GMAT考试写作指导：Argument范文六六

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24.        The customer-service division of Mammon Savings and Loan recommends that
0 E9 H6 q- v: M4 d$ w: d, Fthe best way for the bank to attract new customers and differentiate itself from its  
# ^" v9 R* m& |0 d4 h  T2 wcompetitors is to improve its service to customers—specifically, by reducing waiting
time in teller lines, opening for business 30 minutes earlier, and closing an hour later.
These improvements, it is argued, will give the bank the edge over its competitors and
, [( S+ [- O2 r( Y$ B4 G$ i0 ?! X) bmake it appear more customer-friendly. For the most part this recommendation is  
well-reasoned; a few concerns must be addressed, however.
      First, the author assumes that Mammon's competitors are similar to Mammon in
7 R4 `6 A) i8 Zall respects other than the ones listed. In fact, Mammon's competitors may be more
conveniently located to customers, or offer other services or products on more attractive
terms than Mammon. If so, Mammon may not gain the edge it seeks merely by
" V* V! M5 V) G* o0 F1 renhancing certain services.
7 F/ k) o8 S2 W7 Y* m      Secondly, the author assumes that the proposed improvements will sufficiently
distinguish Mammon from its competitors. This is not necessarily the case. Mammon's
! S, d" q7 u- q, d0 ]4 J9 a# {9 fcompetitors may already offer, or may plan to offer, essentially the same customer-
service features as those Mammon proposes for itself. If so, Mammon may not gain the
4 }3 M8 q3 a# w; |- M, P0 fedge it seeks merely by enhancing these services.
; x* N: _# D4 y, U      Thirdly, the author assumes that Mammon can offer these improved services
- v5 a9 p. F3 L) R( o& ?7 wwithout sacrificing any other current features that attract customers, in fact, Mammon
may have to cut back other services or offer accounts on less attractive terms, all to
) b1 u3 m- ~5 ycompensate for the additional costs associated with the proposed improvements. By
rendering its other features less attractive to customers, Mammon may not attain the
competitive edge it seeks.
      In conclusion, Mammon's plan for attracting new customers and differentiating
itself from its competitors is only modestly convincing. While improvements in
3 Y- u+ e8 [) J; ?customer service generally tend to enhance competitiveness, it is questionable whether
+ W9 o+ X8 ?4 mthe specific improvements advocated in the recommendation are broad enough to be
4 J" N6 Z4 L- x' \6 }" Heffective.