Regeneration of Cardiff and What It Offers to Business - Essay Example

? Cardiff - Regeneration of Cardiff, what it offers to business Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Cardiff and Motorpoint Arena Cardiff 3 Regeneration of Cardiff and what it offers to business 4 Cardiff leisure industry 5 Tourism management 6 Culture and diversity 6 Aspect of culture 7 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff cultural position 9 Culture and heritage development 10 Role of culture for the organization 10 Ethical considerations 12 Management challenges 12 Conclusion 13 Recommendations 13 List of References 14 Introduction This is a report on how regeneration of Cardiff has led to prosperity of Motorpoint arena Cardiff. It discusses sections of regeneration of Cardiff city basing on economic, social, political and infrastructural. The report will base on tourism industry, its management and success in Cardiff. The aspects of culture, diversity and how it is managed by Motor Arena Cardiff will be examined in detail. The paper will discuss how culture and heritage is developed for purpose of tourism activities. Another important area analysed is role of culture and diversity for an organization like Motorpoint arena Cardiff. The report will shed light on ethical considerations while conducting tourism activities at Motorpoint Arena Cardiff and how it affects all stakeholders. Since every business does lack challenges, the report will also examine management challenges in operating business in leisure industry. An appropriate conclusion and recommendations are also provided. Cardiff and Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Cardiff remains to be one of the most vibrant cosmopolitan European capitals that are regenerating at a fast rate in economic, social and in infrastructural development. Its location provides it the best opportunity of being accessible within a few hours from London. It is connected by train to London. Reflecting on the growth of Cardiff as capital city of Wales it has an enthralling past and an exciting future. It has conserved its history in the great museum and various attraction sites like Roman fortress. It is a country filled with the history of Romans, Normans and Victorians who were a great help in shaping Cardiff city. Cardiff castle and Cardiff bay which is considered as meeting place and where the city comes to rest. The city hosts several international games including inshore race and harbour festivals (Kim & Robert, 2002, pp.45-49). Motorpoint Arena Cardiff is located at the centre of Cardiff. It was usually known as Cardiff International Arena before it was bought by Motorpoint. It provides the largest exhibition space in Cardiff and has a capacity of over 7,500. Its ability to hold international events, comedy performances, sports and concerts gives it the attraction that motivates tourists into visiting it. Its location is one of its advantages in that it is located within commerce centre of Newport and a shot walking distance from the Millennium Stadium. It is located at entrance of Wales giving it a chance to be accessed by M4 motorway. It provides all catering services including 24 hour lounge menu for hotel residents. Regeneration of Cardiff and what it offers to business Economically Cardiff city provides almost 20% of GDP of the country. Regeneration of Cardiff was due to increased demand in coal which was a necessary raw material in production of steel and iron. It has attracted foreign direct investment and hence stabilizing its economic standards. Since it is a country that conserves its history it attracts tourists into the city who come to study their culture and way of existence. They have made it possible for construction of accommodation facilities hence increasing standard of economy in the country (WTTC, 2002, np). Infrastructure development is one sector that Cardiff has invested in. This ranges from transport sector, sports and communication development. It is one of the best transport links indicating its good location for business. Location of the city close to M4 motorway and the junction improved its development since the road is used by east south England, London and various cities of Wales. A48 trunk road has been constructed to pass through Cardiff hence providing interconnection of the city from west to east. It has also improved in use of rail links with development of South Wales International Freightliner Terminal located a few miles from the city centre and port of Cardiff. Ability of its sea port to handle over vessels up to 35,000 tons dead weight enables it conducting activities with outside world. Cardiff International Airport is 25 minute from the city centre and has been able to acquire modern freight handling facilities. Communication infrastructure is highly developed with 100 percent broadband internet coverage across the city. Construction of the 30,000 seat stadium for Cardiff city FC has been one of the recent major developments (Porio, et al., 2003, pp.238-254). Socially Cardiff city has really developed from its past activities to more modernized community development and supporting programs. Establishment of Cardiff University that offers education for students and construction of the Cardiff bay has facilitated in growth of social activities done by the community. Interaction with the outside world through investment in tourism industry has seen uplift in community living in Cardiff (Kim & Robert, 2002, pp.45-49). Its physical location has provided an environment for constant growth. This is because it lies in the way of major developed countries and their connection is through the roads that pass through Cardiff. This has been an advantage and stimulated growth in the country (WTTC, 2002, np). Cardiff leisure industry This is one of fastest growing sectors in the world including in Wales. It has been necessitated by regeneration of the countries important sectors. Creation of Cardiff bay and its subsequent cafe culture develop a need to improve hotel industry to be able to accommodate ever increasing needs and customers’ demands. Its ability to host international games around its great stadiums and arenas keeps a constant flow of tourists into the country. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff ensures that it supports every item that visitors will require within walls of the arena. This has been necessitated by friendly services and customer relation services they provide (Gregory, 1983, pp.359-376). Tourism management Management of tourist enabling environment is vital for every country that supports tourism industry. This will range from hotel industry, transport sector, sports and entertainment and culture of the society. It involves managing and supporting the activities undertaken by individuals at their leisure time. Accommodation will involve all hospitality facilities that enable individuals relax enjoy his environment and find a better place to sleep. Therefore tourism management will require understanding needs and motivators of tourists to be able to serve them efficiently. They ensure that customers access their products and they achieve satisfaction as per what attracted them to tour (Porio, et al., 2003, pp.238-254). Culture and diversity It is existence of a variety of human societies in the world. It involves basics and foundations of society’s beliefs and their way of life. It could be language used, ethical backgrounds, a societies region of origin, how they dress and symbol of type of dresses they wear, their group values as a society, political and family views and going as far as community and social responsibility. Understanding various aspects of cultural diversity enables recognizing of cause of different actions and behaviours depicted by individuals. Cultural diversity therefore is the backbone of a society’s existence and activities. It encompasses issues of social justice and human rights, sustenance of future, peace building and conflict resolution between members of the society and the world community and relationships indicated in interdependency and globalization. Acceptance of individuals various cultures, respecting them as important to their existence and tolerating them in the way they enable individuals behave brings cohesion and builds peace. It is because of cultures that change and development is achieved. Tourism industries thrive and bring in income for various sectors of economy because it appreciates the diversity in culture hence directing the economy in acting in a way that will ensure sustainable development. Every culture has its strengths and disabilities and therefore it is important that there should not be comparing of individuals cultures as being superior to others (Kim & Robert, 2002, pp.45-49). Aspect of culture Employees are important asset of Motor Arena Cardiff and they strive to ensure that they are well satisfied in activities they undertake. Employees are motivated to work through various employee benefit packages provided by the organization to ensure that they work efficiently. The organization believe that if their employees are well remunerated and given necessary stimulation they will be in a position to perform and support the great number of customers arena holds. They are well trained in use of local language in attracting tourists and making them have a memorable experience. Language is one aspect of culture that is used and preserved by Cardiff community (Gregory, 1983, pp.359-376). Language is preserved both in artwork and other forms of writing. Artworks that give stories of cultural practices used by Cardiff community have been well preserved both in the museums and on walls. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff ensures that it incorporates community’s language in designing walls and arranging of artefacts so that customers keep coming back. They ensure that the language used in communicating with customers is as per demands of their culture. Gender and equality is maintained through developing of gender sensitive programs on gender roles. It is how the staffs views, understands and relates to members of opposite sex. Civilization has tried to erode and hide these gender roles but still as a culture the staffs gives the necessary attention required to every customer. In dealing with female customers they ensure that codes of conduct governing the relationship and respect to be accorded to women is well considered. The management ensures that it equips the staff with accurate and up to date knowledge of how to relate with every individual customer without disrespecting his or her belief (WTTC, 2002, np). Every company conducts marketing for its products. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff is not an exceptional case. It believes that without conducting necessary marketing activities various potential customers around the world would not understand the value of their products. It has placed its site on the internet which is accessed by several people. This belief drives the business into conducting research on customers’ expectations and ensuring that they deliver what is expected of them. It has customized its accommodation facilities including catering services to be in a way that can create enjoyment and satisfaction to their customers enables it to be selected as the best place for tourist destination. This has enabled it maintain the reputation of quality services than their other competitors in leisure industry. The management understands that tourists are from different cultural backgrounds and that is why they advertise their ability to provide services that recognize cultural diversification. They provide every type of delicious food from around the world (WTTC, 2002, np). Overseas visitors remain to be attracted to visit Motorpoint Arena Cardiff because of the various sports and entertainment activities they conduct. The international games hosted at the arena provide the business with enough income to support its operations efficiently. Therefore ensuring that the visitors are well treated is the way of life of Motorpoint since they these tourists are the backbone of their establishment. The main purpose of the arena was to host different types of entertainment activities which were targeted to increasing the number of visitors. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff hence maintains its culture of entertainment by ensuring that they get tenders of activities to take place at the arena. It is hence vital that management inquiries from various sports officials to know any game that might be played in the near future so that they can provide the arena for them (Davis, 1985, pp.34-37). Every business strives to grow and be the best quality leader providers of the products and services worldwide. Motorpoint has continued to expend their entertainment programs and facilities to ensure that they become the best place in Europe. This has been done through creation of relaxation points, play grounds, a pace for social interaction, provision of wedding facilities and modernizing the arena. It is the culture of Motorpoint to keep their customers satisfied so as to achieve growth and recognition internationally (Fekete & Keith, 2001, 23-25). Motorpoint Arena Cardiff cultural position The business has facilitated and supported tourism industry in the city through their various activities directed towards satisfaction. Development of arena itself allowed a boost in rate of infrastructural development since many investors saw that constructing their businesses around the arena would create an opportunity for growth. Motorpoint ensures that it maintains the culture of Cardiff community through preservation of their culture. This is through hosting cultural festivals which get to be celebrated by many people from different place. As at the moment it has created jobs for the community and improving their living standards. It has used cultural resources of community effectively by incorporating their crafts and various attractions to improve image. The arena provides festivals and events, banquets, music, theatre shows and various dimensions of village and social life. This has helped in improving its position in the leisure industry as one of the businesses that have a high priority and maintenance of their culture (Gordon, 1991, pp.396-415). Culture and heritage development Culture and heritage of Motorpoint Arena Cardiff is accredited in various music, events theatres and festivals that it conducts. Cardiff city itself is a monument of historical events which are properly maintained by every individual. This has been important in creation of a tourism atmosphere including religious monuments and vernacular buildings and ruins indicating time and event of over 2000 years of age activity. Since people attracted are more educated on issues of tourism are quality conscious and like to take holidays outside normal peak seasons Cardiff ensures that it is updated enough and in control of all of its tourists motivation needs (Davis, 1985, pp.34-37). Role of culture for the organization Culture for Motorpoint Arena Cardiff has been the basis of planning and setting objectives. These objectives focus on finding solutions to social inequalities in the cultures. Understanding cultural diversity has given them power in tourism industry hence enabling them to make reasonable profits that support expansion. Hence through understanding of their mission they have maintained a strategic direction and intent, objectives, goals and vision. Understanding trends in culture with what they perceive to change and what will not change as a result of civilization has enabled them avoid incorporating un-useful cultures in their activities hence keeping up with the trend in tourism industry. Adaptability is sustained through creation of change, organization learning and general focus on customers changing needs (Jackson & Artola, 1997, pp.1163-73). The business has also ensured it gets involved in taking care of its employees. This has been done through employee empowerment programs, capability development in areas they feel they need to be developed and team orientation. As employees are well taken care of then their success is guaranteed in programs they undertake (WTTC, 2002, np). Culture demands that whatever is done remains consistent. Consistency in the way an activity is done portrays the culture of those individuals or organizations. Motorpoint arena Cardiff ensures that it has a detailed understanding of its core values before conducting any activity. They therefore integrate their programs to work efficiently and effectively to meet their objectives. It encompasses its paradigm, control systems, powers and organization structures, rituals and routines, stories and myths and the symbol of Motorpoint arena Cardiff. Communication is an important aspect of culture and Motorpoint arena Cardiff follows its rules to the uttermost. They ensure that they remain a family with share meanings of experience as they work together internally and the outside partners. They ensure that various rites of passage, enhancement, renewal, conflict reduction and integrations are followed for proper operation. Communication as a culture enables to have creative interpretation of the organizations activities and disseminate it positively to the environment. This is through anticipated action plans commentaries on past events and accounts their detailed accounts (Jackson & Artola, 1997, pp.1163-73). Culture has enabled acceptance and appreciation of cultural diversity. Fair treatments of all stakeholders giving them value expected and further more enabling stakeholders pride and enthusiasm for Motorpoint Arena Cardiff and its work performance. They have allowed equal opportunities for every employee and propelled them to realize their full potentials in the organization through strong leadership and a sense of control (Gordon, 1991, pp.396-415). Ethical considerations Culture affects business ethics where ethics is the rule of conduct which is recognized by a particular class of human actions. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff rules of conduct are based on social interaction with its stakeholders, tasks and other cultures of their tourists. They are enforced through human resource management systems, organization culture, nations system of law and professional cultural codes. A detail understanding of codes of culture that make up ethical standards is done by Motorpoint so as to remain in operation without having problems with stakeholders. The management ensures therefore that how employees conduct themselves and relate with their customers does not inconvenience or create misunderstandings. Therefore proper training and selection of qualified staff and personnel is done (Fekete & Keith, 2001, 23-25). Management challenges Managing communication has become a problem since different people come all over the world and speak different languages. Management is faced with the problem of ensuring that every customer is satisfied accordingly. Therefore they are expected to employ staffs that can handle different languages spoken by their customers which are not an easy task. Training of employees is also a difficult task since they are required to understand the formation of different cultures and how they can be appreciated (Jackson & Artola, 1997, pp.1163-73). Another challenge is in managing of core values and capabilities of the business. It requires time to time adjustments in systems, structures and processes to come up with business strategies that are up to date and fit in the leisure industry (WTTC, 2002, np). Conclusion Leisure industry is a fast growing industry not only in Cardiff but also around the world. Understanding the various dimensions involved in its management is important for any organization including Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. Appreciating cultural diversity and working upon it helps the business respond appropriately to emerging issues and demands of their customers. As discussed in this report, understanding aspects of culture by the management and working upon them efficiently and effectively puts an organization into a viable position in conducting business. Various challenges arise from every operation of a large organization and management should be in a position to handle these challenges (Fekete & Keith, 2001, 23-25). Recommendations It is important that the management multiple perspectives of the needs of its customers and pay attention to them. Understanding the impact that every activity undertaken to appreciate various cultures should be done so us to come up with a shared understanding the challenges to be faced and find a common sense of purpose and direction. They should also deepen relationships within various communities and align trans-organization focus through learning in shared experiences and integration. List of References Davis, T. 1985. Managing Culture at the Bottom in Gaining Control of the Corporate Culture. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass publishers, 34-37 Fekete, S. & Keith, L., 2001. Companies are People, Too: Discover, Develop and Grow your Company’s Personality. New York: Wiley Publishers, 23-25 Gordon, G., 1991. Industry Determinants of Organization Culture. Academy of Management Review, vol. 16, no.2. Pp. 396-415. Gregory, K., 1983. Native View Paradigms: Multiple Culture and Culture Conflicts in Organizations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 28:359-376. Jackson, T. & Artola, M., 1997. Ethical beliefs and management behaviour: a cross culture comparison. Journal of business ethics, vol. 16, pp. 1163-73. Kim S. C. & Robert E. Q., 2002. Diagnosing and Changing Organization Culture Based on Competing Values Framework. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 45-49 Porio, Y., Butler R. & Airey D., 2003. The Core of Heritage Tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 30:1, 238-254 WTTC, (2002). The Impact of Travel and Tourism on Jobs and Economy, np Read More