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Forecasting and Preparing Financial Statements

Assignment 1: Discussion—Forecasting and Preparing Financial Statements

Tina, one of your friends, approached you and proposed a partnership in a new venture that she is planning to start—a fashion boutique that will sell women’s clothing and accessories. She told you that she leafed through several books on how to prepare forecasts and pro forma financial statements, but the books were geared toward existing firms that have several years of historical financial statements on which to base their projections.
In this assignment, you will review the accounting concepts and financial statements presented in this module to critically evaluate the challenges faced by your friend in her new business venture.
Tasks:
Respond to the following points:

  • If your friend asked you for advice on how to prepare forecasts for a new fashion boutique for women, what would you tell her?
  • As a potential partner, what would be the important financial statements to be in place for an initial assessment of the venture? Provide details and justification of each choice.

STUDENT RESPONSE

  • Provide substantive comments by
    • contributing new, relevant information from course readings, Web sites, or other sources;
    • building on the remarks or questions of others; or
    • sharing practical examples of key concepts from your professional or personal experiences
  • Respond to feedback on your posting and provide feedback to other students on their ideas.

Forecasting and Preparing Financial Statements
How to prepare forecasts for a new fashion boutique for women
According to Baker, (1999), “Sales forecasting involves predicting the amount people will purchase, given the product features and the conditions of the sale”. Sales forecasting, as one of the organizational operational tools, plays important role in helping organizations to plan, from budgeting to ordering the right products and ensuring adequate staffing depending on the season. To advice a friend on how to prepare forecasts for a new fashion boutique for women, I would recommend her to ensure proper understanding of the nature of her business. Depending on the business location, fashion boutique, may involve the purchasing of different products for different seasons for her customers. Knowing her targeted potential customers will help to make provision for the appropriate products that will satisfy their taste. Since it is a new business, it is very important to make provision for the process of creating of sales data to be used for the next sales forecast. She must research for sales information for similar businesses within the same locations’ and use the information for the initial sale forecasting.
Important financial statements to be in place for an initial assessment of the venture
Starting a new business can sometimes be challenging and confusing. Because of that some business owners may find it confusing to figure out the different business reports, the important reports and how to read some of these reports. There are three important reports that are required by small business to maintain as a way of monitoring its business activities and finances: the balance sheet, the income statement and the cash flow statement. Of all the reports the cash flow statement is one of the most important reports. Cash flow statement is important as it shows the business activities. As stated by Wicks, 2018 “A small business uses cash flow statements to report the inflow and outflow of the business. The inflow is the cash or revenues that come into the business through the sale of commodities; the outflow is the cash used in the daily operations of the business”. For a new business this report will set the pace for the initial report to be used by the business to monitor the level of progress it has made.
References
Diana Wicks, (2018). Small Business: The Most Important Financial Report for a Small Business. Retrieved from http://smallbusiness.chron.com/important-financial-report-small-business-18400.html
Michael J. Baker (Ed.), International Thompson Business Press, 1999, p. 278-290.

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LASA: Business Plan

ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND ASSIGNMENTS 1, 2 & 3:
Assignment 3 needs to be redone to include the Consulting Company’s Name (this is the business venture – Call/Name It MSOL Consoluting)

Assignment 2: LASA: Business Plan

As discussed in the LASA: Working Ahead section, you will prepare a business plan on a specific project or an initiative to be implemented in the business areas covered by your respective MS program of study.
In Modules 1, 2, 3, and 4, you submitted individual assignments that will be part of the final document. The final document needs to be submitted as the course LASA. In this module, you will consolidate all the information collected throughout the course, organize the information, and prepare your business plan.
Tasks:
Prepare a business plan in a Microsoft Word document with an accompanying Microsoft PowerPoint presentation containing the key points of your plan to serve as a presentation to a group of potential investors. The business plan should focus on a specific project or initiative to be implemented in the business areas covered by your respective MS program of study.
The Microsoft Word document (official plan) should have a minimum of 12 pages, and the presentation should be of 12–15 slides.
The business plan for this initiative should include the following:

  • Cover page
  • Table of contents
  • Executive summary: The executive summary should not be more than two pages and should include the following information:
    • Name of the venture
    • Business idea
    • Target market
    • Type of organization
    • Marketing and sales strategy
    • Key success factors
    • Short-and long-term business goals
    • Management skills and resources
    • Ownership
    • Sources and uses of funds
    • Summary of the financial projections
  • Mission, vision, and culture
  • Company description
  • Opportunity or feasibility analysis
  • Marketing strategy and plan
  • Simplified financial analysis and projections
  • Management and operations (including legal, risk, human resource management [HRM], ethics, etc.)

Note that you can use any business plan template as an aid for preparing the final document. At a minimum, the plan/presentation must include:

  • Executive summary
  • Mission, vision, and culture
  • Company description
  • Opportunity or feasibility analysis
  • Marketing strategy and plan
  • Simplified financial analysis and projections
  • Management and operations (including legal, risk, human resource management [HRM], ethics, etc.)

Make sure to expand as necessary to ensure your audience can have a full understanding of your proposed plan.
Submission Details:

  • By the due date assigned,  save your business plan as M5_A1_lastname_firstinitial.doc and your presentation as M5_A1_lastname_firstinitial.ppt and submit these to the Submissions Area.
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Organizational Assessment

Instructions
M1 Assignment 3: Organizational Assessment
Scenario
As the human resources (HR) manager for a public organization, you are conducting a New Hire Orientation session for all new employees. As research for your orientation, you are writing a report about the functions of the organization, its strengths and weaknesses, and its mission, vision, goals, and objectives.
Instructions
1. Choose a public organization, such as Target, McDonalds, Apple, etc., as the basis for this assignment. Be sure to choose an organization where the information needed to complete this assignment is publicly available and is easily accessible.
2. Using research from at least three sources, develop a report that accomplishes the following tasks:
· Identify the company’s mission statement, vision statement, goals, objectives, and tactical plans.
· Explain how each of the four functions of management impacts the organization’s goals and objectives.
· Discuss the ethical implications of the organization’s policies and strategies with respect to market expansion, human capital management, and the environment.
· Conduct an internal and external assessment of the organization:
· Identify the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using SWOT analysis.
· Illustrate the organization’s product portfolio using a BCG Matrix.
· Analyze the internal and external environments using environmental scanning. Assess the organizational structure; the relationships and interactions among employees, management, and shareholders; market competitors; as well as the industry, national, and macro environments.
Support your responses using scholarly research from the Argosy University online library resources.
Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner. Your response should demonstrate ethical scholarship in appropriate and accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA); and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
Write a 7-page report in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.
By 2/14/18 8PM PST, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.
Grading Criteria

Assignment Components Maximum Points
Identify the company’s mission statement, vision statement, goals, objectives, and tactical plans. 8
Explain how each of the four functions of management impacts the organization’s goals and objectives. 8
Discuss the ethical implications of the organization’s policies and strategies   with respect to market expansion, human capital management, and the environment. 16
Identify the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats using SWOT analysis. 16
Illustrate the organization’s product portfolio using a BCG Matrix. 12
Analyze the internal and external environments using environmental scanning. 20
Academic Writing  
Write in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical   cholarship in appropriate and accurate representation and attribution of sources (i.e., APA); and display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Use of scholarly sources aligns with specified assignment requirements. 20
Total: 100

Attachments

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Ethical Implications Of Cultural Abuse

After addressing the challenges leaders and managers face regarding diversity in M6: Assignment 1, let us focus on how leaders and managers might abuse power in dealing with a diverse workforce. Consider the role cultural stigmas play regarding how leaders and managers communicate with and react to a diverse workforce. Consider the importance of diversity training for leaders, managers, and employees. Further, consider how sociocultural factors related to leaders, managers, and employees help or hinder functionally effective communications. Finally, there is the ethical consideration of determining whether a leader or manager’s use of power to gain compliance is acceptable.
Using the module readings and the Argosy University online library resources, research the ethical implication of cultural abuse. Based on your research, respond to the following:

Write a 3–4-page paper in Word format. Note: The title page, references, and appendices are not included in the page count.
Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Click here to download the APA Guide. Use this guide to format your assignment.
Write your responses in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrate ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation per APA (6th edition) standards.
Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M6_A2.doc.
By the due date assigned, deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.

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business social media driven world

In today’s business social media driven world, the ability to make a persuasive – well thought written argument in a single paragraph is a skill that will serve you in your professional executive career. Through our academic term, you are assigned to write AT LEAST 7 Quality Wall Street Journal  Doing Business in LATAM News  Best Practices Postings at our Canvas Learning Management System – Discussion Forum – Board Section
related to current business news and/or the academic practical learning content reviewed through the books and readings of this class.
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These Wall Street Journal Doing Business in LATAM News Best Practices postings must be from current business news in regards Doing Business in LATAM Best Practices from the Wall Street Journal and you should write one or two short paragraphs with an insightful and critical thinking reference related to the current business news and/or the academic practical learning content reviewed through the books and readings of this class.
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I expect high caliber Quality Wall Street Journal  Doing Business in LATAM News Best Practices Postings with top analyses and interesting insights!! If you have any questions, please let me know.
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Jose Rocha
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Grading Requisite
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In order for me to grade these Wall Street Journal Doing Business in LATAM News Best Practices Postings, you have to have your:
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* one or two short paragraphs written by you with an insightful and critical thinking reference related to the current business news and/or
the academic practical learning content reviewed through the books and readings of this class
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PLUS
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* The ENTIRE  Wall Street Journal Business News Best Practices ARTICLE and appropriate reference.
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Some Learning Tips for this Learning Assignment
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Using APA Style and Tips in Writing
You can find several readings and support material for your writing learning assignments and APA Style use at our Canvas Learning Management System section:
Course Content: 1.2 Using APA Style and Tips in Writing

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culture, social responsibility, innovation, profitability, innovation, promotional opportunities, and stock performance

What organization do you admire the most?
Defend why you believe the organization deserves respect.
Your admiration can be based on any factor you choose (culture, social responsibility, innovation, profitability, innovation, promotional opportunities, stock performance, etc).
You will need to respond directly on the topic as well as to at least two of your classmates.

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LATAM Executives

Week 5, Online Discussion Forum: Textbook 1, Chapter(s): 2 and 3

Jose Rocha11 unread reply.11 reply.

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This is a SafeAssign – TurnItIn proctored INDIVIDUAL Learning Assignment and is worth 100 points

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1st Posting Due Date:

Wednesday, February 07, 2018 at 11:55 PM

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Discussion Due Date:

Sunday, February 11, 2018 at 11:55 PM

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Dear International Doing Business in c:

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Please read the following Chapter(s) from our Textbook 1: Doing Business In Latin America:Challenges and Opportunities

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Week 5, Online Discussion Forum: Textbook 1, Chapter(s): 2 and 3

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and please, answer for your INITIAL posting and discuss the following questions for this reading:

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1. Executive Summary for EACH chapter.

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2. Which are the three most CRITICAL ISSUES for EACH chapter? Please explain why? and analyze, and discuss in great detail …

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3. Which are the three most relevant LESSONS LEARNED for EACH chapter? Please explain why? and analyze, and discuss in great detail …

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4. Which are the three most important BEST PRACTICES for EACH chapter? Please explain why? and analyze, and discuss in great detail …

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I expect high caliber reviews with top analyses and interesting insights for this(these) Chapter(s) !!

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If you have any questions, please let me know.

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Jose Rocha

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Learning Assignment Guidelines

Please read our class syllabus section:

                 9. Course Delivery – Learning Assignments Guidelines – 9.2 On-Line Discussions

to double make sure what do we have to do in these discussions.

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Grading Requisite

In order for me to grade these discussions, you have to have your INITIAL posting plus

TWO additional SOLID and well supported postings to other people’s postings and/or discussions.

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Grading Rubric

This learning assignment will be graded according to the following grading rubrics :

  • “Grading Rubric for On-Line Forums and Discussions” and
  • “Grading Rubric for Writing and APA Style use”

located at our Canvas Learning Management System section:

Course Content: 2. Class Learning Assignments Guidelines, Grading Rubrics, and Peer Evaluation Forms

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Some Learning Tips for this Learning Assignment

Please take a moment to read and get familiarized with the following learning concepts:

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Executive Summary

What is an Executive Summary? How to develop an Executive Summary?

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According to the Writing@CSU | The Writing Studio at http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=76 (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

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An Executive summary is:

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“Executive Summaries

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Executive Summaries are much like any other summary in that their main goal is to provide a condensed version of the content of a longer report.

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The executive summary is usually no longer than 10% of the original document. It can be anywhere from 1-10 pages long, depending on the report’s length. Executive summaries are written literally for an executive who most likely DOES NOT have the time to read the original [document].

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Executive summaries make a recommendation. Accuracy is essential because decisions will be made based on your summary by people who have not read the original.

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Executive summaries frequently summarize more than one document”

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In addition, please find the following Good and poor examples of executive summaries at http://unilearning.uow.edu.au/report/4bi1.html (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..

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Finally, please find a more comprehensive definition and know how about Executive Summaries at the:

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University Writing Center at Texas A&M

http://writingcenter.tamu.edu/Students/Writing-Speaking-Guides/Alphabetical-List-of-Guides/Professional-Writing/Executive-Summaries (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.

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Lessons Learned vs Best Practices

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Tips for Turning Lessons Learned into Best Practices:

http://www.projectsmart.co.uk/tips-for-turning-lessons-learned-into-best-practices. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.php

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Using APA Style and Tips in Writing

You can find several readings and support material for your writing learning assignments and APA Style use at our Canvas Learning Management System section:

Course Content: 1.2 Using APA Style and Tips in Writin

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Compareison essay

1)Compare two leaders you have dealt with in the past. What different tactics did these leaders employ to influence situations or people? Which tactics were successful? Which tactics were not successful? As a leader, how can you critically appraise situations to make sure you select appropriate tactics for influencing a given situation? (answer with apa citation and using 200+ words)

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"balanced scorecard", "SWOT analysis", "value chain management"

Please make sure that you read the assignment and know what a “balanced scorecard”, “SWOT analysis”, “value chain management” and other terms being used in the assignment mean before you accept yo do it.
 Question 1 20 points
Read the article about Solar power in Saudi Arabia: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/05/business/energy-environment/saudi-arabia-solar-renewables.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
1. Develop a Balanced Scorecard for use in evaluating annual success. Identify one objective for each of the four perspectives. Each objective should be unique. Provide a reference to the source (within the NYT article or elsewhere) from which the objective was adapted.
2. Develop a SWOT analysis based on these objectives
3. Identify two metrics (measures) for each objective (for a total of 8 metrics). (An example is provided below.)
Example from UPS:                                                                                                      
Balanced Score Card Area: Internal Processes
Objective: Integrate leading-edge technologies in all operations to provide better service to our customer base (Consistent with Growth Strategy: Leverage our leading-edge technology)
Metric 1: Percent of UPS outlets with leading edge technology in use.
Metric 2: Number of new technologies pilot tested per year
Question 2
Learning Outcome 1, 40 points
Last year, Volkswagen was accused of letting its desire for rapid growth, market dominance, and affiliation with the clean energy trend, get in the way of integrity, quality, and safety in vehicle emissions. Search the web for news, research, or trade articles from reputable publications (Wikipedia and political opinion pieces are not acceptable sources) for articles about the Volkswagen recalls and investigations. Include your citations (APA format) in your response. Organize your response in the following manner:
1. How have the recalls affected public opinion about Volkswagen’s record for quality and reliability? Provide a complete response that discusses not only public opinion immediately after the recall, but current public opinion. Alternatively, you may use illustrative/annotated graphics (or an interactive video) as your response.
2. How has Volkswagen changed its strategies toward value chain management as a result of these quality and safety problems? Identify at least two specific strategies Volkswagen undertook in response to the quality and safety problems. [Hint: use one of the planning tools to illustrate effect across the value chain].
Question 3
[Learning Outcome 2, 40 points] Read the following stories (and additional stories you find appropriate) through the lens of our supplemental readings, lecture content, and textbook readings:
Story 1: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/11/technology/think-amazons-drone-delivery-idea-is-a-gimmick-think-again.html?_r=0 (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Story 2: https://www.wired.com/2015/09/washington-post-now-free-amazon-prime/ (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Story 3 https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/30/walmart-launches-free-2-day-shipping-without-a-membership-on-purchases-of-35-or-more/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Story 4: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/18/business/amazon-challenges-netflix-by-opening-prime-to-monthly-subscribers.html (Links to an external site.) (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Use Amazon as your basis for answering the following questions
1. List and describe two challenges faced by organizations in the execution of a strategic plan.
2. Identify two organizational systems/processes that you could use, as a manager, to address the challenges identified in part 1. Describe specifically how these systems/processes could be used to address the challenges identified. (Examples of organizational processes/systems to consider include Goals and Measures, Rewards and Recognition, Communications, Training and Development, Organizational Structure, Senior Leadership, Rules and Policies, Physical Environment, Staffing, Information Systems and Knowledge Sharing, Operational/Process Changes, Ceremonies and Events, etc.)