Business Benefits of ERP Systems

Recommended reading: Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Definition Installing an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system has many advantages-both direct and indirect. The direct advantages include improved efficiency, information integration for better decision making, faster response time to customer queries, etc. The indirect benefits include better corporate image, improved customer goodwill, customer satisfaction, and so on. The following are some of the direct benefits of an ERP system: Business Integration Flexibility Better Analysis and Planning Capabilities Use of Latest Technology. Business Integration: The first and most important advantage lies in the promotion of integration. The reason why ERP packages are considered to the integrated, is the automatic data updating (automatic data exchange among applications) that is possible among the related business components. Since conventional company information systems were aimed at the optimization of independent business functions in business units, almost all were weak in terms of the communication and integration of information Continue reading

Principal-Agent Problem – Overview, Examples and Solutions

The significant discussion in business economics is principal-agent problems in organizations. A principal is a top authority who hires agents to act on his/her behalf, while an agent usually aims to achieve the objectives of the principal. A principal-agent problem arises when the activities of an agent impact on the principal’s interests. Although agents may seek to attain the goals set by principals but may sometimes fail to carry out those targets. The conflict between shareholders (as principals) and managers (as agents) is a good example of principal-agent problem. When ownership and control is divided between the principals and agents in an organisations this gives the agents opportunity to pursue the goals that may not agree with the desires of the principals. A lot of principal-agent relationships may be found in human society such as patients and doctors, shareholders and managers, managers and workers. But shareholder-manager and manager-workers are the Continue reading

How to Know You Aren’t Running Your Business Efficiently

Business efficiency is crucial for productivity and profit. As a result, you might expect every business to run efficiently to maximize its money-making potential. However, business efficiency is not a natural result of being in business. It takes time, effort, planning, and the right processes. As much as you might hope to achieve optimal business efficiency, these signs might indicate that you’re yet to achieve that goal:  You Have High Operational Costs It’s not always easy to know when you have higher-than-normal operational costs. You might have always been paying as much as you are and know no different. However, comparing your operating costs to other businesses in the same industry can be worth doing. If they seem higher than average, you might need to make changes to bolster your bottom line.  Fortunately, you have time to turn things around. You can reach out to operations experts like Ops Kings Continue reading

Financial and Economic Meaning of Investment

Investment is the employment of funds with the aim of getting return on it. In general terms, investment means the use of money in the hope of making more money. In finance, investment means the purchase of a financial product or other item of value with an expectation of favorable future returns. Investment of hard earned money is a crucial activity of every human being. Investment is the commitment of funds which have been saved from current consumption with the hope that some benefits will be received in future. Thus, it is a reward for waiting for money. Savings of the people are invested in assets depending on their risk and return demands. Investment refers to the concept of deferred consumption, which involves purchasing an asset, giving a loan or keeping funds in a bank account with the aim of generating future returns. Various investment options are available, offering differing Continue reading

Relationship Marketing – Relationship Based Marketing Strategy

Relationship marketing is the philosophy of doing business, a strategic orientation that focuses on keeping and improving current costumers, rather than acquiring new costumers. This philosophy assumes that the costumers prefer to have an ongoing relationship with one organization than to switch continually among providers in their search for value. Relationship Marketing refers to all marketing activities directed towards establishing, developing, and maintaining successful relational exchanges. From these to definition it can be see that the overall objective of relationship marketing is to create long lasting relationships with consumers instead of focusing on the point of sale approach (which is to attract new consumers each sale). The firm must create a unique relationship with the consumer which cannot be replicated by their competitors and thus give them a long lasting competitive advantage. It can also be argued that it is cheaper to retain a consumer than to attract a new Continue reading

Case Study of General Motors (GM): How a Lack of Innovation can Cause Business Failure

Innovation is the process whereby the management team of an organization is charged with the responsibility of introducing something new, which might be a new idea or a methodology or rather, a contrivance to facilitate the operational concerns and production. The Old General Motors failed with innovations in the company. These innovations were needed to ensure that the Old GM able remains competitive, and the company was able to manufacture cars that are in line with the client’s demands. This is related to the Old GM field of business to ensure that the organization do continue to produce the respective consumer centered product. The manufacturing industry such as the General Motors, innovation ensure that the output they deliver to the consumer do meet their needs, and expectations in a way that is realistic and makes their product to have a preference by the consumers against other same need satisfying product. Continue reading