Is there an Optimal Exchange Rate Regime?

Starting from the gold standard regime of fixed rates, passing through the adjustable peg system after the Second World War, it has finally ended up with a system of managed floats after 1973. Since 1985, the pendulum has started swinging, though very slowly and erratically, in the direction of introducing some amount of fixity and rule based management of exchange rates. Despite these empirical facts, there is a school of thought within the professional which argues that in the years to come there will be only two types of exchange rate regimes: truly fixed rate arrangements like currency unions or currency boards, or truly market determined, independently floating exchange rates. The “middle ground” — regimes such as adjustable pegs, crawling pegs, crawling bands and managed floating — will pass into history. Some analysts even predict that three currency blocks — the US dollar block, the Euro block and the Yen Continue reading

Credit Management – Managing Trade Credit and Accounts Receivable in Business

“The purpose of any commercial enterprise is the earning of profit, credit in itself is utilized to increase sale, but sales must return a profit.” –  Joseph L. Wood The primary objective of management of receivables should not be limited to expansion of sales but should involve maximization of overall returns on investment. So, receivables management should not be confined to mere collection or receivables within the shortest possible period but is required to focus due attention to the benefit-cost trade-off relating to numerous receivables management. Principles of  Credit Management In order to add profitability, soundness and effectiveness to receivables management, an enterprise must make it a point to follow certain well-established and duly recognized principles of credit management. The first of these principles relate to the allocation of authority pertaining to credit and collections of some specific management. The second principle puts stress on the selection of proper credit Continue reading

The Major Aspects of Brand Management

Brand management refers to the activity of overseeing or supervising the promotional activities that are carried out for a branded product or service. It involves detailed planning and analysis and has an important role to play regarding the manner in which a brand is thought of and viewed as in the market. Some tangible brand management elements are the product itself, packaging, the price and the look. This article analyzes various aspects associated with the brand management process such as the way brand are built and managed over time, the manner in which brands are organized in portfolios and how brand hierarchies are built and managed. It also assesses how brands are leveraged internationally and domestically and the different techniques that are used for measuring and managing brand value over time. Understanding How Brands are Built and Managed Over Time Building Brands The brand refers to a symbol, term, design, Continue reading

Classification of Industrial Products

Industries are related to the raising, producing, processing or manufacturing of  products.  The industrial products can be classified into following: Major  Equipment’s   This category includes large machines or other tools whose net purchase price are so great that expenditures for them are changed to capital account and not the current account. Major equipment is of two types: Multipurpose or standard machines which can be used by a no. of different industries or by many firms in the same industry. Single purpose machines are designed to perform one particular operation and no other. Since the net price of major equipment is sometimes very high, its purchase may involve financial problem for the buyer. Firms marketing such equipment must be prepared to loan for the buyers, to help them float issues of securities, to negotiate with investment concerns, or to lease equipment. Minor or Accessory Equipment’s: It is machinery used in Continue reading

Purpose of Keeping Financial Records

Financial recording is a process and procedure that is used by an organisation to control finance and accountability. This process and procedure include recording, verification and timely reporting of transactions that affect revenues, expenditures, assets, and liabilities. To develop business and making profit accountants have to keep financial records or information. There are some techniques for recording financial information that are given below: Double entry book keeping: It is an account technique which records each transaction as a credit and a debit. Day books and ledgers: A book with an account of sales and purchases made each day is called day books. For example: sales day books, sale return day books etc. On the other hand ledger is an accounting book of final entry where transactions are listed in different accounts. For instance: sales ledger, purchase ledger and general ledger etc. The trial balance: It is totaling of debit balance Continue reading

14 Tips on How to Build Effective Teams

When building a team, you need to make sure individuals are aware of their job role and responsibilities and if so, who’s taking leadership and who’s accountable for each task. There needs to be clear lines of responsibility and authority. Individuals must be aware of what task needs to be achieved, when and how they are going to accomplish this. Team members should have the required skills to be able to carry out tasks and duties effectively. To build a team you need to gain each individual trust and loyalty, making them feel part of the team so that individuals do not feel fearful of people in leadership roles. The leader should clarify the purpose and set clear goals where team members work towards common goals which are clearly communicated and agreed. There are many techniques to help build a team such as valuable ideas, which means when working in Continue reading