50+ IB Business Management IA Ideas

1.) What marketing strategies should D-Mart supermarkets use to increase their sales revenue in Pune?

Research Question:

What marketing strategies should D-Mart supermarkets use to increase their sales revenue in Pune?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (The four Ps, Extended Marketing Mix)

Methodology:

Interview with the manager, Survey with customers, Observation at the store

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Profit and Loss Account, Ratio Analysis, 7P’s of Marketing mix

Recommendation:

Invest in radio, television advertising, digital marketing and e-commerce. Open stores in shopping malls to attract more customers. Use direct, viral, social media, and guerrilla marketing.

2.) To what extent, and how should the employee motivation at Sonigara Builders be increased in Pune?

Research Question:

To what extent, and how should the employee motivation at Sonigara Builders be increased in Pune?

Area of Syllabus:

Human Resource Management (Planning, Motivation, Stakeholders, Leadership, Organizational Culture, Employee and Employer Relations)

Methodology:

Interview with the owner, Company’s Website, Interview employees

Organizational Tools:

Motivation Theories – Taylor and Maslow, Financial and Non-Financial Rewards, SWOT Analysis

Recommendation:

Sonigara Builders should seek to motivate their workforce to maximize job satisfaction, staff morale and labor productivity by financial rewards (salary, wages, commission, performance-related pay, perks) and non-financial rewards (job enrichment, job rotation, encourage teamwork).

3.) Should Sante Spa restaurant set up a new branch in order to maximize their profitability?

Research Question:

Should Sante Spa restaurant set up a new branch in order to maximize their profitability?

Area of Syllabus:

Operations Management (Quality Management, Location, Research and Development), Marketing (Market Research, Extended Marketing Mix)

Methodology:

Interview owner, Observations at new branch location

Organizational Tools:

Investment Appraisal (Payback Period), Decision Tree, SWOT Analysis, Force Field Analysis, Ansoff Matrix, Net Present Value

Recommendation:

It is recommended that Sante Spa should consider setting up a new branch. It should go digital to leverage growth. Consider franchising, reinvent your product portfolio, focus on customer service, encourage learning and training sessions for employees. Lastly, build partnerships that enable growth.

4.) What are the consequences of Takur Bakery’s decision to restrain from rapid expansion of the company?

Research Question:

What are the consequences of Takur Bakery’s decision to restrain from rapid expansion of the company?

Area of Syllabus:

Growth and Evolution (Internal and External growth), Operations Management

Methodology:

Interview with the owner, Observations

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Force Field Analysis, STEEPLE Analysis, Balance Sheet

Recommendation:

Thakur Bakery should look at advantages of expansion rather than restraining it from expansion. The consequences to restrain from expansion include the company will not grow, it will not secure larger market share, sales and profit will not increase, poor brand awareness. However the reasons for restraining from rapid expansion would be entry into new markets that require extensive market research and compete with well-established rivals.

5.) What expansion strategies should Bajaj use to expand its electric scooters business in the face of increasing demand in Pune?

Research Question:

What expansion strategies should Bajaj use to expand its electric scooters business in the face of increasing demand in Pune?

Area of Syllabus:

Growth and Evolution (Internal and External Growth)

Methodology:

Customer Survey, Observations at the showrooms, Interview with manager

Organizational Tools:

Position Map, Investment Appraisal, SWOT Analysis, STEEPLE Analysis

Recommendation:

Expansionary fiscal policy should be used to boost bajaj business activity. The government should provide subsidies and reduce taxes on electric vehicles because it’s sustainable for the environment. Businesses tend to require external finance to fund their expansion. Expansion strategies should include product development, increase customer base, diversification, increase brand awareness, recruit more workers, franchise new showrooms, use high-tech machinery.

6.) What promotional strategies should Cake Studio use to target a new market segment which emphasizes their USP?

Research Question:

What promotional strategies should Cake Studio use to target a new market segment which emphasizes their USP?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Planning, Four Ps – Promotion: ATL and BTL)

Methodology:

Focus Groups, Observation

Organizational Tools:

4 P’s of Marketing Mix, Ansoff Matrix, Perception Map, BCG Matrix, AIDA Model

Recommendation:

Prices could also be changed to attract different market segments. Cake Studio must be able to provide suitable products to cater for each market segment. The size and purchasing power of each market segment must be quantifiable. They should use mass marketing strategy to target market segments. The marketing strategies should focus on the uniqueness and exclusivity of the product. Promotion may need to take place on a large scale through above the line methods to attract a large number of potential customers.

7.) Should Suhana company undertake investment into ready to eat product lines in order to increase their market share and build a larger brand in the Indian Food Industry?

Research Question:

Should Suhana company undertake investment into ready to eat product lines in order to increase their market share and build a larger brand in the Indian Food Industry?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Role, The Four Ps, Market Research)

Methodology:

Focus Groups

Organizational Tools:

STEEPLE Analysis, Decision Tree, Investment Appraisal, Force Field

Recommendation:

Yes definitely Suhana company should invest in ready-to-eat packets in order to increase their market share and build a larger brand in the Indian Food Industry. It should be segmented by product types (Instant Break, Soup and Snacks), distribution (Supermarkets, retailers) and geography(Asia-Pacific, South America). It should focus on packaging for promotion. It should constantly innovate products to meet and even preempt evolving needs. They should also focus on product development, market penetration and expansion of the sales channel. To increase demand, the firm should consider introducing loss leader pricing strategy in relation to ready-to-eat packets.

8.) How can Hi-Fi Gym improve its brand presence in Pune, India?

Research Question:

How can Hi-Fi Gym improve its brand presence in Pune, India?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Branding, Promotion – ATL and BTL, Pricing)

Methodology:

Interview with owner, Customers Survey

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Position Map, Fishbone Diagram, BCG Matrix, STEEPLE Analysis
Recommendation: Hi-Fi Gym should use branding to improve its brand presence in Pune by using several marketing strategies. It should franchise new branches in different locations. They should use psychological pricing by offering packages in months and years. It should focus on long-term goals and objectives. It should create brand identity, keep branding consistent, they should be authentic, offer value and focus on quality.

9.) How can Big Bazar supermarket increase its staff productivity?

Research Question:

How can Big Bazar supermarket increase its staff productivity?

Area of Syllabus:

Human Resource Management (Appraisal, Training, Leadership Style, Employer and employee relations)

Methodology:

Interview with HR Manager, Survey with employees

Organizational Tools:

Taylor’s, Maslow’s, Profit and Loss Account, SWOT Analysis

Recommendation:

It should change its leadership style. Since there is a communication problem between staff and managers, they should change their ways of dealing and treating employees. The managers should assign tasks and roles to staff. It should divide the staff and implement division of labour on a rotational basis to build teamwork. Staff should be appreciated for their hard-work through promotion or higher pay. On-site training should be provided to staff.

10.) What methods of motivation should Ranka Jewellers implement to retain staff?

Research Question:

What methods of motivation should Ranka Jewellers implement to retain staff?

Area of Syllabus:

Human Resource Management (Planning, Motivation, Leadership, Corporate culture, Employee and Employer relation)

Methodology:

Survey with employees to evaluate their level of satisfaction, Interview with owner of the company.

Organizational Tools:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, Non-Financial Rewards, SWOT Analysis

Recommendation:

The work should be appreciated and employees should feel valued. This will encourage them to work harder for praise, keeping them motivated throughout. On-site training should be provided by business executives. Leadership style needs to be changed to situational. The company should reconsider the current employee positions in regards to their abilities and past experiences.

11.) What marketing strategies should Burger King use to expand their reach in the European market?

Research Question:

What marketing strategies should Burger King use to expand their reach in the European market?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (International marketing, Market segmentation, Targeting and positioning)

Methodology:

Secondary research (industry reports, competitor analysis), survey with potential customers in Europe, analysis of company’s current marketing efforts

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, PESTEL Analysis, Marketing Mix, Market Research Tools

Recommendation:

Focus on developing a strong digital marketing presence, tailor messaging and promotions to different segments of the European market, consider partnering with European retailers or distributors, attend industry trade shows to build awareness and generate leads.

12.) How can Wynn Resorts Ltd. reduce employee turnover in their call center?

Research Question:

How can Wynn Resorts Ltd. reduce employee turnover in their call center?

Area of Syllabus:

Human Resource Management (Recruitment and Selection, Training and Development, Motivation and Leadership)

Methodology:

Interviews with current and former employees, analysis of exit surveys, review of company policies and procedures, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Job Analysis, Performance Appraisal, Employee Training and Development Programs, Leadership Theory

Recommendation:

Develop and implement a comprehensive onboarding program for new employees, offer ongoing training and development opportunities, ensure that compensation and benefits packages are competitive with industry standards, establish a culture of open communication and feedback.

13.) What steps can Party City take to improve their supply chain efficiency?

Research Question:

What steps can Party City take to improve their supply chain efficiency?

Area of Syllabus:

Operations Management (Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Process Analysis)

Methodology:

Site visits to suppliers and manufacturers, analysis of current inventory management systems, interviews with supply chain partners, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, Total Quality Management, Inventory Management Systems

Recommendation:

Invest in new inventory management systems and technology, streamline processes and eliminate bottlenecks, establish strong relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, conduct regular quality control checks.

14.) What pricing strategy should Yves Saint-Laurent use to increase market share in the luxury goods sector?

Research Question:

What pricing strategy should Yves Saint-Laurent use to increase market share in the luxury goods sector?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Pricing Strategies, Market Segmentation)

Methodology:

Secondary research (industry reports, competitor analysis), focus groups with luxury goods consumers, analysis of company’s current pricing strategy

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Pricing Models (Cost-Plus, Value-Based, Penetration), Market Research Tools

Recommendation:

Consider a penetration pricing strategy to gain market share, offer promotions or discounts to attract new customers, tailor pricing to different segments of the luxury goods market, focus on creating a perception of exclusivity and luxury.

15.) How can Malabar Gold & Diamonds improve their customer service to increase customer loyalty?

Research Question:

How can Malabar Gold & Diamonds improve their customer service to increase customer loyalty?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Customer Relationship Management, Service Marketing)

Methodology:

Mystery shopping at company locations, analysis of customer service interactions, customer satisfaction surveys, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, CRM Software, Service Quality Measurement Tools, Complaint Management Systems

Recommendation:

Implement a comprehensive training program for customer service employees, empower employees to make decisions and resolve issues on the spot, create a formal complaint management system, establish a loyalty program for repeat customers.

16.) What steps can Maruti Suzuki take to reduce their carbon footprint?

Research Question:

What steps can Maruti Suzuki take to reduce their carbon footprint?

Area of Syllabus:

Environmental Management (Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility)

Methodology:

Analysis of company’s energy and resource use, benchmarking against industry standards, consultation with environmental experts, review of government regulations

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Management Systems, Carbon Accounting Tools

Recommendation:

Develop and implement a sustainability plan with specific goals and targets, invest in renewable energy sources, reduce waste and implement recycling programs, use sustainable materials in products and packaging.

17.) How can TCS improve their team collaboration and communication?

Research Question:

How can TCS improve their team collaboration and communication?

Area of Syllabus:

Organizational Behavior (Team Dynamics, Communication, Leadership)

Methodology:

Surveys with employees, analysis of team communication patterns, review of company policies and procedures, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Team Building Exercises, Communication Strategies, Leadership Development Programs

Recommendation:

Implement regular team building exercises and activities, establish clear communication channels and protocols, provide training in effective communication and conflict resolution, develop and promote effective leadership practices.

18.) What marketing strategies should Raymond use to target the Gen Z demographic?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Target Marketing, Consumer Behavior)

Methodology:

Focus groups with Gen Z consumers, analysis of social media trends and platforms, review of competitor strategies, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Market Segmentation Strategies, Social Media Marketing Tools, Customer Relationship Management Software

Recommendation:

Develop a strong social media presence and engage with Gen Z influencers, use targeted advertising on social media platforms, create content that speaks to Gen Z values and interests, offer personalized and interactive experiences.

19.) How can Costco improve their online sales and customer experience?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (E-commerce, Customer Experience Management)

Methodology:

Analysis of website user experience, surveys with online customers, benchmarking against industry standards, consultation with e-commerce experts

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Customer Journey Mapping, E-commerce Platform Analysis, Conversion Rate Optimization Tools

Recommendation:

Invest in improving website user experience and functionality, optimize the customer journey from browsing to purchase, offer personalized recommendations and promotions, provide clear and transparent information about shipping and returns.

20.) To what extent does employee engagement affect organizational performance in Cognizant?

Area of Syllabus:

Organizational Behavior (Motivation, Job Satisfaction, Performance Management)

Methodology:

Surveys with employees and managers, analysis of performance metrics and employee turnover rates, benchmarking against industry standards, review of company policies and procedures

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Employee Engagement Surveys, Performance Management Frameworks, Total Rewards Programs

Recommendation:

Develop and implement employee engagement initiatives such as recognition programs, career development opportunities, and work-life balance initiatives. Set clear performance goals and provide regular feedback and coaching to employees. Align total rewards programs with employee performance and organizational goals.

21.) How can Kovai Pazhamudir Nilayam improve their procurement process and reduce costs?

Area of Syllabus:

Business Management (Procurement Management, Cost Management)

Methodology:

Analysis of procurement processes, cost analysis, benchmarking against industry standards, consultation with procurement experts, review of government regulations

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Procurement Performance Metrics, Contract Management Systems

Recommendation:

Implement a strategic sourcing approach to reduce costs and improve supplier relationships. Conduct regular spend analysis to identify areas for cost savings. Use data analytics to optimize procurement processes. Develop and implement effective contract management systems to improve supplier performance and reduce risk.

22.) What factors contribute to customer loyalty in Popeyes and how can they be improved?

Area of Syllabus:

Marketing (Customer Relationship Management, Customer Experience Management)

Methodology:

Surveys with customers, analysis of customer feedback and complaints, benchmarking against industry standards, review of company policies and procedures

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Customer Journey Mapping, Net Promoter Score, Customer Relationship Management Software

Recommendation:

Develop and implement a customer-centric culture within the organization. Provide personalized and engaging customer experiences at all touchpoints. Use customer feedback to continuously improve products and services. Offer loyalty programs and incentives to reward and retain customers.

23.) How can Himalaya diversify their product offerings and enter new markets?

Area of Syllabus:

Strategic Management (Diversification, Market Entry Strategies)

Methodology:

Analysis of market trends and opportunities, consultation with industry experts, review of company resources and capabilities, benchmarking against industry standards

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Porter’s Five Forces Analysis, Resource-Based View Analysis, Ansoff Matrix

Recommendation:

Conduct market research to identify new product offerings and potential markets. Utilize partnerships and collaborations to enter new markets. Develop and acquire resources and capabilities necessary for new product offerings. Use a diversification strategy such as related or unrelated diversification.

24.) How can Zomato effectively manage their international human resources?

Area of Syllabus:

Human Resource Management (Global Human Resource Management, Cross-Cultural Management)

Methodology:

Surveys with international employees, analysis of cultural differences and practices, consultation with international HR experts, review of government regulations

Organizational Tools:

Cross-Cultural Training Programs, International Performance Management Frameworks, International Compensation and Benefits Structures

Recommendation:

Develop and implement cross-cultural training programs for employees and managers. Use international performance management frameworks to evaluate and develop employee performance. Develop international compensation and benefits structures that align with local practices and regulations.

25.) What steps can Party City take to improve their supply chain efficiency?

Area of Syllabus:

Business Ethics (Corporate Social Responsibility, Stakeholder Theory)

Methodology:

Analysis of company financial performance metrics, surveys with stakeholders, benchmarking against industry standards, review of company CSR policies and practices

Organizational Tools:

SWOT Analysis, Stakeholder Mapping, Sustainability Reporting Frameworks, Triple Bottom Line Analysis

Recommendation:

Integrate CSR practices into the company’s core business strategy. Develop and implement sustainability reporting frameworks to track and measure CSR impact. Align CSR practices with stakeholder expectations and industry standards. Communicate CSR efforts and impact to stakeholders and the public.