This document discusses the product life cycle and cost control. It describes the four stages of the product life cycle: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. It notes that the introduction stage has high research and marketing costs but low sales, while the growth stage sees increasing profits and economies of scale. The maturity stage is the most competitive, and the decline stage occurs when the market becomes saturated or consumers switch to new products. The document then outlines aspects of cost control, including planning, communication, motivation, appraisal, and decision-making to prevent waste and meet cost targets at each stage of the product life cycle.
4. INTRODUCTION
STAGE:
This stage of the cycle could be the most
expensive for a company launching a new
product. The size of the market for the
product is small, which means sales are
low, although they will be increasing. On
the other hand, the cost of things like
research and development, consumer
testing, and the marketing needed to
launch the product can be very high,
especially if it’s a competitive sector.
5.
6. GROWTH
STAGE:
The growth stage is typically
characterized by a strong growth in sales
and profits, and because the company can
start to benefit from economies of scale in
production, the profit margins, as well as
the overall amount of profit, will
increase. This makes it possible for
businesses to invest more money in the
promotional activity to maximize the
potential of this growth stage.
7.
8. MATURITY
STAGE:
During the maturity stage, the product is
established and the aim for the
manufacturer is now to maintain the
market share they have built up. This is
probably the most competitive time for
most products and businesses need to
invest wisely in any marketing they
undertake. They also need to consider
any product modifications or
improvements to the production process
which might give them a competitive
advantage.
9.
10. DECLINESTAGE:
Eventually, the market for a product
will start to shrink, and this is what’s
known as the decline stage. This
shrinkage could be due to the market
becoming saturated (i.e. all the
customers who will buy the product
have already purchased it), or because
the consumers are switching to a
different type of product. While this
decline may be inevitable, it may still be
possible for companies to make some
profit by switching to less-expensive
production methods and cheaper
markets.
11.
12. COST
CONTROL:
Cost control by management means
a search for better and more
economical ways of completing each
operation. Cost control is simply the
prevention of waste within the
existing environment. This
environment is made up of agreed
operating methods for which
standards have been developed.
13. Aspectsof Cost
Control:
(i) Planning:
Initially a plan or set of targets is established in
the form of budgets, standards or estimates.
(ii) Communication:
The next step is to communicate the plan to those
whose responsibility is to implement the plan.
(iii) Motivation:
After the plan is put into action, evaluation of the
performance starts. Costs are ascertained and
information about achievements is collected and
reputed. The fact that the costs are being reported
for evaluating performance acts as a prompting
force.
14. Aspectsof Cost
Control:
(iv) Appraisal:
Comparison has to be made with the predetermined
targets and actual performance. Deficiencies are noted
and discussion is started to overcome deficiencies.
(v) Decision-making:
Finally, the reported variances are received. Corrective
actions and remedial measures are taken or the set of
targets is revised, depending upon the administration’s
understanding of the problem.
The management and control of the resources used in
most commercial organizations leaves a great deal to be
desired. Waste is growing at such an enormous rate that
it has spawned a new industry for recycling and
extracting useful materials.
