Sun Exposure Tests

Skin Care Unlimited has invited The Proving Ground to conduct comparative tests on a new sun-tan lotion that is being marketed in summer. Rachel Mcguire, the Sales Manager has provided six other popular brands sun-tan

lotion plus the sun-tan lotion from her company.

The Proving Ground has concluded that a trip to the Bahamas would provide a more suitable environment for the sun exposure tests. Two staff members would travel to the Bahamas with six recruits to perform the tests.

One staff member would document all the results and the other would take coloured photographs. The six recruits would be used for the actual applying of the sun-tan lotion. The application process would include using t-shirts and cutting eight six-centimetre diameter holes in the back of them, one for applying the new lotion, six for the other popular brands and one as a control factor with no lotion.

The third staff member would remain locally and conduct tests on the feel, touch and the effect the application would have on clothes and how often it would have to be applied. The total cost tallied is $21,415. The finished proposal would be delivered within the deadline of 48 hours.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary…………………………………………………………………………i

Contents………………………………….……………………………………..…….……ii

Introduction………………………………………………………………………..….……1

Background………………………………………………………………………………..1

Discussion…………………………………………………………………………………1

Situation……………………………………………………………………………1

Approach/Recommendation………………………………………………………2

Organization and Planning………………………………………..………………………..3

Cost……………………………………………………….………………………………..3

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Introduction:
In January The Proving Ground was called by Rachel Maguire, Sales Manager for Skin Care Unlimited to conduct comparative sun-exposure tests on a new Sun-tan Lotion that was being marketed that summer by Skin Care Unlimited. She announced that her company could easily conduct the tests but would prefer the opinions from an independent body such as The Proving Ground. Six competitor brands plus one of Skin Care Unlimited sun-tan lotions were to be supplied. March 15 was the deadline for the report. Rachel Maguire also wanted a proposal, spelling out the plan, schedule and costs within 48 hours.

Background:
The Proving Ground is a Partnership Company founded and managed by three consultants, Adelene Mohan Senior Research Consultant, Phillip Dunster Research Consultant and Wanda Holloran Research Consultant, who all graduated with diplomas in Business Administration.

Discussion

Situation:
The work that Skin Care Unlimited requested from The Proving Ground included performing tests on a new sun-tan lotion that is going to be marketed in summer. The Proving Ground consultants needed to develop a way that tests the six other popular brands of sun-tan lotion with the brand of Skin Care Unlimited. The necessary procedures involve putting samples of each sun-tan lotion on a person’s back and leave that person out in the sun for three hours.

• One constraint was the lack of sunlight which was the core element
However they quickly resolved that problem by deciding to conduct the tests in the Bahamas, the ideal location with an endless supply of sunlight.

• Another problem would be the unpredictable weather in the Bahamas
Adelene has allotted an extra three days still keeping within the time frame, for any unforeseen circumstances

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• Coloured Photographs was to be taken
Adelene Mohan is an amateur photographer, so to save money Adelene Mohan would do the photographing

• T-shirts had to be provided for the recruits to wear while applying the sun-tan lotions
Wanda would buy the t-shirts for the recruits to wear

• Tickets and Hotel accommodations would have to be pre-booked
Adelene would make those arrangements

Approach/Recommendation:
Tests are to be done on six models, two fair, two medium and two with dark complexions, two of each skin tone and colour to provide an average. Each model will be tested twice; once on the back and once on the leg.

T-shirts would be used cutting out eight six-centimeter diameter holes in the back of each; one for applying the new sun-tan lotion, six for applying the other popular brands and one as a control factor with no sun-tan lotion.

The front of the legs would be done by applying two-inch wide horizontal strips of each sun-tan lotion. Colour photographs would be taken of all the results.

Two members will go to the Bahamas, Nassau with the six models to take photographs and record the results. The other member would remain and conduct tests on the feel, touch and effects the lotions would have on clothing and how often application would have to be repeated. Then that one staff member would have to record results, do the administrative work and write the report.

After all results are recorded and administrative work is completed the anticipated cost is tallied at $21,415 and will be delivered to Skin Care Unlimited on March 15.

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Organization and Planning:

Schedule

Begin formulating plan and making preparations for trip February 5
Trip to Bahamas; conduct comparative tests record results February 15
Return from trip; compile results February 20
Analyze results and complete administrative work February 27
Complete report adding in comparative results March 6
Submit completed report March 9

Cost:

Days
$ Cost
(each) #people $ Total
5
60 6
1,800
5 100 8 4,000
8 175 2 2,800
2 175 1 350
6 175 1 1,050
• 8 tickets @ $1100 for 8 people 8,800
• Material costs: 300
• Contingency fee for unexpected costs: 700
• The Proving Ground: 10% on air fare and trave1 = 1,280
33.5% on all costs = 335
21,415

Total cost if The Proving Ground is hired to conduct the comparative tests is $21,415.

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