Passage 63:
The fact that superior service can generate a competitive
advantage for a company does not mean that every attempt
at improving service will create such an advantage. Invest-
Line ments in service, like those in production and distribution,
5) must be balanced against other types of investments on the
basis of direct, tangible benefits such as cost reduction and
increased revenues. If a company is already effectively on a
par with its competitors because it provides service that
avoids a damaging reputation and keeps customers from
10) leaving at an unacceptable rate, then investment in higher
service levels may be wasted, since service is a deciding
factor for customers only in extreme situations.
This truth was not apparent to managers of one regional
bank, which failed to improve its competitive position
15) despite its investment in reducing the time a customer had
to wait for a teller. The bank managers did not recognize
the level of customer inertia in the consumer banking
industry that arises from the inconvenience of switching
banks. Nor did they analyze their service improvement to
20) determine whether it would attract new customers by pro-
ducing a new standard of service that would excite cus-
tomers or by proving difficult for competitors to copy. The
only merit of the improvement was that it could easily be
described to customers.Quest:1
The primary purpose of the passage is to
(A) contrast possible outcomes of a type of business investment
(B) suggest more careful evaluation of a type of business
investment
(C) illustrate various ways in which a type of business
investment could fail to enhance revenues
(D) trace the general problems of a company to a certain
type of business investment
(E) criticize the way in which managers tend to analyze
the costs and benefits of business investments"Double Click on the Answer to check the correct answer"
Answer: B
