What are the advantages and disadvantages of cross-functional task forces?
What is the purpose of product development?
What do you look for in a product you buy: features or benefits? Why?
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How to differentiate your product?
What are the main stages of product development? Take one product to develop as an example to explain these stages.
What is the importance of good packaging? Provide a sample product and suggest ideas on designing a package to attract the customers?
What are the reasons why there are often new product developments, what are its key steps and key success factors?
What is a good presentation?
How to differentiate your product?
What are the main stages of product development? Take one product to develop as an example to explain these stages.
6. USEFUL WEBSITES
Websites with background information on products and packaging include:
https://www.designnews.com
http://www.npd-solutions.com/bok.html
https://www.saga.vn/cau-chuyen-ve-bao-bi-hang-hoa-phan-ii-vai-tro-cua-bao-bi-trong- hoat-dong-kinh-d~42226
https://jamandco.com.au/packaging-design-usp/
https://www.pinterest.fr/uspfulfillment/usp-fulfillment-packaging-ideas/
https://www.uspnf.com/sites/default/files/usp_pdf/EN/USPNF/revisions/659_rb_notice.p df
https://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/unique-selling-proposition-usp
SECTION 2: PRACTICE QUESTION 1
Fill in each blank with the correct form of the word given in brackets
1. ____________ (empower) is a management tool that employers use to enable employees to develop themselves and activates people to use their own strengths.
2. There has been a ____________ (shrink) in wage growth, pension coverage, and health insurance coverage.
80 3. In exchange for corporate assistance, ____________ (franchise) typically pay a percentage of their revenue to a franchiser.
4. The company said that it had always acted in ____________ (comply) with environmental laws.
5. They finally came to a mutually ____________ (benefit) agreement.
6. People of all ages, sexes and races can and do have ____________ (arthritic), and it is the leading cause of disability in America.
7. The author argues that gift ____________ (wrap) is a visual signal that is associated with happy events in a person’s life.
8. ____________ (anecdote), the researchers also heard that participants felt that the survey was too long to complete.
9. Many major new stadiums around the world have ____________ (retract) seating so they can accommodate athletic.
10. She received several ____________ (threaten) phone calls after her appearance on television.
QUESTION 2
I. Choose one underlined word or phrase which needs correcting in each sentence 1. The negotiators finally reached a formula on what everyone could agree.
A. The B. finally reached C. on what D. could 2. Brazil, that the world’s largest exporter of coffee, has high inflation.
A. Brazil B. that C. largest D. high inflation 3. We drew up a shortlist of candidates which CVs were very good.
A. drew up B. a shortlist C. which D. very good
4. Scientists at universities are often more involved in theoretical research than in practically research.
A. scientists B. universities C. involved D. practically
5. Customers and bank clerks were asked to lie down on the floor and one of the bank clerks were made to fill the robber’s bags with money.
A. were asked B. were made C. to fill D. with
6. The orange’s energy-enhance qualities have made it popular ingredient in energy drinks around the world.
81 A. the B. energy-enhance C. made it popular D. in
7. I like the diamond ring Mary is wearing it.
A. like B. ring C. is wearing D. it
8. She wishes she were a most beautiful girl in the world.
A. wishes B. were C. a D. most beautiful
9. The Rover Group, its name has been changed several times, is now a part of BMW.
A. its B. has been changed C. is D. a part of
10. There is strong competitor, and paid-for-placement companies must offer services which seem to be different from their competitors.
A. competitor B. paid-for-placement C. services D. competitors II. Read the passages below and choose the best answer
1. Read the following passage and choose the best answer To Whom It May Concern:
On September 08, I completed an online order for a set of new hardwood furniture. This week I received the set, and have no complaints about the quality of the furniture or of the shipping.
The instructions enclosed with most pieces enabled me to put them together easily.
Unfortunately, instructions for assembling the bookshelf were not included in the shipment, and I was unable to put the bookshelf together because of this missing information. Please be aware that customers like myself rely on these instructions; it is nearly impossible to construct the furniture without them. I would appreciate it if you could mail me a copy of the instructions for the bookshelf (Item #1042210) at your earliest convenience. Sending the instructions by e-mail would be even better. If you have the instructions available electronically, please send them to shardy@mail.com.
Another problem is with the total cost in the invoice since I believe the total is 10 dollars less than the stated amount. Could you check it as well and let me know what went wrong?
My order confirmation number is AYN921, and the order number is 442. Attached is the invoice that came with my order. I would like to be able to complete the assembly of my bookshelf as soon as possible, and would appreciate your prompt reply to this request.
Please contact me at (901) 830-0981 if you have any questions.
82 Sincerely,
Sarah Hardy
FURNITURE WORLD 23 Broadmoor St.
St. Louis, MO 50469
INVOICE ORDERDATE: September 08
ORDER ID: 442 DATE: September 09
Client Information Name: Sarah Hardy
Street: 342 Alpine St. #1 City: Chicago
State: IL Country: USA Zip Code: 65422
CUSTOMER NAME: Sarah Hardy CUSTOMER ID: 325
Products Purchased
Item No. Item Description Quantity Unit Price Total Price
01302 Office Desk 1 $150 $150
50328 Office Chair 1 $75 $75
49234 Floor Lamp 2 $30 $60
42710 Bookshelf 1 $175 $175
Subtotal: $460 Shipping: $99
83 Total: $569.00 Thank you
(Adapted from: Economy TOEIC RC1000)
1. What is the purpose of this letter?
A. To ask for a replacement part for the bookshelf B. To request missing information
C. To arrange for the shipping of more items D. To ask for a refund
2. What would Ms. Hardy like to do soon?
A. Put her bookshelf together B. Have a sofa delivered
C. Receive a refund in the mail D. Get a new order number
3. The word “assembling” in paragraph 2, line 2, in the letter is closest in meaning to A. gathering B. meeting C. building D. changing 4. Which item does Ms. Hardy refer to in the letter?
A. the desk B. the chair C. the floor lamp D. the bookshelf 5. What was the actual total cost?
A. $10 B. $450 C. $559 D. $569
2. Read the following passage and answer the questions
Forget your eggs sunny-side up or even clouds in your coffee … use your loaf!
Those keen for a glimpse of the morning weather forecast could soon be examining their breakfast toast.
Design student Robin Southgate has come up with a toaster that burns the day’s weather into each slice. Perfectly browned and emblazoned with a shining sun, cloud or raindrops, everyone tells weather story. (And tastes delicious with butter and jam). The toaster prints the symbols on the toast using stencils that mask part of the slice while the rest continues to be toasted. When the bread is first inserted into the toaster, it is browned in the normal way. But in the last 20 to 30 seconds, an electric motor inside rolls out the appropriate
84 stencil in front of the bread. “It works with brown, but best with white,” advised Mr Southgate, who is in his final year at Brunel University in London. But how does his toaster know whether the day will pop up as hot as the breakfast bacon or as soggy as scrambled egg? To find out the weather, the toaster uses an in-built modem, a gadget normally used by computers to process data from the Internet. Using a telephone line, the modem connects to 23-year-old Mr Southgate’s personal computer which, in turn, connects to the Met Office website. A software program on his computer then interprets the weather details. It can tell which area of Britain the toaster is in by the telephone code. If the local forecast is for rain, for example, the computer sends a message to the toaster to release the cloud and raindrop stencil. Mr Southgate, who developed his toaster under the guidance of tutor Professor Stan Swallow, is keen to spread each slice with even more information. He is experimenting with an array of heating elements that can create a much more detailed design on the bread. This could be used to stencil on elaborate weather maps or advertising logos. He can even envisage a day when breakfast toast becomes textfast toast, popping up with mobile phone messages. Mr Southgate, however, is not optimistic that his toast will replace a quick look at the paper, TV news or even out the window for the weather.
“I did it because it was an interesting challenge,’ he said. “There is no practical application for it.”
(Adapted from “Robin toaster gets warm reception” in Daily Mail - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-51760/Robins-toaster-gets-warm-
reception.html)
Respond to these questions, as if you were Robin:
6. Why did you decide to invent this?
7. Where did the idea come from?
8. Was it an enjoyable project for you, and why?
9. What other things have you invested?
10. Do you think this gadget might have some potential in certain markets, e.g.
overseas?
QUESTION 3
I. Choose the suitable word to fill in each blank
85 Quality, Environmental, and Health & Safety Standards
There are a ___________ (1) of general standards that are applicable to packaging organizations:
ISO 9001 is a quality management system based on core principles such as customer focus, involvement of people, process approach, and (2) ___________ improvement. Many companies that have implemented a quality management system have realized cost savings through improved process effectiveness and efficiency.
ISO 14001 enables organizations to develop and implement a policy committing to prevention of pollution, (3) ___________ with environmental laws and continual improvement. Companies can reduce waste, use less energy and thus help save money and the environment.
OHSAS 18001 is designed to help organizations manage their occupational health and safety risks. This structured management systems approach enables organizations to identify hazards, assess and prioritize risks and (4) ___________ appropriate protective and preventive control measures to reduce the potential for (5)__________ injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
ISO 50001 is the international standard for Energy Management that (6) ___________
requirements for establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving an energy management system.
Training and Business Improvement Services As a leading provider of (7) ___________
and training, SAI Global provides improvement solutions that can help your organization improve business processes, increase (8) ___________ and reduce risk. With more than two dozen training courses (9) ___________ to the packaging sector, SAI Global is committed to providing customers with a full suite of training options. Each year, over 12,000 people partner with SAI Global for their training and business improvement needs.
We are committed to providing you the most up-to-date training courses available through a wide-range of learning approaches and tool-based solutions. We offer (10) ___________
options for individuals and organizations to build awareness, knowledge and skills at an individual level, and across the entire organization.
Visit www.saiglobal.com/courses for our full course offerings.
(Adapted from “Quality Management: Then, Now and Toward the Future” - https://www.pp-s.com/files/ppswp_qmsbeyondprod.pdf)
86 1. A. vary B. various C. variety D. variation
2. A. continue B. continuation C. continuity D. continual 3. A. compliance B. comply C. compliant D. complying 4. A. implemented B. implementing C. implement D. implementation 5. A. occupation B. occupational C. occupancy D. preoccupation 6. A. specify B. specifies C. specific D. specifically 7. A. certify B. certified C. certification D. certificate 8. A. efficient B. efficiently C. efficiency D. efficiencies 9. A. apply B. applicant C. applicable D. application 10. A. flexible B. inflexible C. flexibility D. inflexibility II. Writing
What factors need considering when making packaging decisions?
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