For this assignment, you can send the discussion posts as separate Word documents. The initial post would be due today and the second post would be due in 3 days.The president of Coopie Awards was analyzing the actual and budgeted results of operations for the current year. She noticed several favorable variances and gave accolades to the production manager in a meeting. She also noticed that the sales variance was unfavorable and spent considerable time questioning the sales vice president. She stated: "If production hadn't managed costs so well to cover for your lack of sales we would have racked up quite a large net loss for the year." For your initial post, discuss your reaction to the president’s comments, meeting demeanor, and professionalism. Would you have handled the situation the same if you were her? If not, what would you have done differently? Why? After taking some time to reflect on the written assignment for the week regarding budget creation and variance analysis, address the following for your second post: Do you agree with the president’s comments regarding the management of production costs and the lack of sales? Please explain your position. Study the last tab of your budget assignment spreadsheet and complete a flexible budget on the tab. Where were costs actually in line and where were they out of line? What could have been done to produce more favorable numbers? Note that you will need to complete this tab before submitting your assignment to the drop box so your instructor can see your flexible budget.

Part 1Locate a publicly traded company in an industry that interests you. Find a publicly traded competitor which is suitable for a merger or acquisition with this firm.Write a ten page double spaced paper (not including exhibits) on why the company should be acquired and what purchase price should be paid. Your analysis should include the "real" reasons behind the merger and not the standard answers. Major topics should include: A brief background of the industry which the company operates, a background on the company and the management team, the acquisition purchase price (you may want to include a base purchase price and the maximum purchase price your firm would be willing to pay), what makes this merger a good fit, a brief strategy on how the company will operate after the merger, and how the deal would be financed.Annual Reports and 10Ks can be obtained by contacting the company's Investor Services Department.Part 2Prepare a PowerPoint presentation as though it was before the Board of Directors of the company and include it with your paper. Your presentation should include the following:A brief history on the company to be valuedHow that company fits into the industryThe valuation of the target companyA conclusion or recommendation to acquire or walk away from the dealRemember to keep it simple. If you can't explain the product to a 12 year old kid, stay away from it. Also keep in mind that financial companies and airlines are notoriously complicated. Please stay away from those type of companies