Professional Documents
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Mock Exam 3
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The solution that follows is a comprehensive answer showing the range of points and calculations you could undertake. As the marking grid shows, in the exam you would not need to make all the points in order to be awarded high marks.
ANSWER TO QUESTION 1A
REPORT To: Board of Directors
From: Senior Management Accountant Date: September 2013 Contents 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Introduction Terms of reference Identification and prioritisation of issues Approaches to resolving the main issues Ethical considerations Recommendations Conclusion
Appendices 1 SWOT analysis 2 Mendelows Stakeholder Analysis 3 Froth Shoes 4 Bonus Scheme 5 Nearshoring
INTRODUCTION
Despite stabilising its position in the years following its management buy-out in 2004, N is still struggling to find a viable competitive position in its domestic market. Ns sales growth is well below its competitors, and it has weaknesses in on-line sales growth, the integration of its multi-channel sales platform and unfashionable clothes ranges. N needs to create a sustainable competitive position either in terms of differentiation or cost leadership (Porter) or it will become stuck in the middle. In the challenging economic conditions within Country Z, even well-known companies that are stuck in the middle will struggle to survive; this is illustrated by the failure of many established high street retailers in the UK, such as Woolworths, in recent years.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
This report identifies and evaluates the issues facing N and offers appropriate recommendations.
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Financial The figures provided by the Finance Director demonstrate a clear financial benefit to the investment. Given the need to catch up with our competitors the financial justification is less crucial, but it is reassuring that the investment should be beneficial even if some of the costs prove higher. Results of the trial Before the scheme is rolled out on a wider scale it is important that the in-store app is improved, as it is currently not offering sufficient added value to customers. Providing too much information on products will just slow the app down and deter customers from using their phone. Too much text on a small screen may actively deter use. Value added information should be provided, perhaps fashion tips or suggestions to match potential purchases with other garments and accessories also available in store.Given that customers could use internet access to search for similar items available elsewhere more cheaply, giving customers access to discounts or vouchers, perhaps by QR codes displayed by the rails is more likely to result in sales. Improving ease of access is important too. Most free access supplied by businesses for customers is available without the need for a password. Further risks Any large scale IT project will carry risks. This particular project will require software development and investment in hardware. This requires strong project management skills to ensure the project is delivered on time and to budget. Given this is the first use of M-commerce for N it may be wise to seek external consultants to advise on the technology issues. Rolling out the system more slowly will enable time for technical issues to be resolved while they are still small, but would increase the time taken to catch up with the competition and reduce the potential marketing impact of a big bang changeover. Security It will be necessary to ensure that customer data is held securely and any personal details stored on the system, including credit card numbers, are encrypted. It is important the wi-fi installed in the stores complies with the latest security protocols, although most wi-fi available in shops and cafes is not very secure. Reliability Like the EPOS system and the online channel, it is important that the M-commerce system is available on a reliable basis. While it is not as business critical as the tills, if customers perceive it as unreliable they may not bother using it and sales will be lost. Reliability can be achieved via good design and maintenance, thorough testing before launch and adequate duplication of hardware to deal with e.g. server failure.
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Option 2 Alternatives Most staff are not in a position of much power, particularly given the high unemployment across Europe. Mendelow would regard them as a Keep informed stakeholder with regard to this issue. Various management theorists have looked at what motivates employees. Hertzberg regarded salary as a hygiene factor rather than a motivator. He argued that workers could only be motivated by being empowered to make decisions and by being given responsibility. However, that is probably more true of management grades rather than shopfloor staff. It is common practice to reward sales staff using some kind of sales linked pay. Another way to motivate staff to want to buy in to the companys goals is through improved communication. Marks and Spencer managed to increase staff morale, despite 1200 job losses and 27 store closures. This was done by increasing communication at all levels. Regular meetings take place between the employee representation group and directors. Directors regularly visit individual stores and meet with employees and much greater use is made of conference calls and instore briefings. This has enabled M&S to raise staff satisfaction without expensive bonus schemes. On the other hand, John Lewis, on the back of a 9.1% rise in sales, recently announced a bonus for staff amounting to 17% of their salary.
moved production of dressing gowns from Sri Lanka to Turkey, which allowed it to test different colours before needing to place significant orders, increasing sales by 11%.Given the likely continued cost of fuel and the possibility that wage inflation will spread from China to other countries in Asia, the cost advantages of manufacturing a long distance from the market are likely to be further eroded in the future. There may be feasibility issues in dealing with a new country, such as language but communication should be possible in English, and time differences will be reduced. The smaller time difference will make communication between the design department and the factory easier during the setting up process. Finally N needs to remember that some of the countries that have been used for nearshoring, such as Syria and Egypt, are now unstable. Turkey has its own political problems and will need regular monitoring.
ETHICAL ISSUES
5.1 Global TextilesWhy this is an ethical issue
While the legal responsibility for breach of any law lies with Global Textiles, it is within Ns power to ensure fair treatment of its employees. By not taking a stand, N would effectively condone abuse of workers and so allow it to continue. Next, Gap and Primark have all had similar problems to these in their supply chain and all have taken steps to prevent the problem in future. Recommendations for this ethical issue Global Textiles should be contacted by the Procurement Director who should demand a written guarantee that its treatment of staff will improve and that it will comply with local labour laws and the industrys ethical code. He should require the company to agree to random checks so that N can monitor the companys adherence to the requirements of the Ethical Trading Initiative. A press statement should be prepared making it clear that N was shocked at the revelations and is taking steps to ensure its garments are manufactured in ethical conditions. Future contracts should clearly stipulate the need to adhere to ETI standards.
RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Froth Shoes first priority
Recommendation for this issue
Mock exam 3 : Solution and marking grid
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This report recommends that N purchases Froth Shoes. Justification The financial benefit is overwhelming and because the company should be relatively easy to integrate with N then there should not be a significant distraction from Ns core business. Actions to be taken The administrator should be informed in writing within the week about the intention to purchase. Lawyers should be appointed to oversee the purchase. This is likely to be the first acquisition undertaken by N and external skills will be required in drafting the contract and ensuring there are no regulatory barriers to the transaction. A press statement will be required. This can be used to generate good publicity, portraying N as saving a much loved brand from extinction. The transaction will probably require shareholder approval so a general meeting may be required. The HR director should consider alignment of employee terms and conditions since, the Froth employees will be part of the N group and be working alongside N employees. The IT director will need to consider the process of integrating the Froth sales system into Ns.
This report recommends non-financial solutions should be used to motivate staff in conjunction with a cheaper bonus scheme linked to sales levels. The expensive bonus scheme suggested by the HR Director should only be used as a last resort if morale declines further. Justification Marks and Spencer has clearly demonstrated that it is possible to improve staff morale without using bonuses. However, improving staff happiness is not the same as motivating them to sell more, so a combined approach is likely to be more effective. Actions to be taken An employee representative council should be formed, comprising of elected representatives of the staff, the HR director and some representatives from management and finance. A regular conference call briefing should be implemented where local managers can raise concerns with regional management. A schedule of visits by directors should be implemented. With regards the bonus, it is recommended that a bonus is only paid for beating the 2014 forecast, and that the percentages are reduced, with a maximum payout of 5%.
CONCLUSION
The recommendations made in this report aim to assist the Board in dealing with the strategic issues that have arisen recently. By following the recommendations, the worst of the impact will be mitigated.
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Threats Competitors with better multichannel operations Collapse of Froth Shoes Potential reputational damage from Global Textiles
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W1 Loss of concession income = floor area per shop x number of shops x sales/sqm x concession fee percentage = 100 x 160 x Z$2000 x40% = Z$12.8m W2 Profit on replacement sales = floor area per shop x number of shops x sales/sqm for N products x GPM on Froth Shoes = 100 x 160 x Z$1800 x 60% = Z$17.3m (x 9/12 in T1 due to lead time in filling space)
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If Froth is purchased: T0 Z$m Acquisition cost Gross profit on sales (100 x 160 x 2000 x 70%) Total Discounted at 10% -30 1.000 -30 NPV 25.7 22.4 2.487 55.7 -30 22.4 T1-3 Z$m
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Appendix 5: Nearshoring
High sales (35,000 units) Initial order size Sales revenue Manufacturing cost 32,000 x 93 15,000 x 135 Transport cost 32,000 x 5 15,000 x 3 Profit exc. Initial set-up costs Set-up costs Profit on initial order Profit on additional order of 20,000 units =2,430x 20/15 Total profit Fazza 32,000 Z$000 9,600 2,976 2,025 160 6,464 50 6,414 45 2,430 100 2,330 3,240 5,570 Fazza better by +844 Clothcuts 15,000 Z$000 4,500`
6,414
Sales revenue Manufacturing cost 32,000 x 93 15,000 x 135 Transport cost 32,000 x 5 15,000 x 3 Initial set-up costs Total
160 50 1,314
2,330
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The major concern from a financial perspective is the paying out of a bonus even if sales do not better the 2014 forecast. However, at higher levels of sales the benefits do outweigh the costs. Given that particularly retail salaries are generally low, it is likely that an element of bonus would be greatly valued by staff. Non-financial solutions If the objective is to increase morale rather than to boost sales, a bonus may not be the most cost effective method. Employee satisfaction is increased by enhanced communication and being made to feel part of a team. Communication can be enhanced through: Greater use of briefings Site visits by senior management Forming a meaningful employee forum Recommendation Primarily non-financial approaches should be used, with a bonus scheme also employed but only for beating forecast, and with a lower percentage payout. If you wish to discuss this further, please feel free to email me.
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1 each max 5
Max = 5
Application
13 12 Max 5 for application of theory 3 2 3 4 17 1 mark each example used on merit 1 1 1 1 Max = 5 Max = 15
Calculations: NPV of liquidation NPV of acquisition Bonus Nearshoring Total marks available (but max = 15) Diversity Display of sound business awareness and relevant real life examples related to case Major issues to be discussed Froth Shoes M-commerce Bonus scheme Nearshoring Total marks available. 5 marks if the 4 most important issues are discussed Prioritisation 5 marks if 4 issues are prioritised and the rationale for ranking is good AND the top 2 issues are ranked in the correct order. 3-4 marks if top 2 priorities are in top 3 but ranking rationale is weak. 2 marks maximum (marginal fail) if EITHER of the top 2 issues are not in top 3 priorities, irrespective of quality of rationale for ranking of other priorities
Max = 5
Focus
Max = 5
15 15
Criteria Judgement
Issues to be discussed 4 key issues and one minor issue available for detailed analysis in this case: Marks on merit based on depth of analysis and commercially realistic comments Froth Shoes Should discuss why the company would be a good purchase from both a financial and strategic perspective. M-commerce Should cover how to deal with the current failings of the system and suggest value added ways of improving it. Answer should also cover wider project management issues and IT risks. Bonus scheme - Solution should comment on the calculated profit impact, make reference to motivation theory, and provide practical alternatives to bonuses. Nearsourcing Solution should recognise that the main reason for nearshoring is the future potential rather than the particular contract. Given the uncertain demand it is not possible to predict which will be the better option financially, but that isnt really the point. Global Textiles unseen makes it fairly clear there is no real commercial risk to this issue, so a max of 1 mark can be awarded for discussion of impact of reputational damage. Total marks available (but max = 20)
Marks
06
06
05
Max = 20
04
01
Integration
Judge script holistically and whether recommendations follow on logically from analysis of the issues and refers to data in appendices. How well written is the report: professional language? Recommendations (Marks on merit. Max 1 mark if only an unjustified recommendation is given) Froth No marks if recommend allowing the company to liquidate. M-commerce No marks if recommendation not to pursue M-commerce. Recommendations should cover both improvements to the system and project management issues. Solution should recommend integration with other channels.
Max = 5
Logic
Max = 30 Q1 20 Q2 10 06
05
16
Criteria
Issues to be discussed Bonus - Recommendation should recognise the proposed bonus is too expensive and favour alternatives. However, credit should be given for any commercially sensible approach here. Nearshoring Either company would be suitable with respect to specific order of suits and would be a valid answer. However, solution should recognise the longer term necessity for greater nearshoring. Global Textiles for any well justified recommendation but not if points just repeat those made in the Ethics section. Total marks available (but max = 20)
Marks
05
04
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QUESTION 1b
1 mark for email format. Up to 2 marks for including a table with summarised data (not all the columns from appendix 4 are required). Up to 1 mark for each point expressed briefly. 1 mark for recommendation. Total marks available (but max = 10) 10 Up to 5 for identification and discussion of issues Up to 5 for recommendati ons on how to address those issues Max = 10 Ethical issues in case include: Global Textiles no marks for considering impact on reputation or risk of losing contract. Recommendations should be practical but scope for several points here. Airbrushing models discussion should focus on corporate citizenship and reflecting the wider values of society.
Ethics
NO MARKS for any section that appears commercial even if it relates to an ethics topic. Total
100
17 17
18