The Marketing Group for a Cell Phone Manufacturer Plans to Conduct

question 7

Essay

The marketing group for a cell phone manufacturer plans to conduct a telephone survey to determine consumer attitudes toward a new cell phone that is currently under development.In order to have a sufficient sample size to conduct the analysis,they need to contact at least 100 young males (under age 40),150 older males (over age 40),120 young females (under age 40),and 200 older females (over age 40).It costs $1 to make a daytime phone call and $1.50 to make an evening phone call (due to higher labor costs).This cost is incurred whether or not anyone answers the phone.The table below shows the likelihood of a given customer type answering each phone call.Assume the survey is conducted with whoever first answers the phone.Also,because of limited evening staffing,at most one-third of phone calls placed can be evening phone calls.How should the marketing group conduct the telephone survey so as to meet the sample size requirements at the lowest possible cost? (a)Formulate and solve a linear programming model for this problem on a spreadsheet.(b)Formulate this same model algebraically.

---

Definitions:

Main Idea

The central or most important concept, point, or message that an author wants to convey in a text or communication.

Seating Arrangement

The planned organization of seats or places for people in a room or venue.

Essential Message Points

Key pieces of information or arguments that are crucial to effectively convey the main message of a communication effort.

Screencasts

Recordings of activity on computer displays with audio voiceover.