HRM Report: Gate Gourmet Company Analysis and Personal Skills Audit

This report offers a detailed analysis of Gate Gourmet, a leading airline catering company. It begins with an executive summary and table of contents, followed by an introduction outlining the report's objectives. The discussion section provides an overview of the company, its business environment, including SWOT, PESTEL, and Porter's Five Forces analyses. The report then examines Gate Gourmet's management practices, specifically employee benefits and training and development. Finally, it includes a personal skills audit, reflecting on personal and professional development, and identifying required skills, knowledge, and competencies for a potential role within the company. The report is a pre-planned evaluation report of the student who would want to work in the company Gate Gourmet.

Running head: HRM: GATE GOURMET
HRM: GATE GOURMET
Name of the student
Name of the university
Author Note

1HRM: GATE GOURMET
Executive Summary
The respective paper is a pre planned evaluation reflection report of me who would
want to work in the company Gate Gourmet. The respective paper, first of all, provides a
SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, Porter’s five force analysis and two management
practices of the respective company Gate Gourmet. In the second part, the paper provides a
personal skills audit to reflect on personal development from workplace practices and the
new sets of skills, knowledge and competencies that are required for me to survive in the
company. The respective paper is in a report format.

2HRM: GATE GOURMET
Table of Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Discussion.............................................................................................................................................3
Overview of the Company.................................................................................................................3
Business Environment.......................................................................................................................3
Management Practices...........................................................................................................................8
Audit of Personal and Professional development...................................................................................9
Individual development.....................................................................................................................9
Professional Development...............................................................................................................10

3HRM: GATE GOURMET
Introduction
The respective paper is a pre planned evaluation reflection report of me who would
want to work in the company Gate Gourmet. A pre planned evaluation report of an individual
who is willing to work in an organization is generally prepared so that the employee can
assess himself according to their skills, talent and capabilities and subsequently, evaluated on
what position he would, or might be standing in the organization. Making an evaluation
report by the respective employee is important because it is essential for him/ her to
continuously evaluate the talent and prospective capabilities of himself in order to make his
position in the organization strong and enhance his talent. The respective paper, first of all,
provides a SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, Porter’s five force analysis and two
management practices of the respective company Gate Gourmet. In the second part, the paper
provides a personal skills audit to reflect on personal development from workplace practices
and the new sets of skills, knowledge and competencies that are required for me to survive in
the company. The respective paper is in a report format.
Discussion
Overview of the Company
The company Gate Gourmet is a leading global airline catering company which also
provides retail-on-board and hospitality products and services. The company aims to provide
the passangers of airlines a premium retailing and culinary experiences while utilizing the
most innovative and advanced technological solutions. The company has its headquarters in
the city of Zurich, Switzerland. The company provides excellent business operations with the
help of the most extensive catering network in the aviation industry where it has served more
than 700 million passangers till date. The year 2018 was the year of achievement of Gate
gourmet as it reached almost 4.9 billion in revenues which was generated by almost 43,000
employees of the company.
Business Environment
SWOT Analysis of the company
Strengths
1. The business idea of Gate Gourmet is
Weaknesses
1. Gate Gourmet has been deviating

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innovative and cosmopolitan at the
same time. The very idea of providing
food and retail services to the airline
passangers is completely a new,
happening and industrious concept
that has been encouraged by the air
passanger crowd of the twenty first
century (McLaren, G., 2015). The
cosmopolitan passangers of the
airlines always expect to get premium
catering services and also retail
services which has not only intrigued
the mind of the passengers, but also
provided Gate Gourmet, a special
competitive edge in the market of
catering business.
2. The nutritional options that the
catering company Gate Gourmet
offers have made it one of the best in
flight catering services across the
world. As the consumers are
becoming health conscious every
passing day and are opting to select
healthy food and diet options for
themselves, they also expect healthy
and desirable meals in the flight (Ko,
and Chen 2016). The rising demand
with a variety of food option, coupled
with increasing health consciousness
among the consumers is one of the
reasons for the massive growth of
Gate Gourmet company.
3. The rise of international flights have
also resulted in an increased long
from its business vision and mission
recently as Gate Gourmet has been
alleged of providing food that has low
quality. In the yar 2018, there had
been a warning issued to Gate
Gourmet owners by FDA that the
food quality that they offer was
downgraded which could have been
obnoxious for the consumers and their
health (Foodsafetynews.com.2018).
Such callous behavior of Gate
Gourmet is one of the reasons for the
company’s weakness.
2. Gate Gourmet’s callous attitude, as it
also failed in maintaining its
conveyances, is evident that the
company’s unsafe vehicle fleet could
force delays in providing food to the
airports that might create problems in
its business affairs
(Teamster.org.2018).

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hour flights. In the long hour flights,
the consumers often demand food,
refreshment, drinks and other retailing
services. This has resulted in a
tremendous demand for the
nutritional in flight catering services
and Gate Gourmet has played the card
well. The long flight journeys often
get complemented with the
outstanding catering services of Gate
Gourmet and this is one of the reasons
for the company’s popularity.
4. The quality of the food which Gate
Gourmet offers is outstanding and
exceptionally well. There has been
active discussions among the
consumers (as well as prospective
consumers) about the quality food of
Gate Gourmet. Therefore, the food
quality of Gate Gourmet can be called
as one of the reasons for the
company’s popularity.
Opportunities
1. The regions of Asia Pacific is
considered to be a prolific region for
the inflight catering services market,
especially, Gate Gourmet. The
passangers of the Asia Pacific are
considered important because they are
the most significant and regular
consumers who have demands that
are successfully fulfilled by the team
of Gate Gourmet (O’Connor and
Threats
1. The callous attitude of Gate Gourmet
towards its business operations, the
business vision and mission as well as
the service they provide to the
consumers might prove obnoxious
towards the company. Such callous
attitude might as well bring bad
reputation and disrupt business
functions and operations of the
company, leading to a catastrophic

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Fuellhart 2014).
2. The Gate Gourmet has also acquired a
majority interest in the Skygourmet,
which is considered to be a big
inflight catering service in India
(Businesstoday.in.2010). By
acquiring the majority of interest of
the respective inflight catering
company Skygourmet, the company
Gate Gourmet has been able to make
the company grow and improve its
profit margin.
fail.
PESTLE Analysis of the respective company is hereafter.
Political- Airline catering industry throughout the world is highly affected by the political and
governmental factors. Even Gate Gourmet is not out of the paradigm. Political and
governmental institutions pose certain restrictions to the catering business of airlines such as
international trade tax policies, and also on issues such as war and terrorism. Certain
fundamentalist countries also impose restrictions on the food that might be offered in the
airbus by the company.
Economic- The recent economic recession that the globe has witnessed has given a severe
blow to the travel and tourism departments which has led to a decrease in passangers, which
means, the consumer strength of the company has also decreased. In addition, the increase in
fuel price has also made travel expensive therefore, diminishing the consumer strength of the
company. The company should restructure its pricing strategies as well as cost strategies to
enter into a balance in its financial position (Camilleri 2018).
Social- With the changing demand and preferences of food of the consumers, changes are
incorporated by the company. Certain passangers, who are fundamentalists, also demand for
different food that adheres to their religion in certain countries. So, such issues play an
important role in influencing the company. The company is suggested to carry out social
research before diving into any foreign country.

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Technological- The usage and leverage of premium technologies in the process of making as
well as delivering the products and services by the company also influences the company
(Roy 2015). The company is suggested to build an innovative technological team that would
offer technological innovations to synergize them with its operations (Apics.org.2019).
Environmental- The increase of obesity epidemic among the people of the twenty first
century, along with the stream of health consciousness along with climate change
phenomenon throughout the world has shaped the company and its business operations and
offerings (Garrard 2016). A global and local environmantal research is suggested to be done
by the company to understand the statics and dynamics of the external and internal
environment before beginning its operations.
Legal: Legal factors such as tax laws, duty and custom rules and regulations, international
trade rules and regulations, statutory legislature on consumer food and edibles influence the
company in their business functions and operations. The company should be well informed
about the legal restrictions of different countries before beginning internationalization.
Porter’s five force analysis
Porter’s five force analysis of the respective company is provided hereafter.
1. Threat of new entrants: With the growing, developing and ever evolving inflight
catering market throughout the world and in the UK, there have been many new
inflight catering businesses springing up in shape of start ups and/ or establishing
businesses. Companies such as Royalblue Executive Services is a competitor of Gate
Gourmet which has customer loyalty as well as industry profitability. Therefore, the
company has threats of new entrants. The company is suggested to leverage talent and
innovation to increase its competitiveness in the market.
2. Threat of subsitutes: As the market of inflight catering is colossal, therefore, there is
also threat to substitutes of the respective company. The substitutes of Gate Gourmet,
named Servair, utilizes the most procifient information technology tools to leverage
its business operations providing differentiated service and gaining market trust (Roy
2015). Therefore, Gate Gourmet possess threat to substitutes. The company is
suggested to make unconventional strategies that would provide them with a
competitive edge in the market.

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3. Bargaining power of customers: The company Gate Gourmet offers premium service
therefore, it also charges premium price for their services. The cosmopolitan
passangers of today’s generation, who are able to afford airlines are also moderately
capable/ capable to afford the services of Gate Gourmet. Therefore, consumers
perform average in terms of price sensitivity. The company can always restructure
and update its pricing strategies and policies to sensitise the customers (prospective
and functional) (Vinod 2015).
4. Bargaining power of suppliers: The suppliers of Gate Gourmet include travel agents,
technological suppliers and food industry. The airlines catering suppliers tend to
generate high returns and their services are commendable (Macit and Göçer). The
distribution channels of the company are strong due to which the company has
developed itself (Lin 2018).
5. Competitive rivalry: The leading competitors of the company, which includes Servair,
LSG Group, have outstanding technological innovations and human resource strength,
having a competitive edge (Roy 2015). Therefore, there are competitive rivalries that
the company might experience. The company is suggested to harness and exploit
resources and talent to take itself into a differentiated competitive advantage in the
global and local market of inflight catering services.
Management Practices
The human resource management practices of Gate Gourmet are provided hereafter.
1. Employee benefits: Gate Gourmet provides a few retirement benefits and other
benefits for the employees. It provides health insurance benefits, such as life
insurance, dental insurance, temporary or long term disability insurance and
accidental decease insurances as well. It also provides paid holidays as well as paid
sick leaves. Other secondary perks such as free meals, shoes and free uniforms are
also provided (Payscale.com.2019). Such employee benefit management practices
have a colossal impact on the workforce of the company. It has helped to attract and
retain the talents within the organization. Such benefits have provided a sense of
security and belonging among the employees which have also helped them provide
optimum efforts for the company (Bryant and Allen 2013).
2. Employee training and development: The company ensures that all the employees of
the company are equipped with right skills, training, equippments and working

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environment to carry out their tasks to the best of their capabilities. The company also
offers diversity in the job roles among the employees (as well as prospective
employees) that allow the workers to grow in their professional arena while getting
associated with the respective company (Gategroup.com.2019). The respective
management practice is outstanding for the company because diversity in jobs is
essential to build up, enhance and develop the already existing (as well as
prospective) talent pools of the company for its growth, development and profitability
(Rahman and Nas 2013).
Audit of Personal and Professional development
Individual development
For my profession, I have chosen Gate Gourmet as my workplace, I would prefer to
work in the organization as a human resource manager. I would also like to incorporate work
based learning as the path of my personal and professional development. Work based
learning can be precisely defined as a professional strategy where the employees are given
real life experiences as training and developmental programs to increase their capabilities
(Billett and Choy 2013). As far as personal development is concerned, if i am provided with a
work based learning environment in my workplace, I would be able to identify, realize and
understand the skills I am having and the areas of my skill gap. Often, individuals tend to be
overconfident/ inconfident about their capabilities and competency. A work based learning in
the respective organization would enable me to understand where I am standing as a complete
individual. I would be able to optimize and capitalize my soft skills, such as teamwork,
leadership and mindfulness skills which would also benefit me in the process of my personal
development. I would be able to achieve certain basic life skills, such as grappling a
problematic situation and trying to solve the issues of the situation, getting perfectly
synchronized with the team and groups, which would also give me lessons on how
adjustment and cooperation is incorporated in the society. The development of basic
interpersonal communication skills through work based learning would also make me capable
to survive and thrive in the complicated and cosmopolitan world of twenty first century
(Smith, A., 2016).

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Professional Development
The work based learning environment of the organization where I would prefer to
work as a human resource manager (Gate Gourmet) would help me in reviving and reassuring
my professional and employable competencies and it would also act as a catalyst to enhance
my professional capabilities that would help me to grow and develop myself as a competent
professional in order to survive and thrive in the corporate sector. A work based learning
would ensure me that my professional and occupational skills, such as teamwork,
collaboration, problem solving, verbal and written communication, performance management
and employee relation skills are identified, realized, comprehended, assessed and evaluated.
Such intensified evaluation would provide me a clearer picture as to where I stand as a
professional in my workplace. Work based trainings are perfect blend of highly industry
relevant and optimized trainings as well as holistic professional development training that
would ensure a stready, gradual and positive development of myself in my professional
arena. Work based learnings are highly pragmatic and would also enable me to access my
creative and practical abilities to carry out my work. Such practices would help me grow
holistically as a successful professional in the labor industry (Nikolova et al. 2014).
Conclusion
The respective paper is a pre planned evaluation report for the human resource sector
of the company Gate Gourmet. A pre planned evaluation report of an individual who is
willing to work in an organization is generally prepared so that the employee can assess
himself according to their skills, talent and capabilities and subsequently, evaluated on what
position he would, or might be standing in the organization. The respective paper, first of all,
provides a SWOT analysis, PESTEL analysis, Porter’s five force analysis and two
management practices of the respective company Gate Gourmet. In the second part, the paper
provides a personal skills audit to reflect on personal development from workplace practices
and the new sets of skills, knowledge and competencies that are required for me to survive in
the company. The respective paper is in a report format.

11HRM: GATE GOURMET
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downgrades-gate-gourmet-airline-catering-operation/
McLaren, G., 2015. Catering advice. Professional Pilot.
Ko, W.H. and Chen, F.R., 2016. A Study of the Factors on Menu Design for Airlines
Catering. Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 4(2), pp.88-105.
Garrard, G., 2016. 14 Inflight behaviour. Teaching Climate Change in the Humanities.
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Camilleri, M.A., 2018. Aircraft Operating Costs and Profitability. In Travel Marketing,
Tourism Economics and the Airline Product (pp. 191-204). Springer, Cham.
Vinod, B., 2015. The expanding role of revenue management in the airline industry. Journal
of Revenue and Pricing Management, 14(6), pp.391-399.
Lin, W., 2018. Catering for flight: Rethinking aeromobility as logistics. Environment and
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AND AIRLINE CUSTOMERS: FISH CLAMP MODEL. JOEEP: Journal of
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Payscale.com.2019. Available at:
https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Employer=Gate_Gourmet%2C_Inc./Benefits
Gategroup.com.2019. Available at: https://www.gategroup.com/en-gb/careers/