"Only a 5% increase in labor cost may be more troublesome than a 15% increase in postal charges." This statement highlights the concept of Critical Point Control.
In business management, Critical Point Control refers to focusing on the areas of greatest significance where even small deviations can have substantial impacts on the overall performance and objectives of a business. It involves identifying and monitoring these critical areas to ensure control measures are implemented effectively. In this context, while postal charges may increase by a larger percentage (15%), their impact on the business might not be as significant as a 5% increase in labor costs. Labor costs could be a more critical point affecting the business's bottom line due to its potential impact on overall productivity and operational expenses.
To identify the concept pointed out in the statement, let's analyze the statement and each option in detail:
The statement says, "Only a 5% increase in labour cost may be more troublesome than a 15% increase in postal charges." This suggests that there is a specific point (or threshold) at which a small change in one factor (labour cost) can have a more significant impact than a larger change in another factor (postal charges).
Deviation (1)
Definition: Deviation refers to the difference between the actual performance and the set standards or expected performance.
Why Not: The statement is not about the difference between actual and expected performance but about the impact of changes in different factors.
Critical Point Control (2)
Definition: Critical point control is a concept in management where certain key points or thresholds in a process are identified and monitored closely. These points are critical because they can significantly affect the outcome.
Why Correct: The statement suggests that a small increase in labour cost (a critical point) can have a more significant impact than a larger increase in postal charges. This aligns with the concept of critical point control.
Break-even Analysis (3)
Definition: Break-even analysis is a financial tool used to determine the point at which revenue equals costs, resulting in no profit or loss.
Why Not: The statement is not about the break-even point but about the relative impact of changes in different costs.
Critical Path Method (4)
Definition: The critical path method is a project management technique used to determine the sequence of tasks and the minimum time required to complete a project.
Why Not: The statement is not about project management or the sequence of tasks but about the impact of changes in different costs.
The correct answer is: (2) Critical point control
The statement highlights the concept of critical point control by emphasizing that a small change in one factor (labour cost) can have a more significant impact than a larger change in another factor (postal charges). This suggests that certain points or thresholds in the cost structure are critical and need to be monitored closely.
Piyush is the Production Manager of a shoe company called . He has 1000 workers working under him in his department. Piyush booked a special order for 300 pairs of gents shoes at an estimated cost price of Comforty < 500 per pair plus 20 percent profit margin. The order is to be completed within 10 days. After completion of the order, Piyush found out that the production cost of one pair of shoes was 600 Rupees. He tried to find out the reason but couldn't. He reported it to the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer appointed Abhay to find out the cause. Abhay was not only a specialized Cost Accountant, but also a qualified Human Resource Manager. After two days, Abhay reported that the set targets could be completed with the help of only 800 workers, which revealed that there was overmanning in the organization. The organization was not utilizing the human resources optimally, which had led to higher labour cost. The above case highlights one of the points of importance of an important function of management.
(i) Identify the function of management.
(ii) State any two points of importance of the function of management identified in part (i), except the one discussed in the above case.
Fill in the blank with the correct option:
She has been working here __________ five years.