PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT
The purpose of the week seven assignment is to apply the cumulative knowledge and financial acumen of the course in a novel manner. By using a Harvard simulation, students will need to identify ten industries based on their financial data. This is a group/team assignment that will enable students to poll their collective wisdom. The assignment will help students deepen their understanding of the financial aspect of an organization, which in turn will help them be more effective human resource professionals.
The assignment this week is a Harvard simulation titled, “Financial Analysis Simulation: Data Detective”. The assignment is to identify ten industries based on their financial profiles.
The link below will take you to the Harvard site where you will have to purchase the simulation ($10). You will then be directed to a set of financial statements. The statements contain the three financial reports we have been studying as well the financial ratios of ten different industries.
Link to: Harvard Financial Analysis Simulation: Data DetectiveLinks to an external site.
THERE ARE TWO TASKS.
First, you will need to properly identify the industries.
Second, write a short rationale for your decision and finally express a “confidence percentage” of your selections. The ten industries are Mass media and information, Petroleum, Airline, Financial Services, Hospitality, Robots, Fashion, Home Improvement Supply retail, Beverages, and Retail & Healthcare.
Your grade/points depend on completing both tasks (note: your rationales need to be thoughtful but not long. A few sentences will do). You can earn extra points if you identify all ten correctly.
Note: You can spend as much time on the Harvard site as you like. You do not need to complete the assignment in one sitting. Also, this is a tough assignment as the numbers you will see are percentage based vs. real numbers. This is a new way to look at financial data and it will challenge you. Do not be surprised that you get a small number correct. Remember, you get full points for identifying and then writing a rationale for your selection. Getting the correct answer results in “bonus points”. The intent of the assignment is to deepen your financial analytic ability.
Hints. To get some background on viewing financial data by percentages you should consider using your library account to access websites like: HooversLinks to an external site. and MorningstarLinks to an external site.. Just a thought.
**I will provide access to the Harvard website**
