Chapter 4 of your textbook illustrates the utilization of the nine-stage process for creative problem solving by providing an example. nike has plans to develop and manufacture a new cross-training sneaker. it has been in the works for some time now and as such, is almost ready for the production phase. an unexpected problem has prevented nike from beginning its production phase. it seems that the material to be used for the sneaker-sole has gone up in price. the supplier is unique in the sense that they have exclusive access to chemicals, rubber, and other materials such that they can only produce the sneaker-sole specified in the nike design. the supplier claims that the materials they use have gone up in price, hence the increase in cost to nike. use your previous readings and the nine-stage process to find a solution.

Pennewell publishing inc. (pp) is a zero growth company. it currently has zero debt and its earnings before interest and taxes (ebit) are $80,000. pp's current cost of equity is 10%, and its tax rate is 40%. the firm has 10,000 shares of common stock outstanding selling at a price per share of $48.00. refer to the data for pennewell publishing inc. (pp). pp is considering changing its capital structure to one with 30% debt and 70% equity, based on market values. the debt would have an interest rate of 8%. the new funds would be used to repurchase stock. it is estimated that the increase in risk resulting from the added leverage would cause the required rate of return on equity to rise to 12%. if this plan were carried out, what would be pp's new value of operations? a. $484,359 b. $521,173 c. $584,653 d. $560,748 e. $487,805

Ahospital purchases a $500,000 magnetic resonance imaging (mri) machine that has a useful life of 9 years. the salvage value at the end of 9 years is $77,000. (a) write a linear equation that describes the value y (in dollars) of the mri machine in terms of the time t (in years), 0 ≤ t ≤ 9. (b) find the value, in dollars, of the machine after 6 years. $ (c) find the time, in years, when the value of the equipment will be $140,000. (round your answer to two decimal places.) yr

Anheuser-busch inbev is considering you for an entry-level brand management position. you have been asked to prepare an analysis of the u.s. craft beer industry as part of the selection process. prepare a 3-5 page report that includes a description of the industry’s strategically relevant macro-environmental components, evaluates competition in the industry, assesses drivers of change and industry dynamics, and lists industry key success factors. the company’s management also asks that you propose the basic elements of a strategic action plan that will allow the company to improve its competitive position in the market for craft beer. you must provide a heading in your report for each of the required elements of the assignment.