...Tyler Reames October 14, 2013 American Greetings Executive Summary – FIN 3717 Executive Summary American Greetings is the second largest greeting card publisher in the U.S., behind Hallmark. The company is involved in retail and online sales. Hallmark is the main competition for American Greetings. In recent years, social media has caused a decline in the greeting card industry. Both American Greetings and Hallmark have begun creating electronic cards to take advantage of the digital revolution. Problem By the end of 2012, American Greetings was at the bottom of its peer group, with a low EV-EBITDA multiple, market-to-book below 1, a 6x PE ratio, and a share price of $12.51 that had dropped significantly in the months prior. American Greetings has historically used a share repurchase strategy in times of low equity. This is a good defense if the stock price is down temporarily, but the low valuation could also be a sign of larger trouble where it would be wise to preserve cash. Both S&P and Value Line anticipated modest growth for American Greetings in the coming years. Analysis We conducted an analysis for 2012 through 2015 to determine the value of the company. Our analysis began with calculating the operating cash flows (OCF = operating income * (1 – 0.4) - ∆NWC): Operating Cash Flow (millions) 2011 118 2012 83 2013 86 2014 88 2015 91 Operating Cash Flow (millions) 2011 118 2012 83 2013 86 2014 88 2015...
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...Dependency and Americans SOC 120 The first Industrial Revolution began in the late 18th century; it began in the United Kingdom, and eventually spread through Europe and into the United States. It was never imagined that it could cause issues. The Industrial Revolution gave us the ability to change agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, technology, mining and how they were taken care of. When we replaced organic fuels, to the use of fossil fuels in the second Industrial Revolution, no one could have ever guessed the effects it would have on us in the future. What was left unknown was that the continual use of fossil fuels would cause danger to nature, wildlife, and the environment that we live in. What was also not thought about was what happens if we run out of these fuels? At this time a plan should be advised that will keep our engines going and other power working for our future. A little information about fossil fuels is that they are a non-renewable resource that can take millions of years to form. Currently what is happening is the assets are being used faster than expected and we are unable to produce new fuel fast enough. The fossil fuels that we depend on the most include; coal, natural gas, and petroleum. Throughout this paper we are going to discuss how our society would benefit from moving away from fossil fuels into cleaner resource energies which are beneficial to our earth, and our being. “Our food industry is a major factor into the usage of fossil...
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...FIVE META-TRENDS THAT ARE CHANGING OUR WORLD* explored by David Pearce Snyder Consulting Futurist INTRODUCTION Last year, I received an e-mail from a long-time Australian client, requesting “five meta-trends that will have the largest impact on global human psychology.” The wording of the brief request gave the impression that they were ordering five off-the-shelf commodities which we could pull from stock and ship in seven days. Moreover, the term “meta-trend,” while increasingly in common use, lacks specificity as a contract deliverable. I asked them to describe what they meant by “meta-trend.” The client, The Meikle Files (www.meiklefiles.com.au), provides leadership development and career coaching for executives of multi-national firms. They replied that they were looking for “future trends that would most powerfully affect human consciousness and behavior around the world.” The Greek root “meta” clearly denotes a transformational or transcendent phenomenon, not simply a big, pervasive one. A Google search on “meta-trend” turned up a rich diversity of uses, almost all of which clearly involve convergent or catalytic change, as opposed to linear or sequential change. “The Oxford English Dictionary and Google,” I wrote back to the client, “agree that ‘meta-trend’ would most appropriately be defined as an evolutionary, system-wide development arising from the simultaneous occurrence of a number of individual demographic, economic and technologic trends.” “Each of your...
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...The E-Myth Revisited – Michael E. Gerber Book Summary Summary Introduction This document summarizes The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber. The intent is to distill the major concepts from the book in note form for efficient perusal. Because only the main points of the book have been summarized here, reading the book in its entirety is highly recommended to get the full impact of the message Gerber conveys, as well as the dialogue in the book with one of his clients, Sarah, which provides additional insight on the concepts presented in the book. The ideas and text presented here are copyrighted works by Michael E. Gerber. Some of the text has been summarized for clarity and brevity. The E-Myth Revisited People who are exceptionally good in business aren’t so because of what they know but because of their insatiable need to know more. Businesses fail when their owners spend their time and energy defending what they think they know. A business doesn’t miss the mark by failing to achieve greatness in some lofty, principled way, but in the stuff that goes on in the multitude of seemingly insignificant, unimportant, and boring things that make up every business (and life as well). The greatest business people have a genuine fascination for the truly astonishing impact little things done exactly right can have on the world. The book is about four profound ideas that can mean the difference between the success and failure of a small business: 1. There is a myth...
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...Apple: Stock Research Analysis Apple (AAPL) is one of the most high profile stocks in the world. Regarding its valuation, people are often confused by its high price. Even though the price is high, Apple's valuation is significantly lower than its historical earnings growth rate and, more importantly, its forecast growth. Consequently, we believe that this high-profile growth stock that has recently began paying a dividend is undervalued at these levels. About Apple, taken directly from its website: Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App Store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad. Earnings Determine Market Price The following earnings and price correlated FAST Graphs™ clearly illustrates the importance of earnings. The Earnings Growth Rate Line or True Worth™ Line (orange line with white triangles) is correlated with the historical stock price line. On graph after graph, the lines will move in tandem. If the stock price strays away from the earnings line (over or under), inevitably it will come back to earnings. Earnings and Price Correlated Fundamentals at a Glance A quick glance at the historical earnings and price correlated FAST Graphs™ on Apple shows a slight picture of undervaluation...
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...during the battle are listed within the writing. It reveals the issue between the force stationed at the Alamo and their superior, General Sam Houston. The defenders at the Alamo didn’t receive support that was needed in order to provide intelligence of the Mexican force that was on its way. On the other hand, they didn’t listen to the order to vacate the fort. These are a couple of the major problems that took place before and during the battle. Although the battle was essential to inspiring the rest of the Texan forces, it leads me to believe that this important conflict could have turned out differently. The Battle of the Alamo The Battle of the Alamo is the most famous battle of the Texas revolution that took place in the early 1800s. “For many Americans and most Texans, the battle has become a symbol of patriotic sacrifice” (Hardin, 2010). Even though the Texans lost the battle, it contributed to the successful war for independence against Mexico. There were, at least, two decisions that may have altered the consequence of the Battle of the Alamo if more cautiously considered. The defenders at the Alamo didn’t receive support that was needed in order to defend the garrison against the Mexican force that was on its way. On the other hand, they didn’t listen to the order to vacate the fort. If the commanders at the Alamo had utilized scouts or spies appropriately and communicated the intelligence gathered better, then it could have benefited pleads for support. A battle analysis...
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...societies and conspiratorial movements desired absolute rule of the world, the overthrow of all existing governments, and the final destruction of all religion. It is possible to trace the origins and developments of these many movements, such as the early anti-Christian mysticism of the Gnostics; the conspiracy against orthodox Islam and for world power that was founded by Hasan Saba in Persia in 1090 A.D. as the Order of the Assassins; the Catholic Order of the Knights Templar, whose heretical leaders imitated the Assassins' system for the destruction of Christianity. During the thirteenth through seventeenth centuries such groups as the Luciferians, Rosicrucians, Levellers, and many others continued the war against Christianity that had begun in Europe with the Templars. It is even possible to establish that some of these...
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...institutions, and systems which our culture has evolved during the two centuries since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution are everywhere reaching and exceeding the limits of their usefulness to humanity as a whole, and, in many cases, have actually become detrimental to the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants. They are increasingly recognized as being unsustainable over the long term. Yet, as the oft-cited Chinese proverb points out, every time of crisis is equally a time of opportunity. The challenge before us is nothing less than the complete redesign of virtually all human systems, such that they are transformed from their present unsustainable forms into ones which instead reflect and maintain the sanctity of life and the dignity of all beings. Although this will be an arduous process extending over many generations, the end goal, the vision of the future world which we have to inspire us and lead us forward, is one in which many of the highest aspirations of the great sages of the past are finally fulfilled: a world characterized by peace, equality, freedom of individual expression, and harmony between human society and the natural world. Our task is to begin the process of bringing this vision into being by clearly acknowledging and working with the situation which this particular historical moment presents us with, regardless of how unpleasant, discouraging, or frightening it seems to be. Probably the most outstanding characteristic of our times is the extent to which...
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...widely used by the English novelist, the dramatists, by the French writers, by the Russian writers and others. Jonathan Swift was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 30, 1667. He studied theology at Trinity College at the age of fourteen and graduated in 1688. He became the secretary of Sir William Temple, an English politician and member of the Whig party, at the age of 21. At Moor Park, Sir William’s estate, Swift made friend with Hester Johnson, the daughter of one of Temple’s servants. His letters to her, written in 1710 – 1713, were later published in the form of a book under the title of Journal to Stella, the name he poetically called Hester. In 1692, Swift took his Master of Arts Degree at Oxford University. In 1694, he had begun to write satires on the political and religious corruption surrounding him, working on A Tale of a Tub, which supports the position of the Anglican Church against its critics on the left and the right, and The Battle of the Books, which argues for the supremacy of the classics against modern thought and literature. He also wrote a number of political pamphlets in favor of the Whig party. In 1709 he went to London and edited their paper The Examiner. During his brief time in England, Swift had become friends with writers such as...
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...Book Report for Sr. MOT Race Against The Machine Author: Erik Brynjolfsson & Andrew McAfee Executive Summary “Race Against the Machine”, is an agglomeration of the mercurial amelioration in technology in the past decade. How this perturbs the inception of new jobs? Why it impinges the need for human labor? And proposition to sustain the race “with” the machines. Key Takeaways * How Technology and Innovation have affected Employment and the Economy * Impact of contemporary technology on wages, employment and economy * The receding need for human work force as technology exceeds its threshold * Divergence between skills of labor, superstars, capital and labor. * How to change track from racing against the machine, than to race with the machines Key Definitions * Complimentary Innovation: Innovations that are triggered with the development of antecedent innovations. * Skilled Based Innovation Change (SBTC): shift in the production technology that favors skilled over unskilled labor by increasing its relative productivity and, therefore, its relative demand. (Easley, 2008) * Customer Relationship Management (CRM): is a widely implemented model for managing a company’s integration with customers, clients, and sales Prospects. (Wikipedia , 2012) * General Purpose Technology (GPT): Are technologies are that can affect an entire economy, at a national or global level. (Wikipedia, 2012) * Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP): systems...
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...thanks to “ALLAH” Almighty, the one testing us all at all times and making decisions about what we don’t know and can’t know. The report being submitted today is a result of collective effort. There are innumerous helping hands behind who have guided us on our way. Writing this report appeared to be a great experience to us. It added a lot to our knowledge. This report is one of our memorable experiences in student life. Though words are inadequate in offering thanks to our teacher but we owe our profound gratitude to Ma’am Mehwish Shahid for stimulating our creative abilities by assigning this project to us and for her able guidance and useful suggestions, which helped us in completing the project in time. Whatever we have learnt from her and this project report has put indelible impression on our minds and it is our conviction that this learning experience will always be a source of help in our practical life and professional career. Finally, yet importantly, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our beloved parents, for cooperation, help, kindness and blessings, our family and friends for their help and wishes for the successful completion of the work. Table of Contents 1. Executive summary…………………………………………………….. 1 2. Introduction…………………………………………………………….. 2 3. APPLE Inc………………………………………………………………3 4. Vision Statemen………………………………………………………... 4 5. Mission Statement……………………………………………………… 4 6....
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...future, therefore, are of global concern (Powell). North Korea is "a Stalinist monarchy" where bloodlines, and only bloodlines, determine who the next dictator will be--no matter how young or inexperienced that person may be, notes South Korean scholar Cheong Seong-chang (Ahn). Nearly 30,000 U.S. troops sit across the border, helping defend South Korea against the 1.2 million-member army, most of it which exists within 30 miles of the demilitarized zone. Over the past decade, despite crippling economic sanctions imposed by most of the outside world, North Korea has defiantly developed and tested nuclear weapons and the long-range missiles needed to deliver them (Ahn). Western intelligence agencies make an educated guess that Pyongyang is holding 8 to 12 nuclear weapons. The hard truth is that North Korea is Asia's last remaining Cold War trip wire (Ahn). This is the country now ostensibly helmed by young Kim Jong Un, just 29 by most accounts, the grandson of Kim Il Sung, the founder of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the creator of its core ideology: juche, or self-reliance (Powell). In Korean, Kim Il Sung was called Suryong (Great Leader), an almost godlike form. When he died...
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...(2009)Fort Hood shootings (2009)Ethics, Journalism and Social Media The Future of Journalism: Social Media‟s Continuing Effects on News CONCLUSIONS 20 WORKS CITED 22 APPENDIX 26 Interview Transcript ABSTRACT The purpose of this senior capstone research project is to report on how the social mediarevolution has changed and will continue to change journalism. By examining news and broadcastorganizations, a researcher can obtain a clear view into how the so-called social media revolution came about and what‟s in store for the journalism‟s future. This report focuses on one central, simple question: What impact has social media had on journalism, and how will this impact affect the future of news andinformation? Anyone in communications knows how quickly the field is changing. As more people becomeinvolved with social media, journalists and media professionals need to understand not only what socialnetworking Web sites are, but also how news audiences use them to obtain information fromorganizations and from friends, how these organizations can —and should— leverage these sites and,finally, what the news media will probably look like in the future once it has fully grasped the somewhatfreshly concocted concept of social media.In short, through this report, one will see and understand how social media is shifting journalismand news organizations from one-way communication outlets to two-way community-centricorganizations that can engage their...
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...Another company demonstrating excellent social responsibility is TOMS. It is the belief of TOMS that they can improve people’s lives through business. They strive to operate with ethical responsibility. “One for One,” the famous slogan from TOMS Shoes, promises a new pair of shoes to a child in need for each pair purchased. The movement was started in 2006, after owner Blake Mycoskie visited Argentina and found the kids had no shoes to protect their feet. His program both helps combat the risk of soil-transmitted diseases that penetrate the skin through bare feet and send children to school. TOMS now partners with humanitarian and health organizations around the world that help ensure children received these shoes years to come not just Argentina...
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...Hydraulic Fracturing, Shale Plays and Natural Gas Executive Summary U. S. Steel Tubular Products has been serving the energy industry since 1901 as North America’s largest fully-integrated tubular products manufacturer. Today, we manufacture more than 1,500 different types of steel and have an annual tubular products capacity of 2.8 million net tons. Dedicated to fostering energy-independence in North America, U. S. Steel is proud to offer an array of products and services that are developed, tested, and produced in the United States. U. S. Steel has full control over every step of the pipe manufacturing process, from melt to final product. U. S. Steel is continually making strides to serve the energy industry and promote the development of clean, abundant energy sources with high-quality, high-strength tubular products, including standard and line pipe products and oil country tubular goods and services. (About U. S. Steel Tubular Products, 2015) The past century has been a whipsaw for U.S. energy policy. Fifty years ago, the country was a confident exporter of petroleum. By the early 1970s, it suddenly had become dependent on oil imports and suffered at the hands of its suppliers. Ever since, U.S. energy policy had been a balancing act between reducing oil consumption, cultivating friendly oil-exporting nations, and developing substitutes for petroleum. Indeed, the last time liquefied natural gas received interest in Washington, it was as a means to import gas as...
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