Discuss the importance and meaning of horizontal analysis.

Write a five-to seven-page financial statement analysis of a public company, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. In this analysis you will discuss the financial health of this company with the ultimate goal of making a recommendation to other investors. Your paper should consist of the following sections: introduction, company overview, horizontal analysis, ratio analysis, final recommendation, and conclusions. Your paper needs to include a minimum of two scholarly resources in addition to the textbook as references.

Here is a breakdown of the sections within the body of the assignment: 

Company Overview 

Provide a brief overview of your company (one to two paragraphs at most). What industry is it in? What are its main products or services? Who are its competitors? 

Horizontal Analysis of Income Statement and Balance Sheet

Prepare a three-year horizontal analysis of the income statement and balance sheet of your selected company. Discuss the importance and meaning of horizontal analysis. Discuss both the positive and negative trends presented in your company. 

Ratio Analysis

Calculate the current ratio, quick ratio, cash to current liabilities ratio, over a two-year period. Discuss and interpret the ratios that you calculated. Discuss potential liquidity issues based on your calculations of the current and quick ratios. Are there any factors that could be erroneously influencing the results of the ratios? Discuss liquidity issues of competitive companies within the same industry. 

Recommendation

Based on your analysis would you recommend an individual invest in this company? What strengths do you see? What risks do you see? It is perfectly acceptable to state that you would recommend avoiding this company as long as you provide support for your position. 

Writing the Final Paper

1. Must be five to seven double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.

5. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.

6. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

7. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing

This paper is due: 27th-July Wal-Mart would be good-Best Buy or Sears any store is fine.

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Do Not worry about resources—-or the following: 

Must include a title page with the following:

a. Title of paper

b. Student’s name

c. Course name and number

d. Instructor’s name

e. Date submitted

7. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing

Explain in a 350– to 700–word plan for how a VLAN could be implemented so that bandwidth is not consumed.

 Assignment: VLAN

• Consider the following scenario:

• Your company moves into a new building. Marketing is on the first floor, engineering is on the second floor, operations is on the third floor, and the call center is on the fourth floor. The LAN is organized neatly, with each floor having its own switch. Some of the groups on the floor are connected through hubs and the network is planned for orderly growth. The company grows faster and much differently than was planned, however, and the call
 

center must be expanded. Some of the engineering department employees on the second floor and operations employees on the fourth floor move offsite and the call center expands. Space is compressed and users move to other parts of the building, but their communities of interest do not change. The same users still need to communicate with the same services.

• Explain in a 350– to 700–word plan for how a VLAN could be implemented so that bandwidth is not consumed. Your plan must ensure that the network is not flooded with packets, and that members of the same VLAN can be located in different buildings or cities.

• Include the following:

• The benefit of creating a VLAN
• A plan to segment the network into different broadcast domains to avoid bandwidth consumption
• A plan to improve security
• The type of VLAN membership and the value of that choice over other options
• The type of switch to be used, layer 2 or layer 3, and why you would choose it over the other
• The types of trunking configured on the switch
• The purpose and benefit of using the VLAN trunk protocol (VTP)
• A definition of the VTP mode used to configure the switches.
• Backup plan

• Format your paper to APA guidelines

• Post your plan as a Microsoft® Word attachment.

Compute the payback period for Investments.

Recycle Paper Company utilizes the payback method to evaluate investment proposals. It is presently considering two investment opportunities: 

Investment A 
Net Investment = $1,000,000 

Year Expected Cash Inflows 
1 $25,000 
2 $25,000 
3 $25,000 
4 $25,000 
5 $25,000
6 $10,000
7 $5,000

Investment B 
Net Investment = $500,000 

Year Expected Cash Inflows 
1 $125,000 
2 $250,000 
3 $300,000 
4 $225,000 
5 $100,000 
6 $25,0000
7 $0

(a) Compute the payback period for Investments.
(b) If the firm utilized a payback cutoff standard of three years which, if either, of the investments would be acceptable? Why?
As a recent employee of Recycle Paper Co (above), you recognize the deficiencies of the payback method. After deriving the firm’s required rate of return (cost of capital), you desire to illustrate alternative approaches to your boss.
(c) Assuming a cost of capital of 14%, calculate the NPV of investment proposals A and B.
(d) Should recycle accept either of the investment proposals? Why?

Explain why each of these is especially important in defining the era of the 1960s

When we define an era such as the 1960s, a lot of images come to mind: the march on Washington, psychedelic music, peace signs, the antiwar movement, the assassinations of prominent political leaders, and so forth. In this assignment, you will explain which of the events, people and symbols best define the 1960s. 
Assignment 
It is the year 2325. You are a prominent archaeologist who has just been summoned to a dig site because your colleagues have made a unique discovery: a time capsule from the 1960s that was buried long ago. Very carefully, you and your colleagues unearth and open this time capsule. Inside the time capsule you find five items that define the era of the 1960s. 
For this assignment write a brief paper that covers the following:

1. Describe each of the five items you have found.
2. Explain why each of these is especially important in defining the era of the 1960s
3. Based upon these items you have found, conclude your paper with a solid paragraph that explains one major lesson that we have learned from the 1960s. 
   Hint: The “objects” you find in your time capsule do not necessarily have to be material items, but can also be events, trends, fads, etc. For example, your time capsule may contain assassinations, the Vietnam War, or the women’s movement. Also, feel free to be creative with the types of items that you find. For example, perhaps you have found a letter written by an antiwar protester to the government, or a song by famous 1960s musician, or perhaps a piece of artwork by a famous 1960s visual artist.
   The total length of your paper should be 5 pages formatted in APA style.

What are some considerations or criteria that leaders utilize when developing a strategic plan?

Your text explains why it is important to select the appropriate criteria for strategic planning. Part of this process is establishing metrics to measure the progressive success of the strategic plan. Choose and discuss two metrics that an organization might consider when developing a strategic plan? What are some considerations or criteria that leaders utilize when developing a strategic plan? How might this process work in your current organization or a previous organization? Respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts by Day 3. You must create one initial post and at least two responses, for a minimum of three posts for this discussion.

Why do you think some people are troubled by the idea that crime has a biological cause?

Natalie was growing concerned about her daughter Brandi’s school performance. Her grades had dropped since the beginning of the school year, and she seemed reluctant to go to school. On some days, she complained of vague symptoms, such as stomachache or headache. On other days, she simply did not get out of bed. Natalie took her to the doctor, but there was no definitive diagnosis. She questioned Brandi about any problems at school, but Brandi was uncommonly quiet. Natalie then looked at Brandi’s Facebook page and saw a series of comments from Brandi’s friends about a school bully. When Natalie confronted Brandi, the child broke down crying and told the whole story. Another girl, who was two years ahead of her in school, was bullying her. She would tease Brandi in school, leave nasty messages on her Facebook page, and even threatened her on several occasions.

Natalie was furious and immediately arranged a meeting with the teacher and school principal. The school officials attempted to address the problem by speaking to the girl and her parents. The parents placed their daughter in treatment; she was diagnosed with a behavior disorder and put on medication, which seemed to work. Both the girl’s parents and the school officials explained to Natalie that the girl had an underlying medical condition that caused her to become angry and lack impulse control. The school officials were reluctant to suspend the girl because it was “not her fault” but rather a “biological factor” causing the behavior.

Natalie was still upset. She did not understand why her own daughter should suffer. She had a nagging suspicion that the bully’s parents were using the biological cause as an excuse for their daughter’s bad behavior.

Research the biological causes of crime and the eugenics movement using the textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.

Based on the scenario, and drawing on your readings and research, respond to the following:

• Why do you think some people are troubled by the idea that crime has a biological cause? Support your response using an article from the popular media presenting the biological argument for criminal behavior.
• In what way may views of biological causes of crime be related to the eugenics movement? Give reasons using a scholarly, peer-reviewed article either for or against the eugenics movement.

Write your initial response in 4–6 paragraphs. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

Grading Criteria and Rubric

Who is your primary audience or reader? Why?

What is your narrowed topic? Be detailed in your answer. You can use any of the versions you’ve developed for prior assignments. 

Bullying in society is the topic. This essay addresses bullying that goes in society and its various effects on the parties involved, that is, the bully, the bullied person and the onlooker or the witness. It usually yields negative effects on all the people involved. These effects might be mental effects, bringing about suicidal thoughts or even leading down the path of substance use on the part of the bullied person mostly. This, however, does not mean that the other two will not be affected by bullying itself. It might even be worse for them. 

Who is your primary audience or reader? Why? Be detailed in your answer about your audience.

Discuss the issues prosecutors face if the police cannot find the crime victim.

Discuss the issues prosecutors face if the police cannot find the crime victim.Imagine that the police and prosecutors are very sure that a crime has occurred and the victim has been disposed of, but they can’t find the victim. What problems does that cause with regard to the burden of proof? Be specific and support your answer

Do you accept this explanation for the emission scandal at VW? Why or why not?

VW Cheats on Emissions TestingUp until late 2015, Volkswagen AG (VW) was the second largest carmaker in the world, with its 590,000 employees producing nearly 41,000 vehicles per day. At that time, the company’s prospects seemed bright, with many of its 12 subsidiaries, such as Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Ducati, Lamborghini, Volkswagen Passenger Cars, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, performing well.However, the fortunes of VW changed significantly after a large-scale emissions-test cheating scandal became public in September 2015. VW admitted to installing special software designed to deceive emissions-testing procedures in more than 11 million of its cars, starting as far back as 2005. The software sensed when a car was being tested and then activated equipment that reduced emissions. The software deactivated the equipment during normal driving, resulting in emissions that significantly exceeded legal limits, while also reducing fuel consumption and improving the car’s torque and acceleration. The illegal software was installed in VW, Audi, and Porsche models that employed several different diesel engine designs that went through frequent updates over a 10-year period.VW’s admissions led to investigations in Germany, the United States, and other countries, as well as dozens of lawsuits filed by customers, shareholders, and car dealerships. The U.S. Department of Justice sued VW in January 2016 on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency, and in June, VW agreed to a $14.7 billion settlement. This represents the highest fine to date for violations under the Clean Air Act. Additional civil penalties, a criminal settlement, and further state-level fines have not been determined but could add billions more.Since news of the emissions scandal broke, the company’s stock price has dropped 24 percent, from over $182 per share to under $137 by mid-August 2016. In addition, as a result of diminishing sales and uncertainty over future financial penalties, VW has had to relinquish its goal of surpassing Toyota to become the world’s largest automaker by 2018.Understanding VW’s history and culture provides background necessary to understanding how this scandal could have occurred. VW was founded in 1937 by the German Labour Front, a national trade union controlled by the Nazi regime, to produce an affordable “people’s car” (eventually known as the VW Beetle) designed by Ferdinand Porsche. However, the breakout of World War II interrupted production of the car, and from 1939 to 1945, VW instead produced vehicles for the German army using laborers from nearby concentration camps.Following the war, the VW plant was slated to be dismantled because it had been used for military production; however, British officer Major Ivan Hirst convinced his commanders of the great potential of the VW Beetle, and the plant soon began producing cars. In 1949, VW passed back to German control under manager Heinrich Nordoff, and the company became a major component of post-war West German revival.Over the past two decades, the culture of VW has been primarily shaped by two men: Ferdinand Piëch (grandson of Ferdinand Porsche) who was chief executive from 1993 until 2002 and Martin Winterkorn who was chief executive from 2007 until his resignation in 2015 several days after the emissions testing scandal became public.According to many employees and industry experts, a success-or-else philosophy has existed at VW at least since the time Piëch became CEO. As an example, early in his tenure, Piëch hosted a group of reporters so they could view a prototype of a new sedan intended to leapfrog all of VW’s competitors. When a reporter asked what would happen if the engineering team said that they were unable to deliver the many new features and technical innovations promised by the prototype, Piëch declared, “Then I will tell them they are all fired and I will bring in a new team. And if they tell me they can’t do it, I will fire them, too.”Piëch turned VW into a global giant by acquiring luxury car brands such as Lamborghini and Bentley and by reviving brands such as Bugatti. One of the technologies he championed was turbocharged direct injection (TDI), which remains VW’s trademark technology for diesel engines. TDI improved fuel efficiency and acceleration and helped make diesel engines more practical for passenger cars. VW company policy required that Piëch retire in 2002 at age 65, but he remained on its supervisory board and was involved in the company’s strategic decisions until his forced resignation in April 2015.Winterkorn rose through the ranks under Piëch’s leadership, holding significant management positions, including head of quality control, head of research and development, chief executive of the Audi division, and finally, CEO at VW. Winterkorn’s leadership style was similar to Piëch’s; both were known for publicly berating subordinates. Winterkorn would go so far as to bang car parts on tables to emphasize a point. He strongly urged European regulators not to impose excessive emission targets on the automotive industry because he felt that there was a lack of time to develop fuel-efficient technology and that such a regulation would further the economic downturn. Under his leadership, VW bought Porsche in 2012 to further its ambition to become the world’s biggest carmaker.Many critics have argued that the autocratic leadership style of both Piëch and Winterkorn produced a corporate culture that has been described by some as confident, cutthroat, and narrow-minded. This, in turn, created an environment in which employees were apprehensive about contradicting their superiors and afraid to admit mistakes. Engineers were encouraged to compete for promotion and the approval of a management team who seemed to know only one way to manage: be aggressive at all times.A central question of this scandal—whether VW’s top management knew of the deception—remains. However, many critics claim that the multibillion dollar emissions cheating scandal shows that at the very least, the VW engineers who created and installed the software did not believe company management expected them to act with integrity. If they had, VW would not have cheated and would not be in this mess.Open a new Microsoft® Word document and answer the Critical Thinking Questions below.Save the file on your computer with your last name in the file name. (Example: case_1-1 _Jones.doc)Click the Choose File button to find and select your saved document.Critical Thinking Questions1. VW has blamed a small group of engineers for the misconduct and claims that members of its management board did not know of the decade-long deception. Within many organizations, including VW, a high value is placed on people who can deliver results and get things done. This can create a problem known as “normalization of deviance,” where something bad is done by a member of the group in order to achieve a goal but nobody says anything because everyone is expecting that someone else will instead. As a result, more and more bad behavior is tolerated. Perhaps, the VW engineers felt they had no other option when they realized that they could not deliver the combination of great performance, high gas mileage, and low emissions that had been promised. Some observers believe that normalization of deviance was perpetuated because VW kept hiring the same type of people with the same views—engineering graduates who are promotion-obsessed workaholics who have been taught not to say “no” to management’s goals. Do you accept this explanation for the emission scandal at VW? Why or why not?2. VW must bring in a new CEO and a key board member as a result of the forced resignation of Piëch and Winterkorn. Identify three specific actions that their replacements must do to begin to change the corporate culture at VW.3. At the time of this writing, it has been alleged that Robert Bosch GmbH, Europe’s largest supplier of auto parts, may have had a role in the VW emissions scandal. Bosch supplied the engine control unit that VW programmed to recognize when its diesel vehicles were undergoing emissions tests. However, Bosch states that it is not responsible for how its components are integrated into vehicles by customers. Do research to learn more about what role Bosch may have had in aiding VW in this deception. Do you believe that Bosch should also be sanctioned and/or fined? Why or why not?

Write a 250-500 word narrative identifying a protocol for the annual selection process

In addition to teacher leadership positions, school administrators also identify non-teacher leadership positions in different areas of a school. School administrators need to establish criteria that align with district personnel policies and practices by which to both select and monitor the success of the leadership team members they have chosen. When determining the criteria, administrators should also consider the current school climate and culture to keep and work to sustain a positive school culture.In preparation for this assignment, refer to the list of non-administrator/non-instructional leadership positions generated in the Topic 1 organizational chart. You are a principal and have been asked to implement a new policy for filling these non-administrative/non-instructional leadership positions occupied by teachers, staff, and other stakeholders.Write a 250-500 word narrative identifying a protocol for the annual selection process that includes:Objectives, measurable criteria used to assess applicants for any non-administrative/non-instructional positions.Protocol to ensure an unyielding commitment to the positive school culture including staff morale, shared leadership, collaboration, trust, and a student-centered environment is supported.Strategies for promoting effective team/group dynamics in the newly developed process.