Question:
- Read the case carefully and complete the proposal by filling in the correct sentence NUMBERS. (Some parts of the proposal will have more than one sentence) Do not copy the sentences; do not add your own ideas.
Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza
1. Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza is a medium-sized chain of fast-food restaurants. Its branches are predominantly based in the north-west and Midlands of the United Kingdom and, until lately, this regional concentration and profile has enabled the chain to compete with the larger, international fast-food brands in these areas (many of whom have outlets near to a Zinn’s restaurant). 2. However, in recent years, many of Zinn’s restaurants have begun to struggle; they are losing both customers and staff. 3. The décor and furniture look tired, cooking equipment needs replacing; the menus require updating. As with all fast-food businesses, the chain’s sales have been threatened by the recent trend towards ‘healthy eating’ and concerns over the environmental impact of the fast-food sector. 5. The recent recession has boosted sales slightly as customers look for cheap opportunities to eat out. 6. Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza should move to healthy combination of meals along with healthy drinks that needs careful planning with the help of food dieticians. 7. Various contests like ‘the happy family moments’, ‘coast to coast’, ‘Full of care’ are to be introduced. 8. Direct marketing as the term suggests, is a method of directly marketing to your consumers by means such as telephone marketing, Online marketing, E-mail based marketing, etc. which Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza needs to tap especially now. 9. The working hours and pay scale of the staff must undergo revision. 10. Lugo furniture manufacturers, situated in Midlands, use the extremely attractive Candi Tube Collections that attracts all ages. The company has quoted very reasonable charges for refurnishing. 11. By introducing the contests there will be a boost in sales and market share by creating an awareness of the brand and instilling it in the minds of the consumers. 12. The telephone, online marketing that offers direct information to the consumers on their diverse products and services will giving the consumers sufficient knowledge about the products and deals of Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza. 13. Good décor and furniture attract the eyes naturally. And the rule goes if the staff is happy, the customers are also happy. 14. There is threat that Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza may be labelled as JUNK FOOD SUPPLIERS and POOR SERVICE PROVIDERS, if changes are not made. 15. No business wants to close down because customers do not trust.
| Category | Sentence Number |
| Analysis of the problem: | |
| The Reasons: | |
| Proposed Solutions: | |
| Benefits of the proposed solutions: | |
| Risk to the organisation if the proposed changes are not made: |
- Read the sentences below and decide the function of each sentence by specifying which states a claim and which states a support. Fill your answers in the blank boxes.
| Sentence | Function |
| Belgrade, as a tourism destination, is not competitive in terms of walking tours around the city compared to other major Serbian destinations. | |
| This is due to the undeveloped infrastructure around green areas (Maksin, 2011). | |
| As a post-industrial city, Belgrade lacks revitalization, which makes it less competitive. | |
| So, a holistic economic approach that takes into account human and environmental needs may help change the situation (World Tourism Organization, 2011). |
PART II (50 marks)
In well written essay of around 300 words, answer the following question.
Team working is one of the core skills for employability. According to Schein (1980), teams form for both functional and psychological reasons. Write an essay discussing the functional and psychological reasons according to Schein theory. (This question will test your essay writing and paraphrasing skills.)
Answer:
PART I (50 Marks)
- Read the case carefully and complete the proposal by filling in the correct sentence NUMBERS. (Some parts of the proposal will have more than one sentence) Do not copy the sentences; do not add your own ideas.
Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza
1. Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza is a medium-sized chain of fast-food restaurants. Its branches are predominantly based in the north-west and Midlands of the United Kingdom and, until lately, this regional concentration and profile has enabled the chain to compete with the larger, international fast-food brands in these areas (many of whom have outlets near to a Zinn’s restaurant). 2. However, in recent years, many of Zinn’s restaurants have begun to struggle; they are losing both customers and staff. 3. The décor and furniture look tired, cooking equipment needs replacing; the menus require updating. As with all fast-food businesses, the chain’s sales have been threatened by the recent trend towards ‘healthy eating’ and concerns over the environmental impact of the fast-food sector. 5. The recent recession has boosted sales slightly as customers look for cheap opportunities to eat out. 6. Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza should move to healthy combination of meals along with healthy drinks that needs careful planning with the help of food dieticians. 7. Various contests like ‘the happy family moments’, ‘coast to coast’, ‘Full of care’ are to be introduced. 8. Direct marketing as the term suggests, is a method of directly marketing to your consumers by means such as telephone marketing, Online marketing, E-mail based marketing, etc. which Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza needs to tap especially now. 9. The working hours and pay scale of the staff must undergo revision. 10. Lugo furniture manufacturers, situated in Midlands, use the extremely attractive Candi Tube Collections that attracts all ages. The company has quoted very reasonable charges for refurnishing. 11. By introducing the contests there will be a boost in sales and market share by creating an awareness of the brand and instilling it in the minds of the consumers. 12. The telephone, online marketing that offers direct information to the consumers on their diverse products and services will giving the consumers sufficient knowledge about the products and deals of Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza. 13. Good décor and furniture attract the eyes naturally. And the rule goes if the staff is happy, the customers are also happy. 14. There is threat that Zinn’s Burgers and Pizza may be labelled as JUNK FOOD SUPPLIERS and POOR SERVICE PROVIDERS, if changes are not made. 15. No business wants to close down because customers do not trust.
| Category | Sentence Number |
| Analysis of the problem: | 1, 2 |
| The Reasons: | 3, 4 |
| Proposed Solutions: | 6, 7, 8, 9 |
| Benefits of the proposed solutions: | 11, 12, 13 |
| Risk to the organization if the proposed changes are not made: | 14, 15 |
- Read the sentences below and decide the function of each sentence by specifying which states a claim and which states a support. Fill your answers in the blank boxes.
| Sentence | Function |
| Belgrade, as a tourism destination, is not competitive in terms of walking tours around the city compared to other major Serbian destinations. | Claim |
| This is due to the undeveloped infrastructure around green areas (Maksin, 2011). | Support |
| As a post-industrial city, Belgrade lacks revitalization, which makes it less competitive. | Claim |
| So, a holistic economic approach that takes into account human and environmental needs may help change the situation (World Tourism Organization, 2011). | Support |
PART II (50 marks)
In well written essay of around 300 words, answer the following question.
- Team working is one of the core skills for employability. According to Schein (1980), teams form for both functional and psychological reasons. Write an essay discussing the functional and psychological reasons according to Schein theory. (This question will test your essay writing and paraphrasing skills.)
Team work capabilities are crucial to the progress of a team. And it is a vital part of the wider Employee Experience to encourage employees to be effective as they collaborate. You are accountable, as a boss, for bringing people together and making sure they perform. Second, understanding that team operating abilities do not necessarily come easily to everybody is important. People should study them, but on a training course, functioning together as a team is not something you can quickly learn. Most of the only talents not helped by outside experience was that Mercedes Benz discovered team function. However, individuals will hone their talents on the job, but you can’t neglect the value of showing strong skills of collaboration (Driskell, Salas and Driskell 2018). When you remain in charge, this is inspiring for bosses, you will influence and be the role model the team wants. Second, in a vacuum, team operating abilities do not develop; the team atmosphere has to be right. Three ‘enabling factors’ for teams to succeed were established by social and organizational psychology Richard Hackman back in the 1970s, and they still remain firm today: a persuasive direction, a solid framework and a positive context.
A number of individuals seem to believe that only extroverts succeed at teamwork abilities. Although it might be possible that extroverts can mix with multiple individuals more readily and articulate themselves orally, this does not invalidate introverts in any way (Dinh and Salas 2017). The capacity of an introvert to listen, to empathize and to reflect often forms an integral part of the successful development and willingness of a team to prosper. All types of persons, from all kinds of backgrounds, will learn collaboration skills, but some take longer than others. Teamwork skills are lifetime skills that require practice to be fine-tuned, strengthened and created.
References
Driskell, J.E., Salas, E. and Driskell, T., 2018. Foundations of teamwork and collaboration. American Psychologist, 73(4), p.334.
Dinh, J.V. and Salas, E., 2017. Factors that influence teamwork. The Wiley Blackwell handbook of the psychology of team working and collaborative processes, pp.13-41.
