Discounts and offers, increase in the price level generally and the rise in operating costs due to new health and safety protocols are the main threats to the profitability of companies in this new commercial reality.
Given this context of economic and health crisis, which derives from the outbreak of covid-19 at the global level, Ariel Baños, a specialist in price management and founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, explains what are the main threats that could affect the profitability levels of companies, and details some strategies that could be applied to mitigate the adverse effects.
As a result of the crisis generated by the spread of the covid-19, during the following three months companies in Guatemala will be able to defer payments to Social Security, Irtra and Intecap.
The boards of directors of the Guatemalan Social Security Institute, the Workers' Recreation Institute (Irtra) and the Technical Institute for Training and Productivity (Intecap), reported that the payments of employer's contributions for March, April and May were suspended, to be deferred in the second half of the year.
Honduran businessmen agree that the constant increases in electricity rates are making the country less attractive for investment.
The Honduran Electricity Regulatory Commission (Cree) announced a few days ago that by the beginning of 2020 there will be an average increase of 2.9% in the price of electricity.
Convincing the sales team that the increase in the price of the product is necessary, and that they are able to convey the message to customers correctly, is essential when it comes to increasing prices when production costs rise.
Ariel Banos, specialist in price management and founder of Fijaciondeprecios.com, explains five strategies to increase product prices successfully, maintaining profitability and ensuring the viability of the company in the face of rising costs.
The Mexican Volaris announced that so far, they do not plan to execute any growth plan in Costa Rica, because operating costs in the country will rise considerably in 2020.
Managers of the low-cost airline said that the increase in fares to Juan Santamaria airport scheduled for next year will represent a 59% increase in the operation cost of the company in the country.
Salvadoran textile companies state that the costs of labor, security and delivery times have made the sector's operations more expensive.
The recentincrease in the minimum wageis one of the factors that has had a direct impact on the cost structure of Salvadoran textile companies. Added to this are logistical difficulties in customs offices, which have caused companies from neighboring countries to obtain contracts that were originally planned for El Salvador.
The CEO of the multinational confirmed that the closure of the plant did not respond to reasons of global strategy but to the high operating costs in the country.
An article in Crhoy.com reports that in a presentation for employees of the company, the executive director of Intel, Brian Krzanich said that "the decision in Costa Rica was not part of plans to reduce the company's overall payroll but 'had more to do with the cost of this operation, the long-term operational cost of the plant. We spent several years working with the Government of Costa Rica, trying to reduce the overall cost of this operation.'"
In Guatemala you have to invest an average of $10,000 to cover the costs needed for equipment, furniture, tools, training and administration.
It has been estimated that Guatemalan companiesinvest an average of $10,000 in the generation of one job, an amount that may vary according to the activity being carried out.
Taking time to eliminate hidden costs in business may be the best short-term investment.
In the article by Omar Becerril at Altonivel.com.mx, he highlights some of the types of expenses in which businesses often incur. Even highly efficient processes may be covering up unnecessary costs that can be avoided.
The tobacco industry operating in eastern zone is analyzing the possibility of transferring their operations to Nicaragua or the Dominican Republic due to the increase in costs.
Latribuna.hn reports: "Nestor Plasencia, tobacco businessman, said that in Nicaragua and even in the Dominican Republic, tobacco companies have lower operating costs than those they face in Honduras.
Airport authorities in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, face spiraling costs as traffic is diverted from Tegucigalpa following a recent serious accident there.
Alexander Hernández, the San Pedro Sula airport manager, said he has hired 30 extra workers in recent days to handle the growing burden of security and administration. The new workers will stay there till repairs are concluded in Tegucigalpa or a decision is finally taken to expand at San Pedro Sula.
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