Minit-Lube's 10 Operations Decisions That Provide Competitive Advantage

The following 10 operations decisions provide competitive advantage to Minit-Lube’s strategy (Heizer & Render 2008):

1. Product DesignMinit-Lube’s provides services, with a narrow product strategy, could be defined as “lubricating automobiles” (i.e. performing oil changes, lubrication and interior cleaning of vehicles). It allows the subsequent development of more focused and efficient operations. Minit-Lube seeks to differentiate itself from (traditional) competitors by facilitating fast service, and providing convenience to customers (i.e. it has a superior service design which enables it to service 3 cars at a time)...more>>

Challenges in Company Relocation from Urban to Rural

A heavily populated industrialized area’s environment is characterized as an area with socially and economically related adjacent communities. On the other hand, the environment of a small, rural town is characterized by large, isolated regions with low population density (e.g. small towns and farms). Moreover, the living costs of a heavily populated industrialized area are higher than that of a small, rural town. (Heizer & Render 2008)

One major problem will be reluctance to re-locate due to the drastic change in lifestyle from urban, fasting moving environment to a slower and more relaxed lifestyle; morale will be affected. Hence, there would concern for the employees working in the current urban site re-locating to a small, rural town heavily. The company may face resistance from employees as amenities of a small, rural town are lesser than that of a heavily populated industrialized area (i.e. employees may not want to live with the inconveniences and lack of amenities)... more>>

5 Types of Secondary Data

In marketing research, there are two types of data: primary and secondary. Primary data is data that has to be collected and analyzed from scratch, while secondary data refers to data that already exists and was gathered for purposes other than current research project. It is increasingly used to examine a wide variety of marketing and business problems because of the relative speed and cost-effectiveness of obtaining the data. Below are 5 types of secondary data that a company that can collect to help it decide whether it should go into a new catering business (Hair et. al, 2009):

1. Sales data - Sales Activity Reports (Internal)
These reports contain data on sales, competition, territory activities, and changes in the market place (if it is competitor intelligence, it is not considered internal data) , enabling the company to identify potential target markets, sales trends and competition. With this data, the company would be able to forecast future sales trends and revenues for its catering business. For example, the daily sales activity report would provide the company with insight: the monitoring and identifying of sales frequency (i.e. cyclical nature of the sales – sale increase during festive seasons) would enable the company to formulate its marketing strategy appropriately (i.e. set promotions and pricing), or translate the data for other expenses (i.e. price promotions may boost sales volume but does not generate profit)...more >>

Environment Analysis of 3M Greptile Golf Glove

Economic conditions and trends:

Between 1999 and 2004 household income stagnated showing a slight increase since 2004. While personal income has remained relatively stagnant since over the past few decades, household income has risen due to the rising percentage of households with two or more income earners. The rising of household income has brought opportunities to companies that they might spend their extra income to wants. The increasing dual income family might rise the demand for business women who also demand golf as their sport

As golf gloves are not considered as necessities, the rise of income (affluence) may affect the sales of golf gloves. Since 2004 household income has shown a slight increase. Thus it may trigger people to spend their extra income on satisfying their wants. This was an opportunities for 3m firm to launch and promote the Greptile golf glove as those golfers might look after products that can satisfy their hobbies or recreation on golf... more>>

A Promissory Estoppel Scenario: Singapore Law

Discusses a scenario of promissory estoppel in Singapore contract law.

Scenario: Jane was an accomplished pianist and was also a part-time tutor giving piano lessons to promising students. Grace, a typist working with a marketing firm, engaged the services of Jane, after having failed her previous piano exams under three different tutors. The exams were scheduled during the last week of the month, in October. There were a total of ten lessons and the fees payable by Grace to Jane was $500 per lesson.

After five lessons, Grace informed Jane that she was unable to continue with her piano lessons as her mother was suffering from cancer and the treatment costs were rather high, making it practically impossible for her to pay $500 per lesson for the remaining five piano lessons. Jane felt sorry for Grace as she was one of her promising students. Out of pity, she agreed to collect a nominal sum of $150 per lesson for the remaining five lessons.

Grace was grateful for the kindness showered by Jane and continued with her piano lessons. However, soon after Grace had cleared her exams, Jane demanded on being paid the balance of $1,750 for the last five lessons.

Advise Grace as to whether Jane will be able to successfully claim the $1,750 from her.

1. Introduction
The main issue identified in this case would be whether Jane is legally justified to claim the $1,750 as balance payments of five piano lessons from Grace.

2. Legal Principle Involved
Firstly, we need to examine if there was a contract in the first place. There are four elements that make up a contract and they are offer, acceptance, consideration and intention to create legal relations. All four factors must be present before a contract is formed:

• Offer: an expression made by one party (”offeror”) to another party (”offeree”) communicating the offeror’s willingness to perform a promise. [2] This means that one person must make an offer or promise to another person in exchange for something. In this case, Grace had made an offer to pay Jane $500 per lesson in exchange for piano lessons. This arrangement was good for 10 lessons leading up to a piano exam. It is construed that there was an offer in this case.

• Acceptance: once an offer is made by one party, the other party must agree to the offer and this is made known to the offeror. In this case, there was obviously an acceptance of offer since lessons started and payment was made in exchange for piano lessons. How the acceptance was made (whether in writing, orally or by conduct) is not known, but it is likely that Grace either had to sign a lesson form or went into a verbal agreement with Jane. This is acceptable and hence, there was acceptance of the offer...more>>

Thoughts on Baby Clothes

The world of babies is a simple one, they do not understand the concept of branded clothing or image, nor the value of money; they only know that they are either hungry, uncomfortable or want attention. All they want is their needs to be met, nothing else matters; neither the color of the clothes they wear nor the color and décor of their room.

Parents, on the other hand, are the ones that decide what their babies’ wear and eat etc… Although babies require clothing, branded clothes are not a necessity; it is more of a “want” by the parents. More down-to-earth parents’ might even consider it a waste of money to buy branded clothing for their babies’, as it is a constant affair considering the rate at which babies grow. Thus, branded babies’ clothing is definitely not for families who are on a budget and trying to save money.

Society, through the means of the media, has led many people to believe that branded equals to better. This is especially the case with increased affluence amongst people in the today society. It may be true that branded products such as clothing, especially so in the case of babies’ clothing, may have unique and adorable designs. However, this comes at a much higher price that ordinary babies’ clothing. Is it really necessary to buy branded clothing for babies? Especially at an age where they are neither able to appreciate the finer things in life, nor differentiate between what is branded or not. It is only the adults that have such perceptions and it is the way they regard brands that matters...more>>

JTC Introduction

1. Introduction

1.1 Short Description of the Company
Being Singapore’s leading developer of Industrial facilities, JTC Corporation plays a pivotal role in managing the industrial usage of the limited land resources in Singapore. Currently, JTC manages 35 industrial estates in Singapore, including three wafer fab parks, two business parks, technopreneur centres and a chemical hub on Jurong Island.

JTC Corporation has been able to leverage on more than 30 years of experiences in industrial facilities development, for numerous projects in Asia-Pacific region.

JTC aims at being a world-class industrial developer... more>>