Joan B.: "We also need to look at the entire approach to making information available. I think we should include Susan Martin in this meeting next week. Maybe she can help us to understand the records management function better. That system needs to be working for us, not against us!" Susan hurries along to her office. She wants to be prepared when Bob or Joan calls her, so she begins to make notes. What information should Susan provide to justify an improved records management system? How can Susan explain to the group what a system is and how a systems approach can contribute to information availability? What should Susan explain to the group about the life cycle of a record? The Country Music Sound (TCMS) has been one of the leaders in country music recordings for over a decade. Recently, however, a new recording company has begun to make a name in the business, and TCMS is beginning to "feel the heat." As the records manager for The Country Music Sound, Susan Martin is aware of the pressure everyone is under. Susan is passing the vice president's office when she overhears the following conversation: Bob S. (Vice president): "We must have more current and accurate information about our market position. At this point, we receive sales reports at the end of the month only, and they are sometimes late." Joan B. (marketing manager): "And I have no idea what new talent the agents have signed until well after the fact. It makes the marketing job much more difficult. We just don't seem to have any coordination of effort or at least knowledge of what's going on in the other parts of the company." Bob S.: "I am going to call a staff meeting for early next week to discuss this situation. If both of us see that problems exist, others probably have some problems they would like to 'put on the table,' too. We need a system around here."