Introduction This portfolio work project is about one of the basic functions of the finance manager: allocating capital to areas that will increase shareholder value. There are many uses of cash managers can select from, but it is essential that the selected projects are ones that add the most value to the company. This means forecasting the projected cash flows of the projects and employing capital budgeting metrics to determine which project, given the forecast cash flows, gives the firm the best chance to maximize shareholder value. As a business professional, you are expected to: Use capital budgeting tools to compute future project cash flows and compare them to upfront costs. Evaluate capital projects and make appropriate decision recommendations. Prepare reports and present the evaluation in a way that finance and non-finance stakeholders can understand. Scenario You work as a finance manager for Drill Tech, Inc., a mid-sized manufacturing company located in Minnesota. Three capital project requests were identified as potential projects for the company to pursue in the upcoming fiscal year. In the meeting to discuss capital projects, the director of finance (and your boss), Jennifer Davidson, gives you a synopsis of the projects along with this question: Which one of these projects will provide the most shareholder value to the company? She also tells you that other than what is noted in each project scenario, all other costs will remain constant, and you should remember to only evaluate the incremental changes to cash flows. The proposed projects for you to review are as follows. Project A: Major Equipment Purchase A new major equipment purchase, which will cost $10 million; however, it is projected to reduce cost of sales by 5% per year for 8 years. The equipment is projected to be sold for salvage value estimated to be $500,000 at the end of year 8. Being a relatively safe investment, the required rate of return of the project is 8%. The equipment will be depreciated at a MACRS 7-year schedule. Annual sales for year 1 are projected at $20 million and should stay the same per year for 8 years. Before this project, cost of sales has been 60%. The marginal corporate tax rate is presumed to be 25%.  Project B: Expansion into Europe Expansion into Western Europe has a forecast to increase sales/revenues and cost of sales by 10% per year for 5 years. Annual sales for the previous year were $20 million. Start-up costs are projected to be $7 million and an upfront needed investment in net working capital of $1 million. The working capital amount will be recouped at the end of year 5. Because of the higher European tax rate, the marginal corporate tax rate is presumed to be 30%. Being a risky investment, the required rate of return of the project is 12%. Project C: Marketing/Advertising Campaign A major new marketing/advertising campaign, which will cost $2 million per year and last 6 years. It is forecast that the campaign will increase sales/revenues and costs of sales by 15% per year. Annual sales for the previous year were $20 million. The marginal corporate tax rate is presumed to be 25%.  Being a moderate risk investment, the required rate of return of the project is 10%. Your Role You are a finance manager at Drill Tech, Inc., who plays a major role in reviewing capital project requests. Requirements Jennifer reiterates that your report is critical for the company to select the project that will bring the most value to shareholders. Your calculations and report should address these items for her and other stakeholders: Apply computations of capital budgeting methods to determine the quality of the proposed investments.  Use budgeting tools to compute future project cash flows and compare them to upfront costs. Remember to only evaluate the incremental changes to cash flows.  Demonstrate knowledge of a variety of capital budgeting tools including net present value (NPV), internal rate of return (IRR), payback period, and profitability index (PI). The analysis of the capital projects will need to be correctly computed and the resulting decisions rational. Evaluate the capital projects using data analysis and applicable metrics that align to the business goal of maximizing shareholder value.  Evaluate capital projects and make appropriate decision recommendations. Accurately compare the indicated projects with correct computations of capital budgeting tools and then make rational decisions based on the findings. Select the best capital project, based on data analysis and evaluation, that will add the most value for the company. Prepare an appropriate evaluation report for requestors, using sound research and data to defend your decision.  Justify your decision with a clear analysis showing the findings of the analysis and which project has the best chance to increase shareholder value. Use your calculations and data to provide a clear picture of why your recommendation is the right one. This goes beyond just regurgitating the data. Think about how the data can tell the story that will be meaningful to the readers.  Deliverable Format For this assessment, create two deliverables:  An Excel spreadsheet showing the required cash flow forecasts and capital budgeting tool calculations for each project. Use the same spreadsheet but create separate tabs for each project. A report providing an analysis of the computations, the project selection decision, and justification for the decision, as well as its impact on the value of the firm. The project selection decision must have an analytical rationale to support it.  Evaluation By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies through corresponding scoring guide criteria: Competency 1: Apply the theories, models, and practices of finance to the financial management of an organization.  Apply computations of capital budgeting methods to determine the quality of the proposed investments. Competency 2: Analyze financing strategies to maximize stakeholder value.  Evaluate the capital projects using data analysis and applicable metrics that aligns to the business goals. Competency 3: Apply financial analyses to business planning and decision making.   Select the best capital project, based on data analysis and evaluation, that will add the most value for the company. Competency 5: Communicate financial information with multiple stakeholders.  Prepare an appropriate evaluation report for requestors, using sound research and data to defend the decision.

Ethical Decision Making Choose a contemporary ethical dilemma at an organization that you are familiar with or find through research. Using the article, The PLUS ethical decision making model (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., as a guide create a model for ethical decision making based on your chosen ethical dilemma. Evaluate all seven steps of the ethical decision-making model.Analyze how each step can be applied to your chosen dilemma.Evaluate how the model could have mitigated the ethical dilemma at your chosen organization. The paper: Must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) andformatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..Must include a separate title page with the following:Title of paperStudent’s nameCourse name and numberInstructor’s nameDate submittedMust use at least two scholarly or credible sources not including the course text.The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignmentMust document all sources APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site..Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.. Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

You are a recent graduate of business school and are beginning a new position in HR as a corporate trainer. The first week on the job, you realize that many people in your department and the entire organization often use the terms organizational leadership and management synonymously. You know the importance of understanding the differences of each of these competencies. You explain your findings to your new supervisor, and she agrees that this is an important distinction that needs to be addressed quickly. She puts you in charge of creating a presentation that you will share with your peers in the HR department and all hiring managers next month. Create a presentation that explains the differences between organizational leadership and management. Introduction - 1 slideDefine organizational leadership - 1 slide minimumList and explain organization leadership characteristics and traits - 1 slide minimumDefine management - 1 slide minimumList and explain management characteristics and traits - 1 slide minimumSummary of differences - 1 slide minimum