short- and long-term implications regarding all aspects of the business process, including storage, production, processes, costs, and accessibility.
Develop a PowerPoint presentation. In addition to the slides, include a detailed outline in the speaker notes section explaining the content on each slide. Be sure to support your responses using at least two scholarly sources from the Argosy University online library resources or the Internet. Cite the sources for your information.
Make sure your presentation adheres to the following Presentation Guidelines:
  • Create a presentation that is professional and visually appealing.
  • Include a combination of text and graphics.
  • Do not write out your entire presentation on the slides. Use bullet points of keywords and short phrases instead of long sentences and paragraphs.
  • Create your presentation (slides and speaker notes) using language that can be easily understood by the intended audience.
  • Use APA formatting for your slides and Speaker Notes (outline).

posted by simon jones @ 04:11   0 Comments

Win the Contract

Imagine your small business produces very small remote control aircraft capable of long sustained flights. You are ready to expand your business by competing for Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. You wish to bid on a contract that will be worth over $600,000 to your expanding company.
Write a two to three (2-3) page paper in which you:
  1. Select the simplified acquisition method that fits your company the most, and then provide a rationale for your selection. Note: Remember you are a small business that will have a massive expansion if you win this contract.
  2. Analyze all parts and sections of the uniform contract format that could present a problem in this scenario. Suggest how you will adjust your approach to turn the problems you have identified into strengths for your small company.
  3. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
  • Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
  • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
  • Assess the simplified acquisition methods.
  • Differentiate between the parts and sections of the Uniform Contract Format.
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in contract administration and management.
  • Write clearly and concisely about contract administration and management using proper writing mechanics.

posted by simon jones @ 04:11   0 Comments

The FAR and Contract Provisions for Protection

Imagine that you are a contracts officer for the Department of Energy (DOE). You have been asked to review bids from contractors who have developed a new widget for saving the American public twenty-five percent (25%) on their energy bills. Once an award is made, the contractors will receive the contract, which includes provisions to minimize risks and define rights and obligations, from the Department of Energy.
Review Federal Acquisition Review (FAR) “.acquisition.gov/sites/default/files/current/far/html/52_246.html”>52.246-1 Contractor Inspection Requirements”.
Note: You may create and / or make all necessary assumptions needed for the completion of this assignment.
Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
  1. Evaluate the importance of the standard default clause. As a contracts officer for the DOE, suggest two (2) ways in which you could combine the standard default clause with the FAR’s delay provision for the protection of both parties to the contract. Provide a rationale for your response.
  2. Speculate on the impact that a contracting officer’s changes to the payment terms within the contract would exert upon both the government and the contractor. Next, suggest the most secure method for making a contractual change. Justify your response.
  3. As a contracts officer for the DOE, suggest two (2) improvements that you would make to the inspection procedure in order to make the procedure more efficient. Provide a rationale for your response.
  4. Use at least three (3) quality academic resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as academic resources.
  5. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
    • Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
    • Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
    • Include a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
  • Explain the government’s intellectual property rights policy.
  • Compare and contrast the consequences and remedies of “termination for default” and “termination for convenience.”
  • Use technology and information resources to research issues in procurement and contract law.
  • Write clearly and concisely about procurement and contract law using correct grammar and mechanics.

posted by simon jones @ 04:10   0 Comments

Human Computer Interaction Layer Design

Write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which you:
1. Develop at least two (2) use scenarios of the user interface design process.
2. Draw a Window navigation diagram (WND) thatde?nes the basic structure of the interface through the use of graphical tools in Microsoft Word or Visio, or an open source alternative such as Dia.Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length.
3. Design a storyboard of the interface design.Note: Submit a screen shot or image file that shows your work. The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length.
4. Create windows layout diagrams for the user interface based on the use scenarios through the use of graphical tools in Microsoft Word or Visio, or an open source alternative such as Dia.Note: The graphically depicted solution is not included in the required page length.
5. Develop an HTML prototype of the user interface.
6. Develop a set of real-use cases for the user interface.
7. Explain how to modify the interface designed for regular PC running Windows when designing the user interface for a tablet, such as iPad.
8. Speculate on whether ABS should consider using any social media sites to generate more revenue.
9. Explain the design principles and the steps for the design process if ABS has global audience.
10. Explain the nonfunctional requirements for ABS and document those requirements in the requirement document.
11. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment.Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:
· Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
· Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
· Include charts or diagrams created in Visio or Dia. The completed diagrams / charts must be imported into the Word document before the paper is submitted.
The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:
· Describe how societal mores and social media impact the design of human-computer interactions.
· Describe how to gather nonfunctional requirements and its importance for overall IT project success.
· Use technology and information resources to research issues in procuring and designing project requirements.
· Write clearly and concisely about project requirements and design topics using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

posted by simon jones @ 04:10   0 Comments

Endometrial Cancer Research

Researcher A conducts a case-control study to explore the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the risk of endometrial cancer. The results of the study indicate a lower risk of cancer with vegetable consumption.
Researcher B conducts a cross-sectional study to explore the consumption of fruits and vegetables and the risk of endometrial cancer. The results of the study indicate a higher risk of cancer with vegetable consumption.
Conduct research by reading the articles and journals on endometrial cancer. Based on your research and understanding, answer the following questions:
  • From the research information you have at hand, what do the above mentioned two case studies tell you about the risk of endometrial cancer?
  • Is there any common ground covered between the two studies? If so, list and explain them. If not, provide reasons why.
  • What is your opinion on each study in terms of design and demographics? Which method do you think has more merit? Why?
  • What additional information would be needed to arrive at a conclusion?

posted by simon jones @ 04:09   0 Comments

Procedural Message

Background: Writing and Distributing a Set of Instructions

You have just been promoted from staff assistant in the Human Resources Office at Easy to Be Green to the new position of director of training, and your first project is to oversee the new reading, writing, and math courses. Recently, though, several department heads have complained that many employees do not know how to prepare and deliver presentations. You have begun to put together a short course on this, but the course will not be offered for a couple of months and only a small percentage of employees will be able to take it the first time anyway.
You decide that, in the meantime, you will create an instructions document that can be sent to all employees immediately. For some employees, who just need a refresher, this document will probably be enough. For others, it will be an interim solution until they are able to take the course.
Assignment
1. Drawing on ideas from the discussions and practice assignmentsas well as your own experiences in preparing and delivering presentations, compose a set of instructions on how to prepare and deliver an oral presentationto a live audience, that is, not for a presentation to be recorded for download. Follow these guidelines in writing your instructions.
  • Write the instructionsin your own words, though of course you should draw on ideas and information that you have read and discussed for this course.If you do consult any sources apart from those used in the course, include citations throughout the document, placing quotation marks around exact language taken from a source, and include a References page at theend.
  • Use headings and bulleted or numbered lists to make the instructions as reader-friendly as possible. You may alsouse features like color or font changes if you think these would enhance the visual effectiveness. If you do decide to use such features, make sure that they enhance rather than simply clutter the document.
  • Use at least two different types of visuals. For example a reproduction of a PowerPoint slide to illustrate how to create reader-friendly slides; a picture to illustrate a point about body language in presentations; a diagram to illustrate where to stand in relation to a slide projector and screen; or a screenshot to show one of the steps.Visuals should be integrated into the instructions, ideally through references in one or more steps of the instructions. For this purpose, you can label the visuals as Figure A and Figure B.
  • Remember that the instructions should include preparingas well as deliveringthe presentation, so they might include a timeline explaining the stages of preparation. Feel free to imagine a particular topic if this will help you write this part of the instructions.
2. Compose an email messagethat can be sent to all employees with these instructions as a document attachment. Your email message should serve as a brief transmittal message explaining the attachment. For purposes of submitting this assignment, the email message should be composed on a separate page at the beginning of the Word document that contains the instructions.

posted by simon jones @ 04:08   0 Comments

Evaluating Internal Controls

We generally only hear of scandal and material control weakness impacting public companies through our traditional media outlets. Evaluation of internal controls is just as important in privately held companies and small businesses. Research internal controls using the textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Respond to the following:

posted by simon jones @ 04:08   0 Comments

Managing Capacity Discussion

Capacity management in businesses is a function of their operations and environment. In today’s business world, evaluating and managing capacities is becoming significantly more difficult. Therefore, managers need to do a balancing act to reduce costs and effectively utilize available capacities.
the Internet, research capacity management.
Then respond to the following:
  • Which type of operation has a more difficult time managing capacities: an environment supporting standardized products or one supporting customized products? Why? State your reason(s) and provide examples.
After your initial post, discuss the following:
  • Among other decisions an operations manager makes, the one pertaining to capacities is the most critical. Why is it considered a critical decision? Which area do you think is more challenging as it pertains to capacity planning? Make sure your answer addresses the productivity aspect as well as the uncertainty element.
  • Briefly describe how uncertainty affects capacity decisions.
  • Why is capacity planning for a service more challenging than it is for a goods producer?
  • How do capacity decisions affect productivity?

posted by simon jones @ 04:08   0 Comments