Description: An MBA core course designed to integrate financial and managerial concepts into operations decisions. Disciplines of accounting, finance and economics are combined to provide substantive foundations for discussing and analyzing data. Implications of analysis are applied to facilitate decision-making in other areas such as marketing, operations (manufacturing, logistics and engineering), human resources, information technology and general management. The major learning objectives will be applied through a series of "living" cases that are centered on analyzing historical financial performance, preparing a business plan, and valuing a business.

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Description: This course focuses on due diligence as a creative and time-sensitive process that can open or close doors for startups. Speakers and cases illustrate what potential investors or acquirers do to validate the accuracy, integrity, and completeness of information provided before finalizing an investment decision. Students learn performing due diligence is a labor-intensive investigative process that unfolds in stages where the results also speak to the credibility of the entrepreneur.

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Description: This course focuses on entrepreneurial marketing and the methods employed by emerging growth companies to successfully penetrate and disrupt markets. Speakers and cases illustrate branding strategies, selling approaches, pricing alternatives, and digital marketing tactics peculiar to startups who are constrained by scarce resources and saddled with expertise in the hands of a few.

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Description: This course focuses on IP strategy and valuation with emphasis on the technology-driven startup. Early stage companies must demonstrate proof-of-concept to their investors, a huge milestone that verifies the potential of real-world application. Speakers and cases deal with the harsh trade-offs of IP decision-making and the constant need to raise capital to accelerate technology development.

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Description: An MBA core course designed to provide a thorough understanding of business organizations by examining strategies middle and senior managers use to create and sustain organizational competitive advantage. The course examines the organization from an overall perspective within the context of the firm's internal and external environment. The second aspect of this course deals with the ability to communicate effectively in today's business and professional environment. Students will examine and practice the written and verbal communications strategies and skills that are essential to their success in business.

Personal: I enjoyed that this course let us focus on a single public company with the goal of doing intensive research and proposing the next big move for the company. I love the outdoors and after some intial research of the companies available I chose Deckers and below are two demonstrations of my findings.

Description: Corporate financial reporting under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Analysis and interpretation of financial statements: accrual accounting, balance sheet valuation, income determination and cash flow analysis.Profit manipulation, window dressing and "creative accounting" through accounting policy choices. Fraudulent financial reporting, uses and limitations of accounting information. Accounting information as a tool for strategic decision making.

Personal: I found Professor J to be absolutely incredible and I found a geniune interest in the accounting practices and how much of an art form it can be as well as the concept of the time-value of money. During this course I made a personal financial calculator spreadsheet and have shared with the world for those looking for helpful finacial calculators all in one place (and without ads)