商务英语一学期文题目.docVIP

Case Study Choose one case and write a paper according to the requirements. Submit your paper in hard copy. At least 500 words. Deadline: Week 14 NO PLAGIARISM Case 1 - Valentino Chocolates Background Valentino Chocolates are made in Turin. They are luxury products with a unique taste, and have won many international awards. Expansion The company has expanded rapidly over the past ten years. It now has almost 300 employees, 75 company-owned shops, and a turnover of €90 million. However, in the last two years, sales growth has slowed down and costs have risen. This has caused a fall in profits. Reasons for falling profits Prices Production Demand Staff morale Listen to a excerpt from a board meeting. Make notes under the four headings above. Valentinos main products (as a % of turnover) Valentino Classic Bars 25% Raw chocolate 8% Packaged chocolates 55% Exclusive handmade chocolates 5% Chocolate drinks 6% Biscuits and cakes 1% The future Valentinos owners have set aside €1.5 million to invest in their company so that it continues to expand and becomes an international business. Here is an excerpt from a company profile that a business journal did recently: Valentino can continue to grow, but only if it develops new products and finds new markets. So, the problem is: how should Valentino invest the €1.5 million? Chart 1 lists the ways in which it could do that. Chart 1 Investment options Option Cost Benefit 1. Buy new machinery €200,000 End the delays caused by the old machines breaking down 2. Invest in more research and development €200,000 Develop new products such as a low-fat chocolate drink, new biscuits / cakes 3. Buy out a local competitor €1.5 million Reduce local competition 4. Set up a factory in the US €1.3 million Manufacture chocolates in a major new market 5. Finance a market survey and research trips to the US €100,000 Assess the market pot