Operations Management (BBS008-2) (Case Study Sample)

Operations Management (BBS008-2)
Case Study Topic for Assignment 2
Hard Rock Cafe
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Operations Management
Introduction
Hard Rock Café is committed to being an importance facet to the global populace. The contribution by its members to the community and the kind of services that the hard Rock family offers to the community is commendable; for example, fun, nurturing work environment and health. The café is concerned with both short and long term success. The essay will be based on operations Management of Hard Rock Cafe within the 52 branches globally.
How would you define HRC Hard Rock Cafe (HRC)’s operations strategy?
There are myriad shifts and challenges in the global competition. A fact that has seen most of the restaurants come and go while Hard Rock Café’ survives to date. The management of the restaurant is seemingly composed of hardworking personalities who are able to successfully adapt to the changes and complexities in the hospitality industry (Bill Hollins, 2006, p. 34).
Initiated in 1971, HRC has grown due to adoption of appropriate working operational strategy. Based on reputable leadership, the HRC managed to open up 163 locations within 52 countries globally. The HRC has managed to accomplish its mission of globally spreading the spirit of Rock ‘n’ Roll through provision of exceptional dining and entertainment experience (Berkun, 2005, p. 16).
HRC’s SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
HRC having been operational for over 40 years, gained enormous and strong expertise in human resource deployment services: the hotels, cafes, and restaurants have spread to over 52 countries. This showcases that the HRC has absolute band power with capacity capabilities that enhances adoption of network relationship and technological compliance with jurisprudence globally (Heizer and Barry, 2013, p. 21).
The Café expedited numerous strategies that solved most of the problems experienced in the market during the time the first branch was operational in Ho Chi Minh. The sensitive areas that had to be changed include; supply chain, human resource and inventory. In regard to the hospitality industry, it is skillful to reiterate that these are the common factors that pose challenge, leading to the dire need for adopting a ‘Multi- Domestic’ strategy (Hill, 2006, p. 19).
Weaknesses:
The main weakness that the HRC faces currently is the need for advanced research in respective areas especially the emerging markets, and living habit depicted in Hanoi- Viet Nam among other destinations within which the HRC branches are located (Heizer and Barry, 2013, p. 28).
Opportunities:
The HRC staffs deployed in the respective locations globally are composed of home based employees who are able to interpret well the political, social and cultural factors that contribute to the national and global economy (Berkun, 2005, p. 41). This could enhance recommendations and preference for tourists since the HRC is famous due to the lucrative hospitality and hotelier services offered globally. HRC is determined to creating a healthy exchange cultural bridge between the respective countries and cities within which its branches are located world-wide (Bill and Hollins, 2006, p. 15).
Threats:
The HRC require a wider consideration especially the regional segmentation of the respective markets. This composes of both the market and the advertising sector within the global industry (Berkun, 2005, p. 14). The management should not rush into opening and expanding the HRC’s economies of scale, there should be an intensive market research before making any move towards new and emerging markets. However, the HRC should engage in markets that could provide quick return on investment especially when launching a new product or branch for the provision of goods and services concept in the hospitality industry (Heizer and Barry, 2013, p. 17, p. 30). It is difficult to understanding consumer perception especially when launching a new product in the market. However, it takes lots of money to educate the market and also balance with the consumer’s pockets so that the products could gain favour from the users in the quest to outdo the competitors (Berkun, 2005, p. 31).
How HRC has Changed its Strategy
Unlike the other restaurants within the same industry, HRC adopted a different strategy approach from the ‘themed’ restaurant into a participatory strategy referred to as ‘Experience Economy.’ This has made the Café to be among the top ten restaurants world-wide. The HRC enjoys about 92% name recognition globally, having been operational for longer time (Bill and Hollins, 2006, p.42).
How the Hard Rock Cafe’s respond to change in 10 main operations management decisions
The HRC has greatly realized myriad changes in its operation management process. The invention and innovativeness in technology plays a great role in changing the organization’s management plans (Berkun, 2005, p.34). The use of audio visual equipments which could not be duplicated globally; according to Professor C. Markides of the London Business School says, “in a competition the trick is not to be with the best players so that the game gets better in our favour in a competition, but to develop and play a completely different game."
Through research work, HRC is often determined to achieve the best in the global market. It ensures that there are alternatives to the services provided (Hill, 2006, p. 10). For example, when the UK was faced with mad cow disease, the HRC focused on alternative sources of proteins like lobster and fish in the British cafes (Hill, 2006, p. 16).
Research indicates that about 70% of the HRC customers are tourists. However, different destinations means different variables, interaction between the staff and tourists plays a great role in learning the respective differences in taste, choice and preferences. This has greatly boosted the level of operation within the HRC braches globally (Hill, 2006, p. 24). The HRC is peculiar and unique in the work management and service delivery processes. This involves music related restaurants, hotel rooms, meals and a full Rock & Roll experience. In addition, it is prudent to state that HRC carefully applies response strategy to the world expansion (Heizer and Barry, 2013, p. 52).
5. The Critical Path and Its Activities for Rockfest, and the Project Duration











Table1: Some of the major activities and sub-activities in the Rockfest Plan
The critical path analysis is the longest path with the main projects that must be accomplished. In the Rockfest plan, the critical path analysis is [Start- A (Finalise site and building contracts, 7wks) - B (Select local promoter, 3wks) – DP (Travel accommodations for staff, 5wks) - Stop], this would take 30 weeks to accomplish (Berkun, 2005, p. 53).
Five major challenges a project manager faces in events such as this one, and how the challenges could be overcome.
Coordination: In myriad situations, the manager get mixed up since the numbers of projects to supervise are too much. The project development process may not achieve the required quality and allocated time frame. The manager should pick critical projects that fall within the specified time frames within the critical path analysis.
Financial constrains: financial misappropriation is often unavoidable when handling numerous projects that require financial commitment, the manager should reduce the number of projects to enhance proper financial control.
Labour source: When handling numerous projects at the same time, level of expertise would definitely be low hence reducing the work quality and time taken to accomplish the tasks. In addition, the process may require more funds to accomplish the project requirements due to extended project deadlines. The project manager should ensure that the labour source is adequate. This could be affi...