Wilkerson Company Case Essay Example for Free

Wilkerson Company Case Essay 1. The Wilkerson Company is in the business of manufacturing valves, pumps and flow controllers. The company has been experiencing profit losses due to price reductions as a result of heavy competition in the pump category, which is considered a commodity product. In the valves category, Wilkerson seems to be a market leader with a loyal customer base. The valve business is less competitive, with no price reductions, and therefore the company has maintained its gross margin target while not compromising market share. Similarly to the valve business, the flow controller category is not as competitive as the pump industry, hence Wilkersons ability to increase price by 10% without sacrificing volume. In addition, the company needs to take into consideration its increase in indirect expenses relatively to the direct labor expenses. All in all, the company has seen its pre-tax margin decrease from 10% to 3%. 2. Adopting a periodic expense approach will severe the already current problems with Wilkersons cost system by distorting even more the actual cost picture. The reason is that the periodic method would ignore the companys product mix as each of the 3 categories has a differentiated direct cost structure. This would therefore create an even more incorrect analysis of the companys profit structure. Although the current cost allocating system is not optimal (as will be discussed later), it is still preferable over the periodic system, which does not take into account any overhead costs when analyzing product margins and the margins effect on the overall profit. 3. Today, Wilkerson uses a simple cost accounting system which charges each unit of product for direct material and labor cost. Material cost is based on the component price, while labor rates are charged to products based on the production run times of each product. Then, the overhead costs are allocated to each of the 3 products as a percentage of production run direct labor costs (currently 300%). 4. Table 1: Activity Based Costs Drivers and Rates Table 2: Calculations of product margins based on current method: Table 3: Calculations of product margins using proposed Activity Based Costing: The shifts in costs and profitability seen above are driven by all the factors that are not taken into account in the current cost allocation system: production runs, number of shipments and hours of engineering work. We believe that these factors are optimal for estimating the cost per product. For example, if we look at the flow controllers, we can see that they have the least machine hours but the highest values of all cost drivers mentioned above. This dramatic difference distorts the cost analysis and favors the flow controllers on the account of the valves and especially the pumps. 5. There are number of options to improve the companys profitability: * Flow Controller Price Increase: As described in the case, Wilkerson has recently raised flow controller prices by 10% without effect on volume. This leads us to believe that it would be possible to further increase prices in order to improve the products losing gross margin (-10%). * Flow Controller Cost Reduction: In addition to a possible price increase, Wilkerson must find a way to lower costs. This may be done by lowering the number of shipments (cost driver) to customers. According to the current agreements with customers, products are packaged and shipped for just-in-time delivery. This method substantially increases the number of shipments and packaging related expenses. This change can be successfully carried out by offering customers volume related discounts in order to decrease the total number of shipments by increasing the size of each shipment. The rationale behind this recommendation is that the cost driver is the number of shipments, rather than the size of each shipment. * Company Product Mix: Based on our profitability calculations for each category, Wilkerson can improve its total profit and profitability by changing its mix to favor valves rather than pumps. Moreover, there is room to consider reducing or even stopping the manufacturing of flow controllers. 6. Our concern regarding our cost estimates used in the previous sections is that the data in exhibits 1, 2, 4, used for all calculations, is based on a single month and does not necessarily reflect a typical month. A more accurate way to estimate cost would be to rely on a longer period of time (perhaps annual). In order to improve our cost and profitability estimates it would be helpful to have information regarding GA, Selling and Marketing cost drivers so we could allocate them directly to each product cost as well. Lastly, we assumed it possible to further increase flow controller prices without affecting the sales volume. It would be helpful to have more data regarding changes in prices and effect on their sales volume. 7. A number of changes may be made to the current compensation method in order to improve profit: * Higher compensation for sales of high profit margin products in order to improve sales mix as mentioned above. * Relative compensation to quantity of sale. This will also promote the goal of cost reduction as it will decrease the number of shipments.

Compare The Ostler and The Darkness Out There Essay -- English Literat

Compare The Ostler and The Darkness Out There In this essay I will compare two stories - The Ostler, written in the 19th century by a man called Wilkie Coliins, and The Darkness Out There, by Penelope Lively, written in the 20th century. They are both horror stories, a genre which has been popular throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. This is perhaps because, since we are no longer scared on a daily basis, as would have been the case in medieval times, we need to find an artificial way of creating the thrill. I will look at the similarities and differences between the way each story is structured, the build up of tension, the settings and the characters. First I will summarise each story and look at their 19th and 20th century features. The Ostler is about an unlucky, not very bright man who has a very vivid dream on his birthday that a woman is trying to kill him. Years later, also on his birthday, he meets this woman again and gets engaged to her before he realises who she is. By the time his mother realises, it is to late and he feels he has to marry her. She turns out to be an alcoholic and one day, after she is particularly cruel to him, Isaac hits her. She runs away, and comes back seven days later, on the night of his birthday, to try and attack him, in exactly the same way as the dream-woman did. He manages to stop her and she runs away again, this time never to be seen again, but Isaac continues to be terrified that she will return and kill him, especially on his birthday. The Darkness Out There is about two teenagers who are part of a group which helps out old people with things like cleaning and gardening. They go to help one old lady and she tells them a how, in the war, she l... ...an people's mind's. The stories are similar in that nothing too horrific actually happens in either of them. They are more about the character's fears. Personally, I liked The Ostler less than The Darkness Out There, as it deals with a more supernatural horror which only affects the character in the story, and so did not have such an impact on me. I liked The Darkness Out There as it makes you think, and it applies to everyone, which makes it truly chilling. At the end Sandra is changed forever. The wood is emptied of the fictional witches, wolves, tigers and prowling blokes, but this does not make her feel better. The old fears were in a way comforting - "It was cosy to think of Packer's End, where you weren't", but the new fear cannot be shut out or escaped from because it is a part of her, a part of every human that is capable of unspeakable horror.

Types of Abuse

Abuse: There are many different types of abuse and it can be defined as mistreating another human with the intention to be cruel or violent or cause harm. It can be described as the misuse or mishandle of something. It occurs often and usually done to acquire a nasty but satisfying effect. Dating abuse:This occurs during an unhealthy relationship between two people, usually teenagers, when one person wants control or power in the relationship. It occurs repeatedly and usually aggressive and commanding behavior allows the recipient to gain dominance. Profile of the abuser:o Usually has a past of abuse in the familyo May have been abused when they were youngero They may not cope wello Have a high intake of drugs or alcoholo Usually have characteristics of being:? Jealous? Manipulative ? Controlling? Narcissistic? Disconnected? Hypersensitive Profile of the victim: o Usually blames themselveso Goes into depressiono Low self-esteemo Suicidal thoughtso Socially isolatedo May have anxiety Dating abuse examples:Emotional or psychological abuse Making someone feel like they not important my calling them names or treating them like a child by ordering them around, yelling at someone. Insulting, swearing, ignoring, threating or isolating victim. Physical abuse Hurting someone in a way that leaves bruises, using a firearm against victim, doesn't allow victim to eat or sleep. Chocking, pushing, pinching, biting, pulling your hair, locking you out of the house.Sexual abuse Doesn't allow the victim birth control, forces the victim to have sex with them, forces the victim to engage in pornography and prostitution. Unwanted touching, forces you to engage in sexual behavior that hurts you, refusing you to use safe sex practices. Controlling behavior Is overprotective over the victim to a point where they don't trust the victim, isolates victim from family and friends. Overprotective, jealous, creates accusations, criticize or stalks victim.Use of social media encourages dating abuse1. It's addictive:Research shows that people who constantly use social media and their phones to a point where it becomes addictive or excessive, abandon their personal life, show signs of mood modification, and are mentally preoccupied. This shows that people who use social media increasingly can neglect their partners which may cause their partners to leave them which can cause them to become angry and abuse. It can cause them to have mood swings and therefore take it out on their partners when they get enraged.2. It triggers sadness:Social media isolates the abuser and an increase use of it can make the abuser feel lonely even though their partner is with them. This can make them abuse their partner as they could feel like thei r partner isn't supporting them. Sometimes as people get sadder they tend to take it out on others to feel satisfied or content and this could mean taking it out on their partners.3. It can lead to jealousy:Studies have shown that excessive social media users have triggers of jealousy. Abusers can feel jealous when their friends dating lives are more extraordinary than theirs and could become furious that their partners aren't as exciting and therefore take it out on their partner. Abusers are often overprotective and if their partner is engaging with someone else on social media and they see it could infuriate the abusers which leads to violence. Use of cellphones increase dating violenceTeenagers are usually able to get excess to the internet or if not they all have phones. This makes them an easy target to dating violence as their abuser can threaten them anywhere at any time. This means that the abuser can control and degrade the victim just by a click of a few buttons over their mobile phones. Abusers can harass their victims through online texts which may dehumanize the victim and cause them to feel abused. Abusers may also sexually harass their partners online by asking for nude pictures or forcing them to engage in unwanted, awkward sexting. Abusers often message their partners constantly not because they care but because they need to feel like they in control and make the victim intimidated. Abusers can often hack their partners social media sites to know what they up to, they often post private messages or pictures, they can post cruel things about their partner online, they can track their partners location and they can stalk. By doing this they intimidate their partner and will often abuse if their partner is, according to them, doing something wrong. Warning signs of dating abuseo Your partner threatens youo Isolates you from your friends and familyo Dehumanizes youo Your partner makes you feel guilty to get their wayo Your partner is aggressive towards youo Your partner forces you to do uncomfortable thingso You are blamed for everything that goes wrongo You are called names by your partner and belittled by themo Your partner calls and messages you excessivelyo Your partner touches you in public without your permissiono Your partner exceeds your physical boundarieso Your partner controls your reproductive choiceso Your partner has explosive tempero You are forced into having sex with your partner How to escape an abusive relationship?: 1. Talk to someone about your situation 2. Set aside money and slowly move your belongings out 3. Pack an emergency bag 4. Plan your escape route and where you will live 5. Leave when your partner is not at home 6. Don't take the blame 7. Write everything you experience down 8. Warn and tell your friends and family 9. Block the abuser on any social sites 10. Seek physiological help 11. Move on and regain your value and dignityOrganizations that can help Legal Aid South Africa offers legal assistance. To locate your nearest Justice Centre, call 0861 053 425 or visit www.legal-aid.co.za.Rape Crisis offers free confidential counselling to people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Call 011 642 4345.SAPS 10111University campus law clinics also offer legal assistance. Powa provides counselling, both telephonically and in person, temporary shelter for and legal help to women who have experienced violence.Call 011 642 434Tears foundation Founded in 2012, this non-profit organization provides a database of medical, legal and psychological services available in South Africa to help those who have been raped or survived sexual abuse.Call 010 590 5920Part 2: 55 Tyrone avenue Parkview Johannesburg 21935th February 2018 Dear: Johanna I've heard about your experience with your violent boyfriend and I am extremely apologetic that you had to go through such an ordeal. I cannot even bear to imagine the pain you had to go through. The suffering you have experienced is traumatizing and has happened solely because your boyfriend wanted control in the relationship. Your boyfriend was extremely jealous, controlling and hypersensitive which is usually the characteristics of an abuser. I as your best friend had noticed earlier how distant and melancholic you were, but I had no idea that it would link to your boyfriend. Your boyfriend was always so loving, caring and protective over you but then again that was probably the first stage of dating abuse. Your boyfriend used physical abuse on you when he hit you and physiological abuse on you when he made you feel guilty about leaving him and threatened to kill you. Johanna, you are currently in the third stage of violence wherein your partner is threating you and exceeding your limits and boundaries. You cannot take any more of this, its traumatizing and upsetting. You need to take measures into place such as blocking him on any social media profiles so that he may have no contact with you. You should also inform your family as to the situation so that they are aware and if anything is to happen they know where you are. You should also keep a journal and write all these experiences down so that in case for future references you want to charge him you have proof. You should seek physiological help, so that you have a better understanding of your situation and so you can move on with dignity and value. Most importantly though you should not take the blame for his actions. Johanna, you are not his punching bag and you should know that no one deserves to treat you in a way that he has treated you. You should know that you are worthful and beautiful and if anyone cannot see that and appreciate it then they shouldn't be around you. Always remember that you are not a victim you alive and that makes you a survivor and don't be ashamed of this story others will be inspired.

Essay on The Zara Business Model - 2190 Words

Introduction Zara is the most popular and profitable brand of Inditex SA, the world’s largest retail group. The first Zara store was launched in 1975 in La Coruà ±a, Spain; a city which eventually became the central headquarters for Zara’s global operations. In the beginning the store was named Zobra, but after a while the founder and CEO Amansio Ortega has renamed it to ZARA. The first international Zara store was opened in 1988 in Oporto, Portugal. Since then Zara has expanded its operations into 87 countries with 1900 stores located in the most important shopping districts of more than 400 cities in Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Middle-East . During this rapid international expansion Zara has stayed focused on its core concept†¦show more content†¦Zara’s target market are young (18-40), urban, price-conscious people with active life-style and middle-range income, who are highly sensitive to the latest fashion trends. Like a separate segment we should als o mention young mums, looking for a fashionable outfit for their kids (Zara Kids Department). In order to avoid extra-costs Zara is not producing clothes in big sizes, so we can assume that the main segment are customers of small-medium clothes size. According to the latest marketing studies 75% of the Zara customers are women, compared to 25% male. That indicates that Zara is mostly focusing on the women fashion market as the most profitable one. Value Proposition Zara is a very customer- oriented brand, so the customer is the center of its business model. So what value is Zara creating for its customers? -Fashionable Clothes Zara’s designers are picking up the latest trends of the leading boutique clothes retailers, developing new designs and quickly putting them in production. So the customer are able to get a fashionable/trendy outfit from the catwalk within few weeks. That is a very strong competitive advantage of Zara, as it takes 3-4 month to its direct competitors (HM, GAP) to release a new line of clothes. -Affordable Clothes Zara’s prices remain on the low/medium level. It is affordable clothes for every customer that is followingShow MoreRelatedZara Business Model1004 Words   |  5 PagesBy Wendy –Zara exericse 1 Q5. Who are the customer ? The target market is broad, women, men, children that likes fashion and is sensitive to fashion. Q6 .Who are the customers, and what product/ service attributes do they consider important? The target market is very broad, Zara do not define their target by segmenting ages and lifestyles like what traditional retailers are doing. Its target market is working in big cities, with mid range income, a young, educated person that likesRead MoreZara - Unique Business Model2120 Words   |  9 PagesQ 1.: What is unique about Zaras business model? Zara has proved to be a maverick of its time Ââ€" it came at a time that the apparel industry was fragmented there was no integration, the costs incurred were enormous it was highly labor-intensive leading to outsourcing to save on costs and the business model prevalent was not proving to be highly successful as compared to the models of other industries. In came Zara and showed that strategic imperatives depended on how a retailer sought to create andRead MoreZara Business Model (Case Analysis)2398 Words   |  10 PagesZara Case Quest 4/5/2011 Done By: Faisal Alsawaihan Zara case Quest What Business is Zara In? (Business model) Zara is one of the Inditex group, which they mainly in the apparel industry. It considers the most successful brand in this group and most of profit margin is coming from Zara stores that are widespread around the world (76countries) and their main products of apparel are for men, women, and kids. 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ShouldRead MoreZara - Marketing Research1034 Words   |  5 PagesTask 1 zara marketing research Zara is a spanish chain store in Inditex group, one of the worlds biggest retail store in the world who are also owners of zara home. Zara is a fast industry bt its unique business model is based on innovation and flexibilty. they design and distribute a garment to the market in just 15 days. they always have new products but in limited supply. the customer feels there is an exclusitivity , since only a few items are on display even though stores are planned