Gentleman’s Three Case Analysis

Report on – The Overhead Reduction Task Force Submitted by K. Ratna prashanth 2012H149213P Introduction: Counterdrop Appliances division is formed six month earlier by Central foods after acquiring a successful company named Kitchen Help’s; in the kitchen appliances range, it had established a good market in this category. Kitchen Help had good quality but financial constraints in order to expand whereas Food Corporation wanted to diversify. After acquisition the company poured in a lot of resources in Kitchen Help including the plant facilities and the employees.As a result the sales of the company grew to a large extent initially. After that there was a sudden fall in the revenue and profits. This lead to the replacement of General Manager(John Pero to Georgia Dixton). She has decided to tackle this issue by the reduction in overhead expenses by 20 % in order to revive future profits. To attain this she has delegated this responsibility to Controller Larry Williams. L arry William has studied the financial implications and the people in the organisation and come to a decision of reduction in the 20% departmental payrolls. Problem Definition:The Kitchen Help is undergoing a severe decline in profits and revenue. Human resources have been recruited (Good numbers) by the earlier General manager Pero to solve this. Although the company has taken action that these resources do not hinder the progress, it has nearly constant sales revenue and same sales level it maintained for past three years. There is no growth in the revenue. There is a problem of decline in profits in the most promising product lines of the Kitchen Help. The Coffee maker which gave a 30% of total revenue and 35% profits has a decline in demand due to competitor’s better product.Their price is less than $35 and it makes a coffee of same taste. Also there is steep decline in the demand of the microwave product range which used to give a profit of 18%. With decline in the Profi ts and the sales volume remaining the same the resources like recruited Human resource and the expanded pant capacity has not paid off its returns. The sales manager also finds it complicated to coordinate with the national, local and wholesale aspects of the sales force. There is a need for coordination among the mangers of various units so that there does not remain a gap in resource requirement and its consumption.Analysis: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Company poured in huge resources in the beginning of Kitchen help It purchased land and expanded plant facilities in order to meet the sales volume requirement. The number of employees in the division rose from 100 to 500. But the revenue volume remained the same and the profit level did not rise. On the contrary the company pays the sales force a 66% payroll of the Budget which is considerably high. ‘John pero freely added to their staff to meet delude in the orders of sale. This all is fine when there is a good volume and profits ar e being incurred. – This implies that there is currently no further need to recruit more people in sales force. Mort Burns, sales manager feels that sales force has a little impact on more independent appliance and hardware store owners who account for 15% of final demand. These are the entities not making profit. 20% of allocated budget to marketing is $1656000 whereas the number of employees is only 18. Investment in Prime time Advertisements and national campaigns has resulted in the huge budgeting. Payroll as percentage of budget is 10% which is $165600. There can be a 20% reduction in payrolls.Senior Staff where replaced by the new staff at Kitchen help, this has led to increase in sales volume temporarily but could not sustain the market condition and keep up the quality expectation. Introduction in the coffee maker section an innovative product was a competition to Kitchen Help’s existing product. It could make 10 cups coffee without change in taste. This was la cked by Product development team of Kitchen Help; who were working on it. 30% of division’s revenue and 35 % profit alone depended on this product earlier. The company should prioritise improvisation in this section.Williams’s analysis on financial trends says that discounts to large retailers rose from the year of acquisition. There is scope of making a 3% profit from the discounts given to retailers. Moreover the marketing and sales team has to make extra efforts to realise the revenue from the retail chains. Overhead expenses on sales force in this channel can be reduced which will facilitate reduction in marketing costs and increased administration overhead as well. Recommendation: ? Bob Ericson‘s team should come up with an improvised design to earliest which they were planning for the past 6 months.The Product and production team should decide and come up with a product better than competitors quality or ? ? should manufacture the same with a much better re duced price and design; i. e. less than $35. The company should concentrate on its wholesale and the national chains which are better sources of profit rather than the independent appliances and the hardware store owners. The cost to company should be cut down on non profit making entities and sales channel like independent products and hardware stores. The Overhead Cut off on these heads would result in profit and concentration on profit making channels.

Cask of Amontillado Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Cask of Amontillado - Essay Example The first is Montresor, who firmly vows revenge upon the other character, Fortunato, for an insult. However, the actual focus is on Montresor, who serves as the narrator of the story about his perfect murder ("The Poe Perplex"). His story, around which the entire story revolves, is made clear even at the onset of the tale as he utters, "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge." (Poe). With this, Montresor is seen abiding by his traditional family motto, i.e. no one can attack him without being punished. Furthermore, he declares that he "...must not only punish, but punish with impunity." (Poe). On the other hand, Fortunato is the man whom Montresor pledges to murder. Montresor finds perfect bait for Fortunato with the latter being passionate about wines. Fortunato, as a connoisseur, insists on tasting Montresor's newly purchased Amontillado to determine its authenticity and expresses outrage when Montresor tells that he can consult Luchresi regarding the matter. Attired in a court jester costume, Fortunato, bearing great pride in himself, goes with Montresor to the palazzo where he meets his end as Montresor planned ("Adventures in Reading"). This horror story centers on the power of revenge that drives a man to murder his friend for an insult that he deems unforgivable. Montresor's mind frame is honed by his family's motto, "Nemo me impune lacessit." Or "No one assails me with impunity." On his coat of arms, this motto along with a symbol of "a huge human foot d'or, in field azure, the foot crushes a serpent rampant whose fangs are imbedded in the heel." (Poe). As mentioned, Montresor narrates how he carefully planned the details of this perfect crime upon Fortunato whom he intends to punish through slow death. He makes sure that all his servants are out of the palazzo so there are no possible witnesses. He also chooses a place hidden enough so that no one may possibly inspect or suspect. Montresor uses Fortunato's pride in himself as a superior wine connoisseur to lure his friend. It is also important to note that a vital component in Montresor's plan of revenge is that as Fortunato dies a slow death, he will constantly be reminded of the fact that he rejects myriad opportunities to escape from Montresor as the latter is adamant that they turn back due to his condition (Quinn). He will remember how Montresor initially declines his offer to check on Amontillado since he is inflicted with cough and cold, thus, the dampness of the vault and presence of niter will not bode well for his present condition. On the way to the catacombs, upon hearing Fortunato's dreadful coughs, Montresor repeats his plea, "Come..., we will go back; your health is precious. You are rich, respected, admired, beloved; you are happy as once I was. You are a man to be missed. For met it is no matter. We will go back; you will be ill and I cannot be responsible. Besides, there is Luchresi..." (Poe). To this, Fortunato firmly replies, "Enough...the cough is a mere nothing, it will not kill me. I shall not die of cough," (Poe). While rotting to death in the sealed catacombs, Fortunato will

John smith4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

John smith4 - Essay Example Secondly, during his voyages, Captain John Smith made the first map of the region. This map also led to the discovery of Jamestown and people we able to access the town using the maps made by the captain. The article is written to appreciate the contributions that one Captain John Smith made towards making Jamestown one of the earliest towns to be inhabited in the history of America. It also seeks to appreciate the significant strides that the town has taken in the last 400 years. The articles intended audience is the people of Jamestown. The article will help them appreciate where the town has come from and the strides it has taken to be where it is today and also celebrate the people who have helped the town like Captain John Smith. I was interested in captain Smith voyages in which he travelled over 1500 miles with a bowing boat. These were the excursions that made him draw up the map of Jamestown. I was also interested in how the town decided to commemorate Captain John Smith by having a similar voyage to which he had 400 years

Taxation Law According to ITAA 1997 and ITAA 1936 CGT Speech or Presentation

Taxation Law According to ITAA 1997 and ITAA 1936 CGT - Speech or Presentation Example Hence these shares would be treated as if acquired by Les for $ 20,000, their market value on 1.4.2004, the date of his father’s death and not the $ 15,000 originally paid by his father on 10 August 2001. 7. Block of land: The block of land was purchased on 1 March 2000 for $ 130,000 and sold on 20 June 2010 for 150,000 resulting in a net CGT of 20,000 (H). Although the settlement proceeds were received on 10 August 2010 in the next financial year they would be taxable as on 30 June 2010 as the asset is considered sold or disposed off in the year the taxpayer loses its ownership. 8. Dividend income from certain shares was $ 5,200 with the imputation credits being $ 2,229. Here the taxpayer is eligible as a small shareholder as his imputation or franking credits are less than $ 5,000. Hence, net taxable income is $ 5,200 - $ 2,229 = $ 2971 (I) Under the dividend reinvestment the shareholder can choose to receive newly issued shares instead of divident. Such a plan is treated as if the shareholder received the actual dividend and then used the money to buy shares. The dividend is taxed like any other dividend (including with any  dividend imputation), and the shares are taken to be acquired for the cash one didnt receive. Dividend imputation is a corporate tax under which some or all of the share paid by the corporate may be attributed or ‘imputed’ to the shareholder by giving him tax credits so as to reduce the tax burden and avoid ‘double taxation’. These credits are called franking credits which the company gives to the shareholder at the time of paying dividend. Under dividend imputation small shareholders are exempt upto $ 5000 and franking credits are fully refundable. An eligible shareholder receiving a franked dividend declares the cash amount plus the franking credit as income, and is credited with the franking credit against their

Burger Joint Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Burger Joint - Case Study Example The chain which originally started off at Baldwin Park has now assumed cult status and generates revenues in millions. Adored by celebrities and the masses alike, the fat, juicy perfect burgers find their way into celebrations and have satisfied hungers for decades now. This is the radio jingle which most Californians would probably remember more accurately than the national anthem. Quality can add wonders to even the most basic advertising. The delicious burgers churned out by the chain can speak more than any advertisements. Started off in an Era of Post War development, the chain finds its humble beginnings in the dreams of the young couple Harry and Esther, both from the Military background. After they met at a common workplace, Harry and Esther not only found companionship but also the perfect business partners in each other. While Esther was grounded, gentle and calm, Harry was the Maverick, going by his guts to reach out to new avenues. She managed the accounts, while Harry took care of everything including Quality and the logistics. The synders found a partner and the much needed funds to fuel their business in Charles Noddin who invested a sum of $5000.However the business relations between the two associates soured and they decided to split ways soon afterwards when Harry insisted on keeping the price low and bettering quality while Charles wanted to take the practical and commonly followed route of increasing profits through cost cutting and price increase. Harry was stubborn in his ways and detested listening to others when he thought he was right-hence the store remained independent hence forth under his regime. The chain under the synders thrived on a system which ran on 3 simple words-Quality, cleanliness and Service. Harry was determined to bring in the best in all 3. And hence the buns were baked fresh everyday; the store personals always had a smile to share, and the open kitchen was visibly spic and span. And that's how the burgers found themselves staying on par, if not surging ahead of the competition. While the competition was busy franchising, In N out maintained a strict decree in maintaining it as a family owned business. This helped the chain maintain quality. And when it came to quality, Harry had got his formula right-He insisted on using only the best bits of the tomatoes and discarding the rest. He selected the best quality beef himself, and got in touch with suppliers frequently to maintain the best standards. There had to be perfection in every step that constituted the making of a Burger. This was the sole secret to the beginnings of the enormous success his creation was to become. As freshness and quality became the Mantras, only the freshest meat, potatoes and buns found their way into the kitchens. The chain diverted advertising funds towards increasing quality. This in turn led to increasing word of mouth publicity which worked better than churning out print and television ads. The Synders were not shy of exploring- and hence they found lifelong friends, business rivals and advisers in the Karchers, who were to own the entrepreneurial success-Jr carl's. Both the synders and the Karchers believed in creating their own

The Political Vision of Communist Manifesto Essay

The Political Vision of Communist Manifesto - Essay Example Marx does give credit to the contemporary Industrial Revolution to bring into existence a world market, aided and bolstered by the occupation of new colonies by the imperialistic forces. This Industrial Revolution has certainly led to progress and development in a scientific, commercial and communicative context. Yet, it goes without saying that the evolution and advancement of the Industrial Revolution supported and fed by the bourgeois elements is not merely materialistic and economic in its ramifications but does also have commensurate political ramifications. The bourgeoisie has not done away with the formal exploitative forces like feudalism and patriarchy to create an ideal world but has rather done so to remove all challenge and resistance to its advancement and growth. The bourgeoisie system and notion of economic growth simply cannot survive and expand without causing upheaval and disturbance in â€Å"the instruments of production â€Å"and â€Å"the relations of producti on†. Hence, as expected, the rise of the bourgeoisie has done away with all the hitherto existing notions of â€Å"national industries† thereby annihilating all the localized notions of belonging and allegiance. Yet, the irony of the matter is that the bourgeoisie concept of growth is not merely limited to profit accrual and limited domination. In contrast, the bourgeoisie intends to perpetuate its domination by remolding the existing socio-economic and politico-cultural structures as per one’s vision and interests. Hence to extend a material and political form to such vision and ideals, it is imperative for the bourgeoisie to compress and coagulate all sources and forms of production, leading to the unchallenged concentration of property in few hands. That way it gets easier for the bourgeoisie to retain a grip over the things and to perpetuate one’s advancement and dominion in the times to come. The existing feudal relations and frameworks of property ho lding were simply not in consonance with the bourgeoisie intentions. Hence, they were systematically dismantled and set aside. In their place, the bourgeoisie put in place a seemingly just provision of free competition, while doing its best to twist the political and social norms to be in alignment with the essence of free competition. Yet, what went wrong with this change is that while molding the world to its vision, the bourgeoisie also brought into existence its own nemesis that is â€Å"the modern working class†. The bourgeoisie commoditized labor as any other factor of production. It homogenized labor by resorting to the mechanization of all modes of production. Yet the â€Å"labor† class created by the bourgeoisie is bound to emerge victorious very early, helped and aided by the existing technology and infrastructure created by the bourgeoisie. In its rift with the aristocratic classes, the bourgeoisie tends to solicit the support of labor. This not only gives r ecognition to the working class but makes it a magnet for the other marginalized and sidelined sections of the society. As the working class emerges into an essential bourgeoisie platform, it starts seeing the institutions set by the bourgeoisie like morality, law, and religion as simply the tools of extending the vested bourgeoisie interests.

Semiotic and Semantic Information Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Semiotic and Semantic Information - Essay Example This curiosity makes it possible for us to achieve such knowledge and understanding through which the form of communication would no longer be misinterpreted. In the absence of any solid and objective criteria to analyze a communicative effort, we can only ask the sender what the meaning is. This is where the study of communication rests on theories and embraces the theories and ideas of philosophy and psychology. I wish to quote Murungi (2003) who expresses the similar view on the importance of studying communication in the words as follows: In semiotics we have [a lot] of work which examines the processes of communication by way of determining, at least theoretically, how and why symbols convey meaning. On the other hand, in visual communication we have a professional and academic area which develops and puts into use the media of visual communication, i.e., the products, in the form of icons, signs, graphical symbols, illustrations, pictorial sequences and other interfaces by which information is represented and communicated visually (Murungi 2003, p. 15). But, this communication cannot be efficient and reliable unless we understand exactly what is the true information and how this information can be passed to its receivers in order to make a systematic communication. Stamper (1987) highlights this very problem in the following words: If you want to communicate then you must stand on a technical platform with the appropriate physical, empiric and syntactic properties (roughly speaking, the right hardware, communications, and software in the most general sense). Improving them can have profound effects on society. For example, science as we know it today could not be practiced on the platform of a script technology; monks copying manuscripts in penny numbers multiplied the errors because in most cases they did not really understand the text, and even less so the accompanying diagrams; so the critical examination of theories and methods, on which scientific progress depends, had no chance to proceed until printing made possible the rapid dissemination of exact multiple copies under the control of the author, for discussion and constructive criticism. Technology reduced the costs and so improved aspects of quality from which the pay-off appeared on the social level in the form of modern science. (Stamper, 1995, p. 27 3) Semantic and Semiotic Information Information is an important factor of gaining knowledge abuts things and objects in our daily life. According to Luciand Floridi (2005) "[t]he concept of information has become central in most contemporary philosophy. However, recent surveys have shown no consensus on a single, unified definition of semantic information." Information is understood and interpreted differently by every branch of knowledge. Semantics is the branch of linguistics that deals with the study of meaning. Semantics is the study of the relationships between signs and symbols and the meaning that they represent Semantics is used differently in different fields of knowledge like psychology, philosophy and more recently, in information systems. However, the main concern of semantic studies is to understand the exact meaning of an information being conveyed or received. Likewise, semiotics can