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Our latest model cell phone was a real dog.

TALKING ABOUT COMPANY STRATEGY

Andy and Laura work for Saltonica, a maker of cell phones. Sales have been slow lately, so Andy is recommending the company adopt a new strategy.

Andy: My team has come up with a new strategy. We can’t continue being fast followers. We need to start developing our own cutting-edge technologies.

Laura: Why? We’ve been fast followers for the past ten years. Why mess with success?

Andy: Success? Get with the program. Our sales are way down. Our cash cow, the Model 8B, only sold 900 units last month!

Laura: I can understand why. That phone’s a relic. It’s been around for over three years. What about our new phones?

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TALKING ABOUT MANUFACTURING

Mike and Dan work for Swift Shoes, a manufacturer of sneak­ers. Mike is in charge of manufacturing. Dan is trying to push Mike to get some new shoes ready quickly.

Dan: We’ve decided to launch our new spring shoe on April 20^th.

Mike: We’re still trying to work out the kinks in our manufactur­ing process. Our factory in China is having trouble with the soles.

Dan: I know that, Mike. But you’ve still got three months. It should be plenty of time.

Mike: It could take another six months to fine-tune our manufac­turing process.

Dan: Well, we don’t have that much time. No ifs, ands, or buts,

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