$1.(20$ marks$)$

Read the following scenario, and write one or two paragraphs to answer each of the sub$-$ questions below:

Consider a small, but growing, company that distributes kitchen supplies. The customers are primarily small retailers such as kitchen specialty stores, hardware stores, and other types of home retail stores. Managers currently keep track of all customers, orders, and inventory information using a spreadsheet.

a$)(5)$ Describe in detail the Sales Cycle in such an organization, including the different stages of the cycle and the type of information that would be processed in each stage of the cycle.