Teaching note for product 9B06D017.

The general manager of the Wilkins plant in Paso Robles, California has received instructions from head office to reduce inventory by 30 per cent in the next quarter. Although inventory had been accumulating over the past years, this has been seen as a benefit to the company for a couple of reasons. One is that the cost of raw materials has risen in the past year. The second is that the company has a policy of no layoffs, so having inventory in stock .....more

The founder of Skadurz Pro, a skateboard, snowboard and clothing store has a tough decision to make regarding the future of his business and its two retail stores. His mother is ready to retire from her position as his business partner, and a large national competitor is about to open a franchise in direct competition with one of his outlets. It appears that the new competition will have severe impact on the company, and he must decide how he will .....more

Teaching note for product 9B06D008.

The owner/operator of a tanning salon is reviewing recommendations from a tanning distribution consultant regarding the business he had recently purchased. The owner knew that the salon needed improvements when he purchased it, but he was unsure how he wanted to proceed in doing so. The tanning consultant had presented the owner with a number of options. The owner must decide if he wants to simply upgrade the current tanning equipment or purchase .....more

Teaching note for product 9B05C018.

Teaching note for product 9B06M061.

The owners of a bar & grill located in a major tourist area must decide how to deal with the non-smoking bylaw that is being considered for the township it's located in. The bar & grill serves two different groups: a large number of tourists during the summer and local patrons who frequent the bar throughout the year. The owners are concerned how this bylaw will affect business during the slower winter months. The case allow students to .....more

The director of communications at a large university has reviewed results of a communication survey completed by employees. He is pleased that the overall results were favourable, but is concerned with comments in a recent employee newsletter that provided negative feedback of the survey. It is the director's responsibility to take the results of the research and develop a formal communications plan, but as he compares the study findings to the .....more