HKGCC Business School Partnership 2022/23 – Zwei Development Limited and TLMSHK
As part of the HKGCC Business School Partnership 2022/23, our school was paired with Zwei Development Limited. In addition to a company visit that took place in January 2023, two of our S4 students, had the opportunity to participate in a job shadowing activity on April 18, 2023. Below is their reflection on the experience.
Job Shadowing @ Zwei Development Limited
by 4C Yiu Lok Hei and 4D Wu Cheuk Ling
Introduction
We had the privilege of visiting both the office and store of Zwei Development Limited, located in Admiralty and Causeway Bay, respectively. During our visit, we had the opportunity to learn from two key individuals within the company: the HR representative and the store manager.
The HR representative provided us with valuable insights into the overall operation of the company, including its mission, values, and goals. We gained a deeper understanding of the company’s organizational structure and the role of each department in achieving its objectives. The HR representative also shared with us the company’s approach to employee development and the importance of creating a positive and supportive workplace culture.
Meanwhile, the store manager gave us a detailed overview of the store’s operations and the strategies employed to ensure its success. We learned about the importance of product placement, customer service, and the use of advanced technology in enhancing the shopping experience. The store manager also highlighted the significance of staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and adopting innovative approaches to remain competitive in the market.
Visit in office
Upon arrival at the Zwei Development Limited office, we were given a concise yet informative briefing by the HR manager about the company’s operation. The manager began by introducing the personnel structure of the company and outlining the responsibilities of each role. We gained a better understanding of how each department contributes to the success of the business and the importance of effective communication and collaboration between teams.
The manager then provided us with essential information on how to operate and manage a store. We learned about the significance of proportional allocation of capital, including restocking, rent, and labor costs. As an intermediate local enterprise with several stores located in different districts, Zwei Development Limited places a high value on their delivery men, recognizing their crucial role in ensuring timely deliveries. We were impressed by the dedication and fast-paced routine of the delivery men, who were incentivized with additional payments based on the number of commodities they delivered in a day.
After the comprehensive briefing, we were assigned a task to input information from a list of bills into an Excel spreadsheet within a tight 15-minute time frame. This task proved to be challenging, as the lists were lengthy and the time given was limited. We gained a newfound appreciation for the work of white-collar workers, realizing that typing on a keyboard can become tedious when dealing with piles of documents and intense workloads.
Although we were only able to complete half of the bills within the given time, we learned valuable lessons about time management and the complexity of running a business. The experience was an eye-opener, providing us with a glimpse into the daily operations of a successful enterprise.
Visit in manned store
Our visit to the Shiba Shop in Moreton Terrace, Causeway Bay, proved to be an enlightening experience. After a productive morning in the office, we were instructed by the store manager, Ka, to work as cashiers for the day. Initially, we assumed that being a cashier would be a straightforward task, but we soon realized that it required flexibility and adaptability to a range of circumstances. Throughout the day, we encountered various customers, including one woman who kept asking us questions about the products. Despite her behaviour, Ka remained patient and understanding, clearly familiar with her condition and how to handle the situation.
We also learned from the Shiba Shop’s approach to adapting to the changing times. In the era of advanced technology, the store had implemented sophisticated cash register technology, using a laptop to input, output, and record all purchases. The system was seamlessly integrated with various payment methods, including Octopus, Alipay, and WeChat Pay, making the purchasing process incredibly convenient for customers. We were impressed by how easy it was to complete transactions with just a few taps of our fingers.
Another significant aspect of the store’s success was the effective placement of products. Ka highlighted the importance of product placement, using packaged drinks as an example. He would place brightly colored packaged drinks near the store’s entrance, distinct from the full-bodied beers, to attract the attention of passersby. It was fascinating to learn how the placement of products could play such a crucial role in shaping the image of the store and attracting customers. Before Ka’s explanation, we had never considered the significance of product placement in such detail.
Overall, our experience at the Shiba Shop was eye-opening, providing us with valuable insights into the importance of adapting to the changing times, customer service, and effective product placement. It was a memorable and educational experience that we will always cherish.
Conclusion
In summary, our visit to Zwei Development Limited and the Shiba Shop was an incredibly valuable experience. We gained invaluable insights into the inner workings of successful businesses, from the importance of effective employee development and workplace culture to the significance of adapting to the changing times and utilizing innovative technology.
We also learned about the importance of customer service and effective product placement in shaping the image of a store and attracting customers. Our time as cashiers at the Shiba Shop taught us the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and patience when dealing with a diverse range of customers, including those with special needs or unique circumstances.
Although it is difficult to articulate the extent of our learning, the knowledge and know-how that we gained are firmly ingrained in our hearts. We look forward to applying these valuable insights in our future endeavors and making use of the lessons we learned from industry professionals. This experience was truly transformative, and we are grateful for the opportunity to have learned from such successful businesses.
