Hill Country Snack Foods Co Essay

Hill Country Snack Foods Company manufactures, markets, and distributes snack foods and frozen treats throughout the United States. Hill Country is overall well performed company. Sales, Net Income, ROE and ROA had increased at a steady rate. Company mainly focused on maximizing the shareholder value by the CEO and other management’s managerial philosophy. Currently, Hill Country uses a risk adverse strategy to choose their business or project. Hill Country’s industry is high competitive but it kept going well with cost efficiency and quick reaction to customer requirements. From these reasons, Hill Country has few risks. However, analyst and experts present that Hill Country’s excess liquidity with zero debt is going to lose benefit and fail to maximize the shareholder value. Risk may be hided in the steady company’s good performance. Pending retirement of CEO is one of risks. ii) Briefly discuss the current corporate culture Hill Country was a well-managed company with decisions which can make shareholder value. CEO and other management insiders also held a significant proportion of company’s common stock. It means that they have responsibility as employee and owner. Company also has strong commitment to efficiency and controlling costs. These are great power to survive in highly competitive markets. Another important of Hill Country’s culture and managerial philosophy was caution and risk aversion. From that reason they choose zero debt financing and fund internally hold large cash balances. From the discussion of our team members, some of members think that it is too risk aversion position. Only efficiency will be stuck in near future so they should invest somewhat risky project and raise the debt. The others think that it is unique and fresh and in snack and food industry, it may be good strategy and philosophy like Coca-Cola’s permanence. iii) How does the stock market evaluate Hill Country’s current situation compared to its peers in the same industry (base your discussion on the valuation in the stock market) As shown in Exhibit 2, we can easily check the financial status of Hill Country with two competitors. In comparison to Snyder’s, a company with a little larger sales, and Pepsi, a company with 47x more sales, Hill Country performs well given its size. Hill Country has 3.5 times more NI than Snyder’s. However market capitalization of Hill Country is 1,412 mil USD which is lower than Snyder’s 1,517 mil USD. Market doesn’t think that Hill Country has lower value which expresses future expectation. This could be a result due to its capital structure and risk aversion strategy. P/E ratio also shows the same judgment. In the part of book value of asset, Hill Country’s ROA is higher than Pepsi’s ROA. However Hill Country’s ROE is lower than Pepsi’s because of debt. This is another indication of market evaluation. iv) Discuss how much financial risk the company would face at each of the three alternative debt-to-capital ratios presented in case Exhibit 4(you may discuss based on the financial risk faced by firms with different credit ratings); As the debt-to-capital ratios increases, the possibility of bankruptcy and cost of financial distress increase. In the case of Hill Country Snack Foods, Co., the credit rating will be downgraded1 and interest rate will increase according to the increased level of debt. Interest coverage ratio which measures company’s ability to honor its debt payments also decrease dramatically as quality of debt increase. Impact on net income from changing in EBIT will increase and financing flexibility will get worsen with the increased level of debt. It also can lose chance to time the market if it has more debts as it has little buffer to issue new debt.

Leading and Managing in Nursing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 41

Leading and Managing in Nursing - Case Study Example According to the research findings, it can, therefore, be said that Ryan is not a shy nurse and is a risk taker as is evident from his move from a large hospital to a small one and the fact that he has not yet given up on his graduate studies simply because the rest of the nurses are dissuading him to do so. He can use his courage and relentlessness and approach the Chief Nursing Officer on the position and pledge to work hard. The Chief Nursing Officer is also new to the hospital just like Ryan is and hence this is another resource he can exploit and put in his own advantage as the two are new and share knowledge, experience, and vision the rest of the staff does not have. This might gain him not only entry into the governance structure but a good position in shared governance the structure as well. Ryan can use his previous job as a resource to grant him entry into another job with a positive work environment. The fact that he worked for over a year in a big renowned hospital immed iately after completion of his undergraduate course indicates that he is an exemplary student who deserves to be in any good hospital. He can also use his political influence as a practice council member in Magnet Hospital to indicate that he has big dreams and is a visionary leader who is not only lazy and contented at being on the hospital bedside but would like to join the leadership and bring more changes in the nursing world. This should be corroborated by his almost immediate entry into a graduate program which many people delay until they are older and have gained several years of experience. Ryan should inform them about individual rights each nurse has on how to run his or her life. His rights permit him to advance his education to whatever level he wants and no one can question him or dissuade him from doing that. Since the negative comments are likely to lead to conflict most of the time, Ryan should employ conflict resolution skills as well as collective bargain methods to redirect their comments.

Ataraxia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Ataraxia - Essay Example It is a difficult state to attain in modern times, as it is almost impossible to be detached from the material world and gain access to philosophical state of mind. Hellenistic philosophy, also called philosophy of Plato recommended that man should be self-sufficient and self-dependent and should rely only on himself for happiness. It is important to find the right balance of mind, deed and outlook so that happiness is not beyond reach to attain ataraxia, imperturbability, which could also be termed as mere 'peace of mind'. "Ataraxia is a spiritual balance, the research of physical and psychical harmony so difficult to achieve by human beings. Ataraxia becomes a state of tension able to open our minds and be receptive towards life experiences" http://www.myspace.com/histrionia Epicurus gave a totally different meaning to ataraxia. This philosopher had given a lot of thought to death, its imminence and relevance in day-to-day life. He thought that without connection and thought of death, every day life takes a queer shape and hence, death is an inescapable truth and the ultimate aim. It is also a total blackout and hence not painful later, and we should avoid physical pain while being alive. And to live without being bothered by physical pain is the pleasure of life. "Since death is a total annihilation that cannot be experienced, in our present lives we need only live a simple life and seek always to avoid physical pain. It is pleasure, understood in this negative sense, that is the highest good for Epicurus. Freedom from mental disturbance. http://www.philosophypages.com/ph/epiu.htm EPICTETUS Epictetus stressed on basic good life of humans. According to him the good life itself is based on ataraxia and if one is conscious of it and controls his own life based on high values as a rational human being should do, he would live in complete happiness. He offered extensive arguments on complete and achievable happiness, based on his amazing understanding of life. "The eudaimonia ('happiness') of those who attain this ideal consists of ataraxia (imperturbability), apatheia (freedom from passion), eupatheiai ('good feelings'), and an awareness of, and capacity to attain, what counts as living as a rational being should. The key to transforming oneself into the Stoic sophos (wise person) is to learn what is 'in one's power', and this is 'the correct use of impressions' (phantasiai), which in outline involves not judging as good or bad anything that appears to one" http://www.iep.utm.edu/e/epictetu.htm He said people have to be motivated and inspired by virtue, act virtuously. According to him, life with right principles is the secret of attaining happiness. Total happiness cannot be achieved without a clear conscience and this cannot come without a guiltless life. Self-satisfaction and the feeling that the individual had taken every decision in life without selfishness, without any personal gain and with total ethical justice is the path that leads to a clear conscience and self-acceptance. He said this is the only way to attain imperturbability. DIOGENES Diogenes argued from an entirely diverse viewpoint. He said marriages should be made null and void and the family should become communal and the responsibility of community and State. He was so advanced for his time that he demanded patriotic citizenship and the citizenship of the world. Diogenes was considered to be

SUEERIZE Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

SUEERIZE - Essay Example Xavantes have since then, perfectly secured themselves from outside attacks, though the nature is too difficult to cope with. The economic strength of a nation restricts the conservation. Poor countries are not very conscious about environment and generally look for technological advancement and education, food, health and safety. International agencies help poor countries unite their conservation programs with their economy. Organization of the â€Å"debt for nature swap† in 1987 helped Bolivia get $650,000 as debt for 160,000 sq m of forest. These days, the very area serves as a biposphere reserve. There is a complete ecosystem whose central zone is so carefully controlled that interference is not possible. Nonetheless, it is permissible to conduct research in the transition zone. In order to provide the ecosystem with complete security, a buffer zone is added. Such ecosystems in the whole world are above 250 in number.

Capstone Course Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Capstone Course - Essay Example Looking back, much of my time as a student was spent deciphering theories and philosophies with little or no effort in comprehending the practicality and application of these concepts, perspectives, and beliefs. Like many others, I too questioned the relevance of my learning with what I aimed to do in my professional life. Thus, the senior capstone course has acted as a bridge between theory and application, which is an outcome that I value the most. While an integration of subject-specific and cross-disciplinary knowledge and the assimilation of theory and application are the outcomes of my course experience that I greatly value. The learning outcome that I believe will be most helpful in my professional career is that of an enhanced level of self-efficacy, which is one of the characteristics internalized in a student during capstone courses (Dunlap 65). The systematic design of the course included class participation, interdisciplinary project, e-portfolio, research presentation an d a course reflective essay. The effort undertaken for the completion of these tasks allowed me to assume a larger share of the responsibility for my education and also played an integral role in acting as a means of socialization with my classmates and course instructor (Collier 285-299). The fact that the capstone project was planned as an independent endeavor meant that each student had to embark upon the task of using his/her individual learning, distinct perspectives on a range of topics and issues and cross-disciplinary knowledge to produce an independent study. My course project on insurance fraud was reflective of a range of understandings and comprehensions on the subject matter. The most critical factor which shaped the course of my independent study on insurance fraud was being on the ground. I also noted in my reflective essay on insurance fraud, how my interactions with the victims of this menace helped in the establishment of a relationship of trust.

Anglo- Saxon culture Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Anglo- Saxon culture - Research Paper Example It is one of the first British literature recorded epic poem (Clyne, 1987). It is the symbol of creative Anglo Saxon Art and Literature. Beowulf is an important character within the poem. This poem revealed several values of the Anglo Saxon culture. These specific values include their belief in revenge, loyalty and boasting. Values of the Anglo Saxons Beowulf is considered as one of the most epic poem of the British literature. This poem has effectively portrayed the culture and value system of Anglo Saxon. Three most important values, such as courage, honour and kinship has been thoroughly discussed in this poem. While these are all sovereign societal and cultural values, they worked collaboratively in order to reflect the clear picture of the culture. The Anglo-Saxon period is one of the oldest periods of time that availed a complex culture with stable art, culture, literature and political structure. During that period of time, culture of several societies was unsophisticated. But the Anglo Saxon culture was extremely advanced considering the time period. Anglo-Saxon time is a time that filled with effective advancements and discoveries in society, religion, art, literature, culture and government. The Anglo Saxon period was lasted for almost 600 years. During these 600 years, the Anglo Saxon brought own cultural values, beliefs and religion (Howe, 1993). They had competence in creative art, literature and architecture. The Anglo Saxon art is highly popular and recognized throughout the globe. The illustrated manuscript of Anglo Saxon culture is effectively utilized across the globe. Beowulf was their fast poem. They have effectively incorporated their culture and value system in this poem. It was the essence of warfare culture and values of Anglo Saxon that has been revealed in this poem. The poem also reveals different universal and paramount themes. These include heroic deeds, deadly personification and raw emotions like pride, greed and glory. The indivi duals within the group were quite loyal towards their leader as they believed that their leader can protect them from an enemy or other terrors in order to gain loyalty. Courtesy, generosity, courage, personal valour, loyalty, faith and fame are the major characteristics of the Anglo Saxon society. They admired the men from various tribal backgrounds for their outstanding courage (Weale, Weiss, Jager & Bradman, 2002). They believed in the significance of loyalty of a leader. They effectively valued the severe personal valour that was necessary for survival. Everybody within the cultural and societal background was aware of shortness of life. Last but not the least; everyone competed for fate and fame which is the only thing that ever lasted. The Anglo Saxon Culture as Reflected in Beowulf The social structure of Anglo Saxon consisted of several tribal units. A chieftain was the king of these units. The leader theoretically earned respect from their warriors. However, each and every culture has its own sets of customs, values and beliefs. Cultural values, beliefs and assumptions are indirectly or directly acquired throughout a lifetime. It is true that the culture is the sum of an entire group’s lay of life and there is no difference with the antique Anglo Saxon culture. The importance of values, heroes or leaders and religion effectively reflected in the Beowulf epic poem. According to their beliefs and values, the

Continental Airlines, Inc and McDonnell Douglas Corporation Article

Continental Airlines, Inc and McDonnell Douglas Corporation - Article Example The case was submitted to the jury. On the basis of Continental’s theories of fraud, it was taken as evidence by the jury. Supreme Court ruling Hauter v. Zogarts (1975), it was held that the promises of safety were not statements of â€Å"opinion† or just â€Å"puffing† but representations of facts. Thus, the four representations of the brochure were not opinions but statements of facts. Further, the statements made by McDonnell Douglas were material. There is substantial evidence that Douglass statements regarding Landing Gear Breakaway were material and that Continental rightly trusted them in deciding to clinch the DC-10 deal. The court viewed the evidence in the light most well disposed to the judgment, taking all reasonable inferences and not taking conflicting evidence. There was evidence as quoted in section F that the landing gear was designed to break away from the wing without rupturing the wing fuel tank, which was material and rightfully trusted by Co ntinental. It is further proved by Douglass argument that Continental must prove that a clean landing gear breakaway was a condition of its decision to purchase the DC-10, rather than the L-1011, proving that Continental trusted the statements of McDonnell Douglas. California law is quite clear about whether it constitutes fraud making reckless false representations without any consideration to the truth. It states that â€Å"[s]ince direct proof of fraudulent intent is often impossible, the intent may be established by [in]ference [216 Cal.App.3d 412] from acts of the parties.' [Citation]† Another established law is that if evidence is applicable for any purpose it must be taken into consideration, even if it may not be proper for another purpose.   California law is quite clear