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Text 1 Waitrose is a supermarket chain with over 300 stores throughout the UK - OCR - GCSE Business - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 16
Text 1 Waitrose is a supermarket chain with over 300 stores throughout the UK. Waitrose specialises in good quality food, targeted at customers with high levels of i... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Text 1 Waitrose is a supermarket chain with over 300 stores throughout the UK - OCR - GCSE Business - Question 16 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain what is meant by a focus group.
Answer
A focus group is a qualitative research method used to gather feedback and insights from a specific group of people. It typically involves a small number of participants who are asked about their opinions and attitudes towards a product or service. The aim is to uncover deeper insights and perspectives that quantitative data cannot provide.
Step 2
Explain one advantage for Waitrose of using customer trials.
Answer
One advantage of using customer trials for Waitrose is that they provide direct feedback from actual users about new products or services. This helps the company make necessary adjustments before a full launch, ensuring that the products meet customer expectations and preferences, which can lead to higher customer satisfaction and sales.
Step 3
Explain one benefit for Waitrose of having good business communication between employees at its Head Office.
Answer
Good business communication between employees at Head Office enables more efficient decision-making and collaboration. This can lead to improved project management and quicker responses to market changes, which is critical in the competitive supermarket industry.
Step 4
Explain one advantage for Waitrose of using external recruitment.
Answer
An advantage of using external recruitment for Waitrose is that it allows the company to attract a diverse range of candidates with new skills and ideas. This can enhance the overall talent pool and may lead to innovative approaches that can benefit the company.
Step 5
Step 6
Evaluate whether or not Waitrose should continue to offer profit sharing to its employees.
Answer
Waitrose should evaluate the effectiveness of its profit-sharing scheme in terms of employee motivation and retention. Profit sharing can improve employee satisfaction and productivity, fostering a sense of ownership and commitment among staff. However, if external competition offers more lucrative compensation alternatives, Waitrose may risk losing talent. Therefore, while profit sharing has benefits, it should be part of a broader motivational strategy, possibly combined with higher base salaries and non-financial incentives to ensure the company attracts and retains its staff.