The labor component of
production may be variable or fixed, depending upon the obligations to its employees. In
some cases employees need only be paid for hours worked (variable expense), while in
others, some minimum number of paid hours is required regardless of the number of actually
worked (fixed expense).
Now let's take a look at how the breakeven analysis can be helpful
to the entrepreneur. For this example, let's assume the entrepreneur has determined that
$10,000 of fixed costs are necessary to run the business on a monthly basis. In addition,
he/she has determined that the variable costs of the product will be $15 per unit.
Further, he/she has estimated that at a price of $25 per unit he/she can sell 1,500 units
per month.
At 1,500 units per month, this business will generate sales of
$37,500 and operating profit of $5,000. It is possible to identify the breakeven
point at 1,000 units.
By plotting the company's revenues and costs in the manner
discussed, it is also possible to determine what the impact might be if the company were
to sell only 800 units rather than the projected 1,500. It would experience a loss of
$2,000. Under those circumstances, the challenge to the entrepreneur is to determine
a cost and revenue structure which could create profitability at only 800 units.
Assuming
that the variable cost per unit is fixed at $15, then the two remaining ways to lower the
breakeven point to below 800 units are to reduce the fixed costs or raise the price. If
the $10,000 fixed cost figure were cut to $5,000, then the breakeven point has been
reduced to 500 units, and at an 800 unit volume, this company would generate a $3,000
profit. In addition, if the original forecast of 1,500 units is achieved, the
resulting profit would be $10,000.
Conversely, if the costs cannot be changed, then the only remaining
variable is price. Through similar analysis, increasing the price from $25 to $30 would
lower the breakeven point to 667 units. At an 800 unit volume, this company would produce
a $2,000 profit, and if the original plan of 1,500 units is achieved, the profits from
this scenario would be $12,500.
The preceding is a very brief overview of how breakeven analysis can
be used for the entrepreneur to better understand the relationship of price, cost and
volume and the dynamic impact they can have on the company's operation. By reducing the
company to these three factors for preliminary analysis, the entrepreneur can avoid making
serious mistakes and may discover significant opportunities. The management challenge will
be to design and implement the programs necessary to achieve the desired results.
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