Paula is a business analyst working for a small bespoke furniture manufacturing company. The newly appointed chief executive, Beverly, has asked Paula to lead an initiative to refresh and restate (where necessary) the organization's plan for the next financial year. Paula recently led a planning worksope with senior managers and has made the following notes about issues raised in the worshop:
The company....
a) Aims to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year.
b) Will Invest In local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement
c) Will await the final draft of the annual accounts before considering investing in a new range of high-tech chairs.
d) Will adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs
e) Recognises that bespoke furniture will always be more expensive than mass-produced, standard furniture
Which of these notes will go into her MOST analysis?
The notes that will go into the MOST analysis are a, b and d, as they correspond to the elements of Mission, Strategy and Tactics. The mission is to supply 10% of the local bespoke furniture market by the end of the financial year (a). The strategy is to adopt new 3D printing technologies to gain an advantage when quoting for bespoke furniture designs (d). The tactics are to invest in local radio advertising and appoint a creative team to develop an appropriate advertisement (b). Note c is not part of the MOST analysis, as it is not related to any of the elements.
MOST Analysis - What It Is And How To Use It - BusinessAnalystMentor.com
MOST Analysis - Part Of The Business Strategy Toolkit - Boardroom Advisors
Halliday Holdings is embarking on a programme to improve its customer experience On joining the programme. Natasha wants to gain an understanding of how its current brand is perceived
Which would be the BEST source of information for Natasha?
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers. A brand perception is how customers and potential customers view a brand based on their experiences, associations and impressions. Therefore, option A is the best choice, as independent industry websites are likely to provide unbiased and reliable information on how customers perceive different brands in the market. They may also include customer reviews, ratings and feedback that can help measure customer satisfaction and loyalty. Option B is not a good choice, as the company website is likely to provide biased and selective information on its own brand that may not reflect how customers actually perceive it. It may also omit negative aspects or criticisms that could affect its image or reputation. Option C is not a good choice, as the company's organisational structure is not relevant to its brand perception. It may show how the company is organised internally, but it does not indicate how customers view its products or services externally. Option D is not a good choice, as the company's complaints procedures are not sufficient to measure its brand perception. They may show how the company handles customer issues or problems, but they do not capture how customers feel about its overall quality or value.
TeamClothing sells clothes through its shops based around the country If a customer in a shop cannot find the item they wish to buy. a sales assistant can order it for them online and when it arrives, the customer can then collect the item from the shop
Customers may also order directly from TeamClothing's website Orders from the website are usually delivered to the customer's home address Online customers also automatically receive a monthly catalogue from the firm, which lists current offers
Three events are of particular interest:
Shop sales assistants ordering items for a customer online Customers ordering through the website Sending a monthly catalogue to website customers
How would these events be classified'?
An event is something that happens or occurs within or outside an organisation or project that triggers or affects an activity or process. Events can be classified into three types: external, internal and time-based. Therefore, option B is the correct answer, as it correctly classifies the events of interest in this scenario according to their types. External events are events that originate from outside the organisation or project and are beyond its control or influence. An example of an external event in this scenario is customers ordering through the website, as it originates from outside TeamClothing and is beyond its control or influence. There are two external events in this scenario. Internal events are events that originate from within the organisation or project and are under its control or influence. An example of an internal event in this scenario is shop sales assistants ordering items for a customer online, as it originates from within TeamClothing and is under its control or influence. There are no internal events in this scenario. Time-based events are events that occur at regular intervals or on specific dates or times. An example of a time-based event in this scenario is sending a monthly catalogue to website customers, as it occurs at regular intervals (every month). There is one time-based event in this scenario.
BuildCo is small building company with the stall. The owner to reduce time spent on administration by simplifying the company's paperwork. This paperwork includes provides quotes and invoices, as well as managing orders and receipts for building materials.
Most of the paperwork is completed manually and copies are stored in filing cabinets. However, quotes and invoices are produced on a word processor and the stored on a computer, with printed copies also stored in the filing cabinets. The owner is not sure that all the current paperwork is necessary.
Which investigation technique would be MOST effective in establishing the need for item of paperwork?
Document analysis is a technique for collecting information from existing documents within an organisation or project. It helps to understand the current situation or problem and identify any gaps or issues that may exist. Therefore, option D is the correct answer, as document analysis would be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Document analysis would help to review the content and purpose of each item of paperwork and compare it with the organisation's objectives and requirements. Document analysis would help to evaluate the usefulness and relevance of each item of paperwork and identify any duplication or redundancy that may exist. Document analysis would help to recommend any changes or improvements to each item of paperwork and justify them with evidence and rationale. Option A is not a correct answer, as questionnaire is not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Questionnaire is a technique for collecting information from stakeholders by asking them predefined questions in written form. It helps to elicit quantitative or qualitative data from a large number of stakeholders in an efficient and consistent way. Questionnaire would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may not provide enough detail or explanation for each item of paperwork and may be influenced by stakeholder bias or preference. Option B is not a correct answer, as workshop is not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Workshop is a technique for conducting group discussions and activities with stakeholders to elicit, analyse, validate and prioritise their views and needs. It helps to facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders and resolve conflicts or issues. Workshop would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may not be practical or feasible to involve all relevant stakeholders in a workshop and may be affected by stakeholder dynamics or politics. Option C is not a correct answer, as interviews are not the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork. Interviews are a technique for collecting information from stakeholders by asking them open-ended questions in verbal form. It helps to elicit rich and detailed information from individual stakeholders in an interactive and flexible way. Interviews would not be the most effective technique in establishing the need for each item of paperwork, as it may be time-consuming and costly to interview all relevant stakeholders and may be subject to stakeholder interpretation or opinion.
The management of a chain of hotels has decided that one of its critical success factors (CSF) is to 'provide excellent customer service' The below measures have been suggested.
Which THREE of these are appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) for the CSF 'provide excellent customer service"?
A key performance indicator (KPI) is a measurable value that demonstrates how effectively an organisation is achieving a key business objective or critical success factor (CSF). A KPI should be relevant, specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound (SMART). Therefore, options C, D and E are appropriate KPIs for the CSF 'provide excellent customer service', as they measure aspects of customer satisfaction and loyalty that are directly related to the quality of service provided by the hotel chain. Option A is not an appropriate KPI, as it does not measure customer service, but rather customer consumption. Option B is not an appropriate KPI, as it does not measure customer service, but rather customer preference.