Factors Conducive to the Growth of Mutual Funds

On observing the past trends, it can be seen that certain factors are essential for the growth of the mutual funds industry. These factors are: Investor Base: A mutual fund makes it possible for investors to earn a higher return on their capital by pooling the capital of a large number of small investors and investing the pooled sum in a diversified manner. As the small investors cannot diversify on their own, their presence acts as a catalyst for the mutual funds to grow. As different investors have different investment requirements, their presence also acts as an incentive for the mutual funds to come up with new schemes, thus helping in further evolution of the industry. Returns On Market: Mutual funds invest in a diversified manner; the returns generated by them are generally reflective of the market returns. Higher the market returns, higher the expected returns from mutual funds. Higher Continue reading

Accounting – Definition, Concepts and Conventions

Definition of Accounting The American Accounting Association define accounting as  “the    process    of    identifying,    measuring    and    communicating    economic    information  to permit informed judgements and decisions by users of the information.” Let’s look at the key words in the above definition: It suggests that accounting is about providing information to others. Accounting information is economic information – it relates to the financial or economic  activities of the business or organization. Accounting information needs to be identified  and  measured.  This  is  done  by  way  of a “set  of  accounts”,  based  on  a  system of  accounting  known  as  double-entry book keeping. The accounting system  identifies and  records “accounting transactions”. The “measurement” of accounting information is not a straight-forward  process.  it involves  making  judgements  about  the  value  of assets  owned  by  a  business  or liabilities owed  by  a  business.  it  is  also  about  accurately  measuring  how Continue reading

Ansoff Matrix Analysis of Toyota

Toyota is the most leading Japanese automobile company. By creating more innovative car design and spending billions dollars in advertisement a year, Toyota has appeared in the eyes of many auto consumers worldwide. By producing high quality vehicles at affordable prices, Toyota has built its reputation globally. Toyota has reduced their prices as compared to other automobile makers. Toyota believes that the role of purchasing should be long term at the lowest price and no compromise on the production of quality products. Normally, companies do not want to cut their targeted return and they follow the strategy which is formulated in to the cost + profit = selling price. But Toyota takes a slightly different strategy which is formulated in to the price-cost=profit. Strategic management has a direct impact on its business in all organizations. That’s why Toyota has become leading company in auto industry because of the attractive strategic Continue reading

Learn about Securities Investments – Buying and Selling

Buying Deciding on the proper time to purchase a security that you would like to add to your holdings can be a daunting task. If the price drops immediately after you buy, it may seem as if you missed out on a better buying opportunity. If the price jumps right before you make your move, you may feel as if you paid too much. As it turns out, you should not let these small fluctuations influence your decision too much. As long as the fundamentals that led you to decide on the purchase have not changed, a few points in either direction should not have a large impact on the long-term value of your investment. Similarly, the fact that an investment has been increasing in value of late is not a sufficient reason for you to purchase it. Momentum can be very fickle, and recent movement is not necessarily an Continue reading

Building Strong Brands: Why Is It Hard?

In today’s competitive market, a brand can only achieve success if it can connect with consumers and effectively communicate its unique qualities in a way in which they create a positive impression in the minds of consumers. The brand builder who attempts to develop a strong brand is like a golfer playing on a course with heavy roughs, deep sand traps, sharp doglegs, and vast water barriers. It is difficult to score well in such conditions. Substantial pressures and barriers, both internal and external, can inhibit the brand builder. To be able to develop effective brand strategies, it is useful to understand these pressures and barriers. 1. Pressure To Compete On Price There are enormous pressures on nearly all firms to engage in price competition. In all industries from computers to cars to frozen dinners to airlines to soft drinks, price competition is at center stage, driven by the power Continue reading

Store Positioning in Retail Management

Attracting the customers is the crux of the issue of retail trade. How and where the store is positioned on the site affects the retailer’s ability to attract the customers. Therefore in evaluating the existing store facilities or planning future site layouts, the retailer should answer effectively and satisfactorily these three questions. These are: How visible is the store? Is the store compatible with its surroundings?   Are store facilities placed for customer convenience ? 1.  Ensuring the Store Visibility The customers must see the store if the retailer wants to achieve the goals of stopping, attracting and inviting the customers. A visible store becomes a part of the consumers mental map of where, to shop for certain product as service. Visual awareness of a stores existence has the  short-run  benefit of alluring impulse shoppers and the long-run benefit of attracting the future customers who develop a particular need for Continue reading