Case Analysis (Landscape Near Me LLC)
pdf
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Rutgers University, Newark *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
382
Subject
English
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
Pages
6
Uploaded by Mlaudia
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023 Case Analysis As I looked through the business proposal for "Landscape Near Me LLC," I discovered a fresh approach to landscaping. The business idea is to use machines powered by energy, not gas, which immediately intrigued me. This caught my attention because it's different from how most of traditional landscaping is done. What's really interesting is that they emphasize it's not just about aesthetics; it's also about prioritizing people's health and the environment. Their choice of energy-powered machines is an intentional effort to contribute to both public health and the well-
being of our planet. It feels like they're striving to enhance our surroundings in multiple meaningful ways. The business proposal, in addition, is exceptionally well-crafted and organized which made it quite enjoyable to read. The startup proposal is transparent and compelling, emphasizing our eco-friendly landscaping focus in New Jersey. The introduction seamlessly connects with the proposal, addressing challenges linked to gas-powered tools, supported by evidence from New Jersey legislation, EPA data, and credible studies. This comprehensive communication of our mission and values flows into a carefully crafted startup plan, demonstrating a deep understanding of operational steps beyond vague funding reliance. The plan specifies electric equipment usage, considers risks, and tailors the business model to meet target customer needs, forming a solid foundation for a successful launch. The startup stays current with trends, acknowledging the post-COVID rise in remote work per 2022 Pew Research, and considers demographic shifts, providing a well-informed basis for attracting clients. The projected outcomes, anchored in housing market demand, strategic marketing, renewable energy, and exceptional customer service, appear realistic for differentiating from competitors. The proposed KPIs offer a strategic
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023 framework for venture oversight, encompassing overhead recovery, client management, labor efficiency, and work forecast, ensuring thorough assessment at every business phase. The research draws from diverse sources, including team data, the EPA, Osborne, Polanyi, Chabachib, Stein, and industry reports, providing a multifaceted analysis of environmental impact, market trends, and operational strategies, substantively contributing to the proposal's depth and thorough exploration. Although the business proposal was nicely put together, I noticed a couple of issues. On page 6, in the 'opportunity' section, they mentioned collaborating with other renowned companies without providing specific details, which could use more clarity. Also, there was a missing discussion on intellectual property strategies like trademarking and patents, which, although not a big deal, would have added value. Finally, the 'financial projection' section was not included in the table of contents, a small detail that caught my attention. While I was excited about the concept of a more environmentally friendly approach to landscaping without the heavy reliance on carbon dioxide producing and noisy equipment, while reading the proposal I discovered four issues/challenges. One concern is the claim that the company, while benefiting public health, is entirely eco-friendly and doesn't cause any pollution. However, this statement is misleading, as electric-powered machines are not a flawless environmental solution. Another challenge arises with the use of electric cars, which, despite their highlighted environmental benefits, pose environmental issues during both production and battery disposal. Additionally, electric-powered machines have shorter running times compared to traditional gas-fueled counterparts and are less powerful.
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023 Electric machines are made from lithium-ion batteries the extracting lithium is a process that harms the environment, using vast amounts of freshwater (about 2.2 million liters for each ton of lithium) and releasing various toxins into the air and water (Williams, 2023). Not only is the battery not a friendly selection for the environment but the use of power to charge these machines are a cause for concern themselves. The power used to charge the batteries is likely coming from a source that isn't easily replenished as across the nation, only around 13 percent of electricity is generated using renewable sources, indicating that the majority is derived mainly from fossil fuels (Hope, 2018). The company mentioned not only the use of electric powered tools but also their vehicles which was a big flag to me as most people don’t understand how environmentally trenching it is to create these batteries and dispose of them. Electric vehicles consist of i complex components that include various rare earth elements, such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. The extraction of these materials, such as lithium, cobalt, and manganese, involves challenging processes like intensive mining and polluting procedures, including lithium mining's substantial use of groundwater, leading to potential water shortage for local communities and harm to farming. Cobalt mines produce toxic residues that may contaminate the environment, affecting groundwater and nearby communities, while manganese extraction in open pits can result in significant air pollution, especially in dry regions where mining dust easily rises, further contributing to soil and water pollution (EVBox, 2023). As for the disposal of these batteries, if sent to a landfill it has the potential to release harmful toxins, which include heavy metals that may seep into the soil and groundwater (IER, 2023). Electric-powered machines, with a demonstrated maximum runtime of around 40 minutes, fall short in meeting the demands of extensive landscaping tasks that typically require equipment to operate for 8-10 hours daily,
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023 posing challenges in completing large areas promptly compared to more powerful and enduring gas-fueled counterparts (Jackson, 2021). As far as my recommendation for this business, I do not recommend proceeding with the current business proposal for “Landscape Near Me LLC”. As the world is changing and an electric powered world is coming about, the significant issues I raised within the business proposal need attention. The proposal within itself was very well put together and had quite a presenting factor to it but the company's claim of being entirely eco-friendly is inaccurate, considering the environmental impact of lithium-ion battery extraction, reliance on nonrenewable energy for charging, and complex problems tied to the production and disposal of electric vehicles. Practical challenges with electric-powered machines, like shorter runtimes and reduced power, hinder extensive landscaping tasks. To address these issues, the business should explore alternative energy sources, look into the tackle of the environmental impact of battery production and disposal, and look into the enhancement of the efficiency and power of electric machines. Transparent communication about environmental trade-offs is crucial for building trust with consumers and addressing concerns about the company's ecological impact.
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023 References “Are Electric Car Batteries Bad for the Environment?” EVBox
, blog.evbox.com/ev-battery-
environmental-
impact#:~:text=Electric%20car%20batteries%20are%20complex,separate%20them%20f
rom%20the%20soil.
“Electric Lawn Mower Study Results.” Sustainability
, 19 Apr. 2023, https://
sustainability.williams.edu/news-events/electric-lawn-mower-study-results/
How Green Are Electric Lawn Mowers? - Consumer Reports
, www.consumerreports.org/lawn-
mowers-and-tractors/how-green-are-electric-lawn-mowers/.
Ier. “Environmental Impacts of Lithium-Ion Batteries.” IER
, 11 May 2023, https://
www.instituteforenergyresearch.org/renewable/environmental-impacts-of-lithium-ion-
batteries/
#:~:text=The%20disposal%20of%20the%20batteries%20is%20also%20a%20climate%2
0threat,into%20the%20soil%20and%20groundwater.
“The Pros and Cons of Electric Lawn Mowers.” CNET
, www.cnet.com/home/yard-and-outdoors/
the-pros-and-cons-of-electric-lawn-mowers/
Osborne, Christine. (2018, August ). NoMowdays and Other Ways to Trim Your Grass and Your Emissions https://deq.utah.gov/air-quality/no-mow-days-trim- grass-emissions Polanyi, Michael. (2020, September 16) Study the Environmental Impact of Two- Stroke Engine Garden Equipment https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2020/ie/comm/communicationfile- 118418.pdf EPA. (2020, December 21). Clean Air Act Title IV - Noise Pollution. EPA. Retrieved April 26, 2022, from https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/clean-air-act- overview/clean-air-act-title-iv-
noise-pollution_.html Chabachib, M., HERSUGONDO, H., Septiviardi, D., & Pamungkas, I. D. (2020). The Effect of Investment Opportunity Set and Company Growth on Firm Value: Capital Structure as an Intervening Variable. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 12(11), 139-156. Stein, M. (2018). The Capstone Project: An Opportunity for the Company? In On the Line (pp. 321-325). Springer, Cham.
Ind-Hw 4 Klaudia Bladek
December 13th, 2023
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help