TABLE OF CONTENTS Once the strategic choices have been made, and the objectives have been determined and agreed, the next phase involves the tactical decisions, that is the staged implementation of the strategies in the medium term. The first question that springs immediately to mind is What resources will we need to do it? Broadly speaking, we are talking about premises, space, plant and equipment, transport, office equipment and computers, communications equipment, raw materials or stock, packaging, advertising materials, staff and managers to make productive use of it all, and of course the money to pay for everything. However, before the acquisitions can begin there are still a large number of crucial decisions that have to be made, as many of these purchases will involve substantial long-term capital investment, and few businesses (particularly smaller ones) can afford to make expensive mistakes.
The financial and personnel issues will be examined in later chapters. Chapter 4 is concerned with the S/NVQ Units E1 and E2, which concern making the best use of premises and equipment, and to Unit K1, which is about negotiating and contracting with suppliers. The chapter will examine a range of questions relating to these Units.
There is no specific formula for finding the ideal location for business premises although, clearly, the nature of the market will have fundamental implications for the location and vice versa. With the exception of e-commerce and mail order firms, whose clients are distance-based, the business needs to reflect the community it serves, and therefore its...
