Practise people-in-business decisions covering communication, recruitment, training, motivation, rewards and organisational structure.
After a recent increase in customer numbers Four Fitness is considering opening a third gym.
Explain one problem a business might face as a result of ineffective communication.
A01-3 marks
Award 1 mark for a problem a business might face as a result of ineffective communication, plus 2 further marks for explaining this problem, for a maximum of 3 marks.
- Employees may become demotivated as they do not understand what they have to do (1) leading to lower levels of productivity (1) and increased costs for the business (1)
NB Answers that list three problems with no explanation will get 1 mark only.
(3)
Premier Inn wants to retain its employees so it can continue to maintain the service it provides for guests.
State one activity carried out by the marketing functional area at Premier Inn.
A02-1 mark
Award 1 mark for a valid activity carried by the marketing functional area at Premier Inn in the context of the business.
- To decide the prices of the hotel rooms so that visitors would consider staying at the hotel (1)
- To advertise the hotels to encourage visitors to book rooms at Premier Inn hotels (1)
NB Do not accept an activity that is not in the context of Premier Inn
Accept any other appropriate response.
(1)
Question
Number
State one reason why Premier Inn uses seasonal
employees.
Mark
Answer
State one reason why Premier Inn uses seasonal employees.
A02-1 mark
Award 1 mark for a valid reason why Premier Inn
(1)
Question
Number
Explain one reason why a business would use robotics in its production.
Mark
Answer
In 1971 Starbucks opened its first coffee shop in Seattle, Washington, US. Since then, it has experienced significant growth with more than 32,000 stores operating across 80 countries. It sells coffee and food products including cakes, biscuits and sandwiches. Starbucks has a mission 'To inspire and nurture the human spirit - one person, one cup and one neighbourhood at a time.'
Starbucks refers to its employees as 'partners' as they encourage people to support each other and work to achieve common goals. It offers the opportunity for partners to develop their skills and knowledge of the coffee shop market, by starting as baristas, then as coffee masters and finally as coffee shop managers.
State one reason why Starbucks wants to retain its employees.
AO2-1 mark
Award 1 mark for a valid reason why Starbucks wants to retain its employees in the context of the business
- By retaining its employees Starbucks does not have to train new employees on how to make the coffee it sells (1)
- If employees remain at Starbucks they will become more proficient and may be promoted to a coffee master or a coffee manager (1)
NB Do not accept a reason that is not in the context of Starbucks.
Accept any appropriate response
(1)
Explain one disadvantage for a business of training its employees.
A01-3 marks
Award 1 mark for identification of a disadvantage for a business training its employees, plus 2 further marks, for a maximum of 3 marks.
- Training employees takes a great deal of time (1) and needs existing employees to carry out the training (1) which can reduce the productivity of the business (1)
- Existing employees have to be taught how to train employees (1) which incurs additional expense (1) for the business and there is no guarantee they are trained efficiently (1)
NB No marks are awarded for a definition.
Answers that list three disadvantages with no explanation will get 1 mark only.
Accept any appropriate response.
(3)