Sunbolt Case

Part $1$

Sunbolt Inc. is a small, successful entrepreneurial firm that services and repairs high$-$tech sound systems. Its expert in$-$house electronics staff and quality service have contributed to higher$-$than$-$average earnings and a reputation of excellence.

The company was set up in $2018$ when the owner, an electronics engineer, decided that he was tired of working for others and wanted to begin his own business. The business has been so successful that the owner is currently in the process of negotiations with several private investors to obtain financial backing for a regional expansion. Currently, Sumbot employs the owner, nine sound technicians, and two administrative employees, yourself and Ann.

You were hired during the first year of operations to assist the owner with the financial and administrative aspects of the business. You hold a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis on small business. Your understanding of financial management has been an invaluable asset as the firm has grown beyond the management capability of the owner. Your position can be best described as finance and administrative officer of the business.

In addition to your regular duties, the owner has asked you to develop a strategy for implementing the expansion. The plan includes your projections of the staffing and financial needs of expanded operations, strategies for the acquisition of new outlets, and a tentative time frame for full implementation. The owner has assured you that when the expansion is approved, you will be the prime candidate for a management position at the regional level.

Ann, the niece of a major investor in the expansion, was hired $2$ years ago to assist you with the administration of the growing firm. She is currently in the process of completing a business degree at a local university that offers evening classes. Ann can be described as a bright and competent who has a talent for negotiation and problem$-$solving. Ann has also applied for the regional management position. Among the job requirements for the regional management position are $($a$)$ knowledge of finance and financial markets through which funding for the firm's growth must be obtained and $($b$)$ skill in oral communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution to effectively deal with problems and conflicts that may result as the company changes and expands.

During the past few months, you have met several times with individual investors who are interested in financing the expansion so that each member could contribute his or her ideas to the expansion plan. After extensive consultation with each investor, you have finalized a draft of the plan and have prepared a formal presentation of the plan for the entire group.

At this point, you have just presented the formal plan during a meeting attended by the owner, Sunbolt employees, and the investors. During the meeting, a couple of the investors disagreed