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In 2017, John was employed as the manager of a bakery with 80 employees - VCE - SSCE Business Management - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 1
In 2017, John was employed as the manager of a bakery with 80 employees. In 2020, the business has had the following business objectives: - to increase profits by 1... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:In 2017, John was employed as the manager of a bakery with 80 employees - VCE - SSCE Business Management - Question 1 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Define the term 'business objective'.
Answer
A business objective is a specific and measurable goal that an organization aims to achieve within a certain timeframe. It acts as a guiding principle for decision-making and helps align resources and efforts towards achieving the desired outcomes, such as increasing profits or reducing costs.
Step 2
Evaluate the suitability of the management style John has adopted for achieving the bakery’s business objectives.
Answer
John's autocratic management style involves centralized decision-making where he directs employees clearly on their tasks. This approach can be suitable in a bakery setting for enhancing productivity and ensuring consistency in operations to meet the profit increase objective. However, this style may reduce employee morale, as they have little autonomy or input in decision-making.
For instance, while John can quickly implement necessary changes to meet the profit increase goal, employees may become disengaged, making it harder to achieve the absenteeism target. As employees feel undervalued, they might be less inclined to come to work, counteracting the aim to reduce absenteeism. Therefore, while the autocratic style can drive short-term results, it may not be sustainable for achieving long-term objectives.
Step 3
Propose and justify one performance management strategy, other than a change in management style, that John could use to reduce staff absenteeism.
Answer
One performance management strategy that John could implement to reduce staff absenteeism is to introduce a staff training program. By investing in training, employees would gain skills and improve their work competence. This sense of growth can lead to enhanced job satisfaction, making employees feel more valued and engaged.
Training could also involve cross-training employees to handle multiple roles within the bakery, which could increase operational flexibility and reduce stress during peak periods. An employee who feels competent and appreciated is more likely to show up for work regularly, thereby reducing absenteeism. This strategy not only addresses absenteeism directly but also contributes positively to the overall culture of the bakery.