From the Paper
"Introduction
The information superhighway has received much media attention, but it remains a mystery to most Americans who lack a personal computer and a modem. Government and business have been the primary users of the information available through on-line services and the Internet, but businesses have begun to develop an interest in joining the ranks of those who are connected to these resources, in part because they offer an attractive alternative to faxes and long distance phone calls, and in part because they bring a wealth of information from around the world to employees in a single location. In recent months, a growing number of businesses have become active on the World Wide Web (WWW) and the Internet offering their goods and services to consumers directly on-line. Customers can pay with a credit card or through some other .."

Abstract
This paper discusses programming considerations relating to mobile commerce and relates that, despite security concerns, the number of on-the-go mobile purchases continues to reportedly increase. The paper then examines projected programming changes in mobile commerce and the mobile game industry. The paper concludes that mobile computing most likely constitutes the trend of the future with contemporary mobile devices serving as a stage for a myriad of services. A vast amount of research material is included with the paper.

Outline:
A New Area of Business in a "Pocket"
Current Programming Provides a Springboard for Services
The Future of Programming
"New" Programming Considerations Relating to Mobile Commerce?
Bottom Business Lines
Licensing and Revenue Sharing
Coupons
Projected Programming Changes in Mobile Commerce
Video Cameras In Mobile Devices
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Mobile Computing

From the Paper
"As early as 2000, Feldman (2000) notes "mobile commerce" constitutes "a new area of business" where an individual can order clothes over the Net while waiting for someone, download merchant coupons on their PDA or digital phone when they enter a restaurant or store, or bid on an item in an auction. These activities, albeit, reflect only the "tip of a very big iceberg". (Feldman, 2000) Two years later, Barnes (2002) purports that mobile (m-) commerce, fueled by massive, contemporary mobile technologies offers a person the Internet in his/her pocket, pouch or purse and that the possibilities appear infinite. A person can not only shop and purchase merchandise and services, he/she can bank, buy tickets, and catch up on real-time news via his/her mobile device."

Tags:banking, games, video, cameras, coupons

Abstract
This paper examines the role of men and women as consumers. It looks at how they view shopping, use different products and think differently about coupons and sale prices. It evaluates the standard stereotypes, that women shop for food and clothes while men for cars and homes and shows how these stereotypes have not changed even though the roles of men and women in society is constantly changing.

From the Paper
"Most women's main role is to take care of the family, even if they work, so they tend to do make a majority of purchases related to home and the family. This makes them more familiar with products, prices, sale times, and bargain hunting. In fact, more and more advertising is being geared to women, because advertisers realize they are responsible for the bulk of purchases for the family. Many more women are also taking responsibility for major purchases, such as homes and cars, and even investing, and advertising reflects this. Watching television advertising, you see more ads geared to women, including car ads, liquor ads and investing ads."

Tags:merchandise, sales, bargain, hunting, family, salary, gender

From the Paper
"... deals with the topic of long-term debt. The chapter first presents an overview of traditional debt instruments including term loans, different types of bonds and debentures. Specific features of debt contracts are then analyzed including agency problems for bondholders, call provisions and sinking funds. Recent innovations in bonds are then discussed including zero coupon bonds, floating rate debt and junk bonds. The chapter concludes with a more detailed discussion of bond ratings and the factors which influence long-term financing decisions.

... defines a bond as a long-term contract under which ... "

From the Paper
The pizza segment of the fast food industry operates on low profit margins and in a highly competitive environment. Once the realm of local and regional operations, the market is now characterized by national chains which offer take out, delivery and dine in service in restantsaurs. In addition, the market has attracted "gourmet" pizza outlets which combine interesting ingredients with high tech decor in order to attract the well heeled professionals who traditionally do not purchase pizza on a regular basis, but do order it occasionally for parties or who are attracted to the gourmet stylings.

Pizza Hut is one of the most successful of the traditional pizza restaurants. Owned by the soft drink giant PepsiCo (which also owns Taco Bell), Pizza Hut offers dine in restaurants as well as take out and delivery service from most of its locations."

Abstract
This paper looks at bonds, a splitting of a very large loan into many easily transferable notes or units. It discusses how each bond is a long-term investment, which also bears an interest and how, after being issued, the bond is sold to the investing public with the result that there are multiple bondholders participating in one loan. Through an analysis of the different types of bonds available, it attempts to advise on the right bond for the right situation.

Outline
Abstract
Introduction
What are Bonds?
Issuance of Bonds
Liquidity of Bonds
U.S. Government Bonds
Municipal Bonds
Corporate Bonds
Zero-Coupon Bonds
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Bonds have never been as attractive to investor as stocks, and in recent years bonds look plain and confusing. Who needs them? And while stocks have averaged 11% annual returns over time, bonds have dropped down to less than 6%. The happened in 1998, when bonds posted an 8.6% total return and stocks took 26.7%. It was the fourth straight year of 20%-plus gains for the S&P 500 index (Morgan Stanley). Well, don't be fooled. Stocks won't always give you such great returns. And it's often the case that when stocks go down, bonds go up, making them an excellent source for diversifying your portfolio. In the third quarter of 1998, the S&P 500 dropped by 11% due to fear of a global economic slowdown."

Tags:municipal, government, corporate, zero, coupon

Abstract
This paper describes the fraudulent activities of Charles Ponzi, with particular emphasis on his Boston-based postal coupon enterprise. The paper briefly provides some biographical information on Ponzi and then explains his postal coupon scheme, which was the forerunner of the modern-day pyramid scheme. The paper further describes the criminal procedures brought against Ponzi after being arrested and charged for mail fraud, the time he served in prison after he was found guilty at his trial and his involvement in a land scheme operation after his release from jail. Next, the paper discusses Ponzi's deportation to Italy, his travels to Brazil and his exploits there as well as his death in a charity ward in a Rio de Janeiro hospital. Finally, the paper discusses, in further detail, the criminal and civil charges brought against Ponzi for his illegal activities and describes some of the legal sanctioning mechanisms that were a direct result of the Ponzi fiasco.

From the Paper
"In the summer of 1920, most investors on the East Coast knew of Charles W. Ponzi and his Boston-based postal coupon enterprise. Ponzi invented a phony investment plan and promised investors enormous profits. He lived up to this promise initially. The first investors spread the news about this great deal and new money came pouring in. However, by October of the same year, the shady investment entrepreneur was indicted on multiple fraud counts, and the simplicity and grand scale of his scheme linked Ponzi's name with a particular form of fraud: "Ponzi scheme." Still, before Charles Ponzi's investment scheme faltered, he had collected $9,500,000 from 10,000 investors by selling promissory notes paying "fifty percent profit in forty-five days." "

Tags:italy, investors, wealthy, spain, international, local, post, office, american, postage, stamps

Abstract
Bonds are IOUs extended from one entity to another entity as money in exchange for a loan. This paper explains that the three major types of bonds are U.S. government bonds, corporate bonds, and zero coupon bonds. Within these three major categories exist many other, major subcategories. It shows how a secure U.S. Treasury may be appropriate for one kind of investor, while a high-risk, callable corporate bond might be appropriate for another. The writer points out that most investors will seek, ideally, a diverse portfolio among a variety of these different types of securities, with varying levels of risk; a high risk gives an investor a higher yield than a low risk. The paper explains that bonds can be purchased through brokers and are traded in the open market. It concludes that the value of the bond varies according to the interest rate, although in general, government bonds are less risky than corporate bonds.

From the Paper
"According to economist Kevin Heckinger (2002), while the average investor in these MSNBC-happy watching times may feel that he or she knows about the basics of investing in the stock market, many people remain puzzled as to what bonds are and the ins and outs of investing in various forms of fixed income securities. The average investor may have been issued a bond as a present for graduation, or received a bond as a prize in a contest, or gotten a U.S. Savings Bond as a 'reward' or incentive for buying an appliance, perhaps. But the nature of what a bond means, as opposed to a share in a publicly traded company still remains obscure in public parlance."

Tags:risk, security, portfolio

Abstract
This paper examines the financial policies that the Crocs firm has exhibited in its young history. The paper analyzes seven elements in the context of the firm's rapid growth and competitive operating environment, including the mix of capital, maturity structure, basis of coupon and dividend payments, currency issues, preference for financial innovation, external control and distribution of value. The paper considers Crocs' potential opportunities and challenges and offers projections for the future of the company. The paper predicts that the share price will fall and the company will be lucky to survive as a going concern or to attract buyer interest at a premium to today's share price. This paper contains tables.

Outline:
Current Context
Analysis of Financial Policy I: Description
Analysis of Financial Policy: Diagnosis
Potential Opportunities and Challenges
Projections

From the Paper
"The first element is the mix of capital. Analysis of this element seeks to ascertain the degree to which the firm relies on different classes of capital. At Crocs, the current debt-to-equity ratio is 58.7%. In 2007 this was 41.2% and in 2006 it was 43.7%. The company has little long-term debt. The bulk of its liabilities are current liabilities, and these are spread out among different classes, the largest being accounts payable and "other". The company had a nominal amount of long-term debt prior to their IPO but has since eliminated that from the balance sheet. Since the IPO the long-term liabilities at Crocs have consisted mainly of "other"."

Tags:capital, maturity, payments, assets, currency, shares

Abstract
The paper analyzes the Valpak value proposition and how it can be used in a campaign and suggests how effective it can be in driving customer demand. The paper also discusses which products or marketing messages lend themselves particularly well to Valpak's unique selling proposition (USP) and which products or services are less likely to benefit from Valpak.

Outline:
Introduction
Valpak's Media
Valpak's USP
Incorporating Valpak's Advertising into a Marketing Program
Local Retailers
National Advertisers Using Valpak
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Valpak is a division of Cox Media, which was founded by Terry Loebel in 1968 as a way to market for local businesses in Clearwater, Florida through the local newspaper. Valpak started active franchising of its concept by 1981, led by a former salesperson from a Virginia operation (Valpak). Valpak was acquired by Cox Media in 1991; Cox is a multimedia advertising and media (radio, TV) company which offers a wide variety of direct and broadcasting media to marketers."

Tags:advertising, consumers, coupons