Especially for You Jewelers

Especially for You Jewelers is a small jewelry company in a college town. Over the last couple of years, it has experienced a tremendous increase in its business. However, its financial performance has not kept pace with its growth. The current system, which is partly manual and partly automated, doesn’t track accounts receivables sufficiently, and the company is finding it difficult to determine the reasons why the receivables are so high. The company runs frequent specials to attract customers but has no idea whether these efforts are profitable or if the benefit—if there is one—comes from associated sales. Especially for You Jewelers wants to increase repeat sales to its existing customers; thus, it needs to develop a customer database. It also wants to install a new direct sales and accounting system to help solve the outlined problems.

The new direct sales and accounting system for Especially for You Jewelers will be an important element in the growth and success of the jewelry company. The direct sales portion must track every sale, be able to link to the inventory system for cost data, and provide a daily profit and loss report. The customer database must be able to produce purchase histories to assist management in preparing special mailings and special sales to existing customers. Detailed credit balances and aged accounts for each customer would help to solve the problem with the high balance of accounts receivables. Special notice letters and credit history reports would help management reduce accounts receivable.

Write a six to eight (6-8) page paper in which you:

1.Suggest at least five (5) expected business benefits that Especially for You Jewelers company might derive from a new system. Provide a rationale for your suggestions.
2.Propose at least five (5) system capabilities for the company. Provide a rationale for your proposals.
3.Ascertain the three (3) possible scenarios in this new direct sales and accounting system.
4.Using Microsoft Visio or an open source alternative such as Dia, develop an activity diagram for each scenario that you have identified. Note: The graphically depicted solution may not exceed one (1) page per diagram. Provide a narrative that gives an overview of your diagram.
5.Using Microsoft Visio or an open source alternative such as Dia, complete a fully-developed use case description for each scenario identified. Note: The graphically depicted solution may not exceed one (1) page per diagram.
6.Develop a system vision document for Especially for You Jewelers, detailing the overall vision or plan for the new direct sales and accounting system. A vision document generally contains:
a.Introduction
b.Business needs / requirements
c.Product / solution overview
d.Major features
e.Scope and limitations
f.Other needs
7.Use at least three (3) quality resources outside of the suggested resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

•Analyze techniques for requirements determination, collection, and organization.
•Summarize effective communication techniques with various organizational stakeholders to collect information using a variety of techniques and to convey proposed solution characteristics to them.
•Analyze and present methods to initiate, specify, and prioritize information systems projects and determine various aspects of feasibility of these projects.
•Develop a solution to proposed business problem using structured systems analysis and design methods.
•Use technology and information resources to research issues in advanced systems analysis and design.
•Write clearly and concisely about advanced systems analysis and design using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions.

Determine the purpose of the feedback loop design and argue

Assignment 1: NIPP
Due Week 4 and worth 50 points
Write a two to four (2-4) page paper in which you:
Analyze the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and Risk Management Framework, located at http://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/NIPP_Plan.pdf, and conclude how it has been designed to protect the nation’s critical infrastructure.
Determine the purpose of the feedback loop design and argue how it strengthens or weakens the model. Justify your response. 
Decide if taking a “risk management” approach is suitable for protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure. Support your response.
Choose the one (1) step that is the most important or has the greatest impact on the other steps of the Risk Management Framework and describe why.
Discuss two (2) criticisms of the NIPP model and suggest ways of dealing with those criticisms.
Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources.
THE SUBJECT IS SEC 310

•Why did the artists choose these subjects? What was their appeal?

Resources: Review Ch. 3 and 4 of Oxford History of Art: Twentieth-Century American Art, the Week Two Electronic Reserve Readings, your Video Reflections, and at least one additional scholarly online or library resource
Prepare a 5- to 10-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation which describes at least three different paintings of American buildings or an industrial process from artists discussed in Ch. 3 and 4 of your text.
Include responses and descriptions to the following in your slide presentation: 
•Why did the artists choose these subjects? What was their appeal?
•Were the artists' subjects characteristic of American national identity for that era?
•How does each painting reflect the artists' feelings or beliefs about what they were depicting?
•A description of the innovation which is being depicted; in other words was the type of building or industrial process a significant break from the past? How? Research the type of building or industrial process from at least one additional scholarly online or library resource.
Submit your Visions of America: Industry Presentation.
•For Local Campus students, these are oral presentations accompanied by Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations.
•For Online and Directed Study students, these are Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentations with speaker's notes which support and expand upon your bulleted text.
 

Assignment 1: LASA 2: International Trade

Assignment 1: LASA 2: International Trade

Visit the U.S. Government Web site, TradeStats Express: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c5700.html
1. Find National Trade Data.
2. Determine the trade balance between the U.S. and China for the most recent five year period.
3. Illustrate the trend over this period with a graph of the data.
Based on the data provided, create a report in Microsoft Word discussing the trade balance between China and the U.S. for the most recent five year period. In your discussion, include an analysis of the effect of such trade balance on the economies of China and the U.S., both individually and comparatively. Justify your discussion and analysis by using appropriate examples and references. Include in your report an analysis of the impact on the U.S. economy of the situation where China holds such a large amount of the U.S. debt.

Assignment 1 Grading Criteria Maximum Points
Accurately determined the trade balance between China and the U.S. for the most recent five year period. (40 points)

Illustrated the trend over this period with a graph of the data. Cited the source. (8 points) 48
Researched and analyzed the impact of foreign trade between the two countries and their economic growth during this period. (8 points)

Discussed the issues, concerns, and ramifications of the trade balance on China’s economy.(20 points)

Discussed the issues, concerns, and ramifications of the trade balance on the U.S. economy. (20 Points)

Compared the impact of trade balance between China and the U.S. for this period. (20 Points)

Used appropriate terminology (4 Points) 72
Provided adequate and appropriate examples and references to justify conclusions. Used a variety of credible texts, Web sites and other references. 48
Discussed the nature and possible future effects upon the U.S. economy. (30 Points)

Discussed the ability of the U.S. to sustain growth and development. (20 Points)

Justified these conclusions with appropriate data and other resources.(20 Points)

Used appropriate terminology. (2 Points) 72
Organization (16 points): Introduction, Transitions, and Conclusion

Usage and Mechanics (16 points): Grammar, Spelling, and Sentence structure

APA Elements (20 points): Attribution, Paraphrasing, and Quotations

Style (8 points): Audience and Word Choice 60
Total: 300

•Where did this abstract style originate? Describe at least one art work in your summary.

Resource: Review "Representational Cityscape," and Ch. 3 of Oxford History of Art: Twentieth-Century American Art
Write a 200- to 350-word summary responding to and discussing the following:
The work of Joseph Stella and other early American modernists, such as Marsden Hartley, Max Weber, and Georgia O'Keeffe and how they differed greatly in subject and style to the work of the Ashcan School, and include the following: 
•Where did this abstract style originate? Describe at least one art work in your summary.
•Choose one art form or cultural development that originated elsewhere but which is currently a part of American culture.
•Describe how this art form has directly affected you.
Submit your assignment in a Microsoft® Word document using the Assignment Files tab above.

Write your second letter from the viewpoint of a professor that instructed you in a class.

Write two letters of recommendation for yourself. Write your first letter from the point of view of a co-worker.

Write your second letter from the viewpoint of a professor that instructed you in a class. These letters should

include your strengths, abilities, and experience.
 

The completed assignment should be at least one page, double spaced.

What image of America was communicated by the innovations and buildings presented

Resources: Review Ch. 1-2 of Oxford History of Art: Twentieth-Century American Art, the Week One Electronic Reserve Readings, and your Video Reflections

Write a 350- to 700-word paper on how art reflects the culture of its era that responds to the following:

• What image of America was communicated by the innovations and buildings presented at the 1883 Chicago's World Fair? How was this image communicated?
• How and why was the art produced by the Ashcan School different from that of the Gilded Age? To what changes in culture were artists reacting?
• What is the relationship between art and culture? Explain with at least two examples to illustrate the relationship between art and American culture.

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

Submit your assignment using the Assignment Files tab above.

CASE 14: Safaricom: Innovative Telecom Solutions

Read the case study attached and report in a Microsoft Word document concerning the following situation:

The Safaricom case provides an excellent opportunity to apply strategic management concepts to a constantly growing and extremely competitive organization. Safaricom is the largest mobile service provider in Kenya. It offers not only means of mobile communication, but also is involved within the community. In addition, Safaricom sponsors athletic events such as Safaricom Sevens and a music festival, Niko na Safaricom Live.

The purpose of this case study is to examine the factors that are crucial to Safaricom's continued success and to propose strategic actions to sustain its competitive advantage. While Safaricom's community involvement enhances its brand image, the mobile service sector of Safaricom is the largest and main focus. Safaricom was formed in 1997 and has grown to be the largest mobile service provider in Kenya by implementing different strategies, including acquisitions.

The analysis should start with a scan of the general, industry, and competitive environments. How does the external environment in Kenya differ from anywhere else? The case also describes Safaricom's competitive advantage, and the effectiveness of its strategies against industry rivals should be examined. Safaricom offers different services such as prepaid mobile, voice and data services, and its voice packages are bundled with other services such as rewards programs, music, and games. Finally, the pressing strategic concerns, the effectiveness of Safaricom's leadership should also be considered to devise convincing recommendations. 

This case is ideal for demonstrating the importance of the external environment, competitive rivalry, and strategic leadership. The following points are to guide a review and discussion of these important concepts.

Your report and overview should address the following key strategic issues:

• Describe the general environment that Safaricom faces. What are the segments in the general environment that relate to Safaricom's situation? What are the opportunities and threats derived from the factors from the general environment? What are the possible future implications of some of the external factors?
• Analyze the competitor environment and identify the competitors. Has Safaricom done enough to outperform its competitors?
• Evaluate Safaricom's CEO, Robert Collymore's strategic leadership. Has he been able to fulfill his responsibilities and continue to grow Safaricom as a company?
• Describe Safaricom's next move in terms of growth and expansion. Based on your analysis, what additional recommendations would you make to help Safaricom achieve its goals?

A specific piece of legislation relating to business regulation or taxation

ECONOMICS ANALYSIS ESSAY
For this assignment, you will write a 2–3-page paper (double-spaced, 1-inch margins) providing at least 1 example of how government has overstepped biblical principles in some form of economic policy.

Options include the following topics:
• A specific piece of legislation relating to business regulation or taxation.
• The “party platform” of either the Republican Party or the Democratic Party (or both).
• The role of the Federal Reserve.
• The budget process.

CASE STUDY 1 : TRANSFORMING THE ORGANIZATION

Field: Information Systems

Congratulations! The executives are taking your information system proposal seriously. In fact, they think it has the potential to transform the way the organization works.

The CIO asked you to read Connelly (2016) to think about what resources you’ll need to get your new information system up and running. Please also review the five case studies in (Basu 2015, p. 32-35) so you can recommend a change management pattern for your company to follow.

Write a memo to the CIO that describes how to implement your information system into the organization. Please focus on these topics:

1. How much of the implementation work can you handle? What additional resources (people, information, time, money, etc.) will expedite the process so you don’t end up like Susie Jeffer?

2. Outline a change management strategy: What new equipment and software are necessary? What training and support will the staff need? How will the staff complete their work during the transition period? Do you anticipate other areas of resistance?

3. The CIO is very skeptical, so provide evidence that your assessment is accurate and complete. It can be difficult to admit to personal limitations!

Your memo should be 5 pages long.

References:

Basu, K. K. (2015). The Leader’s Role in Managing Change: Five Cases of Technology-Enabled Business Transformation. Global Business & Organizational Excellence, 34(3), 28-42. doi:10.1002/joe.21602.

Connelly, B., Dalton, T., Murphy, D., Rosales, D., Sudlow, D., & Havelka, D. (2016). Too Much of a Good Thing: User Leadership at TPAC. Information Systems Education Journal, 14(2), 34-42.