The drivers of motivation

This project has been completed for a medium-sized supermarket located on the southern side of Hamilton. They currently have 83 people employed to work there. The reason for researching the drivers of motivation is so employers can begin to understand the best ways to motivate their individual employees The aim of the project was to analyse what drives motivation in the workplace and to provide recommendations for the supermarket. Both a questionnaire and interview were used, the questionnaire with the purpose of gathering a large amount of quantitative data in a short period of time and the interview to build on the results received from the questionnaires and provide qualitative data. Only employees in the grocery and checkout departments were asked to participate. Results from the questionnaire and interview showed that when it came to store culture, most staff felt that it could improve, that the store’s values were not being displayed, and that if store culture improved they would be better motivated. The store culture was also identified as an important motivator, especially for the staff over 26 years of age. When data concerning training and development was analysed, it was found that both training and career development were important motivators, with most staff wishing to undertake training and/or career development opportunities if they arose. From the analyses of the results for the reward and recognition questions, the staff indicated they felt they were not valued as employees and would prefer to receive more feedback to help increase their motivation. Pay was the last motivator to be analysed. The respondents indicated that they felt an increase in their pay rate would improve their motivation. However, upon further analysis through the interview, it was found although initially they would be motivated whether this would permanently improve their motivation was questionable. There were three recommendations for the organisation. These were, to implement a reward and recognition programme that addressed meeting the three motivational needs of the staff mentioned above, rewards and recognition, pay, and training and development. The second was to improve store culture, which would involve taking existing store values and establishing them into everyday life at the supermarket, so they become a shared set of values by them team. The third was to undertake further research to investigate how the motivational needs for the supermarket industry, a typical low skill, entry level job may differ to that of a higher skill job

Health and safety in an organisation

Health and Safety of employees are of utmost importance for the performance of both the employees and the organisation. The main aim of this research project is to study the health and safety issues existing within an organisation. Qualitative observation methodology was adopted for gathering relevant and appropriate information. Under this method, self-knowledge was implemented and observation of the workplace conducted to identify different issues that can influence the health and safety of workers and the consumers which the organisation serves. Failure to wear personal protective equipment like gloves, shoes, cap, eyeglasses; failure to follow hygiene practices, for instance, leaving the sauce bottle open, are observed to be different issues. Based on these results, it is recommended that the organisation develops a sound health and safety policy, provides proper training to the staff, implements health-related work policies, monitors the practices adopted by the employees, and provides personal protective equipment to employees

Marketing strategies a motel can use to compete

The aim in this study is to find out what marketing strategies can be used to compete in the motel industry. Interviews were conducted with the manager of a motel. Data was also collected from five other hotels and motels through online booking channels such as Booking.com, Expedia and Agoda. The results show that different strategies are used, such as changing prices daily, use of golf packages for branding, linking with local restaurants. Recommendations for the motel are that they increase customer satisfaction, reviews online content, and use social media as a powerful tool to link with the customer. The introduction of a mobile app for better and easy service for guests is a recommendation

Better positioning through competitor analysis and enhancement of brand awareness on website

Brand positioning is not just a core marketing concept, it is a foundation for the sustainable development of a business. However, some companies might either overlook the importance of brand positioning or fail to get their positioning message across to their customers. Therefore, this organisational research project aimed to help the organisation develop and communicate its brand positioning. Based on the literature review, the researcher decided on a number of scopes, or themes, to investigate, which were: brand personality, point of difference, customer benefits, marketing communication, as well as competitors’ branding strategies. To answer all these sub-problems, this research adopted a mixed method (qualitative and quantitative), in which a competitor analysis of 11 subjects, staff interviews of four individuals, and a customer questionnaire survey of nine participants, were carried out. Some significant results include: the organisation has a sincerity brand personality; its points of difference are a variety of in-house technical skills, good customer relationship, flexibility, and efficiency; its customer benefits are increased online presence, enhanced competitiveness, and making clients’ life easier. Based on the findings, this research proposed four recommendations for the organisation: creating a positioning statement, bringing the brand promise to life, modifying the website, and displaying case studies. For each recommendation there is a suggested implementation plan applying the insights gained from the research result. Although there are some limitations, this research managed to provide a clear direction and framework for the better positioning of the organisation

Identifying successful sales and marketing strategies that affect customer loyalty in a coffee shop

.Most small businesses such as coffee shops are concerned with customer loyalty and satisfaction, and increasing profitability. Marketing strategy becomes important when customer loyalty is low. The aim of this research is to identify sales that affect customer loyalty in a small coffee shop and to investigate the relationship between effective marketing strategies and customer loyalty, using a survey of customers

How does organisational culture influence employee retention within a landscaping business?

This research project set out to answer the question; how does organisational culture influence employee retention within a landscaping business? The purpose of this research project is to understand better the importance of culture and the part that it plays in retaining employees within a landscaping organisation. A qualitative method of five semi-structured interviews was used to gather data for this current research. Four themes identified from literature; Induction Programs and Training, Organisational Culture, Organisational Commitment, and Rewards and Recognition posed as the foundation for the research project. Key results found that a positive induction and effective training improves culture which has a positive influence on retention. It was found that clear communication of organisational vision, pay opportunities and events, positively influences culture, which improves retention. It was concluded that culture plays a significant role not only in retaining employees within a landscaping business but also attracting them. This research project recommends the modification of the current induction program to develop a clear training and advancement opportunity plan, to clearly communicate the vision and values of GGL, to develop a rewards system for employees based on work done and skill development, and to establish a social event plan. This research project provides the foundation for future research in this field specifying on landscapers within the organisation. This research will lead to an understanding of the factors affecting the turnover rate of MasterHouse through secondary research, then researchers will collect data through quantitative research, and develop a strategic plan for MasterHouse to reduce employee turnover. The researcher will use questionnaires to investigate the HR strategies of MasterHouse and employees’ views on MasterHouse current HR process and policies. This research will involve five factors that affect employee turnover rate: Long-term relationships, benchmark, work-life balance, talent management, rewards and motivation. The researcher then connected and compared survey results with information in the literature and developed a practical plan for MasterHouse to reduce employee turnover rate

Major factors responsible for occupancy

The aim of this research is to analyse demand and supply factors for pricing strategy, branding strategies, and social media channels. Mixed methods are used for research purposes. Interviews of the manager and other staff members are taken. Results of research show that competition affects pricing in the motel industry, major events and festivals affect occupancy because of demand and supply factors, corporate guests are major occupants on weekdays, and booking sites are a main source of branding and social media in the motel industry. Recommendations for the motel are that they should list and evaluate the prices of five of their closest competitors, and forecast and make a booking plan according to major festivals and events in Hamilton. The organisation should post themselves more aggressively on various booking sites and have lucrative deals for corporate guests. The organisation should have special packages for WINZ guests and should use SEO, Instagram and Pinterest as social media

Marketing strategies for petrol stations

This study is based on a big organisation which deals in fuel, gas bottles, lubricants, oils and other general use products. The organisation has many stations spread throughout New Zealand. Marketing strategy is a key element for the success of an organisation. Through their advertising system execution firms utilize rare assets through showcasing capacities, keeping in mind the end goal which is to achieve their set objectives and targets. The aim of this study is to learn how to improve marketing strategies for a leading petrol station in New Zealand. It is also stated in the study in which areas the organisation is behind others, and how can it improve. Both quantitative and qualitative methods are used for the research. The manager of a leading petrol station was interviewed with a series of questions. The study showed that the petrol station used coffee machines that were basic and automatic. The petrol station does not have ultra premium fuel. It provides forecourt service to every customer. It is recommended that the company should end its present contract and do its own branding. The organisation should also offer barista style coffee, provide forecourt service only to those who need it, and launch ultra premium fuel

Marketing and branding strategies of the construction industry

Nowadays the construction business is one of the most developed businesses in New Zealand, while competition has increased in the same field. As a result, it has become essential to have good strategies which can help one company to be different from other companies. Among different strategies, marketing and branding strategies are most significant for the success of any business. This project has the aim of finding different marketing and branding strategies that are used by the construction company and showing different steps, which can be helpful for making it more unique and to attract more customers. Qualitative research method has been applied in which primary and secondary research has been conducted. In primary research, an interview has been carried out with one participant and in secondary research, various web searches have been done to find out the importance of social media as a marketing strategy. How customer service, website, brand awareness can be helpful for branding strategies has been discussed. As a result, it was concluded that social media can be the most helpful way of advertising and increasing the number of customers. Again, for making a successful brand, customer service is very significant and website, logo, etc., as well play the same role. After analyzing the results of primary and secondary research, various recommendations have been given such as increasing website visitors, upgrading the website, increasing the use of social media and having a budget for both strategies