Product reassessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Product reassessment - Essay Example Definite measure to sustain the project is thru distributorship or partnership as specific form of entry to the China market. Picture of the product is shown in Annex 1, while profile of the company may be downloaded in its company website. Discussion . Life cycle of the fax machines in the United States have reached maturity and declining stages. It has been overtaken by fast technology changes in communication. At this stage, manufacturers are left with three options: to look for new markets, to accept its fate, or to upgrade features of its products to present a new appeal. While it seems that US market is saturated and has reached maturity, other foreign markets are still on a developing stage. One such country is China, that despite for its being big in terms of economic development, has low usage of Fax machines. According to CIA Factbook, (2013) China has a population of 1,349,595,895 and is considered the most populous country in the world. It has a literacy rate of 92.2% whi ch is a very good segmentation target for the product. Repositioning needs a risk management plan that involves a market research. Since there are issues why the fax usage is low in this country, and before entry, a market research should be conducted in order to ascertain acceptability of the product. Market research helps the company understand the customer and its relative situation. The branch of research ideal for repositioning is market profiling or segmentation survey to know following conditions: to identify who are the customers, why are they or not customers. The survey may also include questions about purchasing decisions in order to know motivational factors from interest to actual purchase. This section opens up with the idea of major factors that lead to the level and rate of adoption of new products. Fax machines are not a totally new product, but the idea is to reintroduce it to a new market, which is China. A method that could be used to check on adoption rates is t he concept testing or test marketing. Concept testing gives an idea of customers reaction before funds are spent for it, wherein â€Å"A cross-section of the general public could be asked to respond to this product idea and may be able to comment on the intrinsic appeal of the idea and, more especially, could make suggestions as to where it would best be positioned in the market† (‘Agricultural and Food Marketing Management† n.d.). Two Test marketing advantages outlined in the study of FAO stated that it provides an opportunity to obtain a measure of a product's sales performance under reasonably natural market conditions. Market share can be estimated and used as the basis of the decision as to whether or not the product is launched nationally. Test marketing also offers an opportunity for management to identify and correct product or marketing strategy weaknesses before a national launch takes place. An idea that could be carried out in the launch is product ser vice or component that could complement the product. Fax machines are one of the products carried in the portfolio of Canon. Copiers would be the best complement for Fax machines. It could be offered as a combined package at a discounted price. After sales service could also be an attractive proposal. In every product category, service or warranty is provided. So that sales and service would be maximized, on-line system of ordering or servicing should be in place so that customers can

Managing health and safety at work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Managing health and safety at work - Essay Example The second piece of legislation ‘The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999’ whose main requirement is that employers ought to carry out risk assessments to eliminate or reduce risks. Those who employ five or more people should record the significant findings of a risk assessment. It is however not a requirement that insignificant risks should be recorded. Section 2 of The Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974 places a duty on employers to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees. This should be done as far as is reasonably practicable. Employers are also required to consult with safety representatives from trade unions on matters to do with health and safety in the place of work. Employers who have more than five employees are required to have a written health and safety policy which should be brought to that attention of the employees. This section places a burden upon the manager not only to prepare a health and safety policy but it is clear that it is to be brought to the attention of the employees and it is trite that employees should know its contents. Consultations with trade union representatives are also mandatory. Section 4 places a duty on any person who is responsible for the place of work to make sure that the work premises, plant and machinery do not pose any danger the people who use the same. As a manager, one is required to ensure that the plant and machinery are properly maintained and thus when they are put to use, whoever is using them cannot be exposed to any harm while performing his or her responsibilities. The section could also require that the manager ensure that the employees are properly dressed and observe the laid down safety regulations at the work place (Stuhlmacher & Douglas, 2001). A competent person in the context of health and safety is one who has gone through some formal training and in addition has experience working with other people in a health and safety position. Such a person has a good grasp of safety systems of work and is able to carry out safety audits. A competent person will be able to recognize and control hazards, write risk assessments and maintain records. A competent person will be able to deal in an effective manner with the management as well as other members of staff in matters to do with safety in and out of the place of work. Such a person should be acquainted with information about the latest legislation which pertains to health and safety. A competent person would also be the one who passes such information to his employer and also to his fellow employees without any undue delays and does it in a good manner. Maintain a good knowledge of the latest legislation covering health and safety and pass that on to employees and their employer. A competent person should also have record over a period of time of successfully carrying out their Health and Safety responsibilities. This encompasses their actions in response to such situations and also expectation and discernment of potential threats and taking quick measure steps to forestall the occurrence any problem. For one to be competent they should also know what their limitations are and thus deal with those situations they can handle otherwise they should alert more competent authorities. One of the ways