Using the information from Units 1–3, Big D Incorporated will be examining how multivariate techniques can serve the organization best and how they can be applied to their new client, the outdoor sporting goods customer. The Board of Directors has asked you to research and explain 3 major ways in which multivariate statistics are utilized in this scenario. In this case, be sure to justify your decision. Research using the library and the Internet to find at least 1 example of how a real company has used each of the following multivariate techniques: factor analysis, multidimensional scaling, and cluster analysis. This can be considered a benchmark if you can justify how it could benefit Big D Incorporated. Write a summary to upper management explaining the following: How can each multivariate technique be utilized in Big D Incorporated, and what purpose would each serve? Which technique is your preferred method, and how is your chosen multivariate technique different from the other two techniques? What will the Board of Directors learn from your selected technique and more importantly, how will it contribute to the overall decision-making process? Ensure that your explanation is clear and concise in its explanation.

WidgeCorp became the market leader in snack foods after acquiring a rival company, Company W. Their management style and business decision-making differed. Employees at WidgeCorp collected relevant data and through statistical analysis used this information to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations. Company W tended to rely on the experience and judgment of its managers. For the time being, both companies are being managed separately, but within the next twelve months they will merge all management, processes, and accounting. You work for Company W and are a little nervous about this new way of working, but realize that you need to be able to present issues and recommendations with statistical verification to the WidgeCorp executives. You will also introduce and employ statistical analysis to the senior management of Company W’s various departments such as Marketing, Sales, and Production. Part of your job will be to educate Company W as well.

Deliverable Length:350-500 words
WidgeCorp is considering branching out into cold beverages. You have been asked to come up with a regression model to forecast monthly sales of cold beverages for the next year. Think about what variables you might include in your model (you do not need to run a regression and therefore you will not need actual numbers. You just need to identify and justify your selection of variables that you would include in your model).

Your manager asks for your thoughts.

(Please cite all references)

Attachments:

p2dbs-v2.xls