Learning Team Industry Averages and Financial Ratios Essay Example for Free

Learning Team Industry Averages and Financial Ratios Essay Watch the Industry Averages and Financial Ratios video and use the industry classification from the financial services website to locate the companys SIC code on the U.S. Department of Labors website. Find the industry ratios for the company using the Dun   Bradstreet ® Key Business Ratios link in the Week 2 Electronic Reserve Readings. If your companys SIC code does not appear in the dropdown menu, choose another company. Assume the inventory ratio is based on a traditional inventory system, but globalized markets and the supply chain make it critical to adopt lean principles to create a more efficient system. Calculate the 14 ratios (show your calculations) for the company using the two most recent annual financial statements found on the financial information website you used earlier. Be careful not to use quarterly information, and include ratios for both years. Note. You can access a downloadable Ratio Guide PDF by clicking the Help Guide link in the upper-right of the Dun Bradstreet ® Key Business Ratios window. Compare the ratios for the company you selected with the appropriate industry ratios including profitability, solvency, and efficiency ratios shown on the Dun Bradstreet ® report. Write a 350-word response about how the company you selected performed compared with the industry. Instructor Notes: Also upload the following: Formula and calculations of your companys financial ratios for most recent two years (Excel) Dun Bradstreet financial ratios for your companys SIC code (exported to Excel) (Please delete the text in yellow-highlight above) Industry Averages and Financial Ratios Paper The purpose of this analysis is for our team to analyze how Amazon.com Inc. performed compared with the industry based on financial ratios. In Attachment 1, our team provides the industry ratios for the company using the Dun Bradstreet Key Business Ratios. In Attachment 2, we provide the Balance Sheet and Income Statement information for the company’s most recent two years. In Attachment 3, our team calculates the company’s 14 financial ratios. In Attachment 4, we compare the financial ratios with appropriate industry ratios including profitability, solvency, and efficiency ratios. Analysis of Company’s Financial Ratios Compared to Industry’s Financial Ratios Xxxx Provide an analysis of the selected company’s 14 financial ratios compared to the industry’s financial ratios. Compare the most recent two years from DB industry average to the same two years from your calculated financial ratios. Use the â€Å"Median† from the DB industry average Remember to select financial ratios related to profitability, solvency, and  efficiency ratios. Note: the analysis includes interpreting the importance of the company’s vs. the industry’s financial ratios. 3 points out of 3 possible points (please do not delete these lines with point scoring) Conclusion References [Insert references here.] Attachment 1 Industry’s ratios from Dun Bradstreet ® Key Business Ratios Solvency Ratios Solvency ratios measure the financial soundness of a business and how well a company can satisfy its short- and long-term obligations. DB uses six key financial business ratios to measure a company’s solvency: †¢ Quick Ratio, also called â€Å"acid test† or â€Å"liquid† ratio, considers only cash, marketable securities and accounts receivable because they are considered to be the most liquids forms of current assets. A Quick Ratio less that 1.0 implies â€Å"dependency† on inventory and other current assets to liquidate short-term debt. Cash + Accounts Receivable à · Current Liabilities †¢ Current Ratio is a comparison of current assets to current liabilities, commonly used as a measure of short-run solvency, i.e., the immediate ability of a business to pay its current debts as they come due. Potential creditors use this ratio to measure a company’s liquidity or ability to pay off short-term debts. Current Assets à · Cur rent Liabilities †¢ Current Liabilities to Net Worth Ratio indicates the amount due creditors within a year as a percentage of the owners or stockholders investment. The smaller the net worth and the larger the liabilities, the less security for creditors. Normally a business starts to have trouble when this relationship exceeds 80%. Current Liabilities à · Net Worth †¢ Current Liabilities to Inventory Ratio shows, as a percentage, the reliance on available inventory for payment of debt (how much a company relies on funds from disposal of unsold inventories to meet its current debt). Current Liabilities à · Inventory †¢ Total Liabilities to New Worth Ratio shows how all of a company’s debt relates to the equity of the owners or stockholders.  The higher this ratio, the less protection there is for the creditors of the business. Total Liabilities à · Net Worth †¢ Fixed Assets to Newt Worth Ratio shows the percentage of assts centered in fixed assets compared to total equity. Generally the higher this percentage is over 75%, the more vulnerable a business becomes to unexpected hazards and climate changes. Fixed Assets à · Net Worth Efficiency Ratios Efficiency ratios measure the quality of a business’ receivables and how efficiently it uses and controls its assets, how effectively the firm is paying suppliers and whether the business is overtrading or undertrading on its equity. DB uses five key financial business ratios to measure a company’s efficiency: †¢ Collection Period Ratio is helpful in analyzing the collectability of accounts receivable or how fast a business can increase its cash supply. Accounts Receivable à · Sales x 365 Days †¢ Sales to Inventory Ratio provides a yardstick for comparing stock-to-sales ratios of a business with others in the same industry. A high ratio may indicate that sales are being lost because of low inventory and/or customers are buying elsewhere. A low ratio may indicate that inventories are obsolete or stagnant. Annual Net Sale à · Inventory †¢ Assets to Sales Ratio shows how efficiently a business is usingits assets to generate revenue. A high ratio may indicate the business is not aggressive or that its assts are not fully used. A low ratio may indicate a company is selling more than can safely fulfilled by its assets. Total Assets à · Net Sales †¢ Sales to Net Working Capital Ratio shows the number of times working capital turns over annually in relation to net sales. A high turnover rate may indicate that the business relies heavily on credit. Sales à · Net Working Capital †¢ Accounts Payable to Sales Ratio shows how a company pays its suppliers in relation to the sales volume being transacted. A low percentage may indicate a healthy ratio. A high percentage may indicate that the business may be using suppliers to help finance its operation. Accounts Payable à · Net Sales Profitability Ratios Profitability ratios measure how well a company is performing by analyzing how profit was earned relative to sales, total assets and net worth. DB uses three key financial business ratios to measure a company’s efficiency: †¢ Return on Sales (Profit Margin) Ratio measures the profits after taxes on the year’s sales. The higher the ratio, the better prepared the business is to handle downtrends brought on by adverse conditions. Net Profit After  Taxes à · Net Sales †¢ Return on Assets (ROA) Ratio shows the after tax earnings of assets and is an indicator of how profitable a company is. Return on assets ratio is the key indicator of the profitability of a company. It matches net profits after taxes with the assets used to earn such profits. A high percentage rated indicates the company is well run and has a healthy return on assets. Net Profit After Taxes à · Total Assets †¢ Return on Net Worth Ratio measure the ability of a company’s management to realize an adequate return on the capital invested by the owners in the company. Net Profit After Taxes à · Net Worth Median Median is the value from the midpoint that falls halfway between the Upper and Lower Quartiles. Industry Quartiles Industry Quartiles are static values taken directly from the KBR database tables. The value from the midpoint that falls halfway to the top of the list is selected as the Upper Quartile. The value that is halfway between the median and the bottom of the list is selected as the Lower Quartile.

Religion and Relationships in Christina Rossetti’s Work Essay -- Gobli

Religion and Relationships in Christina Rossetti’s Work Our dreams are commonly known as the subconscious manifestations of our inner desires. Creative writing, like dreams, can represent an outlet, a method of pseudo-fulfillment for those unrealized wishes or fears. In the case of much fiction, especially poetry, these hidden triumphs are often so subtle that the reader may not recognize the achievement or the repressed emotion to which it relates. Christina Rossetti is known as one of the primary female figures of the Victorian Period. The majority of her poetry falls into one of two categories: religion and relationships. Many of her poems on relationships included a theme of death, yet often centered on the relationship between the dead or dying and their loved ones. She wrote a number of poems on love, as well, but these often bring forth a sense of loss, avoidance, fear, or disbelief. Based on some of these love poems and the fact that she was reportedly in love twice during her lifetime, it seems clear that Christina Rossetti was no stranger to the desires of humanity. We, as people, tend to have a natural urge to be seen on a very personal level, to be understood for that which makes us unique, and to be loved in spite of these things. Rossetti’s â€Å"religious poetry acknowledged these longings and formed an outlet for them. Many of her ‘poems explore what she saw as the great danger that the Victorian cult of love and marriage posed to the souls of woman’† (Touchà © 4). She held very strongly to her faith and is reported to have turned down two men whom she dearly loved because of religious differences that she could not overcome. â€Å"As a deeply religious woman she was afraid somebody ‘could co... ...J. and Vivienne J. Rundle, ed. The Broadview Anthology of Victorian Poetry and Poetic Theory. Orchard Park: Broadview Press,1999. Everett, Glenn. â€Å"The Life of Christina Rossetti.† Victorian Web. 26 Nov. 2004. 14 Dec. 2004. . â€Å"Maid.† Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. 1976. Rossetti, Christina. â€Å"Promises Like Pie-Crust.† Net Poems. 2003. 13 Dec. 2004. . Touchà ©, Julia. â€Å"The Longing for Motherhood and the Concept of Infertility in the Poetry of Christina Rossetti.† Victorian Web. 26 Nov. 2004. 14 Dec. 2004. . â€Å"Virgin.† Def. 1a. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary. 1976. Womble, Alison. â€Å"Sappho and Christina Rossetti II.† Victorian Web. 26 Nov. 2004. 14 Dec. 2004. .

Employer And Employee Relation

1. Given Bandag Auto’s size, and anything else you know about it, explain why and how the human resource management function should be reorganized. Answer: Bandag automotive is a family oriented business that has great potential for maximum growth. The only issue is that the human resource management function there is not operated in a productive way. Bandag automotive should focus on a brand new strategy to develop a more structured and organized human resource unit. The management function should be able to recruit great employees, handle payroll, administer benefits, and also provide services, such as help resolve work related problems. A new human resource management function could create a positive impact on the company. 2. Recommend what Bandag should change and/or improve upon regarding the current HR systems, forms, and practices the company now uses. Answer: Bandag should start over fresh with a whole new HR firm one that is experienced, and service above standards of majority HR firms. Jim should prepare a meeting with his HR firm to be sure the policies work along with his company strategy. The Human resource team should consists of several different members with similar but different titles. For example, Jim would be the person to decide who will be the executive assistant, HR manager, and HR representative the one that assist with recruiting employees for the company. These practices will make a huge improvement toward Bandag HR department, by providing quality services to the company and its employees. 3. Jim fired an employee for creating what the manager called a poisonous relationship. Explain whether or not the employee has a legitimate claim against the company and the actions the company should take. Answer: Jim firing the employee Henry Jacques, because he was having problems interacting with co-workers, in my opinion was wrong. Although, looking at the issue in a business perspective, Henry Jacques was not getting along with his co-workers, which did create a bad working environment. Also, he later reported that he had mental issues, in which was never mention to management before he was terminated. Therefore, Henry does not have a legitimate claim against the company, because it is the law to notify your employer of any mental illness or disabilities. For future incidents the actions the company should take in this type of situation, is to move the employee to another department, and if the problem persist give the employee a final and after that proceed to termination. If Jim would have used that alternative, the outcome of this situation would have probably turned out better. 4. Miriam, the controller, is basically claiming that the company is retaliating against her for being pregnant, and that the fact that the company raised performance issues was just a smokescreen. Explain whether or not the EEOC and/or courts would agree with her and the actions the company should take now. Answer: In the situation with Miriam, she was fired for a legitimate reason because of her misconduct at work. The EEOC would not agree with her considering those circumstances. Miriam is trying to use her pregnancy as an excuse, in which have nothing to do with her termination. In this situation the company should make sure the allegations against her are legit, and have proof present to the courts or EEOC. If the company cannot provide proof then this will be a case to be turned around in favor of Miriam. . An employee who is deaf has asked to switch jobs to be a delivery person and he was turned down. He is now threatening to sue. Recommend what the company should do and describe why. Answer: The truck maintenance employee who was turned down A truck maintenance employee who is deaf, applied for a job driving one of Bandag’s distribution trucks, and Jim directly t urned him down because of his disability. We believe that the employee will win if he sues Jim, unless Jim can prove that the employee was denied because there were more qualified applicants and in no way because of his disability. Yet it is still pretty risky because the court system is very strict about the Americans with Disabilities Act. If the deaf employee can prove that Jim thinks that is absurd for a disabled person to drive a truck, he will win and cause monetary and public damages to the company. Our solution to mitigate the problem is to rescreen all applicants, including the employee to see if he is qualified for the job. If he is, offer him the job if he is still interested, and he will hopefully drop the case.

How Long Have Humans Been Making Things Out of Glass

Glass is an inorganic solid material that is usually clear or translucent with different colors. It is hard, brittle, and stands up to the effects of wind, rain or sun. Glass has been used for various kinds of bottles and utensils, mirrors, windows and more. It is thought to have been first created around 3000 BC, during the bronze age. Egyptian glass beads date back to about 2500 BC. Mosaic Glass Modern glass originated in Alexandria during the Ptolemaic period, artisans created mosaic glass in which slices of colored glass were used to create decorative patterns. Glassblowing Glassblowing was invented during the 1st century BC by the glassmakers of Syria. Lead Crystal Glass During the 15th century in Venice, the first clear glass called Cristallo was invented and then heavily exported. In 1675, glassmaker George Ravenscroft invented lead crystal glass by adding lead oxide to Venetian glass. Sheet Glass On March 25, 1902, Irving W Colburn patented the sheet glass drawing machine, making the mass production of glass for windows possible. Glass jars and Bottles On August 2, 1904, a patent for a glass shaping machine was granted to Michael Owen. The immense production of bottles, jars and other containers owes its inception to this invention. Reference Websites History of Stained GlassGlass EncyclopediaPioneers in the Optical SciencesCarl ZeissHistory of Bausch Lomb Incorporated Continue   MirrorsEye Glasses SunglassesContact Lenses The history of mirrors dates back to ancient times when mankind first saw reflections in a pond or river and considered it magic. Polished stone or metal was used in the first early man-made mirrors. Later glass was used in combination with metals like tin, mercury, and lead to create mirrors. Today, combining glass and metal is still the design used in almost all modern mirrors. Mirrors made by coating flat glass with silver or gold foil dates from Roman times and the inventor is unknown. Definition of a Mirror The definition of a mirror is a reflecting surface that forms an image of an object when light rays coming from that object fall upon the surface. Types of Mirror A plane mirror which is flat, reflects light without changing the image. A convex mirror looks like an upside-down bowl, in a convex mirror objects look bigger in the center. In a concave mirror which has a bowl shape, objects look smaller in the center. The concave parabolic mirror is the principal element of a reflecting telescope. Two-way Mirrors The two-way mirror was originally called the transparent mirror. The first US patent goes to Emil Bloch, a subject of the Emperor of Russia residing at Cincinnati, Ohio -- U.S. patent No.720,877, dated February 17th 1903. Just like a regular mirror there is a silver coating on the glass of a two-way mirror which when applied to the back of the glass renders the glass opaque and reflective on its face under ordinary light conditions. But unlike a regular mirror, a two-way mirror is transparent when strong light is flashed in the rear. Continue GlassEye Glasses SunglassesContact Lenses Around 1000AD, the first vision aid was invented (inventor unknown) called a reading stone, which was a glass sphere that was laid on top of the material to be read that to magnified the letters. Around 1284 in Italy, Salvino DArmate is credited with inventing the first wearable eye glasses. This picture is a reproduction copied from an original pair of eyeglasses dating back to the mid-1400s. Sunglasses Around the year 1752, eyeglass designer James Ayscough introduced his spectacles with double-hinged side pieces. The lenses were made of tinted glass as well as clear. Ayscough felt that white glass created an offensive glaring light, that was bad to the eyes. He advised the use of green and blue glasses. Ayscough glasses were the first sunglass like eyeglasses, but they were not made to shield the eyes from the sun, they corrected for vision problems. Foster Grants Sam Foster started the Foster Grant Company in 1919. In 1929, Sam Foster sold the first pair of Foster Grants sunglasses at the Woolworth on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Sunglasses became popular in the 1930s. Polarizing Sunglass Lenses Edwin Land invented a cellophane-like polarizing filter patented in 1929. This was the first modern filter to polarize light. Polarizing celluloid became the critical element in creating polarizing sunglass lenses that reduces light glare. In 1932, Land along with Harvard physics instructor, George Wheelwright III, founded the Land-Wheelwright Laboratories in Boston. By 1936, Land had experimented with numerous types of Polaroid material in sunglasses and other optical devices. In 1937, Edwin Land founded the Polaroid Corporation and began to use his filters in Polaroid sunglasses, glare-free automobile headlights and stereoscopic (3-D) photography. However, Land is best known for his invention and marketing of instant photography. Reference Websites History of EyeglassesThe oldest known lens was found in the ruins of ancient Nineveh and was made of polished rock crystal, an inch and one-half in diameter. The rest of the history disputes the next listing. SpectaclesInventors Bacon, Keppler, Franklin, Airy, and Fick. BifocalsEye glasses that see near and far. Continue GlassMirrorsContact Lenses Adolph Fick first thought of making glass contact lenses in 1888, but it took until 1948 when Kevin Tuohy invented the soft plastic lens for contacts to become a reality. Reference Websites Contact Lenses History Continue GlassMirrorsEye Glasses Sunglasses