Leadership, Culture, Team Effectiveness, and Motivation in the Workplace: A Case Study of ZPG

This report evaluates the need for leadership, culture, team effectiveness, and motivation in the workplace using the case of ZPG. It discusses the benefits offered to employees and the strategies implemented by the company. The report also explores theories such as Maslow's hierarchy of needs and contingency theory.

People in organizations
Executive summary
This report was commissioned to evaluate the need of leadership, culture, team effectiveness and
motivation in the workplace. To support these concepts, the case of ZPG was taken, so that in-

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depth analysis can be made. The research draws the attention towards the different benefits
which are offered by the company to its employees, so that culture and motivation factor can be
maintained. It highlights the benefits offered to the employees related to holiday packages and
incentives. The report evaluates the strategies considered by the company to maintain the culture
and structure of the company and also to boost the motivation level of the employees. To support
these factors, different theories such as Maslow hierarchy of needs and contingency theory has
been discussed. Even in ZPG Company, these concepts are applied to attain success in the highly
competitive market. The strategies are implemented by the company, to maintain team
effectiveness and motivation of the employees in the workplace.
Table of Contents
Executive summary.........................................................................................................................2
Case study Answer 1.......................................................................................................................2
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Case Study Answer 2.......................................................................................................................5
Maslow hierarchy of needs theory...............................................................................................6
Current strategies or the ways related to team effectiveness and motivation..............................6
References......................................................................................................................................10
Case study Answer 1
 Introduction
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ZPG is a British Company which is owned by the Silver Lake Partners. ZPG emphasizes on
offering the users with the access to the data. The information is provided of the sold house
prices and also of the domestic properties in UK. The company focuses on offering accurate
information to the customers. The company was founded on January, 2008 and the founders of
ZPG are Alex Chesterman and Simon Kain. ZPG was also known as Zoopla property Group Plc
(ZPG,2019). The Company has the aim to boost the satisfaction level of the customers by
offering accurate information. In this paper, the case study will be analyzed by considering the
concept of leadership, culture, organizational structure, team effectiveness and motivation. The
case study also discusses about the holistic and inclusive approach to its benefits strategies.
Different strategies are considered by the company to boost the motivation and to maintain the
culture of the company (ZPG, 2019).
 ZPG and its benefits strategy
In ZPG Company, the leader Natalie Pender, head of the employee engagement department
stated, that their workers should be offered different benefit packages so that the needs of the
individuals can be satisfied. This is also one of the best ways to motivate the employees. The
leader focuses on maintaining mental, physical and financial well being of the employees. In the
workplace, the leader overhauled its strategy in 2017, and they focused on retaining and
attracting the employees. The leaders have the strategy to retain and attract the employees, as it
can help in boosting the concept of people management in the workplace. By retaining and
recruiting the right employee at the right place can assist in accomplishing the set goals and
objectives in the highly competitive market. The same strategy is adopted by the company as it
helps in enhancing its market share (Deckers, 2018).
The leaders implemented the interest-free payroll loan which helped the staff to borrow up to
£5,000 and it has maintained flexibility for the employees. In the workplace, the employees can
take loan for buying a house and also for getting married (Gilbert, 2019). This is one of the best
concepts which are offered to the employees which directly affected the motivation level of the
employees in the highly competitive market. These strategies considered by the company will
also help to boost the overall motivation level of the employees.
 ZPG Culture, Structure and Leadership and BS
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The structure and culture of the company also supported effective transitional change. To
manage the change in the workplace, the company focused on maintaining the culture so that it
could be easy to attain success in the highly competitive market. ZPG emphasized on supporting
the employees; and they have the aim to create a feeling of home for the employees. It is
important for the management to create a positive culture in which the employees can feel
comfortable in conducting their routine activities. The sessions are also conducted in the
workplace, related to "how to be productive". Also, during the mental health awareness week,
mental health charity session is held so that it can be easy to give knowledge to the employees
related to reducing the stress level (Northouse, 2017).
In relation to the structure of the company, it can be said that the company has a systematic
structure in which the employees can easily contact to the concerned authority. It has been
examined that every month the company has a monthly company update where the employees
can ask the questions and it is the responsibility of the HR department to solve the queries of the
people. The session with the HR is conducted in which the sessions are not only to share the
information of the company but also to offer an opportunity to the employees to ask the
questions and to share their feedback. The HR team implements the benefits in the company and
also the employees tend to drop the email to the department of the HR (Ruesch et al., 2017).
Leadership is the skill of an individual, which is used to guide the employees in the workplace.
Without effective leadership, it could be difficult for the employees to complete their task on
time or with efficiency (Antonakis and Day, 2017). According to the case, it has been evaluated
that situational leadership is considered by the leaders in the workplace. Situational style of
leadership helps the leaders to adopt the style according to the different situations. For every
situation, the leader of the company emphasizes on considering something new and innovative.
According to ZPG, the company is focused on catering the financial interests of the employees.
It is essential for the company to offer pay or salary according to the qualification or experience,
as it can generate positivity among the employees and the employees will give their best towards
the organizational activities in the high competition level which exist in the workplace (Sanders,
2017).
The company considered the element related to communication in which the new benefits at the
end of 2017 were showcased. The ZPG also rebranded its communication strategy and also
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enlisted the Reward gateway which assisted to create a site and it is also launched by the name
"My rewards" (Gilbert, 2019). So, through this rewards offered to the employees, it can be easy
for the employees to accept the change in the workplace. The transitional change is only
accepted when the company focuses on considering these elements in the workplace. It is one of
the best strategies considered by the company to manage the organizational transition in the
workplace (Habermas, 2015).
ZPG Company offered a tranquil working environment, which has positively impacted the
overall operations of the workers. To maintain the culture, the company also emphasized on
creating the office atmosphere like a home, in which the people can easily communicate and also
feel comfortable in conducting the activities of the company. ZPG Company also boosted the
culture by setting up the library rooms in which the staff can work quietly and while the games
rooms are also set up in which the employees can play the games like snooker and retro games
(Gilbert, 2019).
Motivational theory to boost transitional change
It has also been observed that company focused on satisfying the needs of the employees in the
workplace, by considering motivational theory “Maslow hierarchy needs”. In 2017, the
company refurbished all its regional offices which consist of the recreational area with table
tennis and also with the other games. With these games, the company also emphasized on the
physical health of the employees by considering the activities like yoga. By offering these
benefits, the company focused on maintaining the psychological needs of the employees in the
workplace (Gilbert, 2019). The next need is self esteem need in Maslow hierarchy of needs in
which the company focused on reducing the issue related to employee resistance has been
reduced. When the structure of the company is proper, then the issues faced by the employees
will be less and they will accept the change in an effective manner (Steers and Sánchez‐Runde,
2017). Belongingness and love needs and self actualization needs are also fulfilled by focusing
on the organizational structure of ZPG. It is analyzed that they have an organized structure in
which the employees can communicate easily with each other and can also share their views and
opinions with the top management (Gilbert, 2019).
Conclusion
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Therefore, it can be stated that the relation between the structure of the organization and culture
within the organizational transition has been maintained. By giving these services and also the
opportunities for the employees, it can be stated that the employees in the workplace will focus
on accepting the change. By analyzing the entire case study, it can be said that leadership, culture
and organizational structure plays a great role in boosting the overall working pattern of the
employees. These factors also help in maintaining the transitional change in the workplace,
which is important to boost the overall goals of the company. By offering various holistic and
inclusive benefits strategy by ZPG, the company maintained the performance of the employees
and maintained a positive outcome towards the tasks which are performed. This has also helped
the company in maintaining a long time relation with the employees in the workplace.
By having an effective culture in the workplace, the employees can take the benefits of the fully
equipped gyms and also in London and Cirencester office, the main emphasis is given on the
yoga and Pilates classes so that the employees in the workplace could keep themselves healthy
and active. If the employees in the workplace are active, then it can lead to the overall success in
the highly competitive market. In relation to ZPG Company, it has been observed that
management focuses on maintaining the positive culture as boosted the growth and also helped
to attain the profits in the market. There are various benefits which are offered to the employees
and this has maintained the positive culture of the company.
Case Study Answer 2
Motivation in the workplace is essential as it assists helps in managing the performance of the
employees. It is analyzed that if employees are not motivated in the workplace then it can lead to
the overall dissatisfaction among the employees and it could impact the performance of the
employees in the workplace (Herzberg, 2017). Therefore, it is important for the top management
to focus on boosting the motivation of the employees as it can also help in building effective
teams in the company. The team development attributes in relation to the case study can be
communication, leadership, motivation and also support from the team members.
Maslow hierarchy of needs theory
According to the case study, it can be said that that motivation and team effectiveness that should
be considered by the company is "Maslow hierarchy of needs" This theory highlight the five
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factors: physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness needs, esteem needs and the
last is self-actualization needs (Harrigan and Commons, 2015). According to the case study, it is
important to focus on these five factors so that the employee's needs can be satisfied and
fulfilled. In physiological need, the company should focus on basic need required for human
survival. The needs like food and shelter should be satisfied by the company so that it can be
easy to boost the motivation level of the employees in the highly competitive market. The next
step is safety needs on which the management should focus on giving security and stability
(Peters, 2015).
(Source: research gate, 2019).
The next is love and belongingness needs, in which the company should emphasize on
maintaining trust and friendship in the workplace, as it can help in building the teams and can
enhance the working pattern of the workers. Esteem needs should be considered by the company,
in which it is important for the company to focus on the status and reputation of the employees.
In the workplace, the employees need respect and also reputation so that it can be easy for them
to perform better in the workplace. The last is self-actualization needs; in this, it is important for
personal growth and also for the experiences of the employees (Karnatovskaia et al., 2015). So,
to boost the team effectiveness and also to motivate the employees, ZPG Company should
consider the Maslow hierarchy of needs so that the performance of the employees can be
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maintained among the employees. This theory can assist in satisfying the needs of the employees
which will lead to team effectiveness.
Current strategies or the ways related to team effectiveness and motivation
 Positive culture
There are many ways which are considered by the ZPG to build effective teams by giving
motivation to the employees. To build the teams, the company focused on maintaining a positive
environment in the workplace. To build the teams, it is important to have a good working
environment as it helps to boost coordination between the employees (Wlodkowski and
Ginsberg, 2017). To build teams, ZPG focused on creating the feeling of home for the employees
in the workplace, so that the employees can comfortably complete the activities on time. The
working environment created by the company is positive as there are many activities which are
offered apart from the set targets. ZPG focused on building up the library so that the staff can
work with efficiency and also the gaming rooms were created in which the employees can go and
play the games. The games in the workplace provide a positive feeling for the employees in the
workplace (Gilbert,2019).
 Annual leaves and vouchers
One of the major factors to maintain build teams and to boost the motivation level of the
employees is related to providing 25 days of annual leave to the employees. The employees can
take a day offer if they have a birthday or if they are moving home, then they will get a day off
and a voucher of Lewis Voucher. The employees are given the benefit of the working hours and
also of the extra benefits related to the gym and other activities. This is one of the best and
effective ways that can help in building the team, as it will create positive feelings towards the
work and will motivate the employees to give their best. These benefits are known as the current
strategies considered by the top management in the company (Leary and Baumeister, 2017).
 Pension group and risk
There are also many employee benefits which are given by ZPG to its employees. These benefits
offered by the company helps to build teams and also motivate the employees towards the
activities of the company. The first benefit provided by the company is "pension group and risk".
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In this benefit, the company focuses on group personal and pension scheme. This benefit assists
the company in attracting the eligible candidates towards the job. When the eligible candidates
join the company, then it can help in building teams in the workplace. Life assurance and critical
illness insurance is also offered to the employees so that they can feel secure at the time of
performing the tasks assigned by the top management (Lepper and Greene, 2015).
 Work-life balance
To build effective teams and to boost the motivation level of the employees, ZPG Company
considers the concept of work-life balance. The work-life balance is provided to the employees
so that they can have a positive attitude towards the activities. To maintain the work-life balance
the focus is given on different factors in which the workers can purchase five days holiday and
also they are roll five days taken in one month to the other month. Also, the extra leave is offered
to the employees for their birthdays or if they are going home. The next factor is related to
offering the marry scheme, in which 12-month interest-free loan is given to the employees by
considering the salary, as it assists in the overall cost of the wedding. Childcare vouchers are
also offered to the employees so that they can engage themselves in the activities assigned by the
company. The last factor under work-life balance benefit is related to the personal development
fund. ZPG offers £100 budget to the employees the part of the annual budget (Gilbert, 2019). It
helps the workers to develop their skills and to bring improvisation in the overall wellbeing of
the employees in the workplace.
 Pay or salary
Pay is also the benefit which is offered by ZPG Company. To build teams and also to motivate
the employees, pay is considered as an important part for the employees. If pay in the workplace
not good, then it can impact the overall satisfaction level of the employees towards their job. The
company set the pay according to the qualification but also the opportunity is provided to the
employees on the basis of performance of the employees. According to their performance, they
can earn bonuses or can get incentives. This is an effective way that can help the employees to
work with dedication and also with efficiency (Miner,2015).
There are various other benefits that are offered to the employees by the company. The first
benefit is related with the discounts at more than 1000 retailers by using the ZPG rewards and
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also the company focuses on offering season ticket loan to the employees so that they can feel
motivated and happy towards the activities performed by them in the workplace. The main
emphasis of the company is on setting up the games room in which the employees are free to
play ping pool, air hockey and arcade games (Gilbert, 2019).
 Communication
One of the current strategies that can help in enhancing the motivation level of the employees is
related to communication. The company rebranded its communication strategy and also enlisted
the reward gateway that has helped the company to offer the rewards the employees. ZPG
Company also emphasizes on regular promotions through posters and TV screens which helps
the employees to know about the offers. The update is also offered to the employees on the
regular basis and also the sessions are conducted so that it can be easy to solve the queries of the
customers and also to consider the feedback. The reward team of the company is also searching
for the methods to offer the benefits. The success of the company can be considered through
open communication in which the employees share their views and opinions (Wagner, 2016).
 Referrals and retention
Also, by considering the strategy related to referrals and retention, the company can hire the
employees in the workplace in an effective manner. Also, in 2017, ZPG decided to make some
changes and they focused on attracting and recruiting the employees so that it can be easy to
build effective teams and also it helps to boost the level of motivation of the employees in the
workplace (Gilbert, 2019). Therefore, it can be said that these strategies should be maintained by
the company so that it can be easy to boost the level of motivation of the employees and also it
will help in building the teams in the workplace. It is necessary for the company to emphasize on
considering the motivational theory related to "Maslow hierarchy of needs", as it helps in
satisfying the needs of the employees.
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References
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Deckers, L., 2018. Motivation: Biological, psychological, and environmental. Routledge.
Gilbert,J.,2019. ZPG takes a holistic and inclusive approach to its benefits strategy.[Online].
Available at: https://www.employeebenefits.co.uk/zpg-holistic-inclusive-benefits-strategy/
[Accessed on 11 February 2019].
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Habermas, J., 2015. Communication and the Evolution of Society. John Wiley & Sons.
Harrigan, W.J. and Commons, M.L., 2015. Replacing Maslow’s needs hierarchy with an account
based on stage and value. Behavioral Development Bulletin, 20(1), p.24.
Herzberg, F., 2017. Motivation to work. Routledge.
Karnatovskaia, L.V., Gajic, O., Bienvenu, O.J., Stevenson, J.E. and Needham, D.M., 2015. A
holistic approach to the critically ill and Maslow's hierarchy. Journal of critical care, 30(1),
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Wagner, W.E., 2016. Leadership for a better world: Understanding the social change model of
leadership development. John Wiley & Sons.
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February 2019].
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