Abstract
This paper examines the due diligence process in detail with an emphasis on the legal due diligence process. An ethics component is included in the legal due diligence process as the presence of ethical issues may make further consideration a moot point. The legal due diligence process is examined in reference to a specific company: Visionscape. It is determined that Visionscape would be a strong investment based on the character of a projected legal due diligence effort.

From the Paper
"Most research does not address the ethical component of the legal due diligence process until the very last and usually as an after-thought. However, determining the ethical nature of a potential investment is probably the single-most important aspect of the legal due diligence process: "Eventually, many of a company's ethics abuses would come to light. Faulty or unsafe products would be discovered, and lawsuits could arise"(Harrison, 1999, para.5). If it's found that an investment target is unethical, there are likely issues in the other components of the due diligence process and the company would not be a good investment target. "

Tags:legal, due, diligence

Abstract
This paper explains that venture capitalists make appropriate risk assessments, called due diligence, to find out if they are really and truly buying the company, an interest, or a product as presented in that infamous "fine print". The author points out that the checklist delineates a request for various kinds of documents from the company or the producers in question with whom the venture capitalists are dealing. The paper relates that the due diligence checklist includes a list of banks or other lenders with whom the future company might have a financial relationship, including credit agreements, debt instruments, and other agreements evidencing outstanding loans to which the company is a party or was a party within the past two years.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Checklist
Corporate Documents Regarding ChipeX Company and Subsidiaries
Issuances of Securities
Material Contracts and Agreements
Employees and Related Parties
Memo
Conclusion

From the Paper
"This is a financially chancy and dicey time for technological investment. According to some of their independent analysts, the microchip to be developed by the aforementioned former members of ChipeX Company is a sure thing. This alone, however, should raise red flags. Even though the technical viability of the product has been sung in its praises by many technologically forward independent experts, in business, particularly the business of technology, experience and the dot.com bomb has taught us all that there is no sure thing."

Tags:documents, risk, microchip, contracts, memo

Abstract
This paper explains that "The Lady of Shalott" is narrative poetry in the form of a ballad, which displays a central theme of diligence in occupation in opposition to the theme of complacence and relaxation. The author points out that the Lady of Shalott represents a person who is wholly engrossed in her occupation; whereas Lancelot and the people of Camelot represent complacency and relaxation. The paper relates that Tennyson expresses the relationship between diligence and relaxation through his use of imagery, symbolism, and action.

From the Paper
"Imagery plays a crucial role in "The Lady of Shalott." Shalott is an island; singular in its position, The Lady of Shalott is a woman whom is also singular in her position since she is constant in her loom work, and she is isolated like the island itself. The Lady is embowered in "four gray walls and four gray towers" that look upon a field of lilies. The image of gray walls and towers imparts a feeling of a dreary, monotonous routine, and the lilies of purity and a pallid existence. The weaving however, a result of The Lady's occupation, is "a magic web with colors gay." The connection that The Lady has with the outside world, her mirror, presents her with shadows, a perception of only images and shapes, devoid of soul and thought, mere pictures to her."

Tags:occupation, relaxation, lancelot, camelot, imagery

Abstract
Many mergers fail to integrate cultural differences successfully in today's global economy. This paper examines what can be done to help them succeed. It shows that one of the most neglected aspects of planning mergers and acquisitions, and one of the leading causes of their failure or success is the performance or neglect of cultural due diligence. The paper shows that Microsoft and Great Plains Software, and Cisco's merger with Cerent are examples of what to do right when merging two companies. It discusses how successful mergers employ specific and detailed approaches for pre-merger planning, which include methods for communication of vision, changes and purpose, involvement of employees, establishment of strategy, leadership, due diligence and potential process and system conflict.

Paper Outline:
Executive Summary; Introduction; Microsoft Acquires Great Plains Software; About Microsoft; About Great Plains Software; Combined Strategy; Culture Integration; Communication; About AOL and Time Warner; Recommendations; Cisco Corporation Acquires Cerent Communication; The Cisco strategy; Due Diligence Pre Merger Phase; Culture Perspective; Communication; Leadership; System Conflicts; Process Conflicts and Staffing Issues; Quality and Continuous Improvement; Recommendations and Observations; Future Acquisitions; Hewlett Packard and Compaq Merger; The Values of the New HP; Due Diligence Phase; Recommendations and Observations; What HP/Compaq could have done differently; Conclusion; References

From the Paper
"Companies who have experienced successful mergers have found that integration of corporate cultures in an M & A environment includes the establishment of the strategic direction of the merged entities, developing a shared vision, careful scrutiny of management styles, communication to employees, suppliers, customers and shareholders, and identifying and resolving important cultural differences early and having a plan to integrate the cultures (Miller, 2002). The communication of the rationale behind the decisions, future goals and objectives, new roles and responsibilities, and managerial expectations through constructive dialogue and feedback, are vital to build trust and ensure credible leadership. In fact, this communication is more important in the period leading up to and following closure of a deal. The more dissimilar the cultures, the greater the cultural shock, particularly if the M & A was not voluntarily chosen."

Tags:Compaq, Frank, Dzubeck, M, &, A

Abstract
This paper explains that mergers and acquisitions require a step-by-step process in order to be successful but, even then, the failure rate is astounding. The author points out that due diligence and in-house auditors must be used to make sure that the corporate cultures and compensation schemes of the target and acquirer companies are relatively close in structure or at least compatible because a failure to do so will torpedo the M&A at a very early stage. The paper relates that, from an international perspective, the acquirer must be aware of the target's national laws regarding taxation, work weeks and other human resources issues.

Table of Contents
Introduction
The Steps
Step 1: Goal Identification
Step 2: (If Sale) Packaging and Marketing
Step 3: If Acquisition Moving Forward, then Analysis and Structuring
Step 4: Negotiation
Step 5: Due Diligence
Step 6: Contract Negotiations
Step 7: Closing
Issues that Arise in M&A Negotiation
What Steps Make M&A Negotiations Successful
Differences in Negotiation in the U.S. and Abroad
Conclusion

From the Paper
"One such summary tool asks the involved executives to prepare a potential target list detailing companies, their contacts, history, products/markets, differentia versus competitors, funding and financials (including revenues and profits, if known), employees, sales structure and any notes or source-citation, plus details on the current relationship with their own company. The other primary work product at this stage is a company overview of each target candidate that matches these criteria - carefully describing each company in greater detail including all of the above elements, plus its founders/investors, a summary of its acquisitions-criteria fit and an explanation of why this company is appealing under the current circumstances, plus, of course, a SWOT analysis."

Tags:step-by-step, auditors, cultures, compensation, taxation

Abstract
The paper argues that the science that explains climate changes is not the science that is being used to promote the self-interest concept of man-made global warming. The paper reveals that Al Gore's documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth" warns of the drastic results of man-made emissions but does not explain the science behind these warnings. The paper considers the claim that there is a vested interest in creating panic, such as Al Gore's "green" company that would benefit from the funding projects associated with global warming. The paper contends that we need to remain environmentally diligent, however, we cannot allow our diligence to disintegrate into hysteria, and allow people to avoid telling us the scientific facts.

From the Paper
"North America was once covered by a glacier, and when it receded, or melted, the glacier left in its wake a vast wealth of fossil, mineral, and other information from which scientists have learned much about the evolution of our planet. The melting of the glaciers is a trend in climate change that has nothing to do with the emissions of man-made carbons into the air. The science that lends understanding to the climate changes that are occurring on earth right now, is not the same science that is being used to promote the self-interest concept of man-made global warming. There are many things wrong with using what has been called "voodoo science," to instill fear in people, and to mislead them to believe that mankind is killing the planet (Park, Robert, 2000, 31-33)."

Tags:Al, Gore, An, Inconvenient, Truth, environment, science, climate, change

Abstract
This paper discusses that, as the first woman named Justice to the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor made history because she broke the "glass ceiling"; the bench of the Supreme Court was formally reserved exclusively for men. The author points out that, as a pragmatist, O'Connor normally begins reviewing a case by first inductively discovering the decisional principles by reading selected opinions and internal memos covering a full range of issues. This paper concludes that, although not everyone always agrees with her opinions, assessments, and style, no one questions her diligence and integrity; Sandra Day O'Connor is considered to be the most influential woman in America.

From the Paper
"She later took up a course with a major on economics at Stanford University with the intention of using that knowledge in operating a ranch of her own or the Lazy-B ranch itself. When her family encountered a dispute over the ranch, she began to have an interest in law and enrolled at the Stanford Law School after finishing baccalaureate degree in economics, magna cum laude, in 1950. Instead of the traditional three years, she took only two to finish law and then served as editor of the Stanford Law Review until she became a member of the Order of the Coif, a legal honor society (US Supreme Court). She met John O'Connor at this time, who was then also attending law school. Sandra graduated from law school in 1952, again with honors as third in a class of 102. The first placer was William H. Rehnquist, who was to be the Chief Justice. Then she and John were married."

Tags:ranch, marriage, style, integrity, influential

Abstract
This paper will probe further into the issue of safety in physical education, paying particular attention to teacher's liability. It will ask, and answer, several important questions. Should teachers have more personal liability over the safety of their students? Should school boards be less liable? What degree of responsibility should fall upon the student him/herself? Should certain activities that exceed a potential safety threshold be eliminated from the curriculum? And so on. To support the findings and analysis in the paper, several legal tenets and cases will be used to provide instruction. It will be concluded that, as in all other health care or safety issues, prevention is the best medicine. Logically, where all steps have been taken to ensure safety, liability cannot fall on the teacher. But to determine this, due diligence and negligence need to be better defined. In sum, the final analysis of the paper supports the law as it currently exists in most states. However, it calls for increased care and a better definition of terms.

Abstract
The chapter is explained in the light of Confucian belief and philosophy which emphasize acceptance of the exterior world and great diligence in developing the inner world.

Tags:mastering, life, tzu

Abstract
This paper examines how professionals, such as nurses, treat mentally ill patients. The paper pays particular attention to the role that nurses play the proper treatment of patients and in the supervision of the administration of their medication. The writer discusses how non-compliance with medication can have an adverse affect, not only on the patient, but on the larger community as a whole. The paper details several possible means of dealing with problems with medication, including an improvement in the way that the medication is administered, monitoring the patients more closely, clearer explanation of the risks associated when the medication is not taken properly and the need for the patient and medical professional to be properly informed about all possible side-effects. The author does point out that, all of these suggestions may be well-intentioned, but when dealing with mental illness, extra diligence is often required, as these patients are often repeat patients due to the nature of their illness.

From the Paper
"However, while certainly effective in abating TB, such forced treatment raises a number of important ethical questions. While it might seem to be an easy question - it might be argued, for example, that a person's physical health is always more important than ideals like civil rights, in fact such a proposition is hard to maintain in a free society like that of Australia - or indeed in many kinds of societies. If personal physical safety were always held to be more important than ideals, then there would be no soldiers, no firefighters, no public-health nurses and doctors. Clearly sometimes people consider ideals more important than health and safety."

Tags:compliance, medication, nurses, schizophrenia, consequences, health