Level 5 FdA BA Business: Pre-placement Evaluation Report

This report presents a pre-placement evaluation, focusing on the business environment and management practices of Buzz Bingo Clubs. The first assessment explores the external and internal environment using PESTLE and Porter's Five Forces analyses, identifying opportunities and threats. The report then examines two management practices, performance appraisal and reward systems, and their impact on employee performance. The second assessment involves a personal and professional development audit, setting targets for the work placement. The report highlights the importance of work-based learning in applying skills and developing employability, with a focus on the casino and gaming sector. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the business environment and management strategies.

Pre-placement
Evaluation Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
ASSESSMENT 1: INDIVIDUAL REPORT...................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1. Two appropriate tools to evaluate the business environment of Buzz Bingo Clubs...............1
2. Two management practices which you believe have a desirable impact on employee
performance.................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2 ..........................................................................................................................................5
1. Audit of Personal development and set targets expected to be achieved from work
placement....................................................................................................................................5
2. Audit of Professional development and set targets that you expect to achieve from the work
placement....................................................................................................................................6
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Work based learning (WBL) is described within the expansive literature presented upon it
as the combination of learning activities and practices that are executed and differ from the
classroom or school based learning. In other words, it can be said that work based learning is a
form of learning which takes place in a real work settings via indulgence in the work procedure,
regardless of the learners being student, young individuals, unemployed or employee, or whether
they are unpaid or paid. Some academicians also see work based learning as a vital ingredient of
a wider learning programme which consists of theoretical lesson along with classroom learning.
The prevalence of WBL is seen at all scales of VET, namely, primary, post secondary and third
level as well as within continuing vocational education and training. Some scholars view work
based learning as a kind of educational strategy which provides students with the access to real
life working experience whereby they can apply their technical and academic skill set as well as
evolve their employability skills. WBL encompasses several educational courses that tend to
accommodate the college or school curriculum with the work place for development of a distinct
learning paradigm.
The various forms in which work based learning can effectually take place are identified
to be apprenticeship, work placements, informal learning on the job, etc. The current project is
divided into 2 assessments. The first assessment seeks to explore the business environment and
practices of Buzz Bingo Clubs. Buzz Bingo is a well renowned chain of bingo clubs functioning
within the bounds of Great Britain owned by Caledonia Investments. It operates within the
confines of 119 locations. This chain formerly operated as Gala Bingo clubs and rebranded as
Buzz Bingo clubs during September of 2018. The Gala brand still continues to carry out its
online casino bingo services under the jurisdiction of GVC Holdings.
ASSESSMENT 1: INDIVIDUAL REPORT
TASK 1
1. Two appropriate tools to evaluate the business environment of Buzz Bingo Clubs
The business environment within which an organisation carries out its business
operations is excessively dynamic and turbulent. With the passage of time, it becomes important
for a company to take into account the business environment so as to determine the opportunities
and threats linked to it. This provides assistance to companies in formulating strategies which
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have the capacity to provide a high position in global market place. Also, this allows the
companies to increase their revenues and profits by a fair margin. In this relation, a number of
business management tools and models are applied by business to examine the business
environment.
PESTLE Analysis
This is a macro environmental analysis model which is put to use by companies in order
to identify the potential opportunities and threats of external environment that can affect the
business activities of a company. The PESTLE analysis of Buzz Bingo is presented beneath:-
Political: The political issues prevailing within Europe tend to have a significant
influence over the casino and gambling activities of businesses. This is so because this industry
is largely controlled by governmental regulations, rules and obligations. In addition to this, rate
of taxation is also high for gambling industry. However, Buzz Bingo can take advantage of
charitable gambling as to have maximum support from government.
Economic: In many countries gambling is legal through which entity can take positive
advantages. However due to significant increase in rate of crime because of gambling there are
many additional financial impositions have been imposed by European government. In this,
Buzz Bingo by engaging in positive gambling and offer employment opportunities can ensure
their long term sustainability.
Social: Gambling industry is relatively increasing financial debts and negative social
impact, drug trafficking and other vulnerable crime. This makes many institutions to ban
gambling from Europe in order to make significant improvement in social life of individuals.
Technology: Europe has been witnessing faster rate of technological developments
comparatively to other nations. It is increasing opportunities for gambling industry to take
advantage of internet gambling, more updated technological gadgets and software to serve
individuals in more advanced manner.
Porter Five Force analysis
This is a strategic management tool which is put to use by the companies functioning
across the globe with an aim to identify the intensity of competition prevailing within the
confines of any commercial sector. In this regard, it has been analysed that this model clearly
depicts the key players in any industry along with the innovative strategies if adopted by any of
the companies. In this relation, Buzz Bingo is a renowned chain of clubs operating in Great
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Britain. It is important to take into account the micro business environment of this organisation.
For this purpose, Porter Five Force model is being applied to this company in context of the
casino and gaming sector, as follows:-
Threat of new entrants: Casino and gaming industry is a service providing sector which
has certain barriers to entry. It is well known that one of the merits of this industry is that it
provides large profits to the government of the nation. Also, during the time of financial crisis,
this industry is usually acknowledged to be the least hit. This prompts the attention of many new
investors. Yet it is important to take into consideration the cost constraint. The capital
requirement for gaining access into this industry is quite extensive. With the presence of many
key market players who are carrying out their business operations across the global territory, it
becomes all the more difficult for the new entrants to enter and sustain in this industry for a long
period of time even when they are able to arrange the capital required. This presents opportunity
for Buzz Bingo to expand its service portfolio to attract more number of customers.
Threat of substitutes: Casino and gaming industry is rapidly growing and evolving with
the passage of time. As a result of this, several entities gain entry into this industry on a regular
basis. This tends to give rise to substitution effect as the already dominating as well as the new
entrants, tend to create a hyper competitive landscape for Buzz Bingo. This creates threat for
Buzz Bingo as it needs to provide something innovative at rapid intervals of time so as to make
sure that its customer base does not shifted to another organisation.
Power of suppliers: In relation to the casino and gaming sector, the suppliers not just
include the providers of lottery machine or other support services but also the government which
renders licences to the companies for carrying out their business operations. In this regard, it can
be stated that while the machine and support service providers for the respective industry have
low negotiation power, government has strong negotiation power. As gambling, betting and
related activities are conducted by Buzz Bingo, it becomes important for government to exercise
control over the social impact of these activities. In order to gain support from government, it is
important for Buzz Bingo to ensure that the social impact of its activities is not negative beyond
an acceptable limit.
Power of buyers: It is determined that the power held by the buyers within the bounds of
the concerned sector is moderate. This is so because even when there are several alternatives to
gambling, gaming, betting and clubbing, the individuals who once get addicted to these cannot
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seem to be get rid of it. Further, it is usually seen that customers are not much willing to shift to
alternative brands within this industry as this sector is mainly for the purpose of entertainment
and fun. Even when the companies like Buzz Bingo charge high prices for the services, the
customers get easily convinced to put in the extra amount without much negotiation.
Competitive rivalry: It is seen that this is a competitive industry. This is because several
companies operate within the casino and gaming sector just like Buzz Bingo. However, the
loyalty of customers is the prime characteristic for this sector. Thus, it can be said that even the
intensive competition within this sector does not much pose risk to the positioning and customer
base of Buzz Bingo in the long run. This implies that competitive rivalry does not act as threat
for the respective company.
2. Two management practices which you believe have a desirable impact on employee
performance.
There are several management practices which have a positive impact over the
performance of employees. Most of them are acknowledged to be human resource management
practices. In this relation, two of the most crucial management practices that desirably affect the
employees’ performance are explained beneath:-
Performance appraisal: It is defined as the process whereby the regular review of the
job performance of employees along with their overall contribution to an organisation takes
place. It is also commonly referred to as an annual review, performance evaluation or
performance review. It tends to evaluate the skills, growth, progress and achievements of the
employees or the lack of one or all of them. The companies all across the globe make use of a
performance appraisal to provide employees with a detailed feedback upon their work. This
helps in justifying the pay increase and bonuses given to the employees along with termination
decision taken in case of certain individuals working in the entity. Performance appraisal is
usually carried out in an annual, semi annual or quarterly manner. It lays down the job related
strengths as well as weaknesses of the individuals working in an organisation. In this relation, it
is seen that when initiative is taken on the part of the organisation to enlist the shortcomings and
strengths of the professional personalities of employees, it tends to instil a sense of motivation
within them. This happens because employees start working upon their shortcomings so that
these can be improved over the course of time. It motivates them to work upon themselves so
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that their productivity in the organisation can be maximised. This ensures positive outcomes for
the business entity also.
Reward System: This is acknowledged to be the way in which the personnel working
within an organisation are rewarded for their contribution to the company. In this relation, it is
identified that there are mainly two kinds of reward systems named monetary and non monetary
reward. Now, monetary rewards are those which are in financial terms. There are several types of
monetary rewards, like salary, profits, bonus, car allowance, company’s car, accommodation,
insurance premium, paid holiday, etc. On the contrary, non monetary rewards are the non
financial rewards, inclusive of recognition, awards, praise, certification, acknowledgment by the
top authorities, etc. Irrespective of the type of reward which is provided to the employees, it
tends to have a positive impact on the performance of employees. It motivates them to work in a
better manner the next time so as to get bigger rewards than the last time. Thus, provision of
rewards to the employees increases their productivity levels and they strive to contribute their
maximum towards the achievement of organisational goal and objectives.
TASK 2
1. Audit of Personal development and set targets expected to be achieved from work placement.
It is important for an individual to take into account the personal traits and characteristics
in order to identify the shortcomings for being suitable for that job position. In this relation, I
have identified that I am going to be placed at Bingo at the post of Customer Assistant. For this
purpose, it is important for me to carry out a personal skill audit and thereby stipulate targets that
can be expected to be achieved via the work placement. As per the analysis of my personal
development, it has been identified that my strengths are control of pride, positive response
towards diversity, being supportive towards colleagues, cooperative and positive working
approach. Apart from this, it has been acknowledged that I lack certain skills or in other words,
my weak skills are low tolerance, low emotional intelligence, lack of resilience and ineffective at
learning new things and aspects at the workplace. These strengths and weaknesses may affect the
way I carry out work at Bingo. I need to work upon my shortcomings in a manner such that they
do not affect me negatively while working at Buzz Bingo Clubs.
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2. Audit of Professional development and set targets that you expect to achieve from the work
placement.
Apart from personal audit, it is also important for an individual to carry out an analysis of
professional skills. In this regard, I carried out the analysis of my professional development
which is going to affect me while I will be placed at Buzz Bingo Clubs in upcoming time. The
analysis conducted by me revealed that my strengths in the form of professional skills consist of
oral and written communication, analytical skills, critical thinking, problem solving and
mathematical skills. These skills are expected to provide due assistance to me while I will work
at the respective company as an intern. Besides this, it has also been identified by me that my
professional personality lacks certain skills such as time management and presentation skills.
Whenever I will have to prioritise the different activities as per their significance and deadline
within the confines of Buzz Bingo Clubs, I may face difficulty. Thus, it is required by me to
work upon my professional personality as this will help me in carrying out my roles and
responsibilities as a Customer Assistant in an effective manner. This will aid me in gaining
appreciation for the work done by me and getting uplifted in the desired field by giving my best
efforts.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of the discussion carried out in the report above, it can be summarised that
work based learning is an effective way for individuals to carry out the process of learning. In
addition to this, it is identified that work based learning provides the personnel with an exposure
to the industrial working practices and activities. This enables the individuals to develop skills,
knowledge and competencies that are helpful for them in the long run in their employment. Work
based learning is identified to be a pathway through which personnel are able to carry out
personal and professional development in a comprehensive manner. Besides this, it is identified
that WBL intentionally combines theory and practice, thereby acknowledging the crossing of
explicit and tacit forms of knowing. Majority of the work based learning programs are regarded
to be university accredited course that aim to meet the needs of learners and the requirements of
industry in relation to skilled personnel. WBL seeks to bridge the gap prevailing amidst learning
and doing. Thus, it can be said that work based learning is a lucrative way of making the
individuals learn about the way in which activities and practices are carried out within any
corporate sector. In addition to this, it has been inferred that business environment of an
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organisation is essential to be taken into account before carrying out internship there. For this
purpose, several models and tools of business management are put to use such as PESTLE,
Porter Five Force. Further, management practices are also evaluated so that the individual can
ensure exposure to a positive and effective learning environment whereby they can learn a
number of things.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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Education, 45(1), pp.89-102.
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Relationship Between Work-Based Learning and Teamwork Skills Development. IEEE
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A.L.M., Dos Santos, C.R., Comarú, M.W. and da Fonseca Tinoca, L.A., 2020. Principles
of problem-based learning for training and professional practice in ecotoxicology. Science
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McFarlane, F.R. and Guillermo, M., 2020. Work-Based Learning for Students with
Disabilities. Policy Analysis for California Education, PACE.
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possible indicators or benchmarks on WBL (No. JRC118196). Joint Research Centre
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Innovative Proposal for Local Education System. International journal of psychosocial
rehabilitation, 24(1).
Welch, R., 2020. Reflections from a Fulbright: Work-Based Learning in German Higher
Education.
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learning skills and motivation in software engineering. In Proceedings of the 51st ACM
Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (pp. 309-315).
Brew, A. and Saunders, C., 2020. Making sense of research-based learning in teacher
education. Teaching and Teacher Education, 87, p.102935.
Hallinger, P. and Wang, R., 2020. The evolution of simulation-based learning across the
disciplines, 1965–2018: A science map of the literature. Simulation & Gaming, 51(1),
pp.9-32.
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