Marketing plan as the main part of the business strategy Essay

Marketing plan as the main part of the business strategy - Essay Example Markets and products have become extremely fragmented. There are hundreds of special-interest magazines, for example, each targeted to a very specific market segment. It's the same with restaurants, cars and retail clothing stores, just to name a few industries. Positioning your product competitively requires an understanding of this fragmented market. Not only must you be able to describe your product, you must also be able to describe your competitor's product and show why yours is better. Positioning your product involves two steps. First, analyze your product's features, and decide how they differentiate your product from its competitors. Second, decide what type of buyer is most likely to purchase your product. Pricing and placement are critical to competitive positioning. In today's marketing culture, pricing cannot be separated from the product. Take grocery stores, for example. The full-service supermarket is still the most popular form of grocery distribution. But today, busy families want faster service and more convenience, even if it means higher prices. As a result, convenience stores, home delivery services, personal shoppers and takeout restaurants have proliferated. At the same time, warehouse grocery retailing has also increased. Warehouse stores cater to customers who prefer low prices to convenience. Describe your target customer. Developing a profile of your target customer is the second step in an effective marketing plan. You can describe customers in terms of demographics-age, sex, family composition, earnings and geographical location-as well as lifestyle. Ask: Are my customers conservative or innovative Leaders or followers Timid or aggressive Traditional or modern Introverted or extroverted How often do they purchase what I offer How much of it at a time Are there peak buying periods or times of the year when people won't buy my product or service Conclusion The simple truth is that the type of ad that pays off immediately will work less and less well the longer you keep running it. And the ad that will make customers think of you immediately when they need what you sell (true branding) usually doesn't begin showing any encouraging results for at least some weeks. These are the ads that will work better and better the longer you keep running them. But most advertisers will cancel these ads after some weeks. The thing to remember when developing your marketing plan is that you're not looking for what works. Every type of advertising works to one degree or another. What you're looking for is the best long-term use of your ad budget. Then you have to develop an advertising message within your marketing plan. The questions you're trying to answer are these: "What do we need to say to the customer and how often do we need to say it And which media will give us the most efficient long-term

Are Public Protests in Public Places Effective Ways of Bringing Change Essay

Are Public Protests in Public Places Effective Ways of Bringing Change - Essay Example It was the largest ever seen demonstration in the capital that attracted over 250,000 people and one of the first to have extensive television coverage. The Cairo’s Tahrir Square, which was a protest against the country’s leadership, that is, revolution against former President Hosni Mubarak and his regime. The two events are memorable as they have some similarities and differences depicting the nature of public protests in the past and recent years. The two events being the best examples of public protest, indicating that public protest in public places can be an effective way of bringing change to the people. The atmosphere and conditions that led to the protest of Civil Rights March (Washington DC 1963) started way back in 1950s and 1960s where the civil rights movement in the United States was for political, legal, and social struggle to gain citizenship rights for black Americans and to achieve equality. A racial unrest of civil demonstrations was sparked off by th e police action in Birmingham, Alabama that had media coverage showing how dogs and fire horses were turned against protestors who were still young in their early teens (ABC, 2005). In The Tahrir Square (Cairo 2011) protest, around the year 2005 and 2006 after the re-election of Mubarak opposition started to demand for political changes. The protests were however, started because of a June 2010 incident in which a young man Khaled Said was allegedly beaten by police. This is the same period that there was unrest in Tunisia and protests in Egypt has been linked to this protest too. The high levels of unemployment of black people, the persistence racial segregation, the poor and minimal wages at their jobs, the disenfranchisement of many African Americans, and the slow or lack of any meaningful reforms by earlier protests led to this march of 1963. This led to demands for the passage of a meaningful and comprehensive civil rights legislation, the protection against police brutality on the protestors, and the ending of cultural separation in public schools. Further, it led to enactment of laws that prohibits racial unfairness in public and private hiring, a major program for public-works to provide jobs for the black Americans, a 2 dollar an hour minimum wage, and the call for a self government for the District of Columbia which had a black majority (Anheier, 2004). In the 2011 Egyptian protests, it were mainly for political and legal issues including; the main issue being the end of President Hosni Mubarak’s regime, uncontrolled corruption, lack of freedom of speech and free elections, economical issues including high unemployment, police brutality, food price inflation, state of emergency laws, and low minimum wages. More than 250,000 demonstrators descended upon the nation’s capital to participate in the march of Washington for â€Å"Jobs and Freedom† on August 28, 1963. The protest began with a rally at Washington Monument where several c elebrities and musicians performed and the protests became a collective celebration too. This was one of the largest demonstrations by various civil rights organizations in United States showing their unity in agitation for Jobs and freedom. The participants went from National Mall to the Memorial which was a mile long away. At the Lincoln Memorial, there was a three-hour long program, which included speeches from prominent civil rights and religious leaders. The two outstanding speeches came from came from John Lewis and Martin Luther King, Jr. The march was

Effect of Fixtures on Deformation and Warpage

Effect of Fixtures on Deformation and Warpage

Before you were mine by Carol Ann Duffy Essay -- English Literature

Before you were mine by Carol Ann Duffy Before you were mine ==================== 'Before you were mine' is a poem written by Carol Ann Duffy. It’s a retrospective poignant dramatic monologue, which tells us about her mother's life ten years before Duffy was born. The title suggests that it's a love poem which shows the strong mother and daughter relationship that they had. The poem starts off with a positive image. "†¦laugh on with your pals Maggie McGeeney and Jean Duff†¦". This shows us that before her mother had children, she was living a very interesting and cheerful life. Duffy moves on by describing her mother's romantic character. "†¦the fizzy, movie tomorrows†¦". The fact that her mother used to go to the movies late at night suggests that she used to go with a lover, which is a very passionate image. However, she also had a disobedient side to her "†¦your Ma stands at the close with a hiding for the late one†¦". This shows that Duffy's mother used to come home late at night and used to get beaten by her mother, which portrays her rebellious nature. Duffy says...

A Study into the Curriculum Development Process

In the yesteryear, course of study development commissions were typically composed of the instructors with expertness in the content country who were asked to make range and sequence paperss and to propose texts and other resources for acceptance by school territories. Our apprehension of course of study development has changed. The procedure is now viewed as an chance to develop understanding and ownership by the participants, and therefore course of study development commissions include members of all parties with involvements in the educational system. Identifying and sequencing the content can hold a more positive consequence on pupil accomplishment when it is combined with effectual instructional and assessment schemes every bit good as a supportive school environment. Therefore, the occupation of course of study development commissions is more extended than in the yesteryear. Curriculum development commissions must research effectual patterns in order to back up school environm ents that offer rich and varied acquisition experiences. They must reexamine policies and behaviours that foster community engagement and just chances for all. They must see professional development activities to back up the content, direction, and assessment outlooks. The outlooks of course of study development commissions cross some boundaries into what were antecedently defined as administrative functions. While some course of study development commissions might non hold the clip, resources, or power to presume all of these functions, they can see the importance of each of the issues raised in this papers and delegate related duties to others who can consequence these alterations.PremisesA quality course of study development procedure addresses what pupils should cognize, be able to make, and be committed to ( content ) , how it is taught ( direction ) , how it is measured ( appraisal ) , and how the educational system is organized ( context ) . Every facet of course of study development should pattern inclusive, learner-centered direction. In other words, territory course of study development commission meetings and territory professional development should mirror best instruction patterns. Curriculum development, direction, and appraisal should be unfastened, just procedures. Everyone involved must cognize the intents for every activity, the stuffs or procedures to be used, the definition of success, and the effects of failure. The end should be to promote persons to be independent, yet join forces efficaciously ; be self-evaluative yet take others ‘ perceptual experiences into history ; be rapacious scholars, yet commit themselves to a balanced instruction. Curriculum development should reflect the fact that pupils learn better when subjects and constructs are tied together through interdisciplinary course of study and thematic direction. Curriculum for educating and measuring immature kids should follow early childhood instruction guidelines and include engagement of parents and the early childhood community. The course of study development procedure must presume that pupils develop at different times ; degrees or phases must be looked at as scopes instead than specific class degrees or single-age classs. Educational answerability means that the territory has a clear statement of criterions and outlooks for pupils, instructors, instructional Plutos, parents, territory functionaries, and all others who participate in the peculiar instruction community. Both criterions and appraisals must be known and believable to the full community. Standards must be evaluated by a assortment of appraisals. Any rating procedure must place the measuring yardsticks ( procedures, instruments ) , the intents for measurement, the measuring points or forms, and the effects of meeting or non run intoing the stated outlooks. Professional development should be provided for the course of study development commission and, when implementing the new course of study, instructors and staff besides need professional development. A important investing in professional development must be an built-in portion of any course of study development procedure. The educational constructions must be flexible to let for the integrating of course of study across the subjects in instances where such integrating would better motive of the pupils and relevancy of the content. These premises must take to rethinking the conventional construction and agenda of schools in footings of school twenty-four hours, school twelvemonth, class degrees, capable countries, graduation demands, pupil grouping, and physical works. ( Chip McMillian )Te WhA?rikiTe WhA?riki is the Ministry of Education ‘s early childhood course of study policy statement. Te WhA?riki is a model for supplying tamariki/children ‘s early acquisition and development within a sociocultural context. It emphasises the larning partnership between kaiako/teachers, parents, and whA?nau/families. Kaiako/teachers weave an holistic course of study in response to tamariki/children ‘s acquisition and development in the early childhood scene and the wider context of the kid ‘s universe. This course of study is founded on the undermentioned aspirations for kids: to turn up as competent and confident scholars and communicators, healthy in head, organic structure, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the cognition that they make a valued part to society.This course of study defines how to accomplish advancement towards this vision for scholars in early childhood acquisition environments. It is about the single kid. Its get downing point is the scholar and the cognition, accomplishments, and attitudes that the kid brings to their experiences. The course of study is besides approximately early childhood scenes. Learning Begins at place, and early childhood programmes outside the kid ‘s ain place drama a important function in widening early acquisition and in puting the foundations for successful hereafter acquisition. Each community to which a kid belongs, whether it is a household place or an early childhood puting outside the place, provides chances for new acquisition to be fostered: for kids to reflect on alternate ways of making things ; do connexions across clip and topographic point ; set up different sorts of relationship ; and meet different points of position. These experiences enrich kids ‘s lives and supply them with the cognition, accomplishments, and temperaments they need to undertake new challenges. This is an early childhood course of study specifically designed for kids from the clip of birth to school entry, and it provides links to larning in school scenes. The larning environment in the early childhood old ages is different from that in the school sector. This acquisition environment, the restraints of age, and the particular nature of the early childhood old ages are elaborated on in this course of study. This course of study emphasises the critical function of socially and culturally mediated acquisition and of mutual and antiphonal relationships for kids with people, topographic points, and things. Children learn through coaction with grownups and equals, through guided engagement and observation of others, every bit good as through single geographic expedition and contemplation. This is a course of study for early childhood attention and instruction in New Zealand. In early childhood instruction scenes, all kids should be given the chance to develop cognition and an apprehension of the cultural heritages of both spouses to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. The course of study reflects this partnership in text and construction. ( Education )Research in course of study designIn general there are criterions set by regulating organic structures to guarantee that all kids get the same instruction. This includes when kids should get down larning certain constructs like generation, and at what ages they should hold a specified reading ability. Those who work on course of study design on a regular basis reexamine these criterions to do certain that they can be met, and do accommodations when necessary. Course of study interior decorators besides consider the pupils, and what types of course of study is best for their demands. This can be a hard accomplishment since pupils in most schools come from a scope of cultural and economic backgrounds. Teaching methods may be different depending on the basic make-up of the pupil organic structure, as some methods are more appropriate for certain types of pupils than others. A truly professional and experient course of study interior decorator will take these points into consideration. One besides has to believe about restrictions when be aftering new course of study. Restrictions include budget, clip, and pupil ‘s abilities. For illustration, non many schools could afford to take all their pupils to historical museums, but the parent of a place schooled kid may. Additionally, some constructs taught in a big school environment may hold to be broken into smaller pieces in order to give the instructor clip to cover the subject with his or her category. When topics are covered excessively fast many kids may non hold clip to absorb the information before new information is introduced. ( schools ) Curiculum design at — — — — – decidedly involves a research based attack. It has been identified that The grownups and instructors who work in the early childhood environment mostly construct the ‘language ‘ of the environment so it is of import that pedagogues understand this linguistic communication. It is our belief that a quality environment responds to the 100 linguistic communications of kids identified by Loris Malaguzzi ( pedagogist manager of the diary ‘Bambini ‘ and a cardinal figure in the development and publicity of the Reggio Emilia early childhood Centres ) in his verse form The 100 linguistic communications of kids. 3 The early childhood environment demands to state to childrenaˆÂ ¦ Yes! This is a topographic point for singing and understanding, a topographic point to detect, to contrive and to woolgather, a topographic point for listening and marvelling. We ‘ve identified three cardinal facets to any early childhoodenvironment as the physical environment, the interactive environment ( societal interactions within the environment ) and the temporal environment ( routines/time ) . However this paper merely attempts to analyze two cardinal countries of the physical environment – administration and aesthetics. We consider that these two key countries contribute significantly to the messages and cues given to kids by the environment ( If the environment is the 3rd instructor what linguistic communication does she talk? )Teachers PhilisophyFor a instructor pupils aretheir chief precedence and they are cognizant that each of them has different degree of proficiency when it comes to larning. They believe that by making a student-centred acquisition, their pupils will be able to take charge of their ain acquisition with small aid from the instructor. This will instill a sense of duty in them in footings of accomplishing their acq uisition end. As a instructor, one of their functions would be to train and ease them throughout the acquisition procedure by supplying information and giving utile guidelines in order for them to accomplish their acquisition mark. By being more resourceful, Teachers will be able to accomplish complacency and success in learning. Teachers ae normally unfastened to new thoughts and suggestions therefore they would wish to be more involved in educational activities, attend educational negotiations and take part in forums or conferences to farther spread out my cognition. Furthermore, being up-to-date with the latest information, maintaining in touch with planetary issues and acquiring their custodies on the latest engineering are some of the ways for me to better themselves. It is besides said, Teachers could integrate engineering into schoolroom pattern because, knowledge-wise, instructors should be at least two or three stairss in front of their pupils. Therefore I have to be well-prepared for every lesson by be aftering their clip and stuffs expeditiously to guarantee that a successful lesson takes topographic point. . Therefore based on the above it is apparent that course of study design is based on a instru ctors doctrine. At Te WhA?riki a similar doctrine is followed. ( Jamil, 209 ) A major influence on our thought has been the work of early childhood pedagogues from Reggio Emilia. We are interested in how the theoretical underpinnings of their attack has manifested in New Zealand and other Western states. The influence Reggio Emilia programmes have had on early childhood pedagogues ‘ believing – in the design of educational equipment, usage of coloring material, infinite and lighting in early childhood Centres, and the turning consciousness of the importance of aesthetics in educational environments, reinforces our ain belief that the Arts and aesthetics instruction are built-in to developing quality early childhood programmes. We have titled this paper ‘If the environment is the 3rd instructor what linguistic communication does she talk? ‘ because we believe the early childhood environment gives kids of import messages and cues. In other words, the environment ‘speaks ‘ to kids – about what they can make, how and where they can make it and how they can work together. â€Å" What is in a infinite, a room or a pace, and how it is arranged can impact the behavior of people ; it can do it easier to move in certain sorts of ways, harder to move in others. We do n't normally believe to take out a deck of cards at a dinner tabular array set for six, even though the figure and agreement suggest a fire hook game. The whole scene gives us prompt about expected behavior, and by and large we do what we have been invited to doaˆÂ ¦in a similar manner, peculiar scenes invite kids to affect themselves in peculiar activities, and the extent ofchildren ‘s constructive engagement i n the activity will depend in big portion on how good certain concrete, mensurable facets of the environing physical infinite run into their â€Å" hungriness, attitudes and interestsaˆÂ ¦ † ( Education )

Denim Finishing Company Case Essay

Mrs. Kelsey Bowser using the ABC method decided to use the number of garments as the cost driver of the change-over costs. Nevertheless, I argue that this was not the best possible choice. I will try to defend my point using the following example. Let’s assume that Guess Who Jeans demands 600, not 500 garments per shipment. Although the number of garments changes, the total change-over costs would stay the same, because no additional retooling of the machine would be necessary. The whole change-over process takes 3 hours regarding if the number of garments is 200, 500 or 800. Furthermore, let’s strictly theoretically assume that the company is able to achieve some extra capacity and one batch is now composed of 150 garments instead of 100 garments. Still, although the total number of garments would vastly increase, the change-over costs would be altered only partially. The opportunity cost measured as a lost contribution margin would slightly increase, but the out-of-po cket costs would stay the same, as the wages of the employees and supplies costs will not change. Thus, it is clear that the number of garments is not the proper cost driver for the change-over costs. In my opinion the number of shipments would be a much better cost driver for the change-over costs. Regarding the number of garments or the number of batches Guess Who Jeans demands every shipment requires the change-over costs to be incurred twice. For instance, if 99 shipments were made, the total change-over costs would equal $351 * 198 = $69,498, because two change-overs ($702) would not have to be undertaken. Thus, the number of shipments clearly drives the analyzed costs. Unlikely the previous example with the number of garments per batch increasing to 150, the number of shipments fully ‘drives’ the change-over costs. Every time the number of shipments rises or falls, the change-over costs change by the full amount of the two per-changeover costs which properly reflect the real situation. Using such a cost driver may be problematic when the allocation of the chang e-over costs is analyzed. Nevertheless, I argue that those cost should be solely allocated to the propriety denim finishing. The demand for the stonewashing services exceeds the company’s capacity. Thus, if the Guess Who Jeans’ offer was declined, the company would use the whole capacity for stonewashing. However, if the offer was accepted the stonewashing processes would be somehow ‘interrupted’ by the propriety denim finishing. Each ‘interruption’, and therefore each shipment would require incurring the change-over costs twice. No factor connected with stonewashing ‘drives’ those costs. Regarding the number of batches or garments used in the stonewashing process each shipment necessitates the cost of $702. Therefore, I believe this cost should be associated with every shipment done by Guess Who Jeans. In Appendix A I present the product profitability analysis using the number of shipment as the cost driver. Moreover, Mrs. Kelsey Bowser claims that the change-over costs should be treated as product-sustaining costs. Nevertheless, I believe her opinion is wrong. I believe these costs should be on the batch level in the cost hierarchy. Hence, I believe the initial analysis undertaken by Mrs. Bowser was correct, although the cost driver she selected was improper. Product-sustaining level costs could be defined as ‘activities that are needed to support an entire product line but are not performed every time a new unit or batch of products is produced’ [Hilton 2010]. Although the first part of the definition applies to the change-over costs, it is clearly not the case when the second part of the definition is concerned. The change-over costs have to be incurred every time the shipments is delivered and the propriety denim finishing has to be done. Therefore, I believe these costs should be rather placed as the batch-level costs in the cost hierarchy. Batch-level costs are believed to ‘arise from activities performed once for each batch or lot of products’ [Zimmerman 2011]. Since the change-over costs need to be incurred every shipment, placing them at this level in the hierarchy seems reasonable. 2. It is clear that before accepting the proposal several nonfinancial issues have to be considered in order to make a reasonable decision. First, the management should think how accepting the Gues Who offer would affect the relations with the other clients. Since Guess Who requires the Denim Finishing Company not to offer the particular type of finish to other customers, it is very likely that relations with other firms will worsen. The Denim Finishing Company has been cooperating with many companies for a long time. Therefore, those companies may dislike the fact that the new client receives the special treatment, while such benefits could not be observed in their case, even though they have been the customers for ages. Consequently, the Denim Finishing Company’s reputation may shrink and furthermore the firm may lose some of its customers that it had long term relations established with. Accepting the Guess Who offer, as mentioned before, would require the Denim Finishing Company to offer the certain time of finish exclusively to Guess Who. Hence, the firm would be prohibited from providing other companies with this service. Before making the decision it should be analyzed if that could lead to potential losses in the future. For instance, although cooperating with Guess Who may be beneficial, the potential gains from offering that type of finish to other clients could be higher. If so, the Denim Finishing Company should rather provide the service to other firms. Naturally, before making such a decision it has to be determined if other firms would require the Denim Finishing Company to offer the service exclusively to them, like it is the case for Guess Who. Offering exclusive service to one company may result in other companies’ (not only potential clients as mentioned in the previous paragraph, but also current ones) demands for exclusive treatment. If other clients, especially those who have been cooperating with the Denim Finishing Company for a long time, realize that it is possible to receive such a special treatment, they would likely claim for it too, as it could give them a competitive advantage over other firms in their industry. Thus, the Denim Finishing Company would undoubtedly face a big problem. It theoretically could increase the prices for the firms that demand exclusive service, but it could lead to losing those clients. Accepting or declining the Guess Who offer may also result in potential conflicts within the firm that have to be considered. For instance, Bruce Farrand who is against the offer may be so determined in defending his point of view that if the offer is accepted, he will decide to terminate his employment. However, he might be so valuable for the company that the gains from the cooperation with Guess Who would not compensate for the value added by Mr. Farrand. Moreover, some other conflicts could arise in the company after deciding either. Before making the decision it would also be recommended to analyze the potential influence the service offered to Guess Who could have on the machine. Since providing the finish would require constant and often retooling of the machine, it could negatively affect the lifetime of the machine. What is more, it is possible that the quality of services done by the machine would shrink because of those often changes. Hence, the satisfaction among clients could diminish and the high cost of purchasing new machine would have to be incurred soon. It also cannot be forgotten that the current demand exceeds the firm’s capacity and some of its clients already use services provided by other companies. Thus, if the Denim Finishing Company’s has even less time for stonewashing, these clients can shift to competitors. Finally, it should be estimated what potential nonfinancial benefits could cooperating with Guess Who bring to the Denim Finishing Company. Guess Who is considered to be a company that offers innovative and premium products. Thus, being an important business partner of such a firm could have a positive impact on the Denim Finishing Company’s reputation. Consequently, it could attract new clients and encourage more companies to cooperate with the Denim Finishing Company. Moreover, successful cooperation with Guess Who Jeans could lead to extending the business relations with that company. For instance, it could outsource more of its production to the Denim Finishing Company. 3. If I were Tom Corcoran, I would undoubtedly have a few questions for the controller. First, I would ask about all the problems mentioned in the two previous questions. As mentioned before, I believe that Mrs. Bowser did not place the change-over costs at the right level in the cost hierarchy. Hence, I would like to get to know why she decided to treat them as product-sustaining costs, while there are a lot of arguments supporting the idea to treat them as batch-level costs. Furthermore, the cost driver chosen by Mrs. Bowser is highly doubtful. I would require the explanation how and to what extent in her opinion the number of garments ‘drives’ the change-over costs. Since I believe the number of garments is not the right cost driver, I would ask Mrs. Bowser for some other type of profitability analysis, such as the analysis presented in Appendix A. The analysis presented at the meeting by the controller could be misleading. Both Exhibit 3 and Exhibit 4 present data that is in my opinion inaccurate. Moreover, as it was analyzed in the second question accepting or declining the offer could lead to multiple nonfinancial outcomes that may play a significant role on the company’s profitability. Hence, I would ask if such factors have been analyzed and if so, what possible impact they may have. I also believe that Tom Corcoran would be most interested in the total profit his company would have under both scenarios. Analyses presented at the meeting, as valuable as they might be, do not contain such information. For instance, they do not include the facility-sustaining costs that the Denim Finishing Company has to incur. Hence, it would be recommended to present Tom Corcoran with the yearly profit the firm may earn. Moreover, I would ask Mrs. Bowser about the accuracy of her assumptions in Exhibit 4. She estimates that the costs of the proprietary process, as well as the price paid by Guess Who Jeans wi ll not change during the year. However, it may not necessarily be the case. The analysis relies on historical costs that may not be appropriate for the future estimations. Thus, I would like to know if Mrs. Bowser took that aspect into account. Another question would regard the overhead rates of the batch- and unit-level costs. The rates were estimated when only stonewashing was done. However, accepting the offer from Guess Who Jeans would require retaining from using the machine for 600 hours. This could likely result in different overhead costs and consequently different overhead rates. The batch-level utility cost can be particularly problematic. It is ‘driven’ by the machine hours and as previously mentioned the machine is not used for 3 hours before and 3 hours after the shipment. Furthermore, the case makes it unclear whether drying is also performed by the Unit #4. The per-garment utilities cost includes 3 hours for washing and 3 hours for drying. However, when the change-over is undertaken, the washing is not performed, because the machine cannot be used. Therefore, during the change-over the utilities cost is possibly lower. This is especially important for the opportunity cost analysis. Since the case is lacking information explaining the problem, if I were Tom Corcoran I would like to clarify it. Finally, I strongly believe that it would also be necessary to ask Mrs. Bowser about the facility-sustaining costs. Such costs are ignored in the controller’s analysis. Nevertheless, they still affect the company’s profitability. Hence, I would like to get to know how big those costs are. Moreover, the facility-sustaining costs could also be somehow influenced by the possible cooperation with Guess Who Jeans. For instance, the security or insurance costs could rise, since the service is supposed to be offered exclusively to that particular client. Therefore, the analysis of the capacity-sustaining costs would also be useful. To sum up, if I were Tom Corcoran I would have many doubts about the controller’s analysis. I would probably ask her to prepare yet another presentation that includes my suggestions. However, if I were to make the decision, I probably would accept the Guess Who Jeans’ offer. The analysis in the Appendix A, although it does not include nonfinancial factors and may not properly reflect all the costs, clearly shows that such a scenario leads to increased profits. 4. Activity-based costing is undoubtedly a useful tool that could help the management to make the optimal decision. It is much more accurate that the traditional costing systems. Distinguishing various activities and determining cost drivers relating to them helps to more precisely allocate the costs. Using one cost driver for all the amount of the overhead could create the situation where the indirect costs are not really ‘driven’ by the particular cost. For instance, although direct labor hours might to some extent determine the value of the overhead, the influence may only be partial, especially regarding certain products. Using various cost drivers for various activities largely eliminates this problem. What is more, selecting particular cost drivers for respective activities enables ‘taxing’ certain activities. This internal tax system gives an incentive to reduce certain costs and therefore improve the company’s efficiency. For instance, if machine labor hours are chosen as a driver for the production activity there is an impulse to lower the number of machine labor hours which consequently results in decreased value of overhead, lower costs and higher profits. Under Activity-Based Costing the share of costs allocated directly to the products increases. Thus, the company better understand where its overhead costs go to. It enables the firm to identify the products that are not profitable and undertake relevant actions, such as decreasing costs, raising the price or withdrawing the product. However, the cost hierarchy helps to make such decision regarding not only particular products, but also batches and product lines. This undoubtedly allows making decisions that are more profit-maximizing. Moreover, in the ABC the practical capacity is used. Therefore, it is possible to determine the unused capacity. Diminishing the unused capacity is definitely helpful in maximizing the profits of the company. Hence, Activity-Based Costing provides the management with the information necessary to make optimal decisions. To compare, the traditional costing systems do not give such a possibility. However, the ABC method also has some flaws that may result in making a non-optimal production decision. Some of those disadvantages could be observed in the previous questions. First, the system is believed to be complicated. As noticeable in the first question choosing the proper cost driver for the particular activity might be problematic. Selecting the wrong driver could lead to biased results and consequently the decision that is not profit-maximizing. Furthermore, trying to maintain the cost hierarchy may also be difficult, as shown in the example of Mrs. Bowser from the Denim Finish Company. The results when the costs were determined as the batch-level where completely different than when they were analyzed to be product-level. Thus, such easily made mistakes could result in a non-optimal decision. Furthermore, as it could be seen in the second question Activity-Based Costing does not include any nonfinancial measures. Thus, even though pure financial values may show that a particular decision is profit-maximizing, it might not necessarily be the case. Other factors, such as e.g. loss of reputation could actually result in decreased profits. Finally, the ABC method requires gathering data from the whole company, often through interviews. Hence, there is a relatively big possibility that collected data is not perfectly accurate. To sum up, the Activity-Based Costing method is quite reliable tool in making optimal production decisions, especially compared to the traditional costing systems. However, the system has to be carefully planned and implemented, because any mistakes could lead to inaccurate results. Choosing the wrong cost driver and improper assignment of the costs in the cost hierarchy may result in undesired errors. Furthermore, as useful as the ABC is, the management cannot rely solely on financial values provided by the method. Before making the decision all nonfinancial factors have to be considered. Only such a consideration combined with the information supplied by the properly designed and applied Activity-Based Costing system can lead to the optimal production decision. 5. The marginal costing analysis may undoubtedly be a useful tool in making an optimal decision. However, it has to be used carefully, because some of its suggestions may be misleading. This could also be observed in the analysis presented by Mrs. Bowser. The concerns are somehow parallel to the questions raised before. First, the marginal costing analysis does not include any nonfinancial factors. Hence, although the particular activity may seem profitable, it might not necessary be true. Second, the analysis is based on the historical, not the actual costs. The actual costs and price that Guess Who Jeans would be required to pay may differ over the time. Similarly, the application of the overhead depends on the estimates rather than the actual values. Thus, over or underabsorption may happen. Moreover, as mentioned before, after accepting the offer the overhead rates could change. Thus, the costs provided by the controller in the analysis might be inaccurate. As pointed out in the previous question the case is lacking the information about the possible decrease in the utilities costs during the change-overs. If that was true, the opportunity cost associated with the lost contribution margin on sales of 70,000 stonewashed garments would considerably increase. Considerably, the incremental profit from accepting the new offer would diminish. Another problem with Mrs. Bowser’s analysis, as well as with all the marginal costing analyses is that they do not include the costs that do not change with the unit volume. However, such costs could also influence the decision. Although the analysis presented by the controller shows that accepting the offer would be highly profitable, the figures would not look so vastly appealing if the amount of capacity-sustaining overhead was included in the Exhibit. Furthermore, the presented analysis is only a short-term one. Nevertheless, before making a strategic management the management also has to cons ider the long-term perspective. The analysis shows that in the certain year the incremental profits from accepting the Guess Who Jeans’ offer would equal some particular value. The analysis only includes one year though. In the following years the profits could be lower and thus declining the offer could actually be a better decision. For instance, imagine that Guess Who Jeans needs the propriety denim finishing services for its new products that are just to be introduced to the market. The client may expect the high demand for the new product in the first year. However, in the following years the demand for the product, and consequently for the Denim Finishing Company’s services may shrink. Finally, the marginal costing analysis includes only one-case scenario. It assumes that the projected and the actual number of shipments will be equal. However, it is not certain if that will happen. If some unexpected events happen the marginal costing analysis will not properly reflect the real situation. It cannot be forgotten that the marginal costing analysis is a simple and straightforward tool that can support the decision making. It is particularly useful when two products or divisions are to be compared. Moreover, it can give the management the basis for analyzing the opportunity cost of declining the Guess Who Jeans’ offer. However, the marginal costing analysis should be used carefully. I believe it should be treated as a supportive instrument for decision making rather than the major source of information. Hence, if the controller alter a few things, the analysis could help to make the optimal, profit-maximizing decision.

Free Essays on Hairy Ape

The Hairy Ape Throughout â€Å"The Hairy Ape† Eugene O’Neill manages to incorporate three very different elements into the play write. Each of these elements, expressionism, realism, and symbolism are sometimes combined as one, or expressed alone to place more emphasis on a particular event. Realism can be seen in many scenes throughout the play, but especially the aspect of the industrialization of the workers. All of these men are almost seen as programmed to do their job, with out showing many emotions and also lacking much thought, like an â€Å"ape†. This was a very realistic approach in objectifying their common, average, everyday routine. None of these men are required to have much thought, but purely a strong caliber for physical work. The firemen are at one point even said to be â€Å"ape† like, as Paddy is described â€Å"extremely monkey-like†. As these men work harder and longer, they are being stripped from reality and moving closer to a Neanderthal state of mine. It is easily seen as to what their class and status by their experiences. This type of depiction in the beginning of the play helps understand the reasoning for Yank actually becoming an â€Å"ape† in the Zoo. Expressionism and a little realism are represented by the societal classes. Mildred and Yank have very different lifestyles, although they both have concerns with their status. Mildred wants something more exciting, and even says at one point that she wants to basically touch â€Å"life†, and see what it has to offer beyond her very secluded manner. On the other hand Yank has felt that this â€Å"life† Mildred speaks of has been too much a part of his life, and he is seeking to overcome the structure of the classes. Yank finds â€Å"belonging† very important. These too very different views of life objectify the inner experiences of these two very different characters.... Free Essays on Hairy Ape Free Essays on Hairy Ape The Hairy Ape Throughout â€Å"The Hairy Ape† Eugene O’Neill manages to incorporate three very different elements into the play write. Each of these elements, expressionism, realism, and symbolism are sometimes combined as one, or expressed alone to place more emphasis on a particular event. Realism can be seen in many scenes throughout the play, but especially the aspect of the industrialization of the workers. All of these men are almost seen as programmed to do their job, with out showing many emotions and also lacking much thought, like an â€Å"ape†. This was a very realistic approach in objectifying their common, average, everyday routine. None of these men are required to have much thought, but purely a strong caliber for physical work. The firemen are at one point even said to be â€Å"ape† like, as Paddy is described â€Å"extremely monkey-like†. As these men work harder and longer, they are being stripped from reality and moving closer to a Neanderthal state of mine. It is easily seen as to what their class and status by their experiences. This type of depiction in the beginning of the play helps understand the reasoning for Yank actually becoming an â€Å"ape† in the Zoo. Expressionism and a little realism are represented by the societal classes. Mildred and Yank have very different lifestyles, although they both have concerns with their status. Mildred wants something more exciting, and even says at one point that she wants to basically touch â€Å"life†, and see what it has to offer beyond her very secluded manner. On the other hand Yank has felt that this â€Å"life† Mildred speaks of has been too much a part of his life, and he is seeking to overcome the structure of the classes. Yank finds â€Å"belonging† very important. These too very different views of life objectify the inner experiences of these two very different characters....