1. This case suggests that a lack of continuous innovation contributed to American Express’s (AmEx) poor performance in 2014. Assuming this is true, what factors might prevent a firm the ?size and scope of AmEx from being able to innovate continuously?

Assume you are the VP Global Marketing of BMW. Explain how you could use the concept of backward innovation and another concept you have learned in this Global Marketing Management course to promote your company’s products in China.

Please, i need an analysis on the life of jeff bezoz founder and ceo of amazon, his background, career and key leadership characteristics. also how does a company cope with accelerating change. and how can a firm encourage innovation.

Marketing question

" Big Problems in Marketing Industry "

Balancing incremental and radical innovation

A. How do I successfully incorporate design principles into my organization?

B. How should we think about creating “platform” products?

a. In your opinion, is "open source" innovation a good idea for technology transfer?

b. Are there potential drawbacks to using such systems?

c. What do you suggest in order to protect intellectual property rights while using open source?

Logan Distributing Company of Atlanta sells fans and heaters to retail outlets throughout the Southeast. Joe Logan, the president of the company, is thinking about changing the firm's credit policy to attract customers away from competitors. The present policy calls for a 1/10, net 30 cash discount. The new policy would call for a 3/10, net 50 cash discount. Currently, 30 percent of Logan customers are taking the discount, and it is anticipated that this number would go up to 50 percent with the new discount policy. It is further anticipated that annual sales would increase from a level of $393,500 to $605,000 as a result of the change in the cash discount policy.

The increased sales would also affect the inventory level. The average inventory carried by Logan is based on a determination of an EOQ. Assume sales of fans and heaters increase from 14,890 to 22,650 units. The ordering cost for each order is $198, and the carrying cost per unit is $1.55 (these values will not change with the discount). The average inventory is based on EOQ/2. Each unit in inventory has an average cost of $13.

Cost of goods sold is equal to 65 percent of net sales; general and administrative expenses are 15 percent of net sales; and interest payments of 14 percent will only be necessary for the increase in the accounts receivable and inventory balances. Taxes will be 40 percent of before-tax income.

For average collection period, assume the customer pays on the last day possible (if they are getting the discount, that is day 10; if not, that is day 30 with the original policy and day 50 with the proposed policy).

Research and development costs can be recorded differently according to International Accounting Standards. Research is recognized as an expense of the period and development expense can be capitalized.

REQUIRED:

With respect to research and development:

a)    Explain how managers can use discretion to record an expense as research rather than development to provide alternative income and balance sheet figures.

b)    How does recording innovation expenses as research rather than development change the income statement and balance sheets figures?

c)    How does recording innovation expenses as research rather than development change important ratios related to the income statement and balance sheet figures?

d) What are the incentives for a manager to report an expense as research rather than development when both methods are justified applying accounting standards?

Depreciation and accounting cash flow   A firm in the third year of depreciating its only​ asset,which originally cost $175,000and has a​ 5-yearMACRS recovery period

has gathered the following data relative to the current​ year'soperations:

1. Use the relevant data to determine the operating cash flow for the current year.

Complete the following table to determine the operating cash flow​ (OCF):  ​(Round to the nearest​ dollar.)

Enter any number in the edit fields and then click Check Answer.

b. Explain the impact that​ depreciation, as well as any other noncash​ charges, has on a​ firm's cash flows.

You and your friend Jack have different opinions about Tesla stock price. On Sep. 30, 2020, you did a short sale of Tesla stock at $429.01 for $1000 shares. The same day, Jack bought the Tesla stock at $429.01 for $1000 shares with margin. The initial margin and maintenance margin requirement for short sale is 150%. The initial margin and maintenance margin requirement for long on margin is 30% (assume no interest is charged on long on margin account). Below is the Tesla stock price in the next 2 days:

Oct. 01, 2020          $448.16

Oct. 02, 2020          $415.09

What is your expectation of Tesla stock price change in the future? (1 point)

What is Jack’s expectation? (1 point)

Please calculate your daily margin ratio and Jack’s daily margin ratio for each of the next 2 days

(Oct. 01 and Oct. 02). Please specify if margin call is received and how much money you or Jack

need to deposit into the account after the margin call. (6 points)

If you and Jack both decide to close the account (i.e., selling the stock or covering the short selling position) after receiving the first margin call instead of depositing more money into the account, please calculate returns for both of you. (4 points)