design mix- the range of variables which contribute to successful design: they are function, cost and appearance.
Function
about how well a product works+ the extent to which it foes what its supposed to
Cost
The cheaper the cost of producing an item, the better. Designing a product which has a cost of production lower than that of its rivals will give a business a competitive advantage
Appearance
Stylish, elegant, beautiful products are more likely to sell than products that have no style. Appearance is therefore very important in design.
Design helps product stand out from competitors. Important form of product differentiation
Managing stock and quality
Stocks
Material that a business holds. Some could be materials waiting to be used in the production process and some could be finished stock waiting to be delivered to customers.
Stock control
just in case: one way to set minimum , maximum and re-order levels of stock
Maximum stock levels
largest amount of stock the business has decided to keep at any time
re-order level
level of stock at which the business orders new stock
Minimum / buffer stock levels
lowest level of stock that business wants to hold. also the buffer stock
quality
quality contol
ensuring that a product or service meets miniumum standards, often through testing of sample products once they have been made
quality assurance
ensuring that quality is produced and delivered at every stage of the production process, Often through making quality the responsibility of every worker.
Cost-effective operations and competitiveness
Productivity = total output / number of workers
training
better equipment
More effective work practices
reducing costts
improved purchasing
relocation
better design
Cutting overhead costs
Effective customer service
Customer service
the experience that a customer gets when dealing with a business and the extent to which that experience meets and exceeds customer needs and expectations
meeting customer needs
quality
On time service
innovation
the process of transforming inventions into products that can be sold to customers