1. Sample Exercises for use with Graphic Organisers
Product Life Cycle - Chain of linked events
Arrange these stages in the correct order on the chain
Saturation
Decline
Introduction
Maturity
Growth
Write the correct explanation under each stage in the chain
If a new product is successful sales grow quickly as a result of advertising and sales
promotion. Many consumers wish to have this latest product as it becomes known
and popular.
The product is now quite well known and in common use. Most consumers that
want one have one. Consumers are beginning to look towards new products. The
price drops and sales revenues begin to decline
The new product is introduced to the market. There is usually a major promotion
campaign to get consumers to know about the product. Initial sales begin to as
consumers get to know of the products existence
New improved products are introduced to the market and competitors begin to
develop new products so sales of the old product start to decline as it reaches the end
of its life cycle.
The rate of growth levels off. Sales are steady but are not increasing. Sales continue
to remain high but they have stopped growing

2. Arrange these stages in the correct order on the ladder above
Shortlist
Job description
Interview
Person Specification
Induction training
Job advertisement
Selection
Write the correct explanation beside each step on the ladder
The new employee is introduced to the company and is given initial training in how
to carry out the duties involved in the new job.
Those kept on the shortlist are invited to interview where they will be asked
questions to determine which candidate has the best skills and is most suitable for
the job.
Describes the skills, qualities and qualifications that the candidate needs to have to
be considered for the job.
Combines the Job Description and Person Specification and places them in
Newspapers, Journals, Noticeboards, Websites etc where they will be seen by those
interested in applying for the job.
Describes all the duties and responsibilities attaching to the job. It clarifies for
employees what the job entails
If a large number of candidates apply some are eliminated on the basis of their
application forms. They receive letters of refusal without being called to interview.
The best candidate for the job is chosen by the interviewer after the interview has
been completed.

3. Stages in Developing a New Product or Service
Prototype development
Concept Development
Market testing
Screening
Idea Generation
Full scale Launch
Feasibility Study
Test Marketing
This step involves market research to test consumer reaction to the product.
Potential sales, costs and possible profits need to be examined to see if it is possible
to make a profit from the venture The best ideas that have most potential for
success are kept and the others are screened out and discarded.
All good ideas need to be transformed into reality. This is called concept
development. The product / service needs to be able to satisfy consumer needs at a
realistic price and with satisfactory quality.
Full scale manufacture and sales begin if test marketing has been successful.
Advertising and sales promotion campaigns accompany the launch
Industrial Relations – Dispute Resolution
A business needs to regularly develop new ideas to satisfy consumer needs. There
are many ways to generate ideas. Some methods are internal to the company -
Brainstorming , Research and Development, Salespersons reports; others are
external – Competitors ideas, Foreign travel, Customer complaints
One unit of the product needs to be manufactured so that it can be test marketed.
Potential problems come to light at this stage, costs are finalized and selling price is
decided.
A small number of products are manufactured in one production run. These are
then tested on the market. Final decisions re the 4 p’s are made at this stage.

4. Steps in Resolving Industrial Relations Disputes – Arrange these steps in order from
the first step to be taken to the final stage.
Labour Court, Employment Appeals Tribunal
Senior management negotiates with Union HQ
Disputant negotiates with immediate Supervisor
Shop Steward negotiates with immediate manager
Labour Relations Commission, Rights Commissioner, Equality Officers
Match each explanation with the term above
A dispute should be resolved in the first place by negotiation if possible with ones
immediate supervisor whether it is a dispute involving all workers or an individual
worker
Workers approach the shop steward to resolve a dispute if they have been
unsuccessful in attempts to negotiate a solution with their immediate supervisor.
Shop steward negotiates with management in an attempt to resolve a dispute
Senior Management negotiate with Union Head Office to find a resolution to a
dispute
The dispute is referred to the Labout Relations Commission if it involves all
workers of a large group of workers. It is referred to a Rights Commissioner if it
involves one worker or a small group of workers. It is referred to an Equality
Officer if it involves equality issues.
The dispute is referred to The Labour Court if it has not been resolved at an earlier
stage. The Labour Court decision is binding. If an individual feels that their
statutory employment rights have been infringed they may take their case to the
employment Appeals Tribunal Its decision is binding.

5. Place the term Negotiation, Conciliation, Arbitration beside the relevant step
Negotiation
The parties to the dispute sit down together and attempt to resolve their dispute
Conciliation / Mediation
A third party (an outside person) sits with the disputing parties and helps them to
resolve their dispute. Responsibility for resolving the dispute rests with the
disputing parties. The conciliator dose not impose a solution
Arbitration
A third party (a Judge) listens to both sides of the dispute and makes a binding
decision / Recommendation for resolution. Decisions of the Labour Court are not
legally binding, they are binding in the sense that both parties agree to be bound by
the decision before the Labour Court agrees to hear the case. Decisions of the
Employment Appeals Tribunal are legally binding.
Internal
Dispute is resolved within the company
External
Dispute is taken to a body outside the company for resolution
Legislative Resolution
When a Statutory body is used to resolve the dispute and/or when a law is relied on
to resolve the dispute
Non Legislative
When the dispute is resolved voluntarily without recourse to any law or Statutory
body
Stairs can also be used to teach the Steps involved in Forming a Company