Nick just saw a posting on the company's website for a financial analyst position in the firm's controller office. He had always thought of himself as a future plant manager, but while working for Mr. Raymond he found he enjoyed working as a financial analyst. Maybe his best career opportunity was to be on the corporate headquarters staff. The basics of finance was easy to learn, and once you drop some numbers into a spreadsheet template-bingo-you have your answer. Since nothing happens without money, an analyst position would put him in the center of the action for the firm.

Do you agree with Nick?

Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being on the operations side of an agribusiness as a plant manager versus being a staff financial analyst. Is business success really just about maximizing the return on invested capital? Explain.

Based on Source: Case 15B. Nick's Financial Future Is Now. From Principles of Agribusiness Management (5th ed.) (p. 279), by J. G. Beierlein, K. C. Schneeberger, and D. D. Osburn, 2014, Long Grove, IL: Waveland Press. Copyright 2014 by James G. Beierlein, Kenneth C. Schneeberger and Donald D. Osburn.

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