Unit 2 - Marketing Flashcards
Why is good communication important in a business?
- clear instructions
- improves efficiency
- enhances teamwork
- prevents misunderstandings
What are some different methods of communication?
- Verbal (meetings or phone calls)
- Written (emails or reports)
- Visual (diagrams or presentations)
- Digital (video calls or instant messaging)
What are the benefits of using IT in communication?
- Faster communication
- Wider outreach
- Cost efficiency
- Easy storage and retrieval of information
What are some limitations of using IT in communication?
- Technical issues
- Security risks
- Reliance on internet access
- Lack of personal touch
What are common barriers to communication?
- Language differences
- Technical issues
- Distractions
- Poor listening
- Unclear messages
How can business remove communication barriers?
- Use clear language
- Provide training
- Use appropriate communication methods
- Ensure good feedback mechanisms
What are the 4 main types of employment?
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Job Share
- Temporary/Casual/Seasonal
What is a job description?
A document outlining the duties, responsibilities and expectations of a job role
What is a person specification?
A document detailing the skills, qualifications, and experience required for a job
What is an application used for?
To collect structured information from job applicants
What is a CV (curriculum vitae)?
A summary of a person’s education, work experience and skills
What are the two types of recruitment?
- Internal Recruitment (hiring from within the business)
- External Recruitment (hiring from outside the business)
What are the advantages of internal recruitment?
- Cheaper
- Faster
- The employee is already familiar with the business
- Boosts morale
What are the disadvantages of internal recruitment?
- Limits new ideas
- Creates another vacancy
- May cause jealousy among employees
What are the steps in the recruitment process?
Job advertisement > Shortlisting > Interviewing > Hiring
What are some legal controls over employment?
- Equal opportunities laws (against discrimination based on gender, race, disability, religion, sexual orientation, age)
- Minimum wage laws
Why is training important for businesses and workers?
- Improves skills
- Increases productivity
- Ensures compliance with health and safety laws
- Boosts employee morale
What are the 3 types of training?
- Induction training
- On-the-job training
- Off-the-job training
Induction Training
Introduces new employees to the business
On-the-job Training
Training while working, usually by a senior employee
Off-the-job Training
External training, such as courses or workshops
What are the benefits of on-the-job training?
- Cost-effective
- Employees learn specific job-related skills
- Hands on experience
What are the benefits of off-the-job training
- Specialist training
- Employees learn new techniques
- No work distractions
What are the limitations of training?
- Expensive
- Time consuming
- Employees may leave after training
Why is motivation important in the workplace?
- It attracts employees
- It retains staff
- It increases productivity
What are the 3 main motivational theories?
- Herzberg (Hygiene & Motivators)
- Maslow (Hierarchy of Needs)
- Taylor (Money as Motivation)
What are the 5 financial methods of motivation?
- Remuneration: Regular pay/salary
- Bonus: Extra payment for meeting targets
- Commission: Payment based on sales performance
- Promotion: Higher job position with more responsibility
- Fringe Benefits: Extra perks like company cars, gym memberships
What are non-financial methods of motivation?
- Job Rotation: Switching roles to prevent boredom
- Job Enrichment: Giving employees more responsibilities and challenges
- Autonomy - Allowing employees to make decisions
What is an organisational chart?
A diagram that shows the structure of a business, including the different levels of authority and how employees are connected
Define a Hierarchical Business Structure
A business structure with multiple layers of management, where authority flows from top to bottom
What are features of a hierarchical structure?
- Clearly defined roles and responsibilities
- Long chain of command
- Narrow span of control
- Formal communication
- Suited for large businesses with many employees
Advantages of a hierarchical structure
- Clear chain of command
- Opportunities for promotion motivate employees
- Specialisation improves efficiency
Disadvantages of a Hierarchical structure
- Slow decision making due to multiple layers
- High administrative costs
- Reduced flexibility
Define a Flat Structure in businesses
A structure with fewer management levels, allowing for quicker decision-making and communication
What are 4 features of a Flat Structure?
- Short chain of command
- Wide span of control
- Fewer levels of management
- More employee autonomy
What are some advantages of a flat stucture?
- Faster communication and decision-making
- Lower management costs
- Employees may feel more valued and motivated
What are some disadvantages of a flat structure
- Limited career progression opportunities
- Managers may become overburdened
- Employees may lack supervision
Define a centralised structure
Decision-making is controlled at the top of the hierarchy and passed down to lower levels
3 advantages of a centralised structure
- Ensures consistency in decision making
- Strong leadership and control
- Reduces duplication of work
Disadvantages of a centralised structure
- Slower decision-making
- Less autonomy for employees
- Top management may be overloaded
Define a decentralised structure
Decision making is distributed to different departments or locations
3 advantages of a decentralised structure
- Faster decision-making
- Employees have more responsibility
- Adapts better to local conditions
3 disadvantages of a decentralised structure
- Inconsistent decision-making across departments
- Potential lack of coordination
- Risk of managers making poor decisions
Define span of control
The number of employees a manager is directly responsible for
Info Card
Wide Span of Control: A manager oversees many employees - may lead to less supervision but lower costs
Narrow Span of Control: A manager oversees a few employees - allows for better supervision but increased costs
3 Factors that affect span of control
- Complexity of tasks
- Skills & experience of employees
- Level of supervision required
Define chain of command
The path of authority along which instructions are passed within an organisation
Info Card
✅ A longer chain of command:
- Exists in hierarchical structures
- Slows down decision-making
Info Card
✅ A shorter chain of command:
-Exists in flat structures
-Speeds up communication
Define delegation
The process of passing down authority from a manager to an employee
Advantages of Delegation
- Frees up management time
- Motivates Employees
- Develops employee skills
Disadvantages of Delegation
- Employees may lack necessary skills
- Managers remain accountable for delegated tasks
Define HR
Human Resources - The department responsible for managing employees
What are the key roles of HR
Workforce Planning - ensuring the business has the right number of employees
Recruitment and selection - Hiring suitable candidates
Training - Developing employee skills
Health & Safety - Ensuring a safe work environment
Staff welfare - Supporting employee well-being
Employment issues - dealing with contracts, benefits, and policies
Industrial relations - managing relationships with trade unions
Disciplinary & Grievance procedures - handling employee misconduct
Dismissal & Redundancy - managing employee exits
Why is HR important?
- Ensures employees are productive
- Maintains legal compliance
- Improves motivation and retention
Define Finance Department
The department responsible for managing business money
What are the key functions of the finance department?
Wages and Salaries - Ensuring employees are paid correctly
Cash-Flow forecasting - Predicting money inflows and outflows
Budgeting - Planning financial resources
Accounting - tracking expenses, revenues, and profits
Why is the Finance Department important?
- Ensures the business remains financially stable
- Helps with decision making
Define the role of the Marketing Department
The department responsible for promoting and selling products
What are the key functions of the Marketing department?
Market Research - understanding customer needs
Product Planning - developing new products
Pricing - setting competitive prices
Sales promotion - discounts, special offers
Advertising - raising awareness of the product
Customer service - ensuring customer satisfaction
Public Relations - managing the company’s image
Packaging & distribution - ensuring products reach customers
What is the importance of the marketing department
- Attracts and retains customers
- Increases sales revenue
Define the role of the production department
The department responsible for making and designing products.
What are the key functions of the production department?
Manufacturing - producing goods efficiently
Designing new products - improving innovation
Quality control - ensuring products meet standards
Stock control - managing inventory
What is the importance of the production department?
- Ensures efficient production
- Reduces waste and costs
- Maintains product quality
