Ecosystem

Select an ecosystem in your area (forest, lake, desert, grassland).

Write a 525- to 700-word paper explaining the following:

     1)   Describe the structure of your ecosystem including important abiotic features and dominant plant and animal species.
     2)   Explain some functions/processes of your ecosystem including one nutrient cycle and one food chain.
     3)  Give two examples of species interactions (predation, competition, mutualism, etc.) that occur in your ecosystem.
     4)  Identify an invasive species in your ecosystem. Explain its effects on the ecosystem and efforts to control or eradicate it.

Include two outside references.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

 

Question and Problem Sets

Purpose of Assignment

Provide students with a basic understanding of financial management, goal of the firm, and the basic financial statements. Students should be able to calculate and analyze solvency, liquidity, profitability and market value ratios, and create proforma financial statements.

Assignment Steps 

Resources: Tutorial help on Excel® and Word functions can be found on the Microsoft®Office website. There are also additional tutorials via the web that offer support for office products. 

Complete the following Questions and Problems (Concepts and Critical Thinking Questions for Ch. 1 Only) from each chapter as indicated. 

Show all work and analysis. 

Prepare in Microsoft® Excel® or Word. 

• Ch. 1: Questions 3 & 11 (Concepts Review and Critical Thinking Questions section)
• Ch. 2: Questions 4 & 9 (Questions and Problems section): Microsoft® Excel® template provided for Problem 4.
• Ch. 3: Questions 4 & 7 (Question and Problems section)
• Ch. 4: Questions 1 & 6 (Questions and Problems section): Microsoft® Excel® template provided for Problem 6.

Format your assignment consistent with APA guidelines if submitting in Microsoft® Word. 

Click the Assignment Files tab to submit your assignment.

Materials

• Question and Problem Sets Grading Guide
• Ch. 2 Problem 4 Microsoft® Excel® Template
• Ch. 4 Problem 6 Microsoft® Excel® Template
• Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, Ch. 1: Introduction to Corporate Finance
• Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, Ch. 2: Financial Statements, Taxes, and Cash Flow
• Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, Ch. 3: Working with Financial Statements
• Fundamentals of Corporate Finance, Ch. 4: Long-Term Financial Planning and Growth

Global Finance

1. Agency Problems of MNCs. 

a. Explain the agency problem of MNCs. 

 

b. Why might agency costs be larger for an MNC than for a purely domestic firm?

 

2. Comparative Advantage. 

 

a. Explain how the theory of comparative advantage relates to the need for international business. 

 

b. Explain how the product cycle theory relates to the growth of an MNC. 

ANSWER: The product cycle theory suggests that at some point in time, the firm will attempt to capitalize on its perceived advantages in markets other than where it was initially established.

3. Imperfect Markets. 

 

a. Explain how the existence of imperfect markets has led to the establishment of subsidiaries in foreign markets. 

 

b. Suppose perfect markets existed.Would If perfect markets existed, would wages, prices, and interest rates among countries be more similar or less similar than under conditions of imperfect markets? Why?

 

5.  International Opportunities Due to the Internet. 

a.  What factors cause some firms to become more internationalized than others? 

b.  Offer your opinion on why the Internet may result in more international business. 

 

8. Valuation of an MNC. Hudson Co., a U.S. firm, has a subsidiary in Mexico, where political risk has recently increased. Hudson's best guess of its future peso cash flows to be received has not changed. However, its valuation has declined as a result of the increase in political risk. Explain. 

 

9. Centralization and Agency Costs. Would the agency problem be more pronounced for Berkley Corp., whose parent company makes most major decisions for its foreign subsidiaries, or Oakland Corp., which uses a decentralized approach?

 

Assignment 2: Researching Social Media

We are all socially connected. Some of us like to be so more than others. Technology allows us to do this in a variety of ways.

In this assignment, you will learn to use a new technology that helps you become socially connected. This technology can take the form of instant messaging or an online network that gives you the opportunity to connect with businesses and organizations to develop your career.

Research online social networking tools and applications using your textbook, the Internet, and the Argosy University online library resources. Based on your research, do the following:

1. Choose a tool for social networking that allows you to create a free account. The social networking tool should meet the following criteria:
   • It is not a tool you have used before.
   • It connects you with other people.
   • It is open to the public.
   • It does not promote offensive language or actions.
   • It allows you to answer the questions for this assignment.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Yahoo! Instant Messaging: This tool allows you to instantly type messages to other friends or colleagues who are on Yahoo!’s Instant Messaging. It also has a number of other features, including video messaging. http://www.yahoo.com
• Skype: Skype’s free services allow you to call other people on Skype and video-conference with them over the Internet. You can also use Skype to call international cell phones or landlines at a highly reduced rate or to instant message. http://www.skype.com
• Google Hangouts: This app provides messaging, video calls, and voice calls from any device.. https://plus.google.com/hangouts
• Facebook: This social networking tool allows you to network with friends, family, and acquaintances. You can send them updates and let them know what is going on in your world. It has an instant messaging service also. http://www.facebook.com
• Twitter: This tool allows you to follow a variety of people and track the little things they say. You can also send messages to others who might follow you on Twitter. http://twitter.com
• LinkedIn: This tool is designed to help you connect with professionals in your industry. You can update your profile so others in your industry can know how you are progressing in skills and knowledge. http://www.linkedin.com
• Instagram: This tool helps you modify (“filter”) and share photographs, usually taken with a mobile device. http://instagram.com/
• Foursquare: According to its home page, this tool is supposed to help you and your friends find great places and make the most of your visits. https://foursquare.com/

1. Research your chosen social media tool. Then, using scholarly evidence, answer the following questions:
   1. How can this social media tool be used in the workplace in a professional manner? Again, use search engines that will help you to answer this appropriately.
   2. How does this social media tool help you connect with friends or colleagues? Describe this with as much detail as possible. Look this up on the Internet if you need to, as you may not realize all of the ways it may be beneficial.
   3. What is a potential drawback of this kind of media?
   4. Describe the experience of participating in this exercise.
2. Paste a screenshot of the social media account you just created in your assignment paper. Follow these steps:
   1. Log into the social media website where you created an account.
   2. From the logged-in page, press and hold the Alt key on your keyboard and then press the Print Screen key on your keyboard. (On some keyboards the keys are Fn and Print Scrn.)
   3. Display your assignment paper document. Click the mouse button in the area where you want to paste the screenshot. Hold down the Ctrl key and then press the V key. This will paste an image of your social media screen into your paper.
   4. Change the size of your screen print to be approximately 3 by 4 inches.
      • Click inside the graphic; this will put sizing squares around your graphic.
      • Move the cursor to a corner of your graphic until your cursor changes to a diagonal arrow.
      • Click and drag the cursor towards the center of the graphic so that the graphic gets smaller.
      • When the screenshot is approximately 3 by 4 inches, release the mouse button.

      Write a two- to three-page paper in Word format (not counting title and reference page). Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Include an APA formatted title page and reference page. You may use this APA formatted template. Follow this link for more information about APA standards. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M4_A2.doc.

By the due date assigned deliver your assignment to the Submissions Area.

Assignment 2 Grading CriteriaMaximum PointsSet up an appropriate social media tool account and placed an appropriate screenshot inside the essay.23Evaluated the personal and professional advantages and drawbacks of using this social communication tool.22Described the experience of this project showing engagement with the assignment tasks.20Included APA style in-text citations and associated references.10Applied APA style formatting for the title page, body, and references page of the paper5Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.20Total: 100

 

Business Environment

Please, watch one of the following videos and read one of the following articles. If you find the topic interesting, please read or watch more than one of the suggestions.

Answer ONE of the following prompts based on your reading, viewing, class discussion, and personal experiences. Your response should be approximately 500 words.

1. Reflect on the concepts that you found most interesting this week, and suggest how these concepts will influence your future.
2. Theorists tend to view technological advances, like AI, machine learning, and robotics as a great benefit to future society or as a looming threat to the future of humanity. Based on your learning, share your opinion about the benefits or threats of these technological advances. Use specific examples to support your response.
3. Discuss some of the main ideas that you took away from the reading and video. How will your career choices be influenced by advances in AI.

Selection of readings:

The Future of Human Work is Imagination, Creativity, and Strategy (Harvard Business Review, January 2018)

https://hbr.org/2018/01/the-future-of-human-work-is-imagination-creativity-and-strategy

How to Prepare the Next Generation for Jobs in the AI Economy (Harvard Business Review, June 2017)

https://hbr.org/2017/06/how-to-prepare-the-next-generation-for-jobs-in-the-ai-economy

Selection of videos:

Machine Intelligence makes Human Morals more Important (TedTalk with Zeynep Tufekci)

https://www.ted.com/talks/zeynep_tufekci_machine_intelligence_makes_human_morals_more_important

The Future we are Building – and Boring (TEDTalk with Elon Musk)

https://www.ted.com/talks/elon_musk_the_future_we_re_building_and_boring?referrer=playlist-what_direction_is_the_future_headed&language=en

How We will Earn Money in a Future without Jobs (TEDTalk with Martin Ford)

https://www.ted.com/talks/martin_ford_how_we_ll_earn_money_in_a_future_without_jobs

Can a Robot Pass a University Entrance Exam? (TEDTalk with Noriko Arai)

https://www.ted.com/talks/noriko_arai_can_a_robot_pass_a_university_entrance_exam

Can we Build AI without Losing Control over it? (TEDTalk with Sam Harris)

https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_harris_can_we_build_ai_without_losing_control_over_it

 

Using The Payback Method, IRR, And NPV For Math Guru Only

Purpose of Assignment 

The purpose of this assignment is to allow the student to calculate the project cash flow using net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), and the payback methods. 

Assignment Steps 

Resources: Corporate Finance

Create a 350-word memo to management including the following:

• Describe the use of internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV), and the payback method in evaluating project cash flows.
• Describe the advantages and disadvantages of each method. 

Calculate the following time value of money problems: 

1. If you want to accumulate $500,000 in 20 years, how much do you need to deposit today that pays an interest rate of 15%?
2. What is the future value if you plan to invest $200,000 for 5 years and the interest rate is 5%?
3. What is the interest rate for an initial investment of $100,000 to grow to $300,000 in 10 years?
4. If your company purchases an annuity that will pay $50,000/year for 10 years at a 11% discount rate, what is the value of the annuity on the purchase date if the first annuity payment is made on the date of purchase?
5. What is the rate of return required to accumulate $400,000 if you invest $10,000 per year for 20 years. Assume all payments are made at the end of the period. 

Calculate the project cash flow generated for Project A and Project B using the NPV method.

• Which project would you select, and why?
• Which project would you select under the payback method? The discount rate is 10% for both projects.
• Use Microsoft® Excel® to prepare your answer.
• Note that a similar problem is in the textbook in Section 5.1.

Sample Template for Project A and Project B: 

 

Show all work.

Submit the memo and all calcluations.

 

Project Resources

Research the activity of assigning resources to a project and discuss the following:

• The steps a project manager must take to make sure their project is receiving adequate support.
• Techniques used in the assignment of resources (human capital).
• When is it necessary to "level load" a project?
• Steps a project manager would take if the needed resources were not available for their project

The paper is to be no more than 3 pages, in APA format.

 

BA 101

A large publically traded company will receive a major financial benefit from the sell of its stock ________ .Select one:a. each time a shareholder buys or sells the stock b. when the stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange c. at the initial public offering

Question 2

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Although money has no intrinsic value, it is demanded throughout society. Among the reasons that money is demanded are:Select one:a. It is not easy to counterfeit.b. It is divisible c. it stores value.

Question 3

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Bank Of The North (B of N) gave out large loans to many of their customers. After reviewing the bank’s records, B of N sees that the bank is now below the Federal Reserve’s minimum reserve requirement. A member bank, Helper Bank, has excess reserves. B Of N borrows enough moneyfrom Helper Bank to reach their reserve requirement. The rate of interest that B of N will pay to Helper Bank for the loan is the ________ rate.Select one:a. intrabank b. institutional c. federal funds

Question 4

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Bonds are:Select one:a. A partial ownership in a companyb. a way to raise capital that does not need to be repaidc. a formal contract to repay borrowed money with interest at fixed intervals.

Question 5

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Historically many methods and markets were used to raise capital, but the primary methods that have evolved in modern times are the:Select one:a. land markets and housing markets b. Over the counter markets c. bond markets and stock markets

Question 6

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

If the federal government wanted to find out how much M1 money is in circulation in the US, it would look at which of the following?Select one:a. Savings accounts b. Money market mutual funds c. Demand deposits and other checking accounts

Question 7

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

If you were given the task of totalling all the M2 money in circulation in the US, which of the following would you include in your calculations?Select one:a. 1.Demand deposits and other checking accounts b. Currency c. 2.Savings accounts

Question 8

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

One of the ways the Federal Reserve System seeks to stabilize prices is by:Select one:a. controlling the price of goods b. engaging in trade treaties c. regulation of interest rates

Question 9

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Stocks or equity securities are:Select one:a. Debt to the company b. Managed by your local commercial bank c. financial instruments that may include share of a company’s future profits.

Question 10

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

The Federal Reserve lowers the reserve requirement from 7 percent to 6 percent. Consequently banks must set aside less money to meet the reserve requirement. They have more money to lend to their customers and are able to lower the rate of interest they charge. These conditions make it less expensive for people and businesses to borrow money. Because they can borrow more, they can spend more. If people are spending more, prices go up. With this action, the Fed has lessened the likelihood of ________.Select one:a. inflation b. free market c. recession

Question 11

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

The Federal Reserve raises the reserve requirement from 7 percent to 8 percent. Consequently banks must set aside more money and consequently have less money to lend. The result is that the banks will raise the interest rate they charge to their customers. These conditions make it harder and more expensive for people and businesses to borrow money. Because they can’t borrow as much, they can’t spend as much. If people aren’t spending as much, prices don’t go up. With this action, the Fed has lessened the likelihood of ________.Select one:a. recession b. free market c. inflation 

Question 12

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

The Queen of England says by royal decree that the British Pound will be the currency of the land and it will be backed by the government as legal tender for all debts public and private. The British Pound is an example of:Select one:a. Commodity money b. Virtual money c. Fiat money

Question 13

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

What are Bonds?Select one:a. a partial ownership in a company b. profit c. debt

Question 14

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

What government entity is responsible for monitoring the U.S. money supply?Select one:a. Federal Trade Commission b. Federal Labor Relations Authority c. Federal Reserve

Question 15

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

What is a reason someone might consider trying Bitcoin?Select one:a. The value of my Bitcoins can vary widely based on supply and demand. b. There is a possibility of fraud or theft. c. One would not have to pay high transaction costs associated with transferring funds through a bank.

Question 16

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

What is a reason you might be hesitant to use Bitcoin?Select one: a. It is less expensive to accumulate than other types of currency. b. I would not need to have a bank account. c. The value of my Bitcoins can vary widely based on supply and demand.

Question 17

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

What is the biggest advantage of borrowing money, such as a loan or a bond, instead of issuing stock in order to raise capital?Select one:a. The interest rate is usually less b. The business owner does not have to worry about legal liability c. The current business owner retains complete ownership of the business

Question 18

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Why don’t we use the barter system today:Select one:a. Of specialization theory promoted by Adam Smith b. Of the role of commercial banks. c. It is difficult to find two parties that have something they both want to trade.

Question 19

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

You pay your neighbor $100 in exchange for the used washing machine she is selling. Your neighbor puts that $100 into her pocket and takes her family out to the movies and a nice dinner at the end of the week. She still has $20 left after this outing and decides to put the remaining $20 into her savings account. This is an example of:Select one:a. Exchange rate b. Time value of money c. Store of value

Question 20

Not yet answeredScored out of 1.00Flag question

Question text

Your large business just issued bonds for $10 million. You are excited about utilizing the new funds to expand. As you create your budgets for the upcoming years you need to keep in mind that your company will need to ________.Select one:a. Find someone who would like to pay $10 million for your bond. b. Pay the interest and a portion of the principal balance to the bank each month for the duration of the bond term. c. Pay interest payments annually and repay the entire $10 million at the end of the bond term. 

 

Template Creator For Real Estate

Looking for someone that knows how to create an editable, professional template for Real Estate. Attached is the sample of how I want each page on the template to be, but of coarse I need it to be created professionally and editable by me. So to clarify there needs to be no info on the template maybe dummy numbers and names so the template is workable. Format Microsoft word or Excel which ever works best for you

Introduction And Broad Strokes Of The Expansion Plan

For this first milestone, you will provide an overview of the company you have selected and a brief analysis of both the domestic and the prospective foreign market you are proposing the company expand to, and you will analyze the microeconomic and macroeconomic factors and exchange rate factors that must be considered as the company seeks its expansion. 

The company is walmart. foreign market: south africa.