Author: chris

Global Marketing & Product Development

To extend its international presence, Martinetti International has formed an expansion strategy focused on acquiring other like enterprises outside the European region. Martinetti, a subsidiary of a publicly owned parent company, is based in Rome where it enjoys an established brand name and superb reputation. As part of Martinetti’s globalization strategy, it has acquired Sand Coast Resort Group located in the heart of Chinatown, Singapore. Both hotel enterprises share common business values and excellent reputations, and offer high-end luxury accommodations for the local businessman and international traveler. The acquisition offers Martinetti ownership of the Sand Coast brand, trademarks, and contracts for the 9 Sand Coast hotel holdings. With this acquisition, Martinetti gains a footprint in Southeast Asia and expands its holdings 27 percent. Sand Coast has strong brand recognition in the region and has a portfolio that includes both hospitality services and travel agencies. Martinetti, a cross-culture organization, is comprised of approximately 65 percent Italian employees with the remaining representing 7 other countries and languages. San Coast also has a cross-cultural workforce with 88 percent being Singaporean of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicity. Chinese is the official language.

As a member of the Martinetti management team, you have been selected to meet with the Sand Coast Resort leadership team to discuss Martinetti’s approach to market the acquisition in both countries. Your task is to convince the Sand Coast team that Martinelli has a sound strategic communications plan. Please discuss the promotional goals and cultural factors you would discuss with Sand Coast and what aspects of the recommended promotional strategy you would address.

Must be original work, using APA guidelines to include citation & reference. NO plagiarism Due Friday, 29, 2016.

Ashford 6: – Week 5 – Final Project

Final Project: Biopsychological Analysis of a Neuropsychological Disorder

In your Final Project, you will synthesize an overview of the major theories relating to the pathology of a disorder as well as provide a detailed discussion of the etiology (causes) and clinical interventions, using research to support your analysis.  Your topic will be the neuropsychological disorder that was selected and approved by the instructor in your Week One assignment, and for which you provided an outline in the Week Two assignment.

In keeping with the focus of this class, the emphasis of your paper will be on the neuroscience aspects of the disorder, to include:

• Theories of etiology (causes)
• Associated factors in development of the disorder (genetic, environmental, familial, lifestyle)
• Pathology (abnormalities of physical structure and function, including genetic and biochemical aspects)
• Treatment options (pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic, with rationales for use based on current understanding of the disorder)
• Diagnostic and research technologies employed in clinical diagnosis, care, and basic science research

Your research will include a minimum of six to eight peer-reviewed sources, which provide evidence-based information regarding the biological and psychological features of the disorder and were published within the last five years. At least four of your references should be peer-reviewed publications of original research studies. To justify your assertions, provide in-text citations for all factual statements taken from your research, with corresponding references drawn from scholarly sources.  All citations and sources are to be documented according to APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center, and should support and enhance your analysis of the selected disorder. Sources may include review articles, original research articles, information from government agencies (e.g., National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration, Drug Enforcement Administration) or professional societies (e.g., professional society position papers or clinical practice guidelines).

Final Project- Components

Section I:  Introduction

This section should provide a general introduction to the topic as well as an overview of the background and history of the disorder. Further, it should provide a succinct thesis statement of the purpose and overall direction of the paper.  For instance, if your paper will have a large focus on the role of particular neurotransmitters in the etiology of the disorder as a rationale for treatment options, you should indicate this in the introduction. Finally, this section should provide demographic data that indicates the prevalence of the disorder in both general and specific populations.

Specific required components of the Introduction:

1. Succinct thesis statement (one or more sentences detailing the focus of your Final Project and informing the reader about your topic and the scope of your paper)
2. Define the type of disorder
   1. Neurological
   2. Psychological
   3. Neuropsychological
3. Diagnostic criteria
   1. What components must be present for the disorder to be diagnosed?
   2. Include physical and psychological signs and symptoms.
4. Reason(s) why you chose this topic
   1. Personal experience
   2. Professional experience
   3. Other reason
5. Epidemiology
   1. Who is affected?
   2. Are they young/old?
   3. Male/female
   4. Rural/urban
   5. Ethnicities

Section II: Discussion

This section should make up the majority of the Final Project in terms of size. Here, you will expand upon the main aspects of the disorder and provide details relating to the disorder and its management. This section should provide specific and detailed information (Reminder: All statements of fact require an in-text citation).   Cited/referenced sources should be used to support your analysis of the components of the discussion.

Specific required components of the Discussion section:

1. Detailed description of the disorder
   1. Signs and symptoms
   2. Epidemiology
   3. Any subtypes of the disorder
2. Detailed description of the natural history of the disorder
   1. How the disorder develops over time with treatment
   2. How the disorder develops over time without treatment
3. Methods used to diagnose, evaluate, and manage the disorder
   1. Initial diagnosis (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing)
   2. Ongoing management (e.g., physical exam, imaging and/or laboratory testing, special studies, psychological evaluation, psychometric testing)
4. Risk factors
   1. Genetics
   2. Lifestyle
   3. Environmental factors
5. Other causative factors
   1. Known
   2. Theorized
6. Nervous system structures and/or pathways involved in the disorder (detailed information regarding the underlying pathology as it applies to these structures and functional pathways)
7. Neurotransmitter(s) and receptor system(s) involved in the pathology of the disorder
8. Current treatment options
   1. Drug (pharmacologic) therapies
   2. Nonpharmacologic therapies (including psychological and other therapeutic services)
   3. Type of care providers (e.g., medical, nursing, therapists)
   4. Type of healthcare setting (e.g., hospital, home, outpatient, nursing facility)
9. Future areas of research
   1. Treatment options
   2. Evaluation and diagnostic methods for initial diagnosis
   3. Increasing knowledge relating to etiology and pathologic processes

Section III: Conclusion

Provide a concluding summary of your findings regarding your selected disorder. The conclusion is a summarization of information that has already been presented.  Typically, if you mention something in the conclusion section of an academic paper, you should have already mentioned this aspect of the topic earlier in the paper.

Specific required components of the Conclusion section:

1. The conclusion reaffirms your initial thesis statement.
2. The conclusion may be one or more paragraphs. Use the material you have discussed in the paper to support the validity of your synthesis and elaborate on the theme of your paper.

Writing the Final Project

The Final Project:

1. Must be 10 to 12 double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
2. Must include a title page with the following:
   1. Title of paper
   2. Student’s name
   3. Course name and number
   4. Instructor’s name
   5. Date submitted
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 include section headings, formatted according to APA style, to organize your paper. Each paragraph must have a minimum of three full sentences.
6. Must include in-text citations for all statements of facts obtained through your research.
   1. Remember that direct quotes (identical phrases or sentences taken from a source) require in-text citations with appropriate formatting.
   2. Statements of opinion should be clearly stated as such, and include a rationale to support why you hold this opinion (e.g., personal or professional experience, your research findings).
7. Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis.
8. Must use at least six to eight scholarly sources that were published within the last five years, including a minimum of four peer-reviewed original research studies.
   1. In general, dictionaries and encyclopedias are not considered appropriate resources for academic writing.
9. Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
10. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center

    Schizophrenia is the choice I got

The Genesis Energy operations management team is now preparing to implement the operating expansion plan. Previously, the firm’s cash position did not pose a challenge. However, the planned foreign expansion requires Genesis Energy to have a reliable source of funds for both short-term and long-term needs.

One of Genesis Energy’s potential lenders tells the team that in order to be considered as a viable customer, Genesis Energy must prepare and submit a monthly cash budget for the current year and a quarterly budget for the subsequent year. The lender will review the cash budget and determine whether or not Genesis Energy can meet the loan repayment terms. Genesis Energy’s ability to repay the loan depends not only on sales and expenses but also on how quickly the company can collect payment from customers and how well it manages its supplier terms and other operating expenses. The Genesis Energy team members agreed that being fully prepared with factual data would allow them to maximize their position as well as negotiate favorable financing terms.

The Genesis Energy management team held a brainstorming session to chart a plan of action, which is detailed here.

• Evaluate historical data and prepare assumptions that will drive the planning process.
• Produce a detailed cash budget that summarizes cash inflow, outflow, and financing needs.
• Identify and compare interest rates, both short-term and long-term, using debt and equity.
• Analyze the financing mix (short/long) and the cost associated with the recommendation.

Since this expansion is critical to Genesis Energy expanding into new overseas markets, the operations management team has been asked to prepare an executive summary with supporting details for Genesis Energy’s senior executives.

Working over a weekend, the management team developed realistic assumptions to construct a working capital budget.

1. Sales: The marketing expert and the newly created customer service personnel developed sales projections based on historical data and forecast research
2. Other cash receipt: Rental income $15,000 per month
3. Production material: The production manager forecasted material cost based on cost quotes from reliable vendors, the average of which is 50 percent of sales
4. Other production cost: Based on historical cost data, this cost on an average is 30 percent of the material cost and occurs in the month after material purchase
5. Selling and marketing expense: Five percent of sales
6. General and administrative expense: Twenty percent of sales
7. Interest payments: $75,000—Payable in December
8. Tax payments: $15,000—Quarterly due on 15th of April, July, October, and January
9. Minimum cash balance desired: $25,000 per month
10. Cash balance start of month (December): $15,000
11. Available short-term annual interest rate is 8 percent, long-term debt rate is 9 percent, and long-term equity is 10 percent. All funds would be available the first month when the firm encounters a deficit
12. Dividend payment: None

Based on this information, do the following:

1. Using the Cash Budget spreadsheet, calculate detailed company cash budgets for the forthcoming and subsequent years. Summarize the sources and uses of cash, and identify the external financing needs for both the forthcoming and subsequent years.

   Download this Excel spreadsheet to view the company’s cash budget (this is the attached document titled m3_a2_cash budget). You will calculate the company’s monthly cash budget for the forthcoming year and quarterly budget for the subsequent year using this information.

2. In an executive-level report, summarize the company’s financing needs for the forecast period and provide your recommendations for financing the planned activities. Be sure to comment on the following:
   1. Your recommended financing solution and cost to the firm: If Genesis Energy needs operating cash, how should it fund this need? Are there internal policy changes with regard to collections or payables management you would recommend? What types of external financing are available?
   2. Your concerns associated with the firm’s cash budget. Is this a sign of weak sales performance or poor cost control? Why or why not?

Write a 7-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

**I have included 2 documents that have been provided by the instuctor to help with the calculations.  I have started but please double check what I have done (m2_a2_ cash budget)***

Assignment 1: Multi-Touch Screens vs. Mouse-Driven Screens
Due Week 3 and worth 180 points

The following resources may be helpful when completing this assignment.
• Dearden, A. (2008). User-Centered Design Considered Harmful
• Norman, D. (2007–2010). Activity-centered design: Why I like my Harmony remote control
Computer applications that run on desktop and laptop computers have, for a long time, been designed to be driven by dragging and clicking a mouse. With the introduction of tablet personal computers, the trend has shifted toward using touch-based screens. We now have access to touch-based TVs, touch-based monitors, touch-based laptops and touch-based tablets. Touch and multi-touch devices provide end users with the ability to interact physically with an application much more naturally.

Imagine that you are the Information Technology Director of a major chain restaurant, and you have been assigned to design a menu ordering application that can run on all devices. Examine whether using a touch-screen monitor, a tablet, or using a mouse to select menu items to place an order would be most efficient. Speculate how employees would interact with these devices and the type of emotional reaction that customers and employees will experience while placing a beverage, appetizer or entrée order.

Write a four to five (4-5) page paper in which you:
1. Differentiate between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them.
2. Determine the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant.
3. Describe the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen.
4. Determine one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Provide a rationale for your response.
5. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. You may use the resources above or others of your choosing.
6. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
a. Typed, double-spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. 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 is not included in the required assignment page length.
c. 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:
• Describe the relationship between the cognitive principles and their application to interfaces and products.
• Explain the conceptual terms for analyzing human interaction with affordance, conceptual models, and feedback.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in human-computer interaction.
• Write clearly and concisely about human-computer interaction topics using proper writing mechanics and technical style conventions
Points: 180 Assignment 1: Multi-Touch Screens vs. Mouse-Driven Screens
Criteria Unacceptable
Below 70% F Fair
70-79% C Proficient
80-89% B Exemplary
90-100% A
1. Differentiate between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them.

Weight: 20% Did not submit or incompletely differentiated between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them. Partially differentiated between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them. Satisfactorily differentiated between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them. Thoroughly differentiated between the interaction types and styles that apply to multi-touch screens and applications running on them.
2. Determine the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant.

Weight: 20% Did not submit or incompletely determined the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant. Partially determined the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant. Satisfactorily determined the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant. Thoroughly determined the conceptual model that you would use when designing a product for your restaurant.
3. Describe the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen.

Weight: 20% Did not submit or incompletely described the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen. Partially described the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen. Satisfactorily described the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen. Thoroughly described the key analogies and concepts these monitors expose to users, including the task-domain objects users manipulate on the screen.
4. Determine one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Provide a rationale for your response.

Weight: 20% Did not submit or incompletely determined one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Did not submit or incompletely provided a rationale for your response. Partially determined one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Partially provided a rationale for your response. Satisfactorily determined one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Satisfactorily provided a rationale for your response. Thoroughly determined one (1) utility / tool in an application for touch-based and mouse-drive screens that should be designed with memory retention / recall. Thoroughly provided a rationale for your response.
5. Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as quality resources. You may use the resources above or others of your choosing.

Weight: 10% No references provided. Does not meet the required number of references; some or all references poor quality choices. Meets number of required references; all references high quality choices. Exceeds number of required references; all references high quality choices.
6. Clarity, writing mechanics, and formatting requirements

Weight: 10% More than 6 errors present 5-6 errors present 3-4 errors present 0-2 errors present

Requirement for this paper:

Assignment 2: LASA 1: Legal and Ethical Leadership and Management

Mathis, Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of women’s clothing and specializes in high-end women’s winter fashions. Normandale, a retailer, sells high-end products in malls throughout the country. With Mathis’s high costs, Normandale is unable to make a profit from the sale of Mathis’s products.

Countess Lori-Ann (CLA) is a Mathis competitor. Normandale sends photographs and samples of the Mathis line to CLA and instructs them to make an identical line at a lower price. Mathis labels are easily discernable in the photographs and the samples have the Mathis label attached. CLA copies the Mathis line for Normandale.

CLA sells the clothing to Normandale at a low price allowing Normandale to sell the products for a total gross profit of nearly $3 million, an increase of nearly 50% over its sale of Mathis products. Mathis discovers that Normandale is selling counterfeit products, and sends several cease-and-desist letters to them—to no avail. Mathis then sues Normandale alleging Normandale has engaged in illegal conduct. Normandale counters that it did nothing wrong.

Research business law in regard to protection of intellectual property using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Based on the facts of the case and research, write an analytical paper. In the paper, respond to the following questions:

• Was it ethical for Normandale to sell the alleged knock-off products at a lower price? Explain.
• What federal or state laws protect owners of intellectual property?  How do they apply here? Explain.
• What damages, if any, has Mathis suffered because of Normandale’s conduct? Explain.
• What are the differing views on the social responsibility of corporations like Normandale?
• What ethical code could Normandale implement to prevent similar incidents in the future?
• Do the owners of Normandale have personal liability to Mathis for damages?  Explain.
• Do the owners of Normandale have personal criminal liability for their conduct and that of the business?  Explain.

Write a five-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards for writing style to your work.

Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M3_A2.doc. For example, if your name is John Smith, your document will be named SmithJ_M3_A2.doc.

By Wednesday, January 27, 2016, deliver your assignment to the M3: Assignment 2 Dropbox

Marwan has worked at Studio Five Theme Park as a character actor portraying a swash-buckling pirate. He does not have an employment contract.  He loves his job because of his seniority with the company and all the attention he receives from the guests in the park. Unknown to anyone, his prosthetic leg has no noticeable impact on Marwan’s success in this position.

Marwan has become an accomplished flirt with all this attention, and now goes to the extent of placing his hands on the female guests’ behinds when posing for pictures. The women he has encountered so far have not complained, didn’t seem to mind, or they were taken by such surprise they were not sure how to respond.

One day, Marwan grabbed the breast of one of his fellow female actors who had been recently hired. When she threatened to report him, Marwan told her that he could get her fired if she did not go on a date with him. The fellow employee reported the incident anyway and Marwan was terminated immediately. Marwan contends that he was terminated as a result of physical disability.

Directions:

Research employment law related to hiring/firing and discrimination, using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet. Based on the facts of the case and research, write an analytical paper. In the paper, respond to the following questions:

• What civil rights laws may prohibit Marwan’s conduct with his fellow co-worker? Do those laws apply to his conduct toward the park guest?  Explain both answers.
• Did Marwan commit sexual harassment? If so, what type? Explain your answers and the terms you use.
• What is the legal nature of Marwan’s employment?  Explain your answers and the terms you use.
• What actions and steps should Studio Five take against Marwan? Explain what actions you considered and why you either recommend them or reject them.
• Discuss Marwan’s allegation that he is being discriminated against based on his disability and what response Studio Five may have to that allegation. What would each of them have to prove in court?
• If the female employee sues Studio Five Theme Park, what defenses can Studio Five use?   Are they liable for Marwan’s conduct even if they were unaware of and did not approve of Marwan’s actions? Explain your answers and the terms you use.
• If Marwan was a member of a union that had a collective bargaining agreement with Studio Five, would that change any of your previous answers? If so, why?
• What types of company policies, procedures, and actions should businesses employ to avoid harassment of their employees?

Write a ten-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards for writing style to your work.

Submit your assignment to the M5: Assignment 1 Dropbox by Monday, February 8, 2016.

Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.

Cost and Decision-Making Analysis

Cheryl Montoya picked up the phone and called her boss, Wes Chan, Vice President of Marketing at Piedmont Fasteners Corporation.

Cheryl: “Wes, I’m not sure how to go about answering the questions that came up at the meeting with the President yesterday.” Wes: “What’s the problem?”. Cheryl: “The president wanted to know the break-even point for each of the company’s products, but I am having trouble figuring them out.” Wes: “I’m sure you can handle it, Cheryl. And, by the way, I need your analysis on my desk tomorrow morning at 8:00 sharp in time for the follow-up meeting at 9:00.”

Piedmont Fasteners Corporation makes three different clothing fasteners at its manufacturing facility in North Carolina. Data concerning these products appear below:

Total fixed expenses are $400,000 per year.

All three products are sold in highly competitive markets, so the company is unable to raise its prices without losing unacceptably large numbers of customers.

The company has a very effective lean production system, so there is no beginning or ending work in process or finished-goods inventories.

Using the module readings, the University online library resources, and the Internet, research break-even point and costing systems. Analyze the case based on your research and what you have learned so far in the course.

Respond to the following:

• Calculate the company’s overall break-even point in total sales dollars. Explain your methodology (approximately 2 pages).
• Of the total fixed costs of $400,000: $20,000 could be avoided if the Velcro product were dropped, $80,000 if the Metal product were dropped, and $60,000 if the Nylon product were dropped. The remaining fixed costs of $240,000 consist of common fixed costs such as administrative salaries and rent on the factory building that could be avoided only by going out of business entirely (approximately 2 pages):
  • Calculate the break-even point in units for each product. Explain your methodology.
  • Determine the overall profit of the company if the company sells exactly the break-even quantity of each product. Present your results.
• Evaluate costing systems for this company. Explain if this company should be using a job-order or process-costing system to accumulate costs (1 page).

Be sure to include your calculations in Microsoft Excel format.

Write a 5–6-page report in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources.

INSTRUCTIONS

ONLY ONE SOURCE – BOOK IN LINK BELOW

Book “Policy Analysis in National Security Affairs New Methods for a New Era” by Richard L. Kugler
http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a509588.pdf
Short essay – 250 words – APA style
Topic:
Discuss the key points of the strategic evaluation model described by Kugler in the reading this week.
This is the link for the book to use in your citation.

• Based upon the emergency management concept of incident management that includes the phases of preparedness and mitigation, response, and recovery, identify the actions that will need to be taken in each phase as they relate to Hurricanes in Miami, Florida.
  • Identify the major challenges that Miami and responders will encounter when responding to Hurricanes.
  • What solutions exist (e.g., mutual aid, contract services) to overcome challenges from a hurricane? Explain in detail.
  • What should be the short- and long-term recovery goals of Miami following the occurrence of a hurricane?
• Be sure to reference all sources using APA style.

Individual Portion

• Develop a PowerPoint presentation of 6–7 slides that provides details about your plan.
• Include speaker notes of 200–300 words that will be used when presenting the plan to your superiors.