The aim of today’ workshop was to cover any final questions we had regarding the assignment. Following last week’s workshop, I researched more into Assignment 1 and gathered questions on information I felt was unclear. I took advantage of one to one time with my tutor to ask these questions, such as the layout of the Appendix as I didn’t understand the extent to which my portfolio of work must be included. We then came together as a group, to begin creating our interview. We created a semi-structured interview, creating professional yet insightful questions that mirrored the demands of our brief. We set out a list of businesses we were each going to approach to ensure that we did not approach the same businesses, as this looks unprofessional for Toilet Twinning. The interview can be seen above. Finally, before we left this session, we ensured our team was ready to begin data collection, by ensuring we were all on the same page with our interview structure, and that we each had a business to email.
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Before this session we had to ensure that our competitor analysis had been completed consisting of a PESTLE analysis and Porter’s 5 Forces, as well as addressing the legal issues surrounding our project.
We then began to shape our primary research, by learning about the different types of data collection methods. We learnt about qualitative and quantitative data, and concluded qualitative data was the most beneficial for our project, as it is primarily concerned with exploring new territory, something we were exploring through B2B markets. Prior to this session, I found that quantitate data was the most insightful, as this was all I had collected in my academia experiences to date. However, from learning about qualitative data, I can now conclude I was wrong, and that this type of data is more insightful as you are able to change and adapt to it throughout the data collection. Moreover, the penultimate part of this session was the briefing of our first assignment, where we gained a more insightful view on the impending PDR, that encourages you to engage with structured reflective and practical activities, enabling me to creatively think about personal, academic and career goals. This was important, as I felt my current view of a PDR was unclear, therefore I was able to clarify my understanding in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Prior to this session, it was important that we had our ethics forms signed off by our tutor so that we could begin our primary research.
The focus on today’s session was competitor analysis and legal issues. We firstly, focused on Porter’s five forces, something I have already used in previous assignments in my first year. It was harder to apply this to a B2B market, as the information of the theory is mostly centered around B2C markets. However, we worked as a group to create our own forces model for Toilet Twinning. Furthermore, we learnt of any legal issues that may impact our project. Before this session, I did not understand the overwhelming impact that these may have, however following the session, I had a larger understanding of these issues such as legislations and how they restrict an organisation. Finally, before the session concluded, we set out the main objectives for our primary research in order for the following session to begin immediately and remain efficient. We decided that a semi-structured interview with business’ would be the most helpful form of data collection, to allow a more personal insight to the B2B market. However, we were aware of the risks this may involve, as some businesses may feel too busy to take time to participate in our interview, however we felt that this was the best way to gain valuable information, as we are able to adjust the interview whilst in motion and enable it to be more personal. Once again, we began the session with a stand-up meeting. As a reflection on last weeks stand up meeting, this weeks had definitely improved, as we had witnessed the positive impacts on last weeks on the session therefore knew this was important to put all our effort into. Following this, we learnt about databases made available to us through MMU’s library, such as Mintel. I was already aware of these from previous assignments, however the recap was useful in applying these to research for this project. Mintel is extremely useful in helping you find detailed market research, however, it doesn't often cover all aspects of what you are looking for such as detailed explanations.
The rest of this session was set aside for group research. From our brief, we understood that Toilet Twinning required a greater insight into the digital trends within the B2B market, therefore half of our group began work on this, whilst the other half began researching companies that we may approach to work with Toilet Twinning, following our client providing us with the companies they had already worked with. We learnt that they had already approached an extensive range of companies, therefore we decided to approach business’ local to Manchester as Toilet Twinning are based in Bournemouth. Today we began ‘Stand-Up Meetings’, to discuss what we have accomplished so far, what we will accomplish today, and any obstacles impeding this progress. Before this, I had never heard of a stand-up meeting, however understood the importance of these for a status update before our sessions. I believe learning about these will help me in my upcoming placement year, so I can increase the efficiency of my working day, and ensure I am up to date with my colleagues. You can read more about stand up meetings here – Stand Up Meetings.
Furthermore, I received feedback on my blog posts and PDP’s. I learnt that I must relate my plan to my career more, and include measurable aspects to display how I will provide evidence of achieving this. It gave me time to reflect on certain things I aim to achieve before I begin my placement year, such as individuality, which I currently believe is a weakness of mine when completing work. I aim to improve my strengths and initiative of which I can apply to upcoming work. Finally, prior to the session, I looked at the presentation slides to inform myself what we should have completed by this session. We had completed every task that should have been at this date, therefore decided we should use this session to research Toilet Twinning in further detail online. This displays my trait as a driver in the group, as I was keen to ensure we were constantly moving forward. |
Lottie Kempl Archives
March 2017
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