Getformula Function, Data Tables, Excel Implementation, and Organizational Structure

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Book 1: Financial Modelling
Chapter 0: Summary
This chapter alongside several others seeks to showcase the importance of data tables in financial modeling. However, in this particular chapter, the author focuses specifically on the Getformula function. The Getformula function as the chapter indicates is used in annotating spreadsheets. This chapter contains several sections with the goal being to explain how the Getformula function is added to Excel notebook. The process is quite simple but different in subtle ways for Mac and Windows users. The first instance details the ways in which users on Mac and Windows could put the function into their excel notebook. For both users, the steps involve opening the VBA editor and then inserting text that activates the formula. While saving the excel workbook, however, it is crucial to saving with an acknowledgment of the formula. So, one is directed to save the file as a macro-enabled workbook and the procedure for Mac and Windows users are different. The Getformula has to be inserted into each excel workbook. However, it is possible to automate it such that the formula will be activated every time Excel is started.
Reflection
This chapter is crucial as it offers one an introduction or lays a foundation for what is to come later in the book. The Getformula function is indeed important while preparing excel sheets. It helps make work easier as one is computing and working out numbers in an excel sheet. So, the importance of this chapter goes beyond laying a foundation for the later chapters.
Question: What are some of the ways that the Getformula function can be used in data analysis?
Chapter 31: Summary
In this chapter, the book delves deeper into excel sheets. Here, data tables are discussed in depth and one is introduced to one-dimensional and two-dimensional excel data tables. As explained in the book, a one-dimensional data table does sensitivity analysis by varying one parameter. So, for this data table, if one wants to know how a single parameter interferes or leads to changes in two data sets, they place the parameter in the first column and have the two data sets in the top rows. Then, the next step involves varying the data values in the single parameter and noting the differences in the two data sets occupying the rows. So, while using the data table command, one only inserts the value for the Column Input Cell. Aside from the above, there is also the two-dimensional excel data table. For this data table, one measures the influence of two parameters. So, while using the data command, one sets a value for the Column Input Cell and the Row Input Cell. For data tables, the formula being calculated can be hidden instead of always appearing on the table.
Reflection
Data tables are a great tool that makes it easier for one to make use of different formulas. While creating excel sheets, there are two ways or approaches. One of them is to input everything and compute numbers elsewhere while inserting them into the worksheet. On the other hand, this chapter introduces the concept of using tables and formulas to fill out spreadsheets. The ideas are easy to understand and use in one’s personal endeavor to develop spreadsheets. Data tables are indeed interesting to use and make it easier to know how value affects others.
Question: What are the advantages of one-dimensional and two-dimensional data tables?
Chapter 1: Summary
Microsoft’s Excel is one of the most important business tools in the world today. Excel is indeed a powerful data analysis and visualization tool. In this chapter, one is introduced to some of the ways Excel can be used to compute some finance basics. The concepts covered in this chapter include the Net present value, Internal rate of return, Payment schedules and loan tables, Future value, Pension and accumulation problems, Continuously compounded interest and Time-dated cash flows. So, for each of the above concepts, this chapter offers an excel implementation and helps the reader understand how to compute different values by employing special formulas within the excel sheets.
Reflection
While going through this chapter, the role of the excel program in the world is made evident. The concepts discussed in this chapter all have a manual method or approach which is indeed long and tedious. However, the excel implementation discussed in this chapter offers data analysists a way out of their often tedious approach. It is also crucial to point out that the three chapters do have some similarities and reading them in the order of 0, 31, and 1 offers one a holistic view of how excel implementation makes work easier.
Question: Explain how excel implementation can be used to help compute the net present value.
Book 2: People and Performance
Chapter 17: The Innovative Organization
Summary
In the nineteenth century, organizations did not consider innovation as a function of management. However, the need for social and political innovation has become critical in the twentieth century. Innovation is all about value and how an organization is in a position to impact its environment. That is why innovating businesses should be aware of the dynamics of innovation. While innovation cannot be determined, it is not haphazard such that it cannot be foreseen. Innovation starts with a strategy where the management examines a business and what it should be in the future. This calls for a planned and systematic way of eliminating the old and the obsolete. While innovation, businesses need to consider the possibility of failure. Management should be prepa...