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Homework answers / question archive / Using the PrOACT Model to Make a Decision on Your Own Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your skills in using the PrOACT model to make a decision

Using the PrOACT Model to Make a Decision on Your Own Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your skills in using the PrOACT model to make a decision

Management

Using the PrOACT Model to Make a Decision on Your Own

Purpose:

The purpose of this assignment is to demonstrate your skills in using the PrOACT model to make a decision.  Similar to the team project, you will use the case scenario to analyze apply the course material and use the PrOACT model to make a decision. 

In completing this assignment, you will research, collect data, and use critical thinking, and creative application.

Outcomes:

  • Apply the PrOACT model
  • Explain how the decision process is enhanced by using a model
  • Develop a consequence table and decision matrix

Read the Following Case Scenario

 

Sigourney and Jason Robards recently attended a birthday party for their 10-year-old granddaughter, Honey BooBoo. During the party, the children were all given a chance to make their own popcorn and add flavors and colors to the popped corn.  The children could add caramel, butter, chili pepper, cocoa powder, or dried cheese flavoring.  The girls were delighted with the idea of mixing the flavors to their taste, which in some cases were delightful and others not so much.  The fun was in the mixing and the girls were delighted.  Sigourney and Jason, recent retirees, were looking for a new small business to start and they immediately latched onto this idea: Why not produce popcorn flavors?  On second thought why not produce snack flavors in general?  Why not produce flavors for popcorn, pretzels, and potato chips that people could mix and match to their taste - A gourmet flavor treat for all ages.  Flavor “N” Snack (FNS) was born.  

 

FNS makes 18 powdered flavor basics that when heated in a microwave for seconds would add flavor to most snack foods.  The powders come in flavors like masala, Thai green chili, honey and mustard, chili, malt vinegar and sweet flavors like orange chocolate, salty caramel, and honey apple.  The flavors are packaged in plastic jars with shaker lids for easy dispensing.  Online instructions for hosting tasting parties are included in the packaging.

 

Sigourney and Jason do all the product purchasing, mixing, bottling, labeling, packaging and shipping of the product in the basement of their large home.  Their teenage grandson has created a web page for them and helps with online order.   Currently after six months in business FNS is selling about 875 bottles each month. The couple took the FNS products to a recent Sweets and Snack Expo in California and were surprised at the response received.  They received a contract from several small boutique chains looking for clever food gift ideas.  This contract will increase their output by about 300 bottles per month alone.  They also learned from other conventioneers that the holiday season would give them a big jump in sales as people look for hostess gifts, stocking stuffers, party ideas, and gift guides for new ideas.  In fact, the conventioneers suggested the Robards increase their existing production as much three times.  Sigourney and Jason can increase sales more if they increase production.  Encouraged by positive reactions from the convention sales and a new listing posted in two national gift guides, the company’s July revenue was $6,500. FNS’’s gross margin ranged from $3 to $5 on each bottle, depending on the ingredients.  At this time, the website is doubling its orders. 

 

The holiday season is upon FNS and Sigourney and Jason are at a crossroads in their business.  They cannot be sure the products will take off, but they want to be ready just in case. The idea of not having enough inventory for the season and disappointing customers is unsettling to Jason and Sigourney.  The couple cannot be seen as unreliable to first-time customers.  It is also true that keeping down expenses is critical because the company is self-financed and the couple does not want to touch their 401K pension funds to fund FNS.

 

Sigourney and Jason have studied the market and although uncertain that they will reach their sales goals it seems likely that to fill all their possible sales the couple would have to produce 6,000 bottles per month starting in September through December.

Jason estimates that he will need two additional full-time workers in October, mainly for production; an extra three and a half workers in November, for production and shipping; and one and a half workers in December, mainly for shipping.  The couple has examined a few options to meet the huge increase in production:

 

  • One option they considered is asking friends and family to help in exchange for food and laughs. The problem is that other commitments may diminish the volunteers’ participation as the holidays, school schedules and work demands consume their time. They are likely not to be reliable as time nears the holiday week. Further, Jason and Sigourney know that family and friends cannot be managed like salaried workers, and hurt feelings may result.  Although the most cost-effective measure would cost $1800, easily payable from their bank account, Sigourney and Jason worry they may not meet the goal without losing some family or friends. Depending on family and friends is risky.
  • They could hire bonded and vetted temp-workers through an agency. The cost is $25 an hour for a total of $20,000. This sum would tap into their cash reserve and leave them strapped for other expenses.  Although doable, this option leaves no cushion. It is a risk.  The workforce is also not trained and would have to be coached as well as supervised on dealing with food products.
  • Another option is a bank loan. This could allow for a more professional workforce and free Jason and Sigourney to plan the company’s future growth.  However, the rates may be higher for people their age.  Sigourney called AARP for some advice and was told that age should not be an issue from a legitimate lender; however they would most likely have to post collateral that means mortgaging their home, which is mortgage free.  The house they feel is off limits. This is a strong no way option for them. They must have a place to live at their age.  However, getting a loan without using the house or their 401K accounts as collateral is possible but they have no idea of the rates.
  • Another option is to invest in new equipment that would include turntables, workbenches, shrink wrap machines and fulfillment equipment that Jason thinks will cost $11,500.  He is uncertain that they will have enough time to install the machines in the basement in time for a September production.  He might have to pay extra for a rush fee of $3,000 more to guarantee a timely installation.  The cost is something FNS can handle without too much strain.

 

 

Looking for some advice, the couple turned to some of the small business people they met at the convention.  Here are some of the comments they received:

 

  • Use every personal contact as you must get the orders filled and to the customers on time.  The first impression is the best so do it right the first time.  Work 24/7.  If you do not want to use family and friends look to other groups that may be willing to help for a small donation.  You may even have previous work buddies who may help for a small fee.  Also include with every order a product list and order form. Happy customers make good long-term customers.
  • Do not invest in any equipment if you are not sure the holiday surge will continue in the months afterward.  Family and friends will want to see you succeed while temp workers will consider it just another job.
  • Investing in machinery is a real growth move.  Find customers that will sustain the expense by going to bigger retailers.

 

Instructions:

Help Sigourney and Jason make their decision.

Use the PrOACT model and the Decision Making Worksheet to go through the decision-making process.  Remember while some options have been suggested they may not be the only ones to consider.  An outstanding grade would really have an alternative that you have created to meet the objectives.  The goal of this project is to show how well you can apply the decision model to a scenario that could potentially occur in the business world.

In addition to the resources used to support the ideas, reasoning and conclusions made for each step of the process, a one page double-spaced explanation as to how the decision-making model reduces the bias and influences that accompany our decision making will accompany the worksheet.

The use of APA in-text citations and reference list as well as well-crafted writing should be evident in the worksheet and paper supplement.  All conclusions drawn and alternatives used should be explained and supported with the course material. 

All in-text citations should provide the page number or paragraph number.

You are expected to paraphrase and NOT use direct quotes.  You are expected to paraphrase, which can be learned by reviewing this link:   https://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/QPA_paraphrase2.html.

 

 

Use the grading rubric while writing the paper to ensure all requirements are met that will lead to the highest possible grade.

Third person writing is required.  Third person means that there are no words such as “I, me, my, we, or us” (first person writing), nor is there use of “you or your” (second person writing).  If uncertain how to write in the third person, view this link:  http://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/grammar/first-second-and-third-person.

Contractions are not used in business writing, so you are expected NOT to use contractions in writing this assignment. 

 

Course Material Please use it for references and citation

 

https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/lbsr/more-important-than-results?display=expanded#.VZsVibvD_b0

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-science-behind-behavior/201707/what-is-good-decision

https://www.london.edu/faculty-and-research/lbsr/more-important-than-results?display=expanded#.WdOuVsZOlaR

https://www.cnbc.com/id/100634625

http://www.bain.com/publications/articles/measuring-decision-effectiveness.aspx

https://litemind.com/decision-making/

http://www.lifeskillstoolkits.com/toolkits/decision-making-toolkit/proact-toolset/

http://www.structureddecisionmaking.org/steps/step4consequences/consequences3/

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-stakeholders-32179.html

http://smallbusiness.chron.com/roles-stakeholders-planning-process-32051.html

http://www.time-management-guide.com/decision-matrix.html

https://www.structureddecisionmaking.org/steps/step4consequences/consequences2/

 

 

 

 

 

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