AL Sawaidi Consultants provide business management and marketing services to SME businesses in Riyadh and AlKhobar, with 5 offices in premier locations. The business is expanding rapidly, and high performing analysts are identified for potential promotion.The corporate strategy is focused on growing local talent, while attracting top talent from the region to deliver innovative business processes in a competitive market.

Recently, the CEO noticed the following changes:

Saudi SMEs are moving on-line and embracing technology

Local talent are demanding higher salaries, while local competition increase all the time

Several clients are in very specialized areas, with current staff not having the KSAOs to match

Several high performing analysts are asking for training in non-core areas like "Blockchain", machine learning and AI technologies

The CEO asks you, as a Recruitment Specialist; what can be done to remain competitive.

essay"500 words, in your own words"

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of setting up trade barriers?  Are trade barriers effective?  As part of this question, also answer what might be the advantages and disadvantages of a US company moving the manufacturing of a product, such as sneakers, into the United States?

Consider an internet or e-commerce company that sells exclusively in the US but wants to expand globally. What kind of strategy would you recommend for their initial expansion? What are some of the factors they should consider in pursuing this expansion?

Discuss the role of the patent system in this case.

From its humble beginnings in 1946 as a small enterprise of some 20 staff members repairing phonographs, a brave decision to obtain a patent license changed the fate of this enterprise. In 1952, the founder of the enterprise came across patent information on an invention of the Bell Laboratories: the transistor. He approached Western Electric (WE) of the United States of America, the patent holder, and obtained a patent license. At that time, the transistor was only used in hearing aids, and WE did not see any chance for greater commercial success in the application of the transistor technology. Wondering if such a small firm was capable of developing any useful device from the transistor, WE shared with engineers of the enterprise useful technical information about the transistor, as agreed in the patent license agreement. In 1955, the small enterprise produced its first transistor radio and marketed the new product, which was a huge success. The successful commercialization of a transistor radio enabled this small enterprise (subsequently renamed as Sony Corporation) to enter the global market of electronics.

Granite Enterprises acquired a patent from Southern Research Corporation on January 1, 2021, for $4.6 million. The patent will be used for five years, even though its legal life is 20 years. Rocky Corporation has made a commitment to purchase the patent from Granite for $110,000 at the end of five years. Compute Granite's patent amortization for 2021, assuming the straight-line method is used.

Multiple Choice

• $920,000.

• $460,000.

• $449,000.

• $898,000.

During its prior tax year, your client acquired from a third party a license granted by the federal government. The client tells you that he/she believes that the license has a useful life of 8 years and produces a report, prepared by another firm, supporting that useful life. You look at the report and do not believe that it is very convincing. Discuss how you would handle this situation keeping in mind any ethical and professional considerations. What are the penalty risks to your client and your own firm if you rely on this report?

trial balance please! thanks!