Proposed enterprise activity - Football Tournament

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Unit 14 – Team based business activities

Football Tournament

E1 - Identifying the objectives of the proposed enterprise activity

All businesses exist to provide either goods or services to a predetermined custom base.  All businesses operate through their different objectives that the business is founded for.  However through time these objectives can change or just be built on.  There are many different examples that can be used, here are examples of the most basic:

  • making a profit
  • increasing sales or market share
  • surviving
  • providing services to the community
  • offering charitable or non-profit services
  • developing staff skills
  • producing high-quality products or offering a high-quality service

The above objectives may potentially need to be changed, for example, if the end of year finances showed huge losses.  If the previous objective was to increase sales and market share, which generally need capital to be invested, then this may change to surviving.  

        After consideration it was agreed upon 3 different objectives in which the activity would have to fulfil to be fully successful. The activity that was chosen to organise was a football tournament.  We had hoped to aim the tournament at all years in out school but after further and deeper consideration it was decided that the tournament just to be aimed at the sixth form.  This was more practical considering the time we had left and the number of us working on the project.  Which incidentally was four people.

The objectives that we thought we were aiming for were:

                                        

  • Attract at least 10 teams into the tournament.
  • Make the tournament an enjoyable occasion for all participants.
  • Make a reasonable amount of profit for our selves.

All those concerned in the organising of the event decided that it was almost essential that we had a substantial amount of teams taking part.  This was for several different reasons.  We wanted to make sure that there was enough money brought into the event both for a good prize fund and some money left over at the end to share between the organisers.  The amount of teams that entered would determine the design of the league, whether it be a knock out or a league system. We had our own preferences and knew that if enough teams took part we would be able to commence with a knock out tournament.

        Organising such events as this where the aim is customer satisfaction means automatically that this must be one of our major objectives.  We targeted this football tournament at a certain age range and group of people.  This means that the teams are our customers therefore we must focus upon making them happy.  Customer loyalty is also focused around whether or not they are happy.  If we were to organise a football tournament again and the participants were unhappy with this one we would not be able to attract a substantial amount of clientele.

        The last objective was essential, all businesses are developed to make a profit, are event was designed not only for customer satisfaction but also to gain a profit.  Making a profit is also interrelated with attracting enough customers so that enough money is brought in, both for the winning team but also for ourselves.

E2 - Identify the roles and responsibilities involved in designing and running the proposed enterprise activity

Roles and responsibilities were not decided until once we chosen upon a viable idea.  This was mainly because the roles may differ depending upon the enterprise activity we had chosen.  Once we had decided to do a football tournament the responsibilities had to be dealt out fairly and evenly.  We also considered different team members strongest points.  

        It was decided that we needed one person in charge of the marketing, one person to keep the finances in order and two people to be project managers, to be in over all control in the actual planning of the event.

Once the event took place all the jobs had changed and everyone become referees and organises.  It was essential that all the teams were where they needed to be at the right time.  It was also essential that the games ran smoothly and quickly as we only had limited time within lunch and breaks.  

Evaluation

The whole group had to work together in order for the event to run smoothly and successfully.  This was done brilliantly.  The jobs that needed to be done were done.  However there was one mix up.  During the event day permission was received by a PE teacher to move the five-a-side goals from the lower field to the top field were there was more space and other PE activities wouldn’t get in the way.  Nevertheless permission from the specific PE teacher was not enough and when the first game has commenced the head of the department was upset that we had not received his permission expressly.   Therefore we were forced to pay ten pounds so that we were able to keep the goals and the tournament continuing.  A small sacrifice considering the overall picture.

        A mix up such as this can only be blamed on the project managers.  It was their responsibility to get permission well in advance of the event and to make sure that any money needed to be used for rent was taken from the finances and give to the PE department.  However both project managers redeemed themselves as they successfully negotiated the refund of five pounds for compliance of regulations set by the PE department.

E3 - Describe any factors which may affect the planning and running of the enterprise activity

There are a few things that could potentially affect the planning and running of the event:

  • Permission not received by teachers to do the event
  • No one registers or wants to take part
  • Not allowed to use school equipment, grounds and school time
  • The weather
  • Teams not turning up for games
  • Competition from other activities
  • Restriction of time

The first problem that could potentially stop our idea from progressing would be if we were not to receive the permission from the relevant teachers. For our activity to go ahead we rely on the co-operation from a lot of different teachers.  First we need our business teachers support and help to agree that the proposed activity will be successful and viable. Unless we get this we are unable to move any further. From here we then have to agree terms with both the head of the PE department and the head of sixth form.  If there are any problems we may even need to see the Head Teacher. So there are a lot of potential problems concerned with just the teachers.

 

A lot of work was conducted to make sure that there would be a demand for the football tournament when we started advertising.  However there can always be surprises for one reason or another.  It is needless to say that for the tournament to be a success we rely on people participating, and paying to do so.  Even if we do have some interest it is vital that we have a moderate number to work.  Not having adequate interest is, perhaps, our worst fear.

Our third potential problem is again that we rely on someone else to come through for us.  We are not established football tournament organisers and are relatively inexperienced.  We have no premises or equipment of our own, therefore we rely on the PE department to grant us the permission and loan of the equipment and the football field.  If we are not granted this then we may not be able to carry on with the football tournament.  

The weather is another serious potentiality as there is no time for postponements.  Therefore if the weather turned completely and we experienced torrential rain or thunderstorms then we may have no other choice but to cancel completely.  This is due to the field and equipment being needed elsewhere meaning that if the football tournament is not finished within the two days then it will not get finished, at least not in the near future.

This problem is not such a serious potentiality as we have already instigated contingency plans.  All the players and team members have been expressly told that if not all the players turn up then they will be disqualified.  However this could lead to potential arguments and customer dissatisfaction, however unless there are very special circumstances then the disqualification rule will remain, meaning arguments will be pointless therefore hoping that this will defuse any arguments.

The football tournament will be conducted in the summer time, during this season a lot of other activities are organised by both students and teachers.  This could pose a problem simply because they may distract some of our target audience.  This means that we must make sure that there are no similar activities taking place when ours does, as we need as many participants as possible.

We decided to have our football tournament two days before the schools sports day, this decision was influenced by the above potential problem.  We felt during these two days there would be very little other school activities taking place, as everyone would be busy organising the actual sports day.  However the two day time restriction may pose a problem if there are any delays then we may not get the tournament finished on time.  If we don’t then we will not be able to finish the tournament due to the summer holidays. Quite a big potential problem.

C1 - Analyse the probability that the enterprise activity will be affected by the factors identified in E3, and produce contingency plans

There are some problems above that are more likely to affect our activity than others.  For example the first problem, permission not received by teachers to do the event, is a possibility, a good business would be prepared for any eventuality. However are idea is extremely viable, not to hard yet not too simple.  Therefore making a very promising activity that is very likely to be popular. Nevertheless we need to count the potential reasons for there being a problem and weigh them against the reasons for there not being a problem.  This will help us accumulate a numerical percentage of being denied. The points in italic are negative.

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  1. The activity will be in breaks and lunches, the students will not leave the grounds therefore no discussions with parents will be necessary
  2. There will be no need for teacher escorts.
  3. The field may be being used for other things, therefore we would not be able to seek permission to use it.
  4. The equipment that is necessary may already be rented out to other students/teachers, therefore we would not be able to use it

At this time I can only for see two plus points and two possible negative points therefore I feel that there ...

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