Problems 1 through 4 represent the second step in the financial management cycle.

The following questions represent the third step—analyzing the numbers.

a. For the Lumberjack Hotel, discuss the actual January performance, including dollar and percentage change. Include comparisons of actual with both the budget and last year and identified operating departments that improved or did not improve.

b. For Darden Restaurants, explain what the mix percentages tell about the sales amounts and number of units for each restaurant concept.

c. For Marriott International, which market segment increased its sales mix percentage the most, and which if any had a decrease in its mix percentage?

Compare 2003 actual numbers with both 2002 and 2001 for your answers.

d. For General Electric, list the cost areas that resulted in productivity improvements and any that resulted in productivity declines for 2003. Comment on all four cost areas and the total costs. Why did the earnings percentage go up? Is that good or bad?