A sales meeting

Brian Connor is the director of sales QbeX Products. Brian's department keeps track of how many of each product the company is selling and how much profit they're making. He works with the team of sales representatives who market Qbex products in the U.S. and other countries.

All of the sales "reps" come to New York once a year for a big conference. During the meeting they listen to presentations that describe the company's new products. They hear about what the competition is doing, and they discuss how they can increase sales.

In today's meeting the discussion is about the XKP 20, a computer that's a very big seller for QbeX Products. Carol Cruise, a sales "rep" from Chicago, asked Mr. Connor about the competition.

Connor: Our number one competitor is Energy. They sell a machine that's almost the same as XKP 20.

Cruise: And doesn't it sell for less?

Connor: Yes, you're right. It sells for about ten percent less.

Cruise: Well, if we lower our price a little we can increase sales.

Connor: I don't think we want to do that. We're only making a small profit now. And you know, production costs are increasing all the time. I think our current price is fine.

Cruise: Maybe you're right.