Describe how The Beatles' music changed during the period from 1960 to 1966. These changes can take a number of different forms, including: alterations to lyrical content and themes; changes to band/ensemble membership; changes to instrumentation used, etc.
In: Psychology
The standard deviation of quarterly changes in the price of a commodity is $0.65, the standard deviation of quarterly changes in a futures price on the commodity is $0.81, and the coefficient of correlation between the two changes is 0.8. What is the minimum variance hedge ratio for a 3-month contract
In: Finance
"Managerial accounting is part of a dynamic business world. A company’s business strategy will change over time, often due to external factors such as technology changes, market competition, and government regulation. The company’s organizational structure (the 3-legged stool) will change with a change in business strategy. Likewise, the internal accounting system will change with a change in organizational structure. Before implementing an accounting system or other organizational change, it is important to understand what is driving the change. Changes in the accounting system rarely occur in a vacuum. Accounting system changes generally occur at the same time as changes in the firm's business strategy and other organizational changes, particularly with regard to the partitioning of decision rights and the performance evaluation and reward systems. An accounting system should not be changed without concurrent, consistent changes in the way decision rights are partitioned as well as in the performance reward systems. All three parts of the organization's structure must be internally consistent and coordinated. An accounting system should NOT be adopted merely because other firms are doing so; they may have different external factors driving their changes. An accounting system should not be changed without solid ethical and professional reasoning behind the changes. Many decisions are made based on the reliability and relevance of internal accounting information – changes to an accounting system should improve the usefulness of that information, otherwise, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”" I only need a response to this
In: Accounting
1. Develop a concept map that highlights concepts of the age-related changes of the organ systems.
2. Identify age-related changes that you see in an individual (family member or client/patient) and describe the impact these changes have had on the individual.
3. Develop a teaching module on health promotion through the life span in order to encourage healthy aging.
4. Discuss the various physiological changes of aging to which smoking contributes.
In: Nursing
In: Economics
Leadership in Accreditation. As a new university Dean, you learn that two of the three programs in your school did not pass an accrediting review. The school has already implemented three different programs to assist in addressing the issues, but the consultant hired to assist with the remediation process, has told you that these options are still insufficient. What next steps would you recommend be implemented to ensure the programs meet accrediting requirements? Funding is limited, faculty are resistant to more changes, and graduate assistants are no longer available.
In your response to these questions, list models, theories, and authors that you believe to be relevant to the questions. Also, list all standards that may be applicable to the questions and how they apply to your answer-see standards of Education listed below to assist with the answer:
______________________________________________________________________________________________
Educational Leader Standards Option
Standard 1: Human Capital Management
Educational leaders use their role as human capital manager to drive improvements in building leader effectiveness and student achievement.
Standard 2: Instructional Leadership
Educational leaders are acutely focused on effective teaching and learning, possess a deep and comprehensive understanding of best instructional practices, and continuously promote activities that contribute to the academic success of all students.
Standard 3: Personal Behavior
Educational leaders model personal behavior that sets the tone for all student and adult relationships.
Standard 4: Building Relationships
Educational leaders build relationships to ensure that all key stakeholders work effectively with each other to achieve transformative results.
Standard 5: Culture of Achievement
Educational leaders develop an encompassing culture of achievement aligned to the institution’s vision of success for every student.
Standard 6: Organizational, Operational, and Resource Management
Educational leaders’ leverage organizational, operational, and resource management skills to support improvement and achieve desired educational outcomes.
In: Operations Management
Money Market
Why do people demand to hold money?
How do interest rates affect demand?
Know how the chain of events works when the Fed decides to affect market outcomes.
Fed Action à MS changes à Interest rate changes à Investment changes àAD changes à Prices/Output changes
How much of an effect does a change in interest rates have on aggregate demand.
What are some of the constraints on monetary policy?
Relate to the Great Depression.
Liquidity Trap
**How do views of Monetarists differ from Keynesians?
*Understand MV = PQ
In: Economics
4) Which of the following is NOT involved in creating a pressure gradient during breathing? (1.5 pts)
a) Changes in the volume of the alveoli
b) Changes in the volume of the conducting system
c) Changes in the volume of the thoracic cavity
d) Movement of the diaphragm
e) Movement of the rib cage
In: Anatomy and Physiology
Blockbuster FY2003 10K states, "Blockbuster Inc. is a leading global provider of in-home rental and retail movie and game entertainment, with approximately 8,900 stores in the United States, its territories and 27 other countries as of December 31, 2003." John F. Antioco serves as chairman, president and chief executive officer. Mr. Antioco signed the 10K reflecting his assessment of Blockbuster Inc at the time of its writing. Also in 2003, Mr Antioco identified "Netflix, (as) our primary domestic competitor in online rental" and planned a competing online service. According to Blockbuster's 2003 10K and using Lovallo & Sibony cognitive bias types, what three statement:cognitive bias couples are true? Select the single best available answer from those presented below.
A) "We expect this (online) service to ultimately drive store revenues by not only attracting new customers who want the convenience that both the online and store channels provide, but also by bringing back customers who we have lost to competing online rental services": Competitor Neglect; "During 2003, we opened or purchased 341 company-operated stores (180 in the United States and 161 outside of the United States)": Confirmation bias; "During 2004, we plan to invest significantly in new systems and infrastructure to support our new initiatives, such as the expansion of our rental subscription programs, which includes our online rental subscription service; the continued development of our games store-in-store concepts; and the continued development and implementation of our movie and games trading model": Anchoring and insufficient adjustment.
B) "We expect this (online) service to ultimately drive store revenues by not only attracting new customers who want the convenience that both the online and store channels provide, but also by bringing back customers who we have lost to competing online rental services": Sunflower Management; "During 2003, we opened or purchased 341 company-operated stores (180 in the United States and 161 outside of the United States)": Confirmation bias; "During 2004, we plan to invest significantly in new systems and infrastructure to support our new initiatives, such as the expansion of our rental subscription programs, which includes our online rental subscription service; the continued development of our games store-in-store concepts; and the continued development and implementation of our movie and games trading model": Anchoring and insufficient adjustment.
C)"We expect this (online) service to ultimately drive store revenues by not only attracting new customers who want the convenience that both the online and store channels provide, but also by bringing back customers who we have lost to competing online rental services": Competitor Neglect; "During 2003, we opened or purchased 341 company-operated stores (180 in the United States and 161 outside of the United States)": Confirmation bias; "During 2004, we plan to invest significantly in new systems and infrastructure to support our new initiatives, such as the expansion of our rental subscription programs, which includes our online rental subscription service; the continued development of our games store-in-store concepts; and the continued development and implementation of our movie and games trading model": Sunflower Management
D) "We expect this (online) service to ultimately drive store revenues by not only attracting new customers who want the convenience that both the online and store channels provide, but also by bringing back customers who we have lost to competing online rental services": Competitor Neglect; "During 2003, we opened or purchased 341 company-operated stores (180 in the United States and 161 outside of the United States)": Status quo bias; "During 2004, we plan to invest significantly in new systems and infrastructure to support our new initiatives, such as the expansion of our rental subscription programs, which includes our online rental subscription service; the continued development of our games store-in-store concepts; and the continued development and implementation of our movie and games trading model": Anchoring and insufficient adjustment.
E) "We expect this (online) service to ultimately drive store revenues by not only attracting new customers who want the convenience that both the online and store channels provide, but also by bringing back customers who we have lost to competing online rental services": Sunflower Management; "During 2003, we opened or purchased 341 company-operated stores (180 in the United States and 161 outside of the United States)": Status quo bias; "During 2004, we plan to invest significantly in new systems and infrastructure to support our new initiatives, such as the expansion of our rental subscription programs, which includes our online rental subscription service; the continued development of our games store-in-store concepts; and the continued development and implementation of our movie and games trading model": Power of storytelling.
In: Economics
Between 2000 and 2012, Gap, Inc. (Gap) ceded its world leadership position in specialty fashion retailing to Inditex of Spain and H&M of Sweden. These two companies, each less than a quarter of Gap’s size in 2000, were now setting the pace in the global mass fashion market, and Gap appeared to be falling ever further behind. In the intervening twelve years, three CEOs had struggled to turn around the fading brand. While several temporary profit boosts appeared to herald a recovery, a sustained rally remained elusive. Mickey Drexler, Gap’s CEO since 1983, who had been responsible for Gap’s rise to global prominence, was fired in 2002 after two years of double digit, same-store sales declines and a 75% drop in the stock price. 1 His successor, Paul Pressler, appeared to have engineered a remarkable recovery, but was fired in 2007 after disappointing sales and another slump in profits. His replacement, Glenn Murphy, fresh from a successful turnaround at a Canadian drug-store chain, promised tighter price controls, lower administrative costs, and a leaner, more aggressive Gap. He cut costs and drove up earnings per share, but sales continued to decline. After four years of troubles, Murphy brought in former J. Crew President, Tracy Gardner, to consult with the Gap brand and he began a bold program to close one fifth of Gap’s North American store base. In 2012, sales had lifted 8%, same-store sales were strongly positive for all of Gap’s domestic sub-brands, and the company’s share price had lifted nearly 50% from the prior year. After 12 years of poor performance, had Glenn Murphy finally discovered the answers to Gap’s problems? Mickey Drexler: 2000-2002 After Gap, Inc. “misjudged fashion trends in 2000,” its sales growth rate slowed to 18%, below the historical average, and operating profits fell 20% to $1.4 billion.3 CEO Mickey Drexler, was confident that this stumble was a short term problem, but 2001 results suggested otherwise. Sales lifted only 1%, operating profits plunged anther 70% to $426 million and the company made a net loss. 2002 saw sales rise 4% and operating profits recover to $1.0 billion, but comparable stores sales continued to fall. Gap’s stock price decreased from a high of $53.75 in February 2000 to $14 in May 2002.4 Several top designers and senior executives left the company “disillusioned with how bureaucratic the organization had become.” Analysts noted that, while Gap had made “button-down shirts, chinos and basic cotton T-shirts the boomer uniform,” it was struggling to resonate as well with some members of Generation Y (those born in the late 1970s to early 1990s) who were “looking for individuality, not conformity.”6Chairman Don Fisher had had enough. The night before the Gap board meeting on May 22, 2002, Steve Jobs, a board member, called Mickey Drexler to warn him that the board was planning to fire him the next morning. Drexler entered the board meeting aggressively and a board member later described it as “a very emotional scene.”Despite his shock and disappointment, Drexler quickly recovered. In 2003, he became the CEO of J. Crew, a quality basic clothing chain which was incurring heavy losses. Within two years, he had returned it to profitability and, within five, he had more than doubled sales. Paul Pressler: 2002-2007 Paul S. Pressler replaced Drexler as the CEO of Gap, Inc. Pressler had spent 15 years with The Walt Disney Company and ended his tenure there as the chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The press noted the difference in the two men’s leadership styles: whereas Drexler “flew by the seat of his khakis,” relying on his honed intuition to direct apparel development, Pressler was researchoriented and left decisions about apparel to Gap, Inc.’s designers. 8 Pressler stated, “I had to demonstrate to everyone that the general manager is here to lead the people—not pick the buttons.”9 Pressler moved quickly to close 200 underperforming stores, slow the rate of new openings, and reduce excess inventory, 10 resulting in a “spectacular turnaround” in 2003. 11 Between 2002 and 2003, operating profits rose 87% to $1.8 billion, marginally beating the all-time record set in 1999. Gap Brand Pressler hired Canadian Pina Ferlisi as executive vice president of product design in March 2003 to define the division’s style aesthetic. Before joining Gap, Inc., Ferlisi worked at Perry Ellis, Tommy Hilfiger, and Theory; she also helped launch the successful Marc by Marc Jacobs line. Her Gap design team was located in New York City and included Vice President of Women’s Design Louise Trotter, who formerly worked at Calvin Klein, and Vice President of Accessories Design Emma Hill, who previously held a similar post at Marc Jacobs. Both Trotter and Hill hailed from the U.K. Scores of consumer and employee insights indicated that female Gap customers felt that the brand’s offerings were too androgynous and boxy. Hence, Ferlisi made the women’s lines more feminine and focused on fabric and fit. Banana Republic For years, Banana Republic had a reputation of being “a purveyor of chic basics—casual office wear in black or beige”27—i.e., an upscale Gap. However, under the direction of President Marka Hansen, the division focused on making its product assortment more fashionable and trendy, minimizing the overlap between Gap and Banana, and catering to 25- to 30-year-old professionals . Hansen explained, “What’s the hook or differentiation? . . . It’s an affordable, covetable luxury . . . . We’re bringing fashion to a wider audience. Old Navy Under President Jenny Ming, Old Navy continued its focus on families, rolling out underwear, maternity, and infant lines to raise margins.32 The division expanded to Canada in Pressler’s first year as CEO and it targeted Hispanics with its first Spanish television spot at the end of 2003. The company’s localization strategy was tested in select Old Navy stores in 2004, and the company planned to extend the program to all Old Navy outlets in 2005. Forth & Towne Gap, Inc. established five test stores for Forth & Towne in Chicago and New York by fall 2005. Under Gary Muto’s leadership, the firm positioned Forth & Towne to appeal to women aged 35– 50. Gap Online Toby Lenk, a 1987 Harvard MBA, headed the company’s online division, Gap, Inc. Direct. In 2004, Gap, Inc. was the largest U.S. online apparel retailer with sales of over $500 million. It was “redesign[ing] and rebuild[ing] all of [its] websites from the ground up” to enhance visitors’ online shopping and to improve online and in-store integration.47 Lenk noted that 35% of the company’s Web site visitors were pre-shoppers preparing for store visits, and 13% of those who entered a Gap, Inc. store had visited the store’s online site beforehand. The firm’s new e-commerce platform would allow the sites to take back orders and preorders. Lenk explained, “This means we will never have to walk a sale on a basic item, and at the same time it will allow us to run our basic inventory much tighter.”48 The company planned to have most of the Web site enhancements completed by the 2005 holiday season. Marketing Along with reworking Gap’s main brands, Pressler also overhauled Gap’s public image and publically positioned its divisions as lifestyle brands. The CEO remarked, “We need to bring more theatrics, storytelling and consistency [to retail]. If you can’t tell me what a Gap dinner party, Banana Republic car or Old Navy vacation looks like, then we haven’t built our stories.”49 Pressler had also been focused on differentiating the brands and “upgrading the marketing functions at all of Gap’s brands, including the hires of new head marketers at all three units.”50 Recent Gap-brand TV advertising featured actors and singers. The company paid 40-year-old actress Sarah Jessica Parker, former Sex and the City star, $38 million to appear in television and print ads for three seasons during 2004–2005. It replaced Parker with 17-year-old British soul singer Joss Stone as its Gap spokes-model in the summer of 2005.51 In an effort to tout its “vastly expanded variety of fits” in jeans, the company planned to use more nontraditional types of advertising—i.e., “guerrilla marketing and grassroots tactics,” according to Jeff Jones, executive vice president of marketing at Gap. After lackluster results in 2005 and six consecutive quarters of declining same-store sales, Pressler pointed to 2006 as a key year to prove Gap’s recovery and justify his rebranding efforts.60 Pressler noted, “We are acting with a tremendous sense of urgency to win back customers.”61 Pressler also increased the annual cash dividend 78% for 2006 and the board authorized a further $500 million for a share repurchase program, $250 of which would be repurchased in Q1 and Q2 of 2006. Fisher: Interim CEO, 2007 Although Fisher was interim CEO for less than a year, he made a number of moves that undid much of Pressler’s previous work. Less than a week after firing Pressler, he cut many of Pressler’s hires from Disney. Cynthia Harriss, the president of Gap U.S., was replaced by Marka Hansen, the previous president of Banana Republic and an employee since 1987. Fisher also closed all Forth & Towne stores by the end of June, taking a pretax charge of $40 million.67 Although Forth & Towne has been open since 2005, financials were never disclosed for the brand. Fisher also began to reduce Gap’s workforce to bring down expenses, cutting a “relatively small percentage” of the 150,000 workers. Glenn Murphy: 2007-2012 On July 26, 2007, Gap appointed Glen Murphy, as the new CEO. Since 2001, he had been the CEO of Shoppers Drug Mart, a Canadian drugstore chain. Murphy’s first major move as CEO was to cut expenses and control inventory discounting. Quarter three profit for 2007 lifted 26% due to lower marketing spending and better product margins. In 2008, Spain’s Inditex overtook Gap, Inc. as the world’s largest specialty apparel retailer, reaching $3.3 billion in sales for the first quarter of 2008 compared to Gap’s $3.25 billion.86 With over 200 designers and rapid supply chains that could produce and stock hot items within weeks. Problems returned in 2011. Sales remained steady at $14.5 billion, but operating profits fell 27% to $1.4 billion. Murphy hired former J. Crew President, Tracy Gardner, to consult with the Gap brand. Gap announced plans to shut more than one fifth of its North American stores over the next two years and aimed to shrink the U.S. store base to 700 by the end of 2013.91 Murphy noted that China was Gap’s biggest market for further growth. However, by the end of 2012, Murphy’s strategy appeared to be working. Sales lifted 8% to $15.6 billion, a six-year high, and operating profit recovered to $1.9 billion. Store closings lifted sales per store in the North American Gap to $3.7 million (from a low of $3.3 million in 2009) and comparable store sales were strongly positive for all of Gap’s North American divisions. Gap had also made significant steps toward streamlining its production and engaging more closely with trending fashions. By 2012, Gap had cut its lead time from more than nine months in the early 2000s to less than four months for key items.96 Across all lines, production time had been cut by nearly one third. 97 In January Gap acquired Intermix Inc. for $130 million, which promised expansion into the luxury market as well as greater access to of-the-moment fashion pieces. Although Intermix didn’t manufacture its own clothing, it has established relationships with a variety of high street designers. What else could Murphy do to restore Gap’s leading position in fashion retailing? Would Murphy’s international and online focus be enough to sustain this turnaround?
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What is the case about?
What are the important events that occurred in the case?
What can we learn from reading the case?
What advice do you have for the leaders in the case and/or company in the case?
In: Finance