o a. Assuming a constant rate for purchases, production, and sales throughout the year, what are Casa de Diseno existing operating cycle (OC), cash conversion cycle (CCC), and resource investment need?

o b. If Leal can optimize Casa de Diseno’s operations according to industry standards, what will Casa de Diseno’s operating cycle (OC), cash conversion cycle (CCC), and resource investment need to be under these more efficient conditions?

o c. In terms of resource investment requirements, what is the cost of Casa de Diseno operational inefficiency?

o d. (1) If in addition to achieving industry standards for payables and inventory, the firm can reduce the average collection period by offering credit terms of 3/10 net 60, what additional savings in resource investment costs will result from the shortened cash conversion cycle, assuming that the level of sales remain constant?

o d. (2) If the firm’s sales (all on credit) are $40,000,000 and 45% of the customers are expected to take the cash discount, by how much will the firm’s annual revenues be reduced as a result of the discount?

o d. (3) If the firm’s variable cost of the $40,000,000 in sales is 80%, determine the reduction in the average investment in accounts receivable and the annual savings that will result from this reduced investment, assuming that sales remain constant.

o d. (4) If the firm’s bad-debts expenses decline from 2% to 1.5% of sales, what annual savings will result, assuming that sales remain constant?

o d. (5) Use your findings in parts (2) through (4) to assess whether offering the cash discount can be justified financially. Explain why or why not.

o e. On the basis of your analysis in parts a. through d. what recommendations would you offer Teresa Leal?

o f. Review for Teresa Leal the key sources of short-term financing, other than accounts payable, that she may consider to finance Casa de Diseno’s resource investment need calculated in part b. Be sure to mention both unsecured and secured sources.