Robert, the owner of a local poster shop, comes to you for help. "We've only been breaking even the past two years, and I$\text{'}$m getting

very frustrated! I don't know what to do because I feel like I've already tried to improve our processes as much as possible, but we still

haven't been able to generate a profit. Do you have any suggestions as to how we can turn things around? I just don't think we can even

consider moving forward with this business unless we can earn $$9,000$ in operating income next year. Even then, we'll have to think

long and hard about what the future holds."

Robert shares the following information with you, as you ponder different scenarios to help your friend.

After thinking about it for a while, you suggest the following possibilities to help him turn things around.

Lower the selling price by $10\%$ to increase sales volume by $5\%.$

Advertise on the radio and with social media, for a combined cost of $$1,000,$ to increase volume by $10\%.$

Use a more affordable paper on which to print the posters $($available for $$0\mathrm{.}60$ per unit$),$ in combination with a less$-$expensive

film to cover the top of the poster $($available for $$0\mathrm{.}40$ per unit$).$

Instead of paying the salespeople a fixed salary, move to a commission$-$based compensation plan $($save $$19,000$ in salary;

incur $$1\mathrm{.}45$ per unit sold commission$),$ which should increase sales volume by $20\%.$

$($a$)5,125\mathrm{.}25.)$

Operating Income

Option $1$$

Option $2$$

Option $3,$$

Option $4$$

After these initial discussions, Robert realizes that he has ignored any possible tax effects thus far. He estimates that his business will be subject to a $25\%$ tax rate. Will any of the proposed scenarios allow him to reach an after$-$tax income goal of

$$9,000?$ If so$,$ which one$($s$)?($Round answers to $2$ decimal places, e$.$g$.5,125\mathrm{.}25.)$

Option $1,$$

Option $2,$$

Option $3$ $

Option $4,$$