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APA format is required

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APA format is required.References should be listed immediately after the question that is being answered.Each question lists a minimum number of unique scholarly references; the textbook is considered one unique reference (per question) regardless of how many times it is used.All references should be from the years 2007 to present day.

Review the rubric that will be used to evaluate this paper. All work must be completed individually.

• What must companies focus on in order to survive in today’s business environment? Use at least two unique references. Length: 4-5 paragraphs (at least 100 words per paragraph).
• Read the case: Prime Bank of Massachusetts.Develop a list of changes for the operations function that should be considered by the bank. Use at least one unique reference.Begin by identifying operations management decisions that would be involved in operating a bank, for example, layout of facility, staff, drive-through service. Then identify ways that they can be improved at Prime Bank in order to support the strategy focused on customer service. Use at least two unique references. Length: 4-5 paragraphs (at least 100 words per paragraph).
• In the product screening stage of new product development, what are some questions that may need to be explored by the operations function? By marketing? By finance? Use at least two unique references. Length: 4-5 paragraphs (at least 100 words per paragraph).
• Describe how consumers can use the Internet to shop in new ways. Use at least two unique references. Length: 4-5 paragraphs (at least 100 words per paragraph).

CASE: Prime Bank of Massachusetts Prime Bank of Massachusetts was started in 1964 with James enough telephone lines. James Rogers wanted Prime Bank to Rogers as CEO, who is now chairman of the board. Prime Bank aggressively solve all customer service issues, such as staffing, had been growing steadily since its beginning and has developed layout, and facilities. He also wanted greater creativity in adding a loyal customer following. Today there are 45 bank locations improvements in customer service, such as on-line banking, and throughout Massachusetts, with corporate headquarters in special services for large customers. He believed that improving Newbury, Massachusetts. The bank offers a wide array of bank- most aspects of the bank's operation would give Prime Bank a ing services to commercial and noncommercial customers. competitive advantage. Prime Bank has considered itself to be a conservative, yet inno- The board presented their new strategy to Victoria Chen, vative, organization. Its locations are open Monday-Friday 9-4 vice president of operations. Victoria had recently been pro- and Saturday 9-12. Most of the facilities are located adjacent to moted to the V.P. level and understood the importance of op well-established shopping centers, with multiple ATM machines erations management. She was asked to identify all changes and at least three drive-through windows. However, Prime Bank's that should be made in the operation function that would growth has brought on certain problems. Having the right amount support this new strategy and present them at the next board of tellers available in the bank as well as in the drive-through win- meeting. Victoria had been hoping for an opportunity to dow has been a challenge. Some commercial customers had re- prove herself since she began with the bank. This was her cently expressed frustration due to long waiting time. Also, the chance. parking lot has often become crowded during peak periods. While Prime Bank was going through a growth period, the Case Questions general banking industry had been experiencing tougher com- 1. Why is the operations function important in implement- petition. Competitors were increasingly offering lower interest ing the strategy of an organization? Explain why the changes put rates on loans and higher yields on savings accounts and certifi- in place by Victoria Chen and her team could either hurt or help cates of deposit. Also, Prime Bank was experiencing growing the bank. pains, and something needed to be done soon or it would begin 2. Develop a list of changes for the operations function that losing customers to competition. should be considered by the bank. Begin by identifying opera- The board, headed by James Rogers, decided to develop a tions management decisions that would be involved in operating more aggressive strategy for Prime Bank. While many of its a bank, for example, layout of facility, staff, drive-through service. competitors were competing on cost, the board decided that Then identify ways that they can be improved at Prime Bank in Prime Bank should focus on customer service in order to differ- order to support the strategy focused on customer service. entiate itself from the competition. The bank had already begun 3. Think of the improvements identified in answering ques- moving in that direction by offering a 24-hour customer service tion 2. How different would these improvements be if the bank department to answer customers' banking questions. Yet, there had a strategy of cutting cost rather than supporting customer were difficulties with this effort, such as poor staffing and not service? CASE: Prime Bank of Massachusetts Prime Bank of Massachusetts was started in 1964 with James enough telephone lines. James Rogers wanted Prime Bank to Rogers as CEO, who is now chairman of the board. Prime Bank aggressively solve all customer service issues, such as staffing, had been growing steadily since its beginning and has developed layout, and facilities. He also wanted greater creativity in adding a loyal customer following. Today there are 45 bank locations improvements in customer service, such as on-line banking, and throughout Massachusetts, with corporate headquarters in special services for large customers. He believed that improving Newbury, Massachusetts. The bank offers a wide array of bank- most aspects of the bank's operation would give Prime Bank a ing services to commercial and noncommercial customers. competitive advantage. Prime Bank has considered itself to be a conservative, yet inno- The board presented their new strategy to Victoria Chen, vative, organization. Its locations are open Monday-Friday 9-4 vice president of operations. Victoria had recently been pro- and Saturday 9-12. Most of the facilities are located adjacent to moted to the V.P. level and understood the importance of op well-established shopping centers, with multiple ATM machines erations management. She was asked to identify all changes and at least three drive-through windows. However, Prime Bank's that should be made in the operation function that would growth has brought on certain problems. Having the right amount support this new strategy and present them at the next board of tellers available in the bank as well as in the drive-through win- meeting. Victoria had been hoping for an opportunity to dow has been a challenge. Some commercial customers had re- prove herself since she began with the bank. This was her cently expressed frustration due to long waiting time. Also, the chance. parking lot has often become crowded during peak periods. While Prime Bank was going through a growth period, the Case Questions general banking industry had been experiencing tougher com- 1. Why is the operations function important in implement- petition. Competitors were increasingly offering lower interest ing the strategy of an organization? Explain why the changes put rates on loans and higher yields on savings accounts and certifi- in place by Victoria Chen and her team could either hurt or help cates of deposit. Also, Prime Bank was experiencing growing the bank. pains, and something needed to be done soon or it would begin 2. Develop a list of changes for the operations function that losing customers to competition. should be considered by the bank. Begin by identifying opera- The board, headed by James Rogers, decided to develop a tions management decisions that would be involved in operating more aggressive strategy for Prime Bank. While many of its a bank, for example, layout of facility, staff, drive-through service. competitors were competing on cost, the board decided that Then identify ways that they can be improved at Prime Bank in Prime Bank should focus on customer service in order to differ- order to support the strategy focused on customer service. entiate itself from the competition. The bank had already begun 3. Think of the improvements identified in answering ques- moving in that direction by offering a 24-hour customer service tion 2. How different would these improvements be if the bank department to answer customers' banking questions. Yet, there had a strategy of cutting cost rather than supporting customer were difficulties with this effort, such as poor staffing and not service?