BSBRSK501 Manage risk
Assessment Task 1 :
For this assessment task, you will need to review the simulated business’s risk management processes and determine the scope and objectives, taking into account stakeholders and both internal and external environmental factors affecting the organisation. Once you have gathered this information, you are to identify risks and write a draft report to the CEO. You will meet with the CEO to discuss your report, seek support for your findings, and approval to communicate risk management processes to relevant stakeholders for their feedback and participation.
Procedure
You will assume the role of Ash, Assistant Manager of the Brisbane MacVille café, who has just been promoted to Manager of the new Toowoomba store. In preparation for the new venture, Ash has been tasked with conducting a risk management analysis of this project:
Excerpt of email from CEO Paula Kinski From: CEO – P. Kinski To: Assistant Manager – Queen Street store Re: New Toowoomba store Congratulations on your new appointment. Prior to taking up your position as Manager of our new Toowoomba store, located in Ruthven Street, the Board of Directors has asked that the risks in this project be appropriately managed. I want you to undertake this task as it will give you significant insight into the store’s operations, it will ensure a smooth transition for Hurley’s Café staff into the MacVille family and will encourage you to give ongoing support for our risk management initiatives. I would like you to approach this task in three stages and meet with me at the end of each phase to review your work and discuss your plans for the subsequent phases. The three stages in this risk management task will include: 1. Review. 2. Analyse and plan. 3. Monitor. … Once I have received your risk review report, we will need to discuss the steps that you will take in the risk management process. Regards P. Kinski CEO MacVille Cafés (Qld) |
1. Review the provided MacVille simulated business scenario information and documentation provided in the Appendices of this task.
2. Write a report for the CEO (your assessor) that addresses the following:
a. The effectiveness of the MacVille Risk Management Framework in supporting the principles and processes of risk management, set out in the risk management standard AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009. Outline the purpose and key elements of the standard in your discussion.
b. Identify and describe the scope of risk management required in your role.
c. Identify and describe the critical success factors, goals or objectives for areas included in the scope.
d. Identify relevant internal and external stakeholders, their role in the risk management process, and any issues or concerns they have raised. Complete the Table of Stakeholders Template (provided in Appendix 3 of this task) and attach to your report.
e. Complete a PEST analysis and a SWOT analysis to identify risks associated with the scenario. Outline the relevant legislation, regulations and standards (including those at a local level, i.e. Toowoomba Council).
f. Describe the methods of research that you used to complete your PEST and SWOT analysis. For example, how you approached the simulated business information; legislation, regulations, etc.; and any other information or research on risk that applies to the scope of your report.
g. Complete the analysis of risk for the scenario by summarising the scenario and identifying a list of risks to the project.
Assessment Task 1: Risk Review
Executive summary
This is a report that would reflect upon the different risk factors that are associated with expanding MacVille Cafe to the new Toowoomba store. The risk factors have been identified after several meetings with the current manager of the shop. The report includes an email to the stakeholders as well, and also an excerpt from the meeting with the CEO.
Introduction
As per the instructions of the CEO, the new manager went to the new Toowoomba store to gather some information about the operations and management of the existing Hurley’s cafe from the current manager of the store, James Mansfield, and the landlord of the premise, Ron Langford. It is understood that expanding and establishing a new shop needs to be planned meticulously, and this needs careful assessment of the entire scenario and properly gathering information. This report is has been made as per the CEO’s specifications that would try to give you a proper knowledge about the current functioning of the cafe and the assessment of all the risk factors that are associated with the expansion.
MacVille knows that risk management is an integral part of proper goods management. The company tries to assess, evaluate and manage its risk factors, so that they can provide the best services to their customers. In this report, risks are identified so that those risks can be dealt with in a correct and efficient manner.
Effectiveness of the MacVille Risk Management Framework
The risk management framework tries to cover a number of important elements that help the company to operate efficiently and provide the customers with the best services possible. An array of operational, financial, commercial and strategic risks are identified and tried to be dealt with in this framework.
MacVille has a very clearly defined risk management framework and the following are incorporated within it, so that most of the obstacles t6hat may arise can be identified easily and solved.
This framework ensures that the company can operate without any glitches and even if any problems do arise, the company can handle those situations and come up with the perfect solutions. These company principle have been all taken into account while reviewing the new store at Toowoomba and trying to identify all the risks that the company may come across.
The scope of risk management and role as the new manager of the Toowoomba store
The currently existing Hurley’s cafe is being taken over by MacVille and the company is trying to gather information on the different aspects where risk may arise, so that MacVille can effectively battle those and ensure a good running of business. The company already has a basic outline on where it may face risks and problems while operating, and this outline will be governing the analysis of the new store functions.
MacVille, primarily, thinks that it has risk factors associated with organisational, financial, governance and project management. Multiple things and topics are included in this general guideline which normally cover most of the potential problems.
As the newly appointed manager of this new store, meetings were scheduled with the current manager of Hurley’s Cafe and the landlord of the premise. The new manager has been assigned with the task of identifying the risks that may arise from this expansion and report to the CEO so that further steps can be taken accordingly.
Upon meeting with the current manager of the store, James Mansfield, some points were identified and notes were taken accordingly.
One of the biggest problems that was noticed was the distance between brisbane and Toowoomba. The time that it takes to drive from the Brisbane to the new store would make the weekly managers’ meeting somewhat of a problem. New manager has to be trained properly so that he/she can execute the responsibilities perfectly. The distance may pose as a serious issue, but it can also be solved with good time management skills. The climb up to the store is blocked by trucks, which make the approach somewhat of a problem. Since the distance is a problem, delivering fresh food items would also become one of the bigger concerns for MacVille. This problem can be resolved reasonably enough as the current store has infrastructure to bake fresh products within 30 minutes. This would also render company-branded supplies to lag. The current establishment does not have any written down contracts between the employees and Mr. Hurley. This has to be revised immediately as MacVille is a much bigger chain and a proper contract must be made, else this may prove to be a problem in the future. The store has to have a good flow of water supplies. The store currently uses about 41,500 litres of water every week and this amount must be kept on being supplied. MacVille may even need to upgrade the system to a dual-flush one, which would cost the company about $7,500.
One of the major problems that was noticed during the meeting was the issue of cash handling. The store does not have any safe for keeping cash and MacVille has to make sure that the cash register is revamped. James said that there is a 50% chance of theft in the store. This is just one more aspect that would only prompt MacVille to invest on making a proper cash registry system. The furniture of the store also has to be replaced.
The store currently has no established process for treating injuries that may happen from work. MacVille would be sure to make contracts that would include treatment of injuries.
SWOT
The new shop’s biggest strength is its location. It is set on the crossing of two main streets. This would massively help to attract attention. The area is well connected by public transportation - this would enable customers from far away to easily reach the shop without much hassle. The store currently has moderate infrastructure which would prove helpful to MacVille while overhauling the existing set-up.
The weakness that is faced by the store is the obstacles that are posed by the trucks. But investigations can help to solve this with relative ease.
According to the landlord of the premise, Ron Langford, more shops can be opened in the surrounding areas. He also explained that the population of the area is on the rise, and this would ensure MacVille with a lot of customers and good profits. He further mentioned that a by-law would be implemented from the next month by the government, which would allow cafes to expand their footpaths and put more tables.
Two major threats have been identified which may concern the company. Firstly, the is a local law that excessive water usage would result in a $50,000 fine, which is going to be backed up by the government soon. MacVille has to pay close attention to this, and even has to upgrade the system if necessary in order to minimize water usage. Another issue is the growing competition in the area. Ron said there are many multinational cafe chains are trying to set up cafes in the city. This means MacVille has to price their products very competitively.
These are the different risks that involve setting up the new store at Toowoomba which were identified. To make sure the company operates like its other shops, these must be addressed as soon as possible.
PEST
Political | The new legislations that are being talked about by the government would both help MacVille as well as make operations somewhat of a problem regarding the water issues |
Economical | Since the current store already has a basic infrastructure, this would help MacVille to curb a lot in terms of spending to upgrade |
Social | The existence of Hurley’s ensure that all the regular customers would be wanting to come back at the same place of their choice even after the change. Retaining the customers would easy, more or less |
Technological | MacVille has to invest considerably into upgrading the water supply systems so that extra fines do not have to be paid |
Email to the stakeholders of the company
An email is being sent to the stakeholders, which would give them the proper idea pertaining to the problems that have been identified and the possible solutions, so that they would have clear ideas about the whole situation.
To, The stakeholders of MacVille Ltd. Sub: Explaining the different stakes at work Dear Sir/Madam, This mail is to inform you that Macville is establishing a new store at Toowoomba and the process has identified some issues and problems regarding the running of the company in the area, the solutions have also been chalked out. You are kindly requested to contact the management of MacVille so that you could be given the proper detailed idea about the whole situation, so that you can assess the situation yourself as well and assist the company with insights and advices that would help us to serve you better. Thanking you, The Manager MacVille Cafe, Toowoomba Shop |
Points from the meeting with the CEO
After the issues had been identified, the new manager attended a meeting with the CEO of the company. The key points of the meeting are given below:
Table of the stakeholders
Stakeholders | Internal/external | Role in process | Stake in process |
Workers | Internal | Ensuring smooth everyday operations while dealing with customers | Retaining job and keep earning |
Manager | Internal | Managing the store so that every aspect of the store runs properly | Making sure the company profits the most from this store |
CEO | Internal | Overseeing the process of expansion | Helping MacVille to expand and reach its potential |
Suppliers | External | Keep supplying the new store with the ingredients and the materials | Retain macVille as one of their biggest purchasers |
Customers | External | Coming to the shop and helping the company to make sales | Keep getting the best food and services for that price |
Shareholders | Internal | Retain the shares of the company | Profit more from the shares as the price of each unit would increase with the gradual development of the company |
Investors | External | Invest to the expansion of the company | Expecting maximum returns from the investments |
Conclusions
The new shop has some issues that have been identified. These problems are being tried to deal with. The CEO has been notified and a report has been sent to the Board of Directors too. The next courses of actions are being planned as per the identified problems.