Assignment 2: Single Sign-On Access

Part 1 - Financing

Our company MASC, which deals in men's skincare, cosmetics, and other grooming products, is a renowned unique brand recently launched in Los Angeles, California. I believe asset-based financing is the best option for this company as it is a new startup with no perfect credit score for applying for conventional bank loans. Asset-based financing is a practical option for small business startups with weak credit as a security for applying for a loan. This financing method allows using the company's assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, as collateral to obtain working capital or term loans from banks. In the case of MASC, it has a well-established asset, good potential for growth, and a positive response from its target market ever since its launch. Therefore, this financing is a suitable option for the company.

Moreover, this financing method allows the company to effectively manage its cash flow and fulfill its goals for growth and development. This financing method offers the most flexibility and provides a loan evaluating the company's asset value and trading history; therefore, the company with less established credits can also get this loan. It will be a great way to capitalize on the company's current assets while also allowing it to invest in the future growth and development of new products, just like the latest product of a 12-hour long-lasting sunscreen foundation for Men.

· What factor or factors influenced your decision?

Several factors were evaluated when deciding which financing method was best for our company, some of the major factors are listed below:

1. The company wanted a loan that would not require them to have perfect credit; asset-based financing is one of the few options that allow companies with less than pristine credit to access capital.

2. The company wanted a loan without extensive paperwork or a drawn-out approval process; again, asset-based financing fits the bill perfectly.

3. The company wanted a loan that gave them access to quick capital to quickly get their products off the ground; asset-based financing provides rapid access to funds compared to other traditional forms of lending.

In conclusion, asset-based finance provides many advantages for companies needing rapid funding access that do not have perfect credit but have established asset and trading history. This method will provide the company with enough working capital and resources to launch its 12-Hour Foundation product online and in brick-and-mortar stores around the country (Buldeo Rai et al., 2021). With this method, the company can leverage existing assets already held by the company while also investing in potential future growth opportunities associated with introducing a new product into an established market.

Part 2 - Lead Time Schedule

Customer Lead Time

1. Receive customer orders and issue order confirmation – This step in the Customer Lead Time process involves receiving the customer's order and verifying that all required information is provided before issuing a confirmation of the order. Depending on the size of the order and any additional requirements, this step can take between one to two days to complete.

2. Process payment – Once an order has been confirmed, payment must be processed to proceed with manufacturing/producing the product. Payment processing typically takes one day but may take longer, depending on the payment method used by the customer.

3. Manufacture/produce product – Depending on the product's complexity, this step can take anywhere from five days to several weeks to complete. Custom parts may need to be ordered in some cases, which also adds time to this process step.

4. Inspect product (quality control) – After production is complete, each product must undergo rigorous quality control testing before being packaged and shipped to customers. Generally speaking, this step should take no more than two business days, regardless of how complex or large an individual order is.

5. Package product – The packaging stage involves protecting each product for delivery and can include assembling retail-ready packaging for those that require it. On average, it takes one day to pack a single item before it is ready for shipping out to customers.

6. Transport product to customer's home – The final stage of Customer Lead Time is transporting the finished product from its point of origin to customers' homes or requested locations around the country or worldwide. Shipping times vary depending on the distance between origin and destination points and the mode of transport chosen by the customer when placing their order (air cargo, road freight, etc.). It usually takes two to four days for products shipped domestically and up to 5 days for international orders before they are delivered successfully at their destination points.