Case Study on Entrepreneurship: Larry Page

Business Analysis

The Boundaryless Career: Modern Contemperory Perspective on Career

Human Resource Management

Concepts of Throughput Accounting and Theory of Constraints

Financial Management

Kaizen – Understanding the Japanese Business Philosophy of Continuous Improvement

Operations Management

Role of Leaders in Shaping Organizational Culture

Management Principles

Conversion/Installation Modes of Information Systems

Conversion is the process of changing from the old system to the new one. It must be properly planned and executed. Four methods are common in use. They are: parallel systems, direct conversion, pilot system and systems phase-in. Each method should be considered in the light of the opportunities that it offers and problems that it may create. However, it may be possible that sometimes, we may be forced to apply one method over others, even though other methods may be more beneficial. In general, systems conversion should be accomplished in shortest possible time. Long conversion periods create problems for all persons involved including both analysts and users. Parallel Systems The most secure method of converting from an old to new system is to run both systems in parallel. Under this approach, users continue to operate the old system in the usual manner but they also start using the new Continue reading

Abey Francis

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – Definition, Benefits and Challenges

Customer Relationship Management (CRM) as the name suggests, the primary focal point is placed on the customer. The key objective is to increase customer value over time by increasing customer loyalty. If a company develops better customer relationships, it also improves business processes as well as its profits. In general, CRM is a more efficient automated method used to connect and improve all areas of business to focus on creating strong customer relationships. All forces are coupled together to save, improve, and acquire greater business to customer relationships. The most common areas of business that are positively affected include marketing, sales, and customer service strategies. Customer Relationship Management (CRM)  helps create time efficiency and savings on both sides of the business spectrum. Through correct implementation and use of CRM solutions, companies gain a better understanding of their strongest and weakest areas and how they can improve upon these. Therefore, customers Continue reading

Abey Francis

Post-Shipment Finance

Post shipment finance is provided to meet working capital requirements after the actual shipment of goods. It bridges the financial gap between the date of shipment and actual receipt of payment from overseas buyer thereof. Whereas the finance provided after shipment of goods is called post-shipment finance. DEFINITION: Credit facility extended to an exporter from the date of shipment of goods till the realization of the export proceeds is called Post-shipment Credit. IMPORTANCE OF FINANCE AT POST-SHIPMENT STAGE: To pay to agents/distributors and others for their services. To pay for publicity and advertising in the over seas markets. To pay for port authorities, customs and shipping agents charges. To pay towards export duty or tax, if any. To pay towards ECGC premium. To pay for freight and other shipping expenses. To pay towards marine insurance premium, under CIF contracts. To meet expenses in respect of after sale service. To pay Continue reading

Abey Francis

Limited Editions as a Marketing Strategy

The term “Special Edition” or “Limited Edition“; when used in marketing management, intends to give the product something new and previously unseen in the regular edition. Limited Edition marketing strategy carries a sense of immediacy and exclusivity as the products would only be available for a short time and/or in limited numbers. The term “Limited Edition” has its origin in the publishing industries where limited numbers of copies   of books are printed with top quality impressions. These limited editions are sold at a premium price. Although limited edition are sold at   premium, there are many FMCG companies which have implemented this concept minus the premium price. The industries which are using limited edition marketing strategy  are automobiles and luxury lifestyle products such as wrist watches, designer wear, etc. There can be variety of motivations for a marketer to launch products as limited or special editions. The reason can Continue reading

Abey Francis

The Service Recovery Paradox

The present key business strategy eyes on keeping the current customers and developing relationships with the new ones. Providing services to the customers or the consumers is very difficult. Unfortunately the services provided to the customers can never be perfect, the failure can be due to unprompted employee actions, failure to respond to specific customer needs or also due to core service facilities. Hence the companies try their best to reduce the mistakes from repeating again and in satisfying the customers needs. This article discusses about the “service recovery paradox” steps that is being followed by the organizations to recover from their service failures. According to McCollough and Bharadwaj 2002, service recovery paradox can be said as the situation at which the customers post failure expectations exceed pre failure expectations. This is like the organization taking preventive steps to satisfy their customers by reducing their failures and also in not Continue reading

Abey Francis

Earnings Management – Definitions, Reasons and Examples

Earnings Management (EM) is the term used to describe the process of manipulating earnings of the firm to meet management’s predetermined target. The flexibility of accounting standards may cause some variability in earnings to occur as a result of the accounting choices made by management. However, earnings management that falls outside the generally accepted accounting choice boundaries is clearly unethical. The intent behind the earnings management also contributes to the questionable ethics of the practice. Some managers use EM as a means of deceiving shareholders or other stakeholders of the organization, such as creating the appearance of higher earnings to increase compensation or to avoid default on a debt covenant. The intent to use EM to deceive stakeholders implies that it can be unethical, even if the earnings management remains within the boundaries of GAAP or IAS. Earnings management has been defined as management’s exploitation of accounting flexibility to meet Continue reading

Abey Francis