John Diaz owns Pacific Electric, a large electrical contracting firm that provides services to building construction projects. The company has $2,000$ employees and operates in three western states. Recently the company experienced large losses due to a downturn in the economy and a slowdown in construction. John thinks the losses were particularly large because his company has too much fixed cost.

a$.$ Expand on John$$s thought. How are the large losses related to fixed costs?

b$.$ Identify a way that John can turn potential fixed costs into variable costs.