What method could a business use to evaluate its success?

Evaluating a business's success is often done through comparative analysis, which can reveal trends over time and provide insight into the company's performance. Comparing profits to previous years is a widely accepted method as it allows businesses to assess growth, understand financial health, and make informed decisions based on historical data. This method illustrates whether a company is improving its profitability and overall market position or facing challenges.

Analyzing profit changes year over year can help identify factors contributing to growth or decline, such as market demand, operational efficiency, or cost management. It also facilitates strategic planning, as understanding past performance is crucial for setting realistic future goals.

In contrast, the other choices do not effectively measure success. Increasing employee salaries internally might benefit workforce morale but does not provide concrete data on the business's financial health or market performance. Reducing product quality can harm a company's reputation and consumer trust, ultimately leading to negative performance metrics. Focusing solely on advertising neglects other critical aspects of business performance, such as product development and customer satisfaction, which are essential for long-term success.