NMIMS

NMIMS SEMESTER 4 MARKETING ASSIGNMENTS NMIMS Sem 4 December 2023 Marketing Assignments Business: Ethics, Governance & Risk 1. Choose any ONE listed company from the BSE/NSE list of top 150 companies by turnover. Locate the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report or ESG Report (under Statutory Report) in the Annual Report of 2022-23. Read through the following; Explain in your own words the company’s relationship with water as a resource including what are its water related risks, opportunities and financial implications. How does business manage/approach all its water related issues and initiatives as an overall business strategy such that it minimizes its negative impact on the environment as well as the local communities. (use quantitative data to support your answer where required). DO NOT copy paste. 2. Go through the Code of Conduct and all other corporate policies published on the company’s website. (Can use the same company as in Q1 or another company from the same list) Write an executive summary in your own words about all the key points/parameters covered in the code of conduct plus ONE other policy (NOT csr policy). Conclude with your observations and insights about what both of them are meant to achieve. DO NOT copy paste. 3. Today pollution is a growing health concern globally. It is seen as an essential evil on the path of economic growth and social development. Yet it needs to be addressed for all of us to have a reasonably good quality of life and access to clean air and water is a basic Human Rights. a. Do you think pollution is ethically consumer responsibility as well? Why do you think so?  b. Explain atleast two ethical dilemmas faced by companies while trying to reduce their pollution levels. Research Methodology 1. Compare and contrast qualitative and quantitative research methods. Apollo hospitals wants to investigate the factors contributing to patient satisfaction in their hospitals. Develop a research plant using mixed-method approach and outline the steps you would take to conduct research. 2. Netflix is interested in examining the relationship between user interface design and customer satisfaction. How would you design an experimental study to investigate this relationship, and what variables would you manipulate and measure? 3. The once-promising metaverse, envisioned as the future of virtual reality, has faced a remarkable and abrupt downfall. Its rise and fall present a unique opportunity to explore the intricate challenges of constructing interconnected virtual worlds. This article investigates the contributing factors to the metaverse’s demise and examines the valuable lessons learned from this ambitious venture. Originally introduced as “Meta,” an offspring of popular media such as “Tron” and “Second Life,” the metaverse gained significant attention and investment frenzy. However, a lack of clear direction and coherent vision for the product ultimately led to its decline. As the tech industry shifted its focus to generative AI, the fate of the metaverse was sealed, landing it among the failed ideas in the tech industry’s graveyard. This short-lived and inglorious ending of the metaverse serves as a harsh critique of the tech industry that once championed its creation. a. Develop qualitative questions for conducting interview to understand if Metaverse has actually failed? b. Interview 4-5 respondents for with the questions formulated and generate themes to evaluate the future of metaverse? Digital Marketing Ms. Sophia envisions establishing an innovative app called “Jewels4All” dedicated to offering a wide range of jewelry pieces. Jewels4All will act as a comprehensive aggregator platform for jewelry vendors, both established brands and independent artisans, to showcase and sell their products. The app will also feature a collection of exquisite jewelry designed and manufactured in-house. The app’s unique selling proposition (USP) will be providing customers access to high-quality jewelry at competitive prices, enabled by bulk purchasing and a robust digital marketing strategy. The company plans to exclusively focus on digital marketing, forgoing traditional media channels. 1. How will you promote Jewels4All on the online platforms? 2. Assume you plan to launch a campaign to promote the Jewels4All where the main objective is to create brand awareness for the masses. The campaign will be done at the national level with a very high budget. Explain the seven stages for setting up a marketing campaign for the brand Jewels4All. a. Explain the key activities involved in the campaign set up for the Brand Jewels4All. b. What are the key activities involved in monitoring the campaign for Jewels4All? Marketing Research 1. Apple Inc. sees a decline in sale of iPhone in India. They perceived that the new launches such as foldable smartphones by competitors are a threat to their products. They hire you in a role of market researcher and give a task to understand customer preferences for foldable smartphones. Develop a survey questionnaire that captures consumers’ opinions and features, design, price, and brand reputation. 2. Fab India wants to introduce a new clothing line targeting millennial. As a market researcher, develop a questionnaire to conduct in-depth interviews with a representative sample of millennial to understand their fashion preferences, lifestyle, and purchasing behavior. List down the questions and analyze them using thematic analysis. 3. UrbanHomes Developers, a renowned real estate company, is exploring the idea of building a new and innovative housing project in the bustling city of Navi Mumbai, India. The vision is to create a modern living haven that combines contemporary design,sustainable features, and a vibrant community lifestyle. As the project’s market researcher, the goal is to understand potential buyers’ preferences, budget constraints, and location preferences to shape the development according to their needs and aspirations. A. As a market researcher, design a survey based questionnaire to assess potential buyers’ preferences, budget constraints, and location preferences for the new housing development. The survey must include both qualitative and quantitative questions. B. Identify the Target Market and characteristics of ideal respondents. Services Marketing Q1. You are the owner of a retail chain. You currently have consumer durables, groceries and private label clothing range for kids, men, and women. The price point is low and the quality

NMIMS Semester 3 December 2023 Marketing Assignments  Customer Relationship Management Q1. Raghav has started his business and is doing it successfully for quite some time. However, the business has been undergoing a tough competition in the last couple of years and he is planning to start CRM practices for his organization. As a consultant what would you advise him regarding the advantages, disadvantages of CRM. What will you advise him on the prospects of CRM? Q2. Your company manufactures LED bulbs for sales both in B2B and B2C markets. However, to build relationships you feel there is a strong need to partner with major customers. Your consultant friend has explained to you about the concept of reciprocation. How would you use the concept of reciprocation to build a strong relationship with your customers? Q3. As a Chief Technological Officer, you are about to implement, a CRM solution in your organisation? How will you: a. Build a strong database of your customers? Modify and update it as necessary? What will be your sources of data? b. How will you build a CRM roadmap for your technological implementation? Marketing Strategy 1. Take any corporate of your choice and explain various levels of strategy for that organization. 2. Assume you are planning to start your own start-up and you have decided to start the same with a clear Vision, Mission, Goals, and objectives. Create and elaborate on the same. (You can decide any business of your choice) 3. a) Explain the concept of need, want, and demand for the footwear category. b) Explain the 7P’s of Marketing for any restaurant of your choice. Consumer Behaviour Q1. A study in 2021 by People Research on India’s Consumer Economy (PRICE) in partnership with the National Payments Corporation of India on Digital Payments has estimated that around 61% of Indian households will be doing digital payments by 2025 if the enabling environment for that is created. The break-up of the households across 3 broad income groups viz. Rich, Middle Class and Poor for digital payments is as under: Class No. of Households in Millions expected to do Digital Payments by 2025 % Share Rich 36.0 23.6% Middle Class 61.0 40.2% Poor 55.0 36.2% Total 152.0 100.0% It is obvious that the Poor Class is going to be much bigger in Digital Payments compared to the Rich and almost similar in share compared to the Middle Class, though their average ticket size is going to be smaller. It is also clear that in order the realise the potential number of 55 million Households the poor will need the highest support and hand-holding From a consumer buying perspective what are the things think the Government Authorities along with banks and financial institutions do to enable a faster adoption of Digital Payments across the poorer and economically backward sections of the society. Q2. Age has 2 broad categories – chronological age and Subjective Age which is different from chronological age. Subjective Age has 4 dimensions. Analyse how the 4 dimensions of Age will impact the purchase choices for consumers buying cosmetics and ready-to-wear clothes. Q3. Answer the following a) A company in USA has developed a Gluten Meter which is device that measure the gluten content in the food a consumer wants to consume. Gluten is a group of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and their derivatives. It’s what gives dough its elasticity and helps baked goods maintain their shape. While gluten is responsible for the desirable texture of many baked products, it can aggravate diabetes and obesity. Since India has the highest number of diabetics in the world this American wants to understand the attitude of people towards Gluten and Gluten Meters. How will they be able to understand the attitude of the consumer to this. b) How will you use hemispheric laterization to influence consumers to buy a particular brand of a lifestyle home theatre system like Bose. Sales Management Q.1 Assume you are a sales manager. You will be opening a new branch for which you intend to promote one of the existing salespersons as a branch sales manager. What criteria or qualities would you look for in selecting a person for the position of branch sales manager? Q.2 Take any product/service of your own choice & explain the Personal Selling process. Q.3 Read the case & answer the questions based on the case: Krishna Kumar, the marketing manager of MM Marketing Company was thinking how to go about designing sales territories, assigning salespeople to the territories and setting sales quotas, particularly as the product was new. The new product, called Swishflow fan was a unique kind of a table fan with attractive air-conditioner like looks. Considering the initial production capacity of 1,00,000 numbers in the first year, Krishna Kumar decided to market the product in and around Mumbai, where the marketing and sales office was located. The target consumers were household as well as commercial organizations, who could use this product as table-fan and wall-mounted fan. Krishna Kumar thought that the territory design should include geographical areas with high market potential for achieving the sales budget of 1,00,000 numbers in the first year and a growth of 25 % per year for subsequent four years. He calculated a sales force size of seven numbers, and decided to launch the product initially in major metros and cities in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Krishna Kumar was of the view that sales quotas should consider sales volume, selling expense, and also number of sales calls per day, in order to have a proper control on salespeople. He wondered how to design sales territories, what criteria should he consider while assigning salespersons to territories, and how to design the sales quotas considering the factors mentioned above. Questions: a) If you were Krishna Kumar, how would you design the sales territory? b) Suggest a suitable selling strategy for the new launch International Marketing Q1. Your company is a manufacturer of Incense sticks, also called Agarbatti, from India and are

NMIMS SEM 1 DECEMBER 2024 ASSIGNMENTS Business Communication Q1. Jyoti, a seasoned marketing executive, was tasked with presenting a new product launch strategy to two very different audiences: the company’s senior management team and a group of young, tech-savvy consumers. She knew that a one-size-fits-all approach wouldn’t be effective. She needed to adapt her message and delivery to resonate with each group. What factors must Jyoti keep in mind for controlling the style and tone for each of her audience? Q2 (A) Anant Industries, a giant into Indian sweets and snacks is primarily reliant on emails and phone calls for their business. They now want to use more modern digital tools for business communication and managing workflow. What are some of the digitals tools the company can use to enhance their business communication? Q2 (B) What ethical communication practices must Anand industries keep in mind while using digital communication tools? Financial Accounting Q1. Given the following information of ABC Ltd. as of March 31st: Revenue Rs. 5,00,000 Cost of Goods Sold Rs. 3,00,000 Operating Expense Rs. 80,000 Depreciation Rs. 30,000 Tax Rate 30% Prepare the Income Statement and calculate the Net Profit after Tax. Additionally, evaluate how the inclusion of non-cash items like depreciation affects the financial position of the company, and discuss its significance in decision-making for stakeholders. Q2 (A) Compare and contrast the role of journal entries and ledger accounts in the accounting process. How does the relationship between these two elements ensure accurate financial reporting? Support your answer with examples. Q2 (B) Analyze how changes in accounting policies, such as revenue recognition, can alter the interpretation of a corporation’s financial performance and position. Discuss the potential implications and investors and creditors using real-life corporate examples. Marketing Management Q1. XYZ Corporation is a leading retailer in the fashion industry, primarily targeting middle-aged consumers. However, recent demographic shifts show a growing population of younger consumers with different tastes and purchasing behaviors. As the marketing manager, you are tasked with adjusting XYZ Corporation’s marketing strategy to better serve this changing demographic. Analyze the impact of the demographic changes on XYZ Corporation’s marketing strategy. Propose a new marketing strategy that considers these demographic shifts and addresses potential challenges. Justify your recommendations with appropriate marketing theories and concepts. Q2 (A) A company that has been successfully selling consumer electronics to individual customers is planning to enter the business market by offering bulk sales of its products to corporate clients. As a marketing manager, you need to prepare a briefing on how the business market differs from the consumer market. Explain two key differences between business markets and consumer markets that the company should consider when developing its marketing strategy. Provide examples to illustrate these differences. Q2 (B) A leading consumer electronics company is facing declining sales for its flagship smartphone model. The company’s management has decided to initiate a new product development process, starting with internal idea generation. Describe how the company could effectively use its internal resources to generate new product ideas. What are the potential challenges and benefits of relying solely on internal sources for idea generation? Micro Economics & Macro Economics Q1 The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 caused significant disruptions to international business operations because numerous firms relied on suppliers from different nations, notably China. Many companies used lean production method and kept low inventories in order to cut costs. However, this made them susceptible to supply chain interruptions. For instance, worldwide supply lines for electronics, including parts for laptops and cell phones, were impacted when lockdowns forced Chinese facilities to close. The fact that a large portion of auto parts were made in China presented difficulties for auto makers as well, resulting in major global production halts. What impact would the COVID-19 worldwide lockdowns have on Europe’s supply curves for consumer electronics and auto factories? Explain your observations about the aforementioned scenario, emphasizing the supply side and the shift in the supply curve.( Note : You can make assumptions as per the requirement of the case ) Q2 (A) The London “black cab” taxis are amongst some of the expensive in the world. They complete to some extent with minicabs, which tend to be cheaper. However, minicabs are not allowed to pick up customers off the street, they have to be booked in advance, and their drivers do not have to memorize a London street map. minicabs operate in a more competitive market and require less of the drivers. Black cab(licensed) cab drivers must pass a background check and medical test and pay fees over 200 pounds. This may help to ensure that passengers are safe and drivers are accountable, but it also means that they have a monopoly on picking up people on the streets? Elaborate on the given market structure (Black cabs and Minicabs) and discuss the Implications for Markets with High Barriers to Entry. Q2 (B) The two main industries driving Zamiland’s economy are manufacturing and agriculture. The government aims to optimize production in both areas, given its limited financial resources and workforce of ten thousand individuals. In order to improve economic wellbeing, a balance between agricultural produce and manufactured items is desired. Based on resource allocation, the Zamiland PPC shows different production combinations for manufactured items and agricultural goods. The PPC for Zamiland illustrates various production combinations for agricultural goods and manufactured products based on resource allocation. Production Combinations (Hypothetical Table) Production Combination Agricultural Goods (Units) Manufactured Products (Units) Point A 500 0 Point B 400 50 Point C 300 80 Point D 200 100 Point E 100 120 Point F 0 140 Explain the concept of Production Possibility Curve and the scarcity in Zamiland that is reflected in the production possibility curve in the given scenario. You are also required to, share your views on the implications of operating inside the production possibility curve in Zamiland and what does it suggest about resource utilization? Organizational Behavior Q1. Nisha, as a head of operations at a mid-sized manufacturing company, has a team that is

NMIMS SEM 2 December 2024 SOLVED ASSIGNMENTS Business Communication 1. An online retailer of organic products, has experienced a significant delay in the shipment of their flagship product, organic olive oil. Due to unforeseen supply chain disruptions, the company anticipates a two-week delay in fulfilling customer orders. The customer service department must inform affected customers of the delay in a clear, concise, and professional manner. Would a direct or indirect approach be more effective in delivering the negative news of the shipment delay to customers? Justify your answer. 2. Infoway Creators is an online marketing company employed by Medigain. Infoway is arranging for a series of global online sessions by expert doctor panels for Medigain. Since the webinars will have large number of participants, Infoway suggested use of backchannel. What are some ways to incorporate backchannel for Medigain? 3. Maximus, a tech startup, is facing challenges in effectively communicating complex product information to its customers via mobile devices. Despite using concise language and clear headings, the messages often fail to engage users and lead to customer inquiries. a.What  strategies  can  SwiftCorp  implement  to  improve  the  readability  and comprehension of their mobile messages? b. How can SwiftCorp leverage visual elements to enhance message delivery and engagement on mobile devices?. Business Law Q1. Explain the difference between partnerships under Partnership Act, 1932 and Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008. Q2. In any contract, free consent is an integral part and therefore any agreement signed between parties should have free consent. Nivedita is about to enter into a contract and she needs to understand the concept of free consent. Therefore, please explain “Free Consent” and, the instances under which “Free Consent” in an agreement would be affected. Please provide examples for each of such instances. Q3. Priya is a sales field officer employed with a leading FMCG company handling B2B accounts. As part of her role, she is usually deployed at client and field sites for period ranging from couple of weeks to few months. Currently, her assignment involves working with a large conglomerate having interests in Hospitality, Hospitals, etc. Therefore, she visits at the client sites frequently and ensures that the sales and support are adequately provided. She has been working with one of the leading hotel chains as the company’s client for the past 6 months and her performance has been good but in the last 2 months, she has found that few of the employees of the hotel have been hostile and offensive while interacting with her. She has been made to sit in meetings which does not require her participation. In fact, on numerous occasions, she has been yelled at. Further, the discussions during the meetings are laced with innuendos, which she felt unwelcome to be part of. In fact, few of the employees had insisted on taking her out for a private dinner which she declined and thereafter complaints have been reported against her regarding her performance to the company. She also reported this to her employer who has brushed aside her concerns stating that she is raising this issue as a counter measure to the complaints raised by the hotel against her. In light of the above facts, she has approached you for an advice on the following: a) Under which law can Priya claim harassment? Explain the type of harassment? b) To whom can this harassment be reported and how should such reporting of harassment be dealt with? Essentials of HRM Q1. As the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of a listed microfinance institution (MFI),you understand the critical importance of integrating HR as a strategic business partner in the opening of a new branch.  In this role, the HR department is not merely a support function but an active participant in shaping the success of the new branch. Explain Role of the HR Department as a business partner in the establishment of the new branch in ABC State? Q2. Assume you are the head of the HR department at a prominent Management and Engineering  college.  The  institution  is  preparing  to  implement  a  new  performance appraisal system for its faculty members, specifically for Associate Professors and Assistant  Professors.  The  goal  is  to  establish  a  system  that  accurately evaluates performance and adheres to a bell curve rating model, ensuring that faculty members are assessed fairly and that the distribution of ratings follows a normal curve. Design an effective performance appraisal system for Associate Professors and Assistant Professors at the college, incorporating a bell curve or rating scale (1-5/A-E) system. Q3a. XYZ Corporation is a mid-sized manufacturing company that has experienced rapid growth over the past four years. With this growth, the company has expanded its workforce significantly, but it has also encountered challenges related to HR practices, including compliance issues, employee turnover etc. To address these challenges and improve overall HR effectiveness, the company’s management has decided to conduct a comprehensive HR audit. Question: What are the objectives,  its specific areas (e.g., recruitment, training and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, Legal compliances)should be prioritized for conducting an HR audit at ABC Corporation? Mention benefits accrued from audit. Q3b. Mr. John, the HR Head of XYZ Corporation, is retiring at the end of this year after a commendable  30  -year  tenure  with  the  company.  Under  his  leadership,  the  HR the department has seen significant growth, implementing various initiatives that have enhanced  employee  engagement,  streamlined  recruitment  processes,  and  developed  a strong company culture. His departure creates a critical gap in the leadership team, necessitating a well-thought-out succession plan to ensure continuity and further advancement of the HR functions. Question: How Company Identifies Potential Successors internally/externally and relate their core competencies which are critical for the new HR Head to lead the department and how can the company assess the readiness of potential candidates to take on the HR Head role? Operations Management 1. Build Your Dreams (BYD) the world’s largest manufacturer of electric automobiles is planning to establish a new manufacturing plant in India. As the regional head, you are

NMIMS Semester 3 DECEMBER 2024 Marketing Assignments  Customer Relationship Management 1. You have started a new business. However, to acquire new clients and retain existing ones, you plan to adopt the concept of reciprocity. What are the different ways you can adopt to use reciprocity? Explain with examples. 2. Starbucks and Walt Disney have a strong community of loyal customers. However, this has been built over a period. How does a community help a business, what does a community imply and cite two examples of strong community networks and how they have helped companies build a loyal customer base. 3. Dissatisfaction of CRM implementations are high. CRM projects also need to be futuristic.” In context of the statement: a) What causes dissatisfaction in CRM implementations? b) What are the factors that you must consider for the future of your CRM projects? Marketing Strategy Q1. You are the marketing director of Axis bank; you have acquired the credit card and consumer banking business of Citibank India. Evaluate the merits of the action in the context of strategy. Is it good strategy or bad? What steps would you take to integrate the two brands? How would you communicate the same to Axis bank as well as the legacy Citibank customers? Q2. CVC partners paid nearly 5000 crores for buying an IPL franchisee. Was this a sound strategic decision? Analyze the revenue potential and return on investment over the next 5 years. What  type of marketing  strategy should  the company adopt  to  get  sustainable revenue? Q3. PVR and Inox merged together to create India’s largest multiplex chain. Integrating and creating a singular brand identity is the company’s biggest challenge. a) As marketing director of the firm create a brand integration strategy. b) Create a new brand identity, brand name and communications strategy. Consumer Behaviour Q1. The latest kid in the e-commerce space is tastes 2 plate [t2pis the app name] and their website is  https://tastes2plate.com/home. This site is doing intercity food delivery and is currently available in Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Jaipur, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Goa. It wants to launch its services in Pune and Ahmedabad in the next months. Explain how can they persuade citizens of Pune and Ahmedabad to order food from other cities using the principles of “Persuading Customers” under Buyer Behaviour. Q2. Herd mentality, also known as mob mentality or crowd mentality, is a psychological phenomenon  that  significantly  impacts  human behavior.  Analyze  how  are  herd  or  mob mentality connected to consumer behaviour. Support this with an example of your choice. Q3. Answer the following a) Panchamrit, Dr. Vaidya’s and Zingavita have recently introduced “Chywanprash Gummies” similar to the Gummy Vitamins introduced a long time back for Multivitamins. These are targeted to children. Explain which principle of changing consumer attitude has been used in the creation of Chywanprash Gummies. b) How do celebrities add value to product positioning? Explain in detail by taking an example of any product whose purchase and use by you or your family was influenced by celebrity endorsement. Sales Management 1. A sales representative for a luxury watch brand is tasked with selling high-end timepieces to corporate clients and individual customers. How should the sales approach differ between these two types of clients, considering the diversity in their purchasing motivations? Recommend the most effective selling theory applicable to each scenario 2. A new tech startup is preparing to launch a cutting-edge smartwatch and needs to estimate its potential sales for the first year. How should the sales team approach forecasting these numbers, and what factors should they consider to make their projections as accurate as possible? 3. Read the case & answer the questions based on the case: A mid-sized fashion retailer is developing its sales budget for the upcoming fiscal year. They need to account for seasonal trends, planned promotions, and expected changes in consumer behavior due to recent market shifts. The challenge is to create a realistic budget that aligns with their growth targets while staying within financial constraints. Questions: What factors should the retailer consider when estimating sales revenue for the upcoming year? How can the retailer adjust their sales budget if unexpected economic changes occur during the year? International Marketing Q1. Pursuing International Marketing at the global marketplace can be a daunting task and also navigating it is tricky. What in your opinion motivates firms to engage in international marketing? Q2. In our country many products from China dominate our markets and have made production unprofitable for Indian manufacturers. In your opinion should we allow the entry of Chinese products in our country? Q3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow: Your firm manufactures EV bicycles in India and wishes to market them globally. In spite of competition, you see that South Africa has a huge potential and plan to expand your retail operations in South Africa. a) Explain your market entry strategy to launch the EV bicycles in South Africa. b) Explain major global pricing    Which  of  these  pricing  policies  would  you consider while launching the EV bicycles in South Africa? Brand Management Case: Gillette Inc. Founded in 1901 by King C. Gillette, Gillette Inc. revolutionized personal grooming with the introduction of the world’s first safety razor, forever changing the way men shave. Over the  past  century,  Gillette has  established  itself  as  a  global  leader in  grooming, consistently innovating to deliver superior products that meet the evolving needs of consumers. In 1938, the company introduced the first razor blade made of stainless steel, significantly extending blade life. The 1970s saw the launch of the Trac II, the first two- blade razor system, followed by the Sensor in 1990, the first razor with spring-loaded blades. Later they introduced a disposable twin-blade razor namely Presto. The new millennium ushered in the Gillette Mach3 in 1998, which set a new standard for shaving performance. Gillette continues to innovate, expanding its product range to include a variety of grooming products, from razors and

NMIMS Semester 3 December 2024 Finance Assignments Capital market and portfolio management Q1. Suppose you are advising a friend who is unsure about investing. What key factors would you explain to them to help them make a more informed decision? Q2. Suppose you had to create a visual representation of stock return distributions. What features would you  include to  effectively  illustrate the  characteristics  of both  types  of stock  return distribution and their impact on understanding stock performance? Q3a. ABC Ltd earned a net income= ₹4,00,000/- at the end of the year 31st  March 2020. Shareholder’s  equity  on  31st   March  2019  =  ₹16,00,000/-  &  on  31st   March  2020  = ₹15,00,000/- Calculate ROE for the year ended 31st March 2020. b. Imagine you are an investment adviser and your client decides to invest Rs.10,000/- in multiple investment avenues. He decides to invest 40% in mutual fund and rest in shares. Expected return from mutual fund is 8% & from shares is 12%. Calculate total expected return for your client. . Strategic cost management 1. A leading business school is planning to launch a new post-graduate course in Data Science and Analytics. The course is designed to cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in this field. The school’s administration is tasked with determining the optimal pricing strategy for the course. The school has conducted market research to understand the demand for the course and the pricing sensitivity of potential students. The research indicates that there is a strong demand for the course, and students are willing to pay a premium for a high-quality education from a reputable institution. However, students are also price-conscious, and the school needs to balance the demand for the course with the need to generate revenue. The school’s administration is considering two pricing methods: cost-plus pricing and break-even pricing. Explain the advantages and disadvantages of cost-plus pricing and break-even pricing in the context of this situation. 2. The management of a retail company, “The Retail Haven,” carries a notion that it has been experiencing declining profits despite a steady increase in sales. The company’s management is concerned about the company’s financial health and has tasked you with conducting a ratio analysis to identify potential areas of concern Particulars                               Year 1             Year 2 Sale                                         ₹1,00,000        ₹1,20,000 Cost of Goods Sold                ₹70,000             ₹80,000 Gross Profit                             ₹30,000             ₹40,000 Operating Expenses                ₹20,000             ₹25,000 Operating Income                   ₹10,000             ₹15,000 Interest Expense                      ₹2,000                ₹2,500 Net Income                             ₹8,000               ₹12,500 Total Assets                            ₹50,000             ₹60,000 Total Liabilities                       ₹20,000             ₹25,000 Shareholders’ Equity              ₹30,000             ₹35,000 a) You’re required to calculate the following financial ratios for both years: Gross Profit Margin Ratio Net Profit Margin Ratio Return on Assets Ratio (ignore taking average for balance sheet number) Return on Equity Ratio (ignore taking average for balance sheet number) b) Analyze the trends in these ratios and comment if the management is correct. 3. August Ltd. is a medium-sized enterprise operating in the consumer electronics industry. The company has been in business for several years and has a reputation for producing high-quality products. However, the company has been facing increasing competition from both domestic and international rivals. To maintain its market position and drive growth, the company is considering launching a new product. The new product is a cutting-edge gadget that is expected to appeal to a wide range of consumers. The company believes that the product has the potential to become a major success and significantly boost its revenue and profitability. However, before launching the product, the company needs to conduct a thorough analysis to assess its financial viability and potential risks. It is considering launching a new product. The estimated fixed costs for the product are ₹1,000,000 per year, and the variable cost per unit is ₹50. The expected selling price per unit is ₹100. a) Calculate the break-even point in units and in rupees for the new product. If the company expects to sell 20,000 units of the product per year, what will be its profit or loss? b) Calculate the margin of safety in units and in rupees for the new product, assuming expected sales of 20,000 units per year. What does the margin of safety indicate about the product’s profitability? Marketing of financial services Q1. A Finance Head (CFO) of Finance Company is deeply analyzing the criticalities of outside Market environment from Customer point of view. While analyzing Consumer Choices for Financial Services, how CFO & his team can demarcate the ‘Non- Controllable’ Consumer Choices in rendering of Financial Services? Kindly elaborate. Q2. A 60-year-old senior citizen, recently retired from a GM position at an MNC, has received a substantial retirement corpus. Seeking to ensure a comfortable and secure post- retirement life, he approaches an investment planning firm for guidance. What guidelines should the Firm’s Investment Advisor follow in developing a retirement plan for this individual? Q3. a) In case if a NBFC is being set up at Town place and planning to render core financial services to young & mid age Crowd (50% population) what they can enlist as most  Distinct  Characteristics  of  Financial  Services?  Elaborate  any  4  to  5  Distinct Financial Services. Q3. b) How a Bank Manager foresee their Customers Important Choices while availing different types of Banking Services? Explain Paradigm as Internal Factors. Taxation- Direct and Indirect Q.1. You are required to compute the taxable income for Mr. Sharan for the Assessment Year 2023-24 from the information provided below: Basic salary – Rs. 20,000 per month Bonus – Rs. 30,000 Cash gift – Rs. 40,000 Arrears of salary – Rs. 10,000 Dearness allowance – Rs. 8,000 per month Insurance premium paid by Employer – Rs. 20,000 per annum Medical expenses paid by employer – Rs. 18,000 Education allowance for his two children – Rs. 600 per month City compensatory allowance – Rs. 2,000 per month He is given lunch allowance – Rs. 100 per day for 250 days during the previous year. He contributes 15% of his salary to a recognized provident fund

NMIMS Semester 3 December 2024 HRM Assignments Organisation Culture 1. Reflect on an organisation you are familiar with, whether through first-hand experience, academic case studies, or widely available information. In this organisation, are employee engagement, sense of ownership, and commitment to organizational goals notably strong? Could these positive traits be indicative of how property rights are organised to fortify the culture of the organization? 2. Investigate how organizational ethics and the culture of an organisation interact with and influence each other. Could the integration of ethical principles and values within the organizational culture serve as catalysts to instil a sense of integrity, trust, and responsibility among employees? 3. Zion Inc. is a successful technology company known for its innovative products and services. However, the organization has recently encountered challenges with declining employee performance and low workplace engagement (bottom quartile engagement score in the sector benchmarking exercise) . The leadership team recognizes the urgency to address these issues and takes the initiative to focus on reshaping the organizational culture and leadership practices. The current culture at Zion Inc. revolves around a number driven sales pitch, high-pressure work environment that places significant emphasis on individual achievements rather than teamwork. This approach has led to a lack of collaboration and effective communication among different teams, resulting in inefficiencies and a sense of disconnection among employees. To initiate the journey of cultural transformation, the leadership team introduces a series of strategic interventions. Primarily, they emphasize the significance of collaboration among employees. They form cross-functional teams that promote knowledge-sharing, problem-solving, and collective decision-making, with the aim of breaking down existing silos and fostering a culture of unity. Recognizing the importance of shared values, Zion Inc. reevaluates and refines its core principles. The leadership ensures that these values resonate with the employees and serve as guiding principles for decision-making and behaviour, fostering a keen sense of purpose and direction for the entire organization. Furthermore, to enhance leadership effectiveness in driving cultural change, the leadership team undergoes training in transformational leadership. This training equips them with the necessary skills to inspire and empower employees, foster open communication, and create a positive and motivating work environment. To gather valuable insights from employees, Zion Inc. establishes various feedback mechanisms, including surveys, suggestion boxes, and open-door policies. These mechanisms encourage employees to share their ideas, concerns, and suggestions for improvement, empowering them to actively participate in shaping the organizational culture. In addition, the company introduces a recognition and rewards program to celebrate employee achievements and contributions. This initiative is designed to boost employee morale, motivation, and overall job satisfaction, reinforcing a positive work culture. As a significant step towards enhancing the workplace environment, Zion Inc. embarks on a “Great Place to Work” certification journey. The company aims to attain this prestigious certification by implementing practices and policies that enhance workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and well-being. Through anonymous employee surveys and feedback, Zion Inc. assesses its strengths and areas for improvement, further contributing to the cultural transformation. a. Zion Inc. aims to measure the effectiveness of its cultural interventions and the “Great Place to Work” certification on employee engagement and business performance. As the People & Culture Business Partner, suggest key performance indicators (KPIs) for leadership to assess the impact of these interventions in driving positive organizational outcomes. b. Discuss the role of leadership in driving the cultural transformation at Zion Inc. How can effective leadership align the culture with the company’s values and inspire employees to embrace the new cultural norms, particularly in the context of the certification journey? Organisational Theory, Structure and Design 1. An organisation is considered as a system where different interrelated components interact with each other to attain common goals. What according to you are the various components of an organisation as a system? Give suitable examples. 2. The Neoclassical Approach is developed by Elton Mayo and his associates. What do you think is the assumption of this approach? In this context explain the important features of this approach that managers should be aware of. Add corporate examples. 3. Without an effective organisational structure, employees would not be clear about their job roles and there would be no chain of command to follow. Keeping the above scenario in mind, explain with examples: a. Discuss the key features of the line and staff organisational structure. b. Explain which features are needed to create a Matrix Organisation Structure. Compensation & Benefits Q1. The major elements in the “wage structure” of a mid-sized manufacturing company are as follows:- a) Basic Pay; b) Yearly Increments to Mgl staff based on Pay grade c) Individual Incentive scheme to workmen and d) Benefits include i) Pickup & drop facility by Co’s own Transport Dept ii) free lunch in Co’s Canteen iii) Medical Benefit as per ESI scheme for workmen category & actuals for Mgl staff & other statutory b’fits like PF & Gratuity. The company manufactures electrical components for the auto industry and lately it has not been doing too well because of increased competition, mainly from Chinese companies. Accordingly, the Co has requested you to recommend suitable cost saving measures to increase the profitability. What will be your recommendation? Q2. Preeti and Susan were Chartered Accountants and they had about twenty years of experience each in working with reputed Audit & Financial Consultancy firms. Both resigned from their positions and started a small Audit firm of their own after taking a loan from a bank. Since they were a “start-up” company they employed a few qualified people and also paid them better than the market rate. Initially they struggled, but after some time their financial condition got better and by the end of seven years they reached a very stable position. By that time, they were employing fifteen people who had been inducted into the Co at different levels drawing different pay. However, as there was no regular pay structure, there was wide disparity in the pay drawn by different employees. To rectify this situation, both Preeti & Susan decided to

NMIMS Sem 3 Decemeber 2024 Operations Assignments Procurement Management 1. GeoLinks is a medium-sized supply chain  management  company that  operates  in  e- commerce industry. Describe the evolution of e-procurement, including its various stages and technological advancements and explain how understanding this evolution can guide GeoLinks in developing a robust e-procurement strategy. Also, recommend pricing models that GeoLinks can adopt to ensure competitiveness and profitability in the e-procurement marketplace. 2. XYZ Infra is a construction company specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects. The company often engages in contracts with government agencies to build roads, bridges, and public facilities. Evaluate the factors that XYZ Infra should consider when determining its pricing strategies to manage and negotiate government influences on pricing while maintaining a fair and mutually beneficial partnership. Also, suggest a contingency plan and contractual clauses that XYZ Infra should include to mitigate risks associated with contract cancellations and unexpected project disruptions. 3. GeoTronics is a multinational electronics company that sources components and materials from various countries for its manufacturing operations. It wants to source a wide range of products from multiple suppliers of south Asia and distribute them to various markets in the gulf. a) Explain the legal authority and responsibilities of a purchasing manager and discuss the importance of ethical considerations in global sourcing decisions for GeoTronics. b) Describe different methods of global sourcing that GeoTronics can adopt to procure products from international suppliers and outline the factors that they should consider when evaluating potential global suppliers. Service Operations Management Q1. Defining the concept of the ‘Service Design; explain in detail the different ways in which organizations can implement ‘Service Design’? Support your explanation with a reference to a restaurant setup (you can choose any reference setup of your own choice) Q2. Enlist and explain in detail the various dimensions through which Service organisations are evaluated for Quality by customers? Elaborate your answer with a reference of any educational institute of your choice. Q3. The Healthcare sector has become a very critical service sector domain in recent times, especially in the post Covid scenario. Hence it is very obvious for Healthcare Institutes to plan their operations in several ways to provide the best services to their target customers. Explain the following aspects of these organisations in context of the following areas as given below. a) Enlist and explain the various elements that need to be incorporated in a Service Framework of the setup. b) How do healthcare setups use the concept of a Service Design (Blueprinting) for their service operations. Enterprise Resource Planning Q.1 Maketyre is a tyre manufacturing company which makes tyres for various tyoes of vehicles.  With the vast growing business across the Country, they decided to implement ERP system in their organization. Discuss the various factors for successful ERP implementation which Maketyre will follow and explain the challenges which Maketyre may face while ERP implementation. Q2. Thakur Das Jewellers are into gem business based in Mumbai. Thakur Das Jewellers have expanded their branches with in different cities and have various departments such as Finance, Sales, Purchase etc. With the extending number of business processes, discuss using which technology Thakur Das Jewellers can integrate their processes to smoothen and streamline the business processes of their business. Discuss the features of Finance, Sales and Purchase modules with reference to the gem business of Thakur Das Jewellers. Q.3 PeopleCare Technology is new IT Company with the motive of providing solutions to different Organisations by catering to their specific product requirements. They have decided to implement SAP software in their organization to integrate the various business processes and to enhance the efficiency of the organization. Considering the above scenario, discuss the following: a) Discuss the benefits of SAP implementation by PeopleCare Technology. b) Discuss the SAP   architecture   which   PeopleCare   Technology   has   used   for implementation. Total Quality Management 1. As a leader of new product development team, you are asked by the management of your organization to comprehend the expectation of the customers and design product and services in view of that. Discuss a valuable methodology you would adopt that can significantly enhance the new product development process and thereby meet customer satisfaction. 2. You are appointed as head of quality department and told it is utmost priority for your department to monitor defects and control quality. Discuss the seven basic quality control tools which may help your department in controlling quality and minimizing defects. Give examples for each tool. 3. After entering global market, Maxx Industry which had implemented TQM, wants to change from its traditional performance measure based on cost accounting information to performance measured against the result delivered to customers. In TQM, measuring performance requires a conceptual framework. a) Discuss the criteria Maxx Industry should follow for measuring and evaluating performance under TQM framework. b) Explain the four perspectives based on which Strategic Performance Measurement (SPM) is measured. Operations and Supply chain strategies 1. Mr. Ranga is a store manager at Pmart Ltd one of the leading retail firm. To penetrate the market, he was using a low-price strategy. Due to competition, he also plans to use technology in the supply chain to reduce the cost. In such a scenario, every business requires some competitive edge to sustain in the market. Discuss different supply chain drivers with Mr. Ranga that ultimately helps Mega Mart to enable the entire supply chain. 2. Your artisanal ice cream company produces small batches of unique flavours sold in local shops. A large supermarket chain wants to carry your top five flavours nationwide, requiring a consistent and high volume of production. Considering your current small-batch production process, how would you adapt to fulfill this order? Would you switch to a mass production or continuous production process, or choose another method? Explain your decision, taking into account factors such as maintaining product quality, scaling up production, cost efficiency, and logistical challenges in distributing your ice cream across a national market. Nikaa Ltd is leading e commerce company sells beauty, wellness and fashion products through its

NMIMS Semester 3 DECEMBER 2024 Business Management Assignments Organisational Theory, Structure and Design 1. Analyze the utility of a line structure in an organisation. Explain which types of companies would prefer this structure. Evaluate the pros and cons of this structure. Give examples as required. 2. It is said that there is no magic formula for choosing the correct organizational structure. However, its suitability should be determined based on certain features. Evaluate the importance of each feature and add suitable examples wherever needed. 3. The external environment of a business is measured by a system called the PESTLE analysis which gives a holistic overview of all the associated contextual aspects influencing it. In the above context, explain with the help of suitable examples: a. Evaluate the different relevant concepts of the external environment that help in strategy building. b. Discuss the systems or approaches through which information can be collected regarding the external environment. Cost and management accounting Q1. ABC Ltd., has given the following budgeted and actual sales figures:             Budgeted        Actual             Quantity          Sale Price        Value   Quantity          Sales Price       Value                         Rs.       Rs.                  Rs.       Rs. Product A        500      60        30,000 600      65        39,000 Product B        700      40        28,000 650      38        24,700 The cost per unit of product A and B was Rs. 55 and Rs. 32 respectively. Compute variances to explain difference between budgeted and actual profit. Q2. Discuss the role of management accounting in shaping strategic decisions within an organization. Provide examples of how management accounting practices can influence long-term planning and sustainability. Q3. (a) Analyze the differences between standard costing and budgetary control. How do these tools help in managing operational performance within an organization? Q3 (b) Evaluate the importance of understanding cost behaviours in decision-making. How can misinterpretation of cost behaviours impact a company’s financial decisions? Consumer behavior Q1. The latest kid in the e-commerce space is tastes 2 plate [t2pis the app name] and their website is  https://tastes2plate.com/home. This site is doing intercity food delivery and is currently available in Kolkata, Patna, Lucknow, Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida, Jaipur, Amritsar, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Kochi and Goa. It wants to launch its services in Pune and Ahmedabad in the next months. Explain how can they persuade citizens of Pune and Ahmedabad to order food from other cities using the principles of “Persuading Customers” under Buyer Behaviour. Q2. Herd mentality, also known as mob mentality or crowd mentality, is a psychological phenomenon  that  significantly  impacts  human behavior.  Analyze  how  are  herd  or  mob mentality connected to consumer behaviour. Support this with an example of your choice. Q3. Answer the following a) Panchamrit, Dr. Vaidya’s and Zingavita have recently introduced “Chywanprash Gummies” similar to the Gummy Vitamins introduced a long time back for Multivitamins. These are targeted to children. Explain which principle of changing consumer attitude has been used in the creation of Chywanprash Gummies. b) How do celebrities add value to product positioning? Explain in detail by taking an example of any product whose purchase and use by you or your family was influenced by celebrity endorsement.. Digital marketing DunX Perfumes: Luxury Perfume Makers for Men The Company DunX is a burgeoning luxury perfume brand based in India, focusing on creating exclusive, high-end fragrances for men. With a commitment to quality and sophistication, DunX aims to redefine the luxury perfume market by offering products that resonate with the refined tastes of its discerning customers. The Context In a rapidly evolving market, DunX has chosen to forgo traditional media channels such as television, radio, and print. Instead, the company plans to focus exclusively on digital marketing to reach and engage its target audience. This strategic decision is rooted in the belief that the digital landscape offers a more direct and personalized way to connect with potential customers. However, not everyone in the management team is aligned with this decision. Some members, with a more traditional mindset, believe in the effectiveness of offline marketing methods such as billboards, print ads, and in-store promotions. They argue that these channels offer tangible benefits that should not be overlooked, especially for a luxury brand like DunX. The Brand DunX positions itself as a brand that embodies sophistication, style, and exclusivity. The company’s fragrances are crafted for men who appreciate the finer things in life and seek to express their individuality through their choice of scent. DunX’s brand identity is built around the idea of luxury and elegance, with a commitment to providing a premium experience in every aspect of the customer journey. The USP of the Brand DunX’s unique selling proposition (USP) lies in its ability to blend tradition with modernity. The brand’s perfumes are crafted using the finest ingredients, combining timeless elegance with  contemporary appeal.  By  leveraging  digital  marketing,  DunX aims  to  create  an immersive online experience that mirrors the luxury and exclusivity of its products. The Target Audience DunX’s target audience comprises fashion-forward, classy men who belong to the upper- middle  class  and  above.  These  individuals  live  in  metro  cities  like  Mumbai,  Delhi, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, and they have a keen appreciation for luxury products. The target audience is tech-savvy, active on social media, and seeks brands that align with their sophisticated lifestyle. The Challenges As a new entrant in the luxury market, DunX faces the challenge of standing out in a crowded space. The brand must craft a digital marketing strategy that not only resonates with its target audience but also sets it apart from competitors.In addition to external market challenges, the internal alignment on marketing strategy poses a significant hurdle. You must navigate differing opinions within the management team, some of whom are skeptical about relying solely on digital marketing. Balancing these perspectives while driving an effective marketing strategy will be crucial to DunX’s success. In addition to external market challenges, the internal alignment on marketing strategy poses a significant hurdle. You must navigate differing opinions within the management team, some of whom are skeptical about relying solely on digital marketing. Balancing these perspectives  while driving  an