1. Annual Report Project  Written report (4-6 pages) –US-based publicly traded firm –Use annual reports, company web site, 10-K –Compare, contrast, analyze  Trend information, Profitability, activity, solvency, liquidity, cash flows, strategy –Questions:  How is the company doing in each of the categories?  Which areas – doing particularly well?  Which areas – need to improve?  How is the company doing compared to industry standards?  What is overall assessment of company’s operations and outlook

2. Presentation  20-30 minutes total  Each person must participate equally  Common blunders: –Spending too much time going over statistics and facts –Reading directly from paper or slides –Letting your nervousness show  Communicating effectively –Intro w/slide – who does what –Tell ‘em what you are going to tell ‘em, tell it to them, and then tell ‘em what you told them

3. Presentation –Start with introduction, agenda (goals), provide content, summarize presentation –Most people will not remember more than five key points – what are they? –Start with last slide – write first –KISS – more complicated, more trouble, don’t get carried away with special effects, check out everything in advance, rehearse (know it) –Don’t memorize –Use notes sparingly –Dress for success –Pace yourself – not too fast or too slow

4. Presentation –Face audience, eye contact, two or three easily visible to you – speak to them –You’re the speaker – you are supposed to know –Don’t hide behind computer –It’s the knowledge not the graphics –Humor – used sparingly, can build a rapport with audience –Quotes – if appropriate