Category: Essays

The aim of this assignment is to expose learners to the information offered by the Canadian Centre for Inter-Cultural Learning and apply this information to the ideas of Fons Trompenaars.
Instructor Comments

When completing these assignments do consider that Kwintessential.com and the Centre for Inter-Cultural Learning websites offer fairly comprehensive insight into national cultures. Based on these insights consider the similarities and difference between Holland and France and then think about Malaysia and Pakistan. The dominant religion in both of these latter two countries in Islam. Despite being separated geographically by thousands of miles, do the cultures of these two countries appear more similar then France and Holland, two countries that share a border?

Although the role of religion has not been the focus of this course, it is important. At this point, you will be completing your seventh assignment. Think back on the countries whose cultures you have studied. Aside from the ideas of Trompenaars and Hofstede, is there another important dimension at play? Could it be the role of the dominant religion of the country? In your mind is there a connection? Although not the subject of this or the following assignments, it is worth considering.
Assignment

This assignment seeks to help you understand the answer to a broader concern and that is, “How might the ideas of Fons Trompenaars be applied in real life?” You should base your responses to the following questions on the country cultural descriptions found on the website of the Canadian Centre for Inter Cultural Learning and the National Cultural Profiles found on the Telegraph.co.uk website.

In order to complete the assignment, please recall that Trompenaars defines a national culture in terms of seven dimensions: achievement vs. ascription, individualism vs. collectivism, internal vs. external, neutral vs. emotional, specific vs. diffuse, time orientation, and universalism vs. particularism.

Please base your responses to the following questions on your analysis of the article and the series of websites noted below.

Fons Trompenaars Trade Culture Dimensions.

http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/seven-dimensions.htm

Fons Trompenaars and Peter Wooliams: A new framework for managing change across cultures, Journal of Change Management 2003 3(4) 361 – 375

Country Insights found on Center for Inter-Cultural Learning website.

http://www.intercultures.ca/cil-cai/countryinsights-apercuspays-eng.asp

Country Etiquette Guides found on Kwintessential’s website.

http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/country-profiles.html and http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/etiquette/doing-business-in.html

Please complete the following exercises:

To the best of your ability please briefly describe the national culture of Singapore using Trompenaars seven cultural dimensions.

To the best of your ability please briefly describe the national culture of Sweden using Trompenaars seven cultural dimensions.

To the best of your ability please briefly describe the national culture of Egypt using Trompenaars seven cultural dimensions.

To the best of your ability please briefly describe the national culture of India using Trompenaars seven cultural dimensions.

Hint: Please look carefully at the descriptions of the inter-cultural issues and the thinking patterns. This should help the matching exercise.

Please limit your response to this assignment to three single spaced, typed pages. Please cite your sources in the text and please reference them at the end of your assignment. Please end your write-up with one paragraph that summarizes what you think is the importance of this assignmen

Module 6 – The Ideas of Geert Hofstede: Similar Countries & Online Information Sources ObjectivesInstructor CommentsAssignmentObjectives The aim of this assignment is to expose learners to the information offered by the Canadian Centre for Cross Cultural Effectiveness and apply this information to the ideas of Geert Hofstede.

Instructor Comments When completing these exercises one might also want to think about the real life applications of Hofstede’s dimensions and national culture characteristics. In other words show how can they be used in practice.

Bing (2004) suggests a strong role in the area of training and company orientation initiatives. For example, when orienting new employees, they can be offered an overview of cultural differences and how they may influence communications and other transactions between various parts of a company. In regards to multicultural workplaces, models can be provided and examples offered of the specific influence of culture on transactions within multicultural work environments. Employees who are relocating internationally can be offered an understanding of their own cultural preferences and those of the country of assignment. Finally, nuanced global business practices can be developed such as communication protocols for working across countries.

Assignment This assignment seeks to help you understand the answer to a broader concern and that is, “How might the ideas of Geert Hofstede be applied in real life?” You should base your responses to the following questions on the country cultural descriptions found on the Website of the Canadian Centre for Inter Cultural Learning.

In order to complete the assignment, please access the CCICL website http://www.intercultures.ca/. On the country Insights page, please use the Country List scroll bar and choose a country. For this assignment please choose four countries for comparative purposes. Once a specific country is chosen, please use the Country Insight scroll bar and choose ‘culture’. Please recall that the issues covered include making a good impression, dress, punctuality and formality, preferred managerial qualities, religion, class ethnicity and gender, relationship building, recommended books, films and foods, conflicts in the workplace, motivating local colleagues, in-country activities, national heroes, shared historical events, and stereotypes.

Please answer the following questions. Which inter-cultural issues noted in the Country Insights database help to explain differences (if any) in Power Distance among the four countries? What are some of the differences?

Which inter-cultural issues noted in the Country Insights database help to explain differences (if any) in Individualism among the four countries? What are some of the differences?

Which inter-cultural issues noted in the Country Insights database help to explain differences (if any) in Masculinity/Femininity among the four countries? What are some of the differences?

Which inter-cultural issues noted in the Country Insights database help to explain differences (if any) in Uncertainty Avoidance among the four countries? What are some of the differences?

Which inter-cultural issues noted in the Country Insights database help to explain differences (if any) in Temporal Orientation among the four countries? What are some of the differences?

Hint: Please look carefully at the descriptions of the inter-cultural issues and the cultural dimensions. This should help the matching exercise.

Please limit your response to this assignment to three single spaced, typed pages. Please cite your sources in the text and please reference them at the end of your assignment. Please end your write-up with one paragraph that summarizes what you think is the importance of this assignment.

. Go to the Federal Reserve Web site, http://www.federalreserve.gov. Go to “Economic Research and Data,” and access “Recent Statistical Releases” and the “Consumer Credit.” Find average interest rates charged by commercial banks on new automobile loans, personal loans, and credit card plans.

a.Compare the average level of interest rates among the three types of loans.

b.Access “Historical Data” and then “Consumer Credit,” and compare trends in the cost of consumer credit provided by commercial banks over the past three years.

2. Find the future value of $10,000 invested now after five years if the annual interest rate is 8 percent.

a.What would be the future value if the interest rate is a simple interest rate?

b.What would be the future value if the interest rate is a compound interest rate?

3. Determine the future values if $5,000 is invested in each of the following situations:

a.5 percent for ten years b.7 percent for seven years c.9 percent for four years

4. You are planning to invest $2,500 today for three years at a nominal interest rate of 9 percent with annual compounding.

a.What would be the future value of your investment?

b.Now assume that inflation is expected to be 3 percent per year over the same three-year period. What would be the investment’s future value in terms of purchasing power?

c.What would be the investment’s future value in terms of purchasing power if inflation occurs at a 9 percent annual rate?

5. Find the present value of $7,000 to be received one year from now assuming a 3 percent annual discount interest rate. Also calculate the present value if the $7,000 is received after two years.

6. Determine the present values if $5,000 is received in the future (i.e., at the end of each indicated time period) in each of the follow- ing situations:

a.5 percent for ten years b.7 percent for seven years c.9 percent for four years

7. Determine the present value if $15,000 is to be received at the end of eight years and the discount rate is 9 percent. How would your answer change if you had to wait six years to receive the $15,000?

8. Use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following questions:

a.What would be the future value of $15,555 invested now if it earns interest at 14.5 percent for seven years?

b.What would be the future value of $19,378 invested now if the money remains deposited for eight years and the annual interest rate is 18 percent?

9. Use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following questions:

a.What is the present value of $359,000 that is to be received at the end of twenty-three years if the discount rate is 11 percent?

b.How would your answer change in (a) if the $359,000 is to be received at the end of twenty years?

10. Use a financial calculator or computer software program to answer the following questions.

a.What would be the future value of $19,378 invested now if the money remains deposited for eight years, the annual interest rate is 18 percent, and interest on the investment is compounded semiannually?

b. How would your answer for (a) change if quarterly compounding were used?

Mat 540 assignment

It will be a problem with at least three (3) constraints and at least two (2) decision variables. The problem will be bounded and feasible. It will also have a single optimum solution (in other words, it won’t have alternate optimal solutions). The problem will also include a component that involves sensitivity analysis and the use of the shadow price.

You will be turning in two (2) deliverables, a short writeup of the project and the spreadsheet showing your work.

Writeup.

Your writeup should introduce your solution to the project by describing the problem. Correctly identify what type of problem this is. For example, you should note if the problem is a maximization or minimization problem, as well as identify the resources that constrain the solution. Identify each variable and explain the criteria involved in setting up the model. This should be encapsulated in one (1) or two (2) succinct paragraphs.

After the introductory paragraph, write out the L.P. model for the problem. Include the objective function and all constraints, including any non-negativity constraints. Then, you should present the optimal solution, based on your work in Excel. Explain what the results mean.

Finally, write a paragraph addressing the part of the problem pertaining to sensitivity analysis and shadow price.

Excel.

As previously noted, please set up your problem in Excel and find the solution using Solver. Clearly label the cells in your spreadsheet. You will turn in the entire spreadsheet, showing the setup of the model, and the results

Instructors, training on how to grade is within the Instructor Center.

Assignment 3 Part 2: Business Plan – Draft

Due Week 8 and worth 30 points

This assignment consists of two (2) sections: a draft of your business plan and an income statement containing your business plan financials (i.e. Week 7 Discussion “The Financials”). Note: You must submit both sections as separate files for the completion of this assignment.

You must intend to raise money for your startup company. You can start with money from friends and family but at some point you will need funds from outside investors, either angels or venture capitalists, depending on how much money you project you will need to raise. Another possible angle is to develop money through crowdfunding, assuming your product meets the demand of such audiences.

Before you can raise money, you must develop a business plan that convinces an investor that your company will succeed.

Section 1: Business Plan (MS Word or equivalent)

Read Chapters 18 and 19 of the course text: Successful Business Plan. Use the Plan Preparation Forms at the end of each chapter of Successful Business Plan as a rough guide.

Write an approximately fifteen to twenty (15-20) page draft of your business plan in which you:

Revise the components of the following previously submitted sections based on the feedback you have received.
Company Description (Assignment 1)
Industry Analysis and Trends (Assignment 1)
Strategic Position & Risk Assessment (Assignment 1)
Target Market (Assignment 2)
Competition (Assignment 2)
Marketing Plan & Sales Strategy (Assignment 2)

Create an Ethics & Social Responsibility Plan.

Note: The Ethics & Social Responsibility plan should account for approximately three to five (3-5) pages of the Business Plan Draft.

Describe the ways in which your company is committed to being a good corporate citizen.
Hints: Consider the following areas:
Creating jobs
Following the laws of every jurisdiction in which your company operates
Fair and honest treatment of employees
Non-discrimination of employees and increasing diversity of your work force
Hints: If your company is designed as a social venture—in which you have a primary purpose of achieving a social or environmental goal—describe what that goal is and what aspects of your company are designed to reach that goal. Provide a rationale for why you have or why you have not chosen this to be a social venture.

Discuss how your company’s activities will affect the environment and identify the steps you will take to mitigate any negative impacts.
Hints: As a beverage company, consider such issues as your choice of packaging, disposal of bottles / packages by consumers, and your use of resources, such as water in areas where water may be scarce.

Determine any health issues / claims related to the product you are making, whether negative or positive. Suggest the strategy your company will use to mitigate any negative issues, and to ensure any positive claims are true.

Many beverage products have negative health impacts on certain segments of a population (e.g., children, pregnant mothers, etc.). Suggest your company’s plan, through advertising, distribution, and / or other methods, to target and reach only appropriate market segments.

Format your assignment according to these formatting requirements:
Cite the resources you have used to complete the exercise. Note: There is no minimum requirement for the number of resources used in the exercise.
Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
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 and the reference page are not included in the required page length.

Section 2: Business Plan Financials (MS Excel worksheets template)

For year one, revise and submit the Income Statement, Cash Flow Projections, and Balance Sheet sections from the “Business Plan Financials” MS Excel template (see: Course Required Files in Week 1).

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Describe strategic planning techniques used to formulate alternative strategies designed to achieve stated business goals.
Create a plan to implement a firm’s strategy and manage the change from current operations.
Analyze strategies for exerting the internal leadership needed to drive the implementation of strategic initiatives and improve operating excellence.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in strategic management.
Write clearly and concisely about strategic management using proper writing mechanics

Your assignment is to write a research paper discussing the impact of newer larger aircraft on airport management. Questions that you should answer, but are not limited to include:

1. What are the effects on airport design and the frequency of airport pavement replacement and repairs?

2. What are the effects on taxiway and apron separations?

3. What are the effects on gate capacity and baggage handling operations? 4. What are the effects on aircraft servicing operations? If you have questions please ask.

Based on material covered in the class, the student should identify the problem/situation, provide a resolution/approach, give a rationale to your approach and expected outcome/conclusion. This project will be presented in APA format and the writing requirement described in the Policies section of this syllabus. The project is graded on contents, grammar, and format. Minimum word should be 2000 words with a minimum of 3-5 outside references. References should only be used to enhance your work not replace it.

Product Purchases and the Economy

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You’ve been debating on making a purchase for yourself. This is a product you’ve wanted for a while, but one that requires budgeting because you will be making monthly payments.

Select a product in which the demand for the product is clearly affected by the strength or weakness of the overall economy such as new homes, cars, appliances, smart phones, etc.

My choice to purchase is a new home

Write a 1,050- to 1,400-word paper in which you address the following:

Identify and define two economic indicators that reflect the strength of the economy (e.g. real GDP, unemployment rate, inflation rate, interest rate, housing starts, etc.).
With these economic indicators in mind, how has the economy affected the demand for and supply of your selected product over the last 2 years?
What was the impact on the supply of the product and the impact on the demand for the product?
Explain the impact on the price of the product and your decision on whether or not to buy the product.
Include responses to the following:
How might you apply what you learned about supply and demand to your work place or your understanding of the product you are considering purchasing?
How do the concepts of macroeconomics help you understand the factors that affect shifts in supply and demand on the price of the product?

Assignment 5: Creating Your Dream Job

Due Week 10 and worth 300 points

In this assignment, you get the chance to create your dream job and to build its compensation plan and appraisal performance.

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

Create a job description and specifications for your dream job.
Design a compensation and benefits package related to your dream job.
Rationalize your compensation and benefits package. Be sure to indicate the research and considerations that went into the design of the compensation and benefits package.
Imagine this is the only position of its kind in the organization. From this perspective, design a performance appraisal program to assess your job performance.
Rationalize your performance appraisal program. Be sure to indicate the research and considerations that went into the design of the performance appraisal program.
Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia and similar websites do not qualify as quality resources.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
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:

Discuss job analysis, job descriptions, and specifications.
Analyze various techniques, considerations, and designs of employee compensation programs.
Analyze various techniques, considerations, and designs of performance appraisal programs.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in human resource management.
Write clearly and concisely about human resource management using proper writing mechanics

Research on Julia Alvarez and answer the questions below. Based on your research on Julia Alvarez, what were her struggles and then talk about her journey to becoming a successful writer. Based on her book YO! what information can we get out of this novel that shows us her journey and struggles to become a successful writer?

In a few sentence write the thesis? highlight this

In a few sentence write the Introduction. Italic the introduction

In a few sentence write the outline, what your going to talk about and what will be included in the body paragraphs.

In a 6 page paper, write about Julia Alavrez journey on becoming a successful writer, her struggles, her family, being a minority, being a women, what were some of her challenges she faced being from the Dominican Republic, etc. Each BODY PARAGRAPH should talk about each struggles and have a good transition onto the next paragraph

Assignment 2: Evaluation of a Weight Loss Program

Many Americans believe that they are overweight, by a few pounds to a few hundred pounds. Because of this, weight loss systems are big business. For this assignment, you are to select a weight loss system and evaluate it in terms of the information about the physiology of ingestion behavior covered this module.

Find a website, a brochure, a popular article, or an advertisement about weight control that proposes a mechanism for loss of excess weight.
Document the key proposals in terms of the main claims for success of the program (e.g., restriction of fat and small portions).
Describe the reasons provided for the effectiveness of the program (e.g., a full stomach reduces hunger).
Discuss the physiological components involved in the weight loss program. Clearly express an understanding of the physiology of the process of hunger, satiation, eating, and drinking as relevant for the weight loss method being described (e.g., long periods between meals would be likely to reduce blood sugar levels).
Present a critique of the materials based on the module information on eating and weight regulation.
Evaluate the proposal and suggest whether you would try this weight loss system or recommend it to someone else. Explain why or why not.

For this assignment, you are required to cite, at a minimum, the online course and the textbook for the course. Additional sources are welcome. Scholarly sources are preferred and can be found in the Argosy University library located under the Academic Resources section of Course Home. For reputable web sources, look for .gov or  sites as opposed to .com sites. Do not use Wikipedia.

Your paper should be double-spaced, in 12 point Times New Roman font, and with normal 1-inch margins; written in APA style; and free of typographical and grammatical errors. It should include a title page and a reference page. The body of the paper should be between 3 and 4 pages. Save the paper as AU_PSY350_M4_A2_Last Name_First Initial.doc. Submit your response to the M4 Assignment 2 Dropbox by Wednesday, August 19, 2015.
Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Documented the key proposals in terms of the main claims for success of the program.
12
Discussed reasons provided for the effectiveness of the program.
12
Discussed the physiological components involved in the weight loss program.
20
Presented a critique of the materials based on information on eating and weight regulation.
20
Evaluated the proposal and provided reasons as to whether you would try this weight loss system or recommend it to someone else.
16
Wrote in a clear, concise, and organized manner; demonstrated ethical scholarship in accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation.