Thursday, October 31, 2019

Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 5

Proposal - Essay Example It will involve making employees appreciate each other and understand the importance of facing one another to solve their problems. Instead of blaming one another, they would be expected to speak openly to one another and air their grievances. The management is going to be given the mandate to make decisions on behalf of the junior employees in order for the employees to work towards one goal. This is because letting every person decide on which actions to take within the organization would bring inconsistency and disorganization. The new organizational structure would lay down procedures for shifting an employee from one department to another, and not just being told to report to another department because of a minor mistake they conducted in the roles they were employed to discharge. Additionally, the organization should strive to motivate its employees. This is going to be conducted by giving them promotions when they deserve, offering them bonuses and allowances for additional jo b done or any work that is exemplarily executed. Improving the conflict within the organization is estimated to run for six months. This timing is reasonable since it caters for any unseen development. The project can commence after a week of your approval of this proposal, so long as it is by mid-January. 1. Advisory: Serving as an adviser to the organization entails meeting with the team responsible for solving the conflict problem within the organization. The roles in this interaction include drawing up plans to be implemented, coming up with ideas to solve the conflicts, as well as facilitating the entire process. We will meet constantly, and I may also be accessed by email or phone should it deem necessary. This involvement would last for the first ninety days of the project. 2. Consultative: Apart from discharging all the duties in the first option, I would work in tandem with the selected

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

English literature Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

English literature - Essay Example In addition, they all point out that she lastly leaves the home although different argument are provided for the reasons she leaves and the manner in which she does so. The first theme statement that shows a summary of the story ‘A visit of Charity’ is the one depicting the ability to tell a person charitable efforts through the manner in which they treat those who are tetchy or bizarre. The second is that although the young individuals may involve into actions of charity, in most cases they are self-absorbed. In the story ‘The Man in the Well’ by Sher, it is evident that most children and adults cannot see into their psychological reality. This is illustrated when the children are unable to view down the well and, similarly, the man could not see them. In my opinion, this points out the inability of understanding oneself in both adults and children. The discernment of authenticity is likened to an unfathomable well that is deep within each

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Computer Based Information Systems Information Technology Essay

Computer Based Information Systems Information Technology Essay Introduction Information systems are applied within an organisation or a business in order to improve effectiveness or efficiency within that organisation. One of the key reasons in which adding information systems to the business improves effectiveness and efficiency is because it enables employees to perform tasks, in which without the assistance of Information systems, results may be in accurate or it could take longer to complete tasks, for example, performing calculations is made easier by simply adding the correct formula, or analysing vast amount of data, all these tasks mentioned are performed more constructively with the aid of information systems. Each organisation can adapt a computer based information system to meet its needs and requirements, therefore they are not limited in which they are designed to have maximum benefit to the organisation. Computer information systems use a uniquely designed system in order to allow the organisation to organise their files and categorize data. Management theories relating to computer based information systems Borje Langefors Borje Langefors has had a big impact on information systems, he was the individual he created special emphasis on administrative data processing. Borje was able to indentify how computer based information systems can implement and meet the needs of organisations and their staff. Goodhue Thompson: Task Technology fit The task technology fit theory is used to explain the way that computer based information systems help to accomplish the demands of the task provided by the organization. The TTF, basis its theory on the fact that technology or computer based information systems will increase the performance of the business due to the fact that it helps and supports people within that organisation to complete the requirements for a task which has been set by a manager. Fred Davis: Technology Acceptance Model The technology acceptance model is a theory that shows how organizations can accept technology within their business, by accepting and using the technology this enables them to increase effectiveness and efficiency within their organisation. This theory basis its idea on the fact that when a person is presented with technology there are a number of different aspects that affect how and when they will use the computer based information systems. Fredrick Davis, split the theory into two different definitions, Perceived Usefulness and perceived ease of use. Perceived usefulness. This was defined by Fred Davis as the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would enhance his or her job performance. Perceived ease of use, Davis defined this as the degree to which a person believes that using a particular system would be free from effort (Davis, 1989). (Expert systems in business and finance Paul R. Watkins and Lance B Eliot) F Taylor Taylor was the founder of scientific management; this adopted a different approach in which a task is completed within a business. Taylors theory adopts a scientific approach when managing a company. His quest to resolve the cause of low efficiency and increase effectiveness in an industry resulted in a conclusion that the ineffectiveness was primarily caused by the poor order and system of the management techniques. Therefore this theory relates to computer information based systems, because managers now use computers and other information systems in order to ensure that staff are receiving the support they need in order to reach maximum efficiency. However one of the disadvantages of computer based systems for managers, is that they need to send their staff on training days to ensure successful use of the systems, and leave no room for errors to occur, this therefore can be expensive for a company to do, and also time consuming in terms of whilst the employee is on training they ar e unable to complete attend work full time during that duration and a cover needs to be arranged. Computer based information systems Computer based information systems are used by managers within an organisation in order to increase productivity at that company and also maximise efficiency. CBI can be advantageous in many ways, for example a computer is able to collect and analyse more data than an average human, in which you as a manger are already saving time. Another way that it is advantageous, is that for example managers in supermarkets use computer based information systems such as barcode scanners, this is used for security and to monitor stock, therefore this is a effective way of knowing how much stock there is and how much has been sold. Expert system An expert system is a system that is used in order to perform a task that would have been completed by a human. Expert systems base their results on data that has been entered by the user, and provides a solution for that specific problem. The expert system acts like an interpreter between the user and the information systems, therefore you are able to manage the input and output of the data entered into the system. Advantages An advantage to using expert system is that it eliminates room for error, therefore the computer will not make the mistake that a human may make whilst analysing data, or calculating specific data, therefore this ensures the manager that results are accurate. Disadvantage However a particular disadvantage to this is that if the person using the system has entered the wrong data, or has made a mistake whilst using the system, then this can cause the whole data/result to be inaccurate. Data warehouse Data warehousing is a system that combines data from a range of different sources and generates a database that is easier to analyse and read. This is beneficial to managers when they want to establish certain trends occurring, as they are able to collect vast data and create an end result of one database with all the information necessary. It provides a over view of all the data that is collected. Advantages An advantage to managers from this type of system is that, there are no limitations in terms of, information can be gathered from a number of different sources available and it will convert them all into one database. This is therefore beneficial when a manager is trying to establish a certain trend, it helps them create strategic plans based on results gathered from data warehousing throughout a period of time. Disadvantages One of the main disadvantages for data warehousing is the cost, it is expensive for many companies to afford them. Other disadvantages include the complexity of the systems, therefore for example adding new data or waiting for the result of data can take time. Customer Related management Customer related management is a strategy that is used to help a organisation to manage the relationship with their customers in order to improve customer satisfaction and increase profits. This system is beneficial to the managers because it allows the whole organisation to have some contact with the customers whether it is direct or indirect. For example the manager/centre of a call centre uses CRM for their staff, because it gathers data about potential customers/callers and automatically the system generates different numbers gathered, the employees then gather the data from the number dialled, and the data is then sent to other departments to be analysed and stores. This is one example in which CRM can operate. Advantages Managers are able to benefit from this system because it ensures that profit margins are increased due to the fact that there is more interaction with the customers, therefore the organisation is able to understand the needs of the customer and meet their demands. This also leads to customer loyalty to the organisation for the service provided; this is due to the fact that the company is aware what the customer requires because of the interaction through CRM. Disadvantages CRM can be complex to install within the organisation, therefore small businesses do not install the CRM systems within their company. Another disadvantage is that many employees are not initially aware of benefits of the using the system, therefore a manager may face with conflict from staff which they have to resolve, this could ideally done through offering interactive training in order to identify the benefits of CRM, as well as time consuming this could potentially be expensive for the organisation. Enterprise Resource planning Enterprise resource planning is a system that is used in order to combine all of the organisations departments and functions into one overall system that acquires the needs of each department. It inter connects all the departments to work together in order to make decision making easier, for example human resources department provides all the information on employees payroll, pay slips ect, whilst the finance department provides the data of costs, profits, budgets, ect therefore each department communicates in order to create on successful system. This benefits the manager because it makes it easier for them to manage the business, it all saves them time because for example the system processes the order the same time for example that payment therefore the finance department immediately communicates with the warehousing department where the product is collected or delivered. Advantages One of the main advantages of the system and the aspect that the manager benefits from the most is due to the fact that each separate department cannot access another department in order to change any aspects of a transaction, therefore once a certain task is completed by a department they are unable to undo that function, in which a manager will have to oversee the potential problem and therefore resolve the situation as they please, this is beneficial because it gives the manager control within the organisation. Disadvantages One of the main disadvantages of enterprise resource planning is that, staff need adequate training in order to be able to use and handle the data effectively, many companys do not operate a successful policy protecting the data and how it is used, therefore this can lose customer trust and loyalty. Another main disadvantage is that the system needs to be maintained by professional personnel in which this costs more money as more staff need to be hired, this therefore increases the costs associated with using the system. Conclusion There are a wide variety of computer based information systems that are available to managers to use. Different systems are used for different purposes depending on the type of organisation and the purpose of the organisation, for example a manager at a non profit organization or a government agency will use different computer based information systems to gather and analyse their data for their specific purpose, compared to a manager at business that is profiting such as Tesco. Tesco uses information systems in order to gain data from their customer to analyse what products are more popular amongst customers. Whereas a non profit organization or a government agency will need to collect data from random members of the public in order to collate and analyse a vast variety of information therefore it is more generic. The main benefit of using computer based information systems, for the manager is that it allows them to analyse a whole range of data in which through this they can analyse positive factors and negative factors about the business, this therefore allows them to identify possible problems in which they are able to improve, this ultimately results in improved efficiency and effectiveness within the business. In which the manager can effectively increase the net profit of the organisation due to organised data provided through computer based information systems. However one of the main problems that I noticed that managers face through most of the systems, is the cost associated with applying the system effectively, therefore before a certain system is applied it is vital for a manager to outline the positive and negative factors of using the system, and to carefully decide if the organisation profits from using such a system or if the company can do without it. WORD COUNT: 2081 Bibliography http://sigs.aisnet.org/SIGHCI/amcis02_minitrack/RIP/Dishaw.pdf ACCESSED 25/02/2011 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5785/is_200910/ai_n42858812/ ACCESSED 28/02/2011 http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1189471 ACCESSED 28/02/2011 http://sbinfocanada.about.com/cs/marketing/g/crm.htm ACCESSED 28/02/2011 http://www.nowsell.com/marketing-guide/technology-acceptance-model.html ACCESSED -29/02/2011 http://www.netmba.com/mgmt/scientific/ ACCESSED 29/02/2011 http://www.management-hub.com/information-management-advantages.html ACCESSED 29/02/2011 http://www.whamtech.com/adv_disadv_dw.htm ACCESSED 29/02/2011 book: Expert systems in business and finance Paul R. Watkins and Lance B Eliot book: Boddy, D. (2008) Management: An Introduction (4th Ed). Harlow: Pearson Education. Book: Hannagan, T. (2008) Management: Concepts and Practices (5th Ed). Harlow: Pearson Education.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Relaxation :: essays research papers

We all human beings have our good and bad days in our every day life. We like the good days but we don’t like the bad days. Every one of us has some place where like to get away and forget about the problems. I have my place, which is my favorite gym where I spent a lot of time. Workout is the best medicine for me to relax and regain my power. I am a very healthy person who eats very clean and works out on regular bases. Staying in shape makes me feel good about keeps and myself me disciplined and motivated. Workout is a very important part of my life, which helps me to regain perspective of life and the balance that I lost through out the day. I just love to jump on the stair master on a bike, do my workout and just fly away with my thought. After ninety minutes of workout I am tired and sweaty. The tiredness feels very good and it feels like I am recharged aging. In the essay â€Å"A Visit with the Folks† by Russell Baker the author also has his place where he likes to go to and relax. Baker enjoys coming to the old cemetery in the countryside to visit his relatives. He goes there to gain his perspective and the guidance he has lost to the difficult outside world. When he goes back to the cemetery to see his dead family members â€Å"it slows the juices down something marvelous† he says. From time to time, Baker goes back to a churchyard cemetery situated in a beautiful countryside surrounded by the view of blue mountains, blossoming roses on fieldstone fences and fields of white daisies. He goes there to visit his family members who passed away. As he moves from tombstones to tombstones, he remembers his folks and individually recalls memories and situations about them from the pass. He bear in mind his folks and guidance they gave him. For example, he remembers his uncle Lewis who was a barber who always wanted to give him a haircut. Such encounter with his memories changes his state of mind and conquers his busy life in the city. At the end Baker â€Å"leaves rather more content with the worldâ€Å" because he learns how the peace of countryside and memories of relatives help him to recover his consciousness.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Frequently asked questions

We review ND make recommendations to you if you bring your resume in to ensure your resume reflects your skills and abilities. We provide you websites for recruitment of federal, non-federal and contract positions and walk you through the process when you come in for one-on-one counseling by appointment. We also give you our inappropriate funds applications packet and provide guidance on how to submit and apply for NAP positions. In addition, we offer quarterly Job Search Workshops that bring you In contact with employers who have Job openings.We teach a quarterly Resume Writing Workshop that assists you In creating your resume and vomiting your resume Into the federal databases (COOP, JACOBS, and DEAF). Question: Who do I call to get information about activities available on and off post? Answer: Army Community Service has an information line, 531-1941 , that is answered Monday – Friday, from 8 a. M. -4:30 p. M. The intake specialist has information about on-post and offset a ctivities and resource agencies. ACS has a website on the CRT and Fort Polk Home Page, http://WV. CRT-Polk. Army. Mil/ACS/index. Tm, which includes the ACS Monthly Calendar, program information, and the Community Action Council slides with on-post and off-post activities. The CRT and Fort Polk Home Page has a link to community events: http://YMMV. Crackpot. Army. Ml/Calendar/ FEB.._MAR_2011 . PDF. ACS has Information on the Morale, Welfare and Recreation web site and an ACS link from the MR.. Site. Question: Why are there so few items for sale in the (Golf Course) Pro Shop? Answer: With a customer's ability to purchase items online and the smaller facility, management has decided to carry essential items at a very low cost.Pro Shop staff has the ability to order whatever a patron would like or needs and generally have it o them within 72 hours. Question: Why have there only been country-western singers for the large post events? Answer: All performers are evaluated to ensure the per formance venue Is conducive to Family type entertainment and availability. Price Is also a major factor. Question: How do I register my children for Child, Youth and School Services? Answer: Parents wishing to register their children with Child, Youth and School Service can Youth & School (SYS) Services/Parent Central Services link.You will find all the forms that you will need to register your child, as well as additional information that will be deed when you come in to complete the registration. Call 337-531-1955 to make an appointment. If you were previously enrolled in an Army SYS Services program, you can have your information transferred to our office by calling the previous SYS Services or speaking with our administrative staff. They can assist you in having this information transferred. The Army Family Covenant pledge will cover all registration fee costs.There is no monetary cost to register your children. Your time and information is the only thing needed to get your chil d registered with SYS Services. Question: My child is registered for SYS Services; what programs are available? Answer: By visiting the website you can get up-to-day information on programs offered, as well as enroll your child in the programs. By clicking on the WEBSTER button you can register your child for programs offered and make any necessary payments. This is a huge timeserver as it is available 24 hours† days a week.Once you have registered, the Parent Central Services admit will get the information, complete the process or contact you for additional information needed. Within 24 to 48 hours you will receive confirmation that the process has been completed. If information is entered during a federal holiday, post closure, or weekend it may take a little longer. Question: How do I conduct a home-based business on post? Answer: Fort Polk Soldiers or Family members wanting to conduct business ventures on Fort Polk or in military Family housing must obtain a solicitor's pe rmit from the Directorate of Family Morale, Welfare and Recreation.The process entails completing an application to solicit. The application will indicate the product to be sold and the process for soliciting on Fort Polk. The application must be notarized prior to benison and must receive concurrence from Picture Military Housing (obtained by DEFORM). For information regarding home-based businesses call 337-531-7421. Question: How do I find out about the NAP sale? Answer: Individuals interested in participating in a NAP sale must register to view the property up for bid. Once registered, they are allowed to view the property and place a bid.Bids are opened at the end of auction and the highest bidder wins. The winner will pay for and pick up the property purchased. Property not picked up or declined by the winner will go to the next highest bidder. All NAP sales are publicized in the coal papers, all users email, and the Guardian. For information, call 337-531-8765. Question: What is happening with the open classroom concept at South Polk Elementary? Answer: The open classrooms at South Polk Elementary are expected to be renovated to enclose classrooms beginning in the fall 2011.Question: How are the hours of operation at the access control points determined? Answer: By reviewing the Directorate of Emergency Service's annual traffic study, it was determined the traffic flow at all Caps decreased dramatically, but it is no longer cost effective to keep Caps 2, 5 and 6 open 24 hours. Closing these Caps also allowed the redistribution of security personnel to our peak traffic hours in the morning and points? Answer: CAP 1 (main gate at Louisiana Eve. ): Open 24 hours per day, seven days a week; CAP 2 (University Parkway, La. Why 467 North): Open from 5 a. . -9 p. M. Seven days a week; CAP 3 (Mill Creek Road adjacent to the Ammunition Supply Point): Closed; CAP 4 (Entrance Road and La. Why 10): 5 a. M. -6 p. M. Seven days per week; CAP 5 (La. Why 457 South and La . Why 10): 5 a. M. -9 p. M. , seven days per week; CAP 6 (Chaffed Road, adjacent to North Fort housing): 5 a. M. 9 p. M. Seven days per week; CAP 7 (K Avenue and Alligator Lake): Open 24 hours per day, seven days per week); CAP 8 (Artillery Road and K Avenue into box – rotational traffic only, open 24 hours a day, seven days per week during rotations.Question: What can be done about the congestion at the access control points? Answer: Personnel entering Fort Polk make it a habit of entering the installation at the same time each morning. You would be surprised at what a difference 15 minutes will make. Try varying your access times and make sure that you have all the required information and avoid commonly used access points, like the main gate. Question: How is my billing for electricity calculated?Answer: The manner in which the billing for the electric utility is devised, in accordance with the Department of Defense Go Army Green program, is that all like homes are placed into groupings and an average is calculated each month for each grouping based on the average consumption of the fully occupied homes in each grouping. The groupings are defined by three factors: the size of home in square feet, age of home by the date it was built, and type of home such as a townhouse. All of the homes in these groupings contribute to the floating average each month.The looting average is determined by the amount of electricity each home uses in the grouping. The top and bottom 10% of homes in each group are eliminated, as are homes that are not rented for the full month. Once this average is figured for each of the 48 groupings of homes, a 10% buffer is added above the baseline to offset any anomalies that may occur. Once this floating average is determined a family that is above the 10% adjusted baseline by $15. 00 will receive a bill for the difference between the adjusted baseline and their actual consumption.Inversely any family that falls below the adjusted b aseline by $15. 0 will receive a refund check for the difference between the adjusted baseline and their actual consumption. No bill or refund will be sent to a family until they exceed a fifteen dollar trigger and any balance less than fifteen dollars will be tracked until the account is closed or the amount exceeds the fifteen dollar trigger. Question: Is Fort Polk the only military installation with the Resident Responsibility Program? How did the program originate?Answer: Across the Department of Defense, energy conservation programs are underway with a goal to reduce our overall energy consumption in the United States y 20%. Picture Military Housing has looked at every aspect of this Congressionally- mandated, Department of Defense Utility Conservation Program and the way it's managed at Fort Polk. This is not a program in which all current homes would be required to be updated into energy efficient homes. The basis of the program is to family housing. Question: How is the wait list for housing derived? Answer: Picture Military Housings published wait times are estimated.They can vary week to week depending on the availability and need for these homes by both incoming families and families who have outgrown their current home. Question: Can the Garrison provide a shuttle service to the airport? Answer: A shuttle service for airport support would be limited to official use travel and have to fall within the funding capabilities of the garrison. Military can present taxi drivers with a copy of their orders (to/from Alexandria Airport) and pay no charge. Travel to and from the airport for civilians travel on orders is an authorized expense that is claimed with their travel voucher.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Issues Identified Essay

1) The first issue of the case is whether Harry Hepburn, the president of Southern California Division of Robinson Brothers Homes should make the projection on the specific project more optimistic or not. By making the revenue forecasts more optimistic, the most likely outcome is that the project will be undertaken and his team of employees will keep their position. Otherwise, at the current estimated return projections, the project is expected to be declined, and Harry’s team will be partially laid off in accordance with the Robinson Brothers Homes plan on cutting costs as the company faces the slowing down market and decreased profitability. 2) The second issue of the case is to evaluate what can be done to either decrease the required IRR benchmark related to this project or to increase the expected IRR of the project. Due to decreasing margins on their recent construction projects RBH needs a project to bring their revenues and profits up for the upcoming years. RBH’s Southern California division (one of 15) and its VP Michael Borland have come up with a prospective project â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal† which has potentials to increase profits and revenues. The issue with it remains is that the project has a IRR of 21 and for a project like this Michael Borland and his division has calculated a required IRR of 24.5. Issue Prioritization: Both issue seem to be equally important, however it seems that IRR issue should be attempted to be resolved first: if the required IRR can be lowered without making the forecast too optimistic, Harry will not need to solve this difficult ethical dilemma at this moment. Alternative Generation: * Increase IRR * Decrease required IRR (risk) * Don’t’ change Ethical Problem: 1. Harry submits the forecast as planned. Consequences: project will be rejected and the division will be downsized 2. Harry makes the forecast more optimistic. Consequences: Project gets funded and employee layoff could be averted. RBH would lose credibility with joint venture partner if the project earns less  than the forecast. And some problems in ethical position. Evaluation of Alternatives: Way to increase IRR/decrease required IRR: [As Harry directly supervises the executives and the issue is about financial returns, the results control is the most appropriate for this issue.] 1) Let VPs know about the problem and the fact that this project is critical for the continuity of the division as is. VPs are: Operations, Sales and Marketing, Land Development, Land Acquisition, and Accounting. This understanding will help to establish the link between performance and compensation. 2) Together, they should come up with ideas and set specific goals for increasing IRR and/or lowering risk of the project in their functional areas. The targets set for VPs should be aligned with their functional areas/responsibilities as much as possible. If some targets involve more than one area, they should know specifically with whom should they cooperate to achieve success on that mutual goal. The idea behind it is that VPs should know specifically how can they influence the project’s IRR and risk, so they would feel responsibili ty and ability to influence and achieve their own specific targets. Second, the goals have to be as specific as possible, so that VPs would know how much more effort should they put to succeed. Specific possible solutions: * By not making the purchase (investment) until all political issues are resolved (June 2007 is the expected date), the political risk can be decreased to minimum saving 1.5% in required IRR. * With the appropriate goals and strict incentives are set for VPs as discussed above, the risks in development, market, and financial areas may be reduced by further cumulative 1.5%. Measures to be taken may include: hedging the interest rate risk with derivatives (financial), making early sales (market), securitization of debt (financial), overseeing the construction process thoroughly to ensure its timeliness (development), etc. It is important that other projects of this division, which are currently under way, would not be neglected or paid less attention to. They are also crucial for the division’s success (637 homes in 2006 and $235 in revenue). Harry should oversee their work in order to ensure that no risk manipulation and  unjustified assumptions/forecasts take place. Ethical issue [There are really no alternatives for this issue – there is only a question: â€Å"Should Harry stretch the forecast a bit or should not?†] * Harry’s action of making the forecast a bit too optimistic will not be left unnoticed by VPs. As a result, they may begin making dishonest acts on their own in the future acting on the example set by the president. (The cultural control may get broken.) * The management owns the fiduciary duty to its shareholders, as it is trusted with assets to manage. Shareholders interests should be put ahead of their own. According to the stockholder ethical model, the maximization of shareholders’ profit/wealth is of utmost importance. * Southern California Division of RBH represents a large portion of company’s business: in 2006 it is projected to sell 637 homes, while 2000 were built by RBH in total. Thus, the failure in this division may cause the financial difficulties on the company-wide level affecting other employees as well. According to the stakeholder ethical model, the acceptance of the project of higher risk would also be unethical. * If they accept, then in case of the unfavourable scenario, the company is likely to sell this project at a larger loss, as other development companies are likely to employ the similar IRR model for determining projects’ NPVs. Possible conclusion: in this case, under both stockholder and stakeholder ethical models, the project with the higher risk than required should not be accepted. Recommendation Decrease IRR. Implementation Issues Move discussion of incentives part from alternatives evaluation to here. * additional discussion on ethics (evaluation of alternatives) * additional discussion on IRR ((evaluation of alternatives) * implementation details Kurt: 1. Introduction: RBH is a medium-sized homebuilder. The company built single- family and higher-density homes, such as townhouses and condominiums. Its headquarters staff located in Denver, Colorado, and 15 divisions located in most of the metropolitan areas. 2. Problem Statement and Analysis: The market of the Southern California Division served had slowed, the division has to make price concessions in order to sell its homes. However, the construction costs were continuing to rise. Action controls: reduce cost , budgets , review and approval Harry wants to do the project (Platinum Pointe) which promises to provide over $100 million in revenue and nearly $ 14 million in profits in the 2008-11 time period. But the IRR of the project is only 21%, which is below the minimum required for a project with this level of risk – 24.5% ————————————————- The stock price had declined almost 50% from the all- time peak in 2005. POSSIBLE ADVICE Each division was self-contained, with its own construction supervision, customer care, purchasing, sales and marketing, land development, land acquisition, and accounting staffs. ————————————————- Redundancy : Assigning more people to a task than necessary The lag between acquisition of the land and sale of the final house built was three- five years. Reduce the business cycle The homes will be built in two formats: a triplex townhome and a six- plex cluster home, but the format had not been previously offered in Southern California. The residents of Southern California may not accept these kinds of formats. Harry and Michael want to lower the required IRR or to raise the projected IRR to ensure that the project would be approved. Personnel controlsï ¼Å¡have a conscience that leads them to do what is right find self-satisfaction when they do a good job and see their organization succeed Ethics and morality Annie: Background: RBH builds single-family and higher-density homes, such as townhouses and condominiums. RBH often had to make significant price concessions and construction costs were continuing to rise. The stock price had declined  almost 50% from the all-time peak in 2005. Because the homebuilding started slowdown in early 2006, so finances were expected to be much tighter in 2007. Harry, the president resisted the idea of downsizing of the division in 2007 and wanted to keep employee team intact. RBH spends considerable effort in preparing formal land acquisition proposal, which examines the proposed building project from housing development type, construction challenges and costs, marketing prospects, and environmental concern. The Platinum Pointe deal is a large one that would bring in considerable revenue and profits in the 2008-2011 time periods. Issues: 1. Modification of risk rating procedure RBH’s procedure requires the identification of risk in four areas: political, development, market, and financial. The risk of each project in each of these four areas must be rated as low, moderate or high. The higher a project’s IRR, the more desirable it is to undertake the project. Michael was disappointed about the Platinum Point site project because the IRR was only 21%, while the minimum required IRR for a project of this risk should be 24.5% (3.5% variance). The problem of existing risk rating procedure? How to assess the risk rating? By who? Recommendation? 2. Joint venture with other homebuilding company Advantages and disadvantages Recommendation? 3. Ethical problem- Harry contemplates preparing projects that were a little too optimistic to ensure that the project would be approved. Harry tries to disclose the degree of optimism in the forecasts or acting in a less than honest way. If Harry doing so, who will be harmed or put at risk? Waleed Issue: Due to decreasing margins on their recent construction projects RBH needs a project to bring their revenues and profits up for the upcoming years. RBH’s Southern California division (one of 15) and its VP Michael Borland have come up with a prospective project â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal† which has  potentials to increase profits and revenues. The issue with it remains is that the project has a IRR of 21 and for a project like this Michael Borland and his division has calculated a required IRR of 24.5. Possible ways to remedy this specific issue can be as follows: Solution: Increase IRR of â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal†: 1. Since the recent environment factors are forcing of margins to decline RBH may need to adapt to this situation just to have this â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal† approved. One factor identified out of the assumptions in Exhibit 3 – Purchasing Section is to allow more profit participation for the seller Jackson Development company. Currently set up as 50% share above a net 9% profit for the project. Giving the Jackson Development company a share of 52-54% above the 9% net profit will increase the â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal† overall IRR from 21% to closer to the required 24.5% (how by giving up profit will their IRR increase?) 2. Although the Southern California division is large for RBH but their overall exposure and knowledge in the area can be limited. For example, the market demand for the house structures (condo’s. Detached, semi-detached etc.) or even the market demand for amenities included (backyards, parks, garages, driveways etc..) is all the information that a local company native of Southern California will have better information of and RBH is disadvantaged to that. So the solution here is to consider a Merger and Acquisitions approach to hedge this information risk and to also expand the company as a whole. The project is large enough to justify such as move for RBH. This in fact will increase the 3 factor of IRR calculations the â€Å"Market† seen in Exhibit 3. As a result the â€Å"The Platinum Pointe Land Deal† IRR will increase bringing it closer the required 24.5%.