International Commodities Index Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Commodities Index - Article Example The supply chain of most products in initiated in the production or manufacturing stage. During this stage engineers and managers make purchase orders to obtain key raw materials needed to create the goods or services. In the power tool industry, two essential raw materials are metals and plastics. Plastics are a raw material which is considered a petroleum derivative. Crude oil and metals are categorized as commodities in the stock market. Their prices are very volatile and fluctuations in price occurred on a daily basis. Good indicators which analyst in the power tool industry must pay close attention to are commodity price indexes. For example, the Rogers International Commodity Index (RICI) aims to be an effective indicator of the price of raw material in the United States and around the world (Rogersrawmaterials, 2007). When the prices go down on these materials it is good idea to realize bulk purchases. Another strategy the can be utilized to lock the price of the commodity is to acquire future contracts. A future contract obligates a trader to sell an asset at an agreed upon price at some point in the future (Bodie & Kane & Marcus, 2002, p.982). Power pools are products which need energy in order to function. The energy industry is another key industry with has a great impact on the power tool industry. The designers of power tools must consider what type of platform will provide energy into the system. Two possible alternatives are battery and electricity power tools. Trends in the capacity and prices of batteries must be considered since the overall cost of the unit rises after the purchase of the batteries. If the power tools depends on electricity the executives of the companies could analyze trends in the electricity market by utilizing regression analyzes in which the monthly price of electricity over the last 10-20 years in particular country or city are inputted into the equation to determine price trends.  

Startup Plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Startup Plan - Assignment Example This will be achieved by introducing an innovative method of managing payment and access to internet services. This will allow the customer the flexibility of access, payment and budgeting. The rates offered for internet access will be competitive. The concept is still at start-up level, however, the next stage is to secure funding and this will be carried out by applying for funding to various sources. There is the potential to trademark our concept of the Access Card, and enquiries are being made to the relevant authorities. Our market mainly consists of students who cannot afford to be tied down to long term internet contracts, and this segment as a whole is currently experiencing record levels of borrowing to sustain their education. This is a huge potential market of 42 401 students in the Yorkshire and Humber region (UCAS 2006), and are desperately in need of more flexible internet access. To ensure this, we will be undertaking an aggressive marketing campaign and liaising with the National Students Union. Our concept will require a minimum of 100,000 for the first year, with a 20% stake offered for potential investors. 20 000 will also be made available from personal savings of the owner . 1.1 Objectives X Internet Caf's objectives for the first three years of operation include: The creation of a novel way to access and pay for internet access. Provide an integrated internet and data management service at affordable prices. Expand into other areas of the United Kingdom Achieve a 60% penetration rate for the national student community. 1.2 Mission As the cost of broadband internet access comes down, its popularity will increase, but at the price of long and binding contracts. X Internet Caf will provide student communities with access to the Internet, at a price they can control, and at hours that are compatible with their lifestyles. 1.3 Keys to Success The keys to success for X Internet Caf are: The creation of the Access Card that will differentiate payment methods and accessibility of computers. An all-inclusive service that is suitable for every budget. 1.4 Risks The risks involved with starting X Internet Caf are: Will the anticipated demand materialise Will the popularity of all-inclusive broadband internet in accommodation rates grow 2.0 Company Summary X Internet Caf, soon to be located in the city of Sheffield, will offer the student community with affordable internet services, through the innovative Access card which allows the student to browse and access internet services at manageable prices. X Internet Caf will also offer photocopying, binding, laminating and printing services which can paid off the Access Card. X internet caf was born out of the lack of basic internet access that seems prevalent in the UK. The UKs e-government programme has