argument65 7.19 用模板会不会限制思路

纠结帝UID: 2755596

TOPIC: ARGUMENT65 - The following appeared in a memo from the president of a chain of cheese stores located throughout the United States.

"For many years all the stores in our chain have stocked a wide variety of both domestic and imported cheeses. Last year, however, the five best-selling cheeses at our newest store were all domestic cheddar cheeses from Wisconsin. Furthermore, a recent survey by Cheeses of the World magazine indicates an

increasing preference for domestic cheeses among its subscribers. Since our company can reduce expenses by limiting inventory, the best way to improve profits in all of our stores is to discontinue stocking many of our varieties of imported cheese and concentrate primarily on domestic cheeses."
WORDS: 456
TIME: 01:20:00
DATE: 2010-7-19 21:12:18

In, the argument, the arguer recommends that the company should stop stocking many of imported cheeses and focus mainly on domestic cheeses. To support his recommendation, the arguer indicates that five best-selling cheeses at their newest stores are domestic and cited a recent survey conducted by Cheeses of the World magazine that domestic cheeses are increasingly popular among its subscribers. However, a careful scrutiny of the argument will show how premature it is.

To begin with, the arguer relies on the fact that last year five best-selling cheeses in their newest store are domestic. Common sense and experience tell me that one year is not a long period in agriculture. The arguer cannot rule out the possibility that last year comparatively fine climate contribute to the harvest on domestic dairy farms, improving both the productivity and quality of domestic cheeses. Yet this trend may not continue in the coming future.

Far from the short period, the arguer merely mentioned the sales in his newest store in Wisconsin. As a agricultural state, Wisconsin might provide more and better cheeses. It is quite possible that in the other stores or in other states, imported cheeses sell better due to the native's preference.

Moreover, the arguer cited the result of a recent survey. Unfortunately, the evidence does not suffice to prove that domestic cheeses are more popular. The respondents to the survey are part of the Cheeses of the World magazine' subscribers, who are not statistically significant in number or representatives of the overall population, let alone that worldwide results does not specifically apply to Wisconsin. Eating habits and tastes can be quite different across the country. Therefore, the survey cannot convince me that domestic cheeses are gaining ever larger preference.

Finally, the arguer asserts reducing the amount of stocked imported cheeses and focusing on domestic cheeses is bound to make profits. Nevertheless, without weighing revenues against expenses, the mere fact that domestic cheeses sell well and that limiting inventory saves expenses fails to prove how profitable it will be. In addition, management, reputation, entrepreneurial idea and many other factors may contribute to the final profit.
On the other hand, many imported cheeses still keep their market due to accumulated fame, characteristic taste and so on. The arguer is too hasty to recommend the reduction of stocked imported cheeses.

To sum up, the arguer's recommendation about focusing on domestic instead of imported cheeses is not convincing enough to persuade me. Before final decisions are made, both the arguer and his company should further survey the preference in different stores and states. To better evaluate the recommendation, thorough analysis on the expenses and profits of investing in imported cheeses is also required to ascertain whether it is worthwhile.