Discussion 1: "Management of Inventories"

Respond to the following:

• From the first e-Activity, examine the best practices found in the video on inventory management.

• From the second e-Activity, choose two service companies that manage inventory and compare and contrast their inventory management systems.

• Based on your evaluation of both inventory management systems from Part 2 of this discussion, propose suggestions to management that would ultimately lead to improve operations.

Discussion 2: "Resource Management"

Respond to the following:

• Select a goods-producing organization and a service-providing organization of your choice. Suggest ways each organization can make aggregate planning decisions using the variables described in Exhibit 13.3 (Chapter 13).

• Compare and contrast the operational and managerial impacts of the aggregate planning decisions in terms of customer satisfaction.

Discussion 3: "Sources of Debt Financing"

Respond to the following:

• Briefly describe a small business you could envision yourself owning and discuss the most appropriate source of debt capital for that business. Explain your rationale.

Discussion 4: "Location, Layout, and Physical Facilities"

Respond to the following:

• Using the same small business you described in the first discussion, determine the best possible location for your business within driving distance of where you now live. Explain your rationale.

• Discuss the layout and design configuration of a building you would like to use to house your business, including how you would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.