Professional Practice
Part 5: Problem Solving
Learning Outcome 1: To identify key features of decision making in the workplace
Learning Outcome 2: To analyse a case study to improve decision making abilities
Read the article on the worksheet and answer the questions
Use your skimming and scanning skills to read effectively.
1. Give 3 symptoms of fire-fighting that a company might experience
2. Why might a company find itself fire-fighting issues?
3. Why might one issue be prioritised over another?
4. What is ‘traffic intensity'?
Read the case study on Enterprise Rent-a-car and discuss the questions with a group.
Task
Read the case study and discuss the questions with a partner or small group.
Case Study - Business Problem Solving Skills
Enterprise Rent-a-car - Locating to enhance the customer experience
One of the most important decisions a business has to make is where to locate. Location of a business can have a significant effect on its performance. Businesses aim to operate from locations that provide the maximum competitive advantage. By selecting the best location, a business could connect with more customers, improve efficiency and generate greater profits. At an international level, they need to analyse which countries to operate in to maximise opportunities. Within each country, they need to decide where to locate the head office. At a more local level, they may need to choose whether to locate within or around major cities. Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an international brand, operating in USA, Canada, UK, Ireland and Germany. It is the UK's largest car rental company. As the company has grown, it has aimed to retain the personal feel of a smaller business. The company encourages branch managers to take responsibility for local operations. This approach helps to create a dynamic service, meaning that each branch is free to focus on the needs of its local customers, while delivering Enterprise's values and high standards of customer service.
Q1. What advantages are there to locating an Enterprise Rent-A-Car branch close to its potential customers?
Q2. What locations might be suitable for a new Enterprise Rent-a-Car branch?
Q3. Why is Enterprise Rent-A-Car's local focus an effective strategy?