4.1 Name any THREE stages of team development - NSC Business Studies - Question 4 - 2017 - Paper 1

Creative thinking in the workplace offers several advantages:

1. Innovative Solutions: It encourages unique and unconventional problem-solving methods that may lead to unique solutions.

2. Improved Efficiency: By generating new ideas, employees can find ways to save time and resources, increasing overall productivity.

3. Enhanced Collaboration: Creative environments foster teamwork and open communication, allowing members to share ideas freely.

4. Increased Job Satisfaction: Creativity empowers employees, making them feel more engaged and satisfied with their work.

The unethical business practice identified in the scenario is that Roy does not record all the transactions of his business. This is evident in the quote, "Roy, the owner of True Blue Sports, does not record all the transactions of his business as required by South African Revenue Services." This lack of proper record-keeping can lead to tax evasion and a failure to adhere to legal responsibilities.

Other unethical business practices include:

1. Fraud: Misrepresenting information for personal gain.
2. Bribery: Offering something of value to influence decisions.
3. Discrimination: Treating employees unfairly based on gender, race, or other characteristics.
4. Conflicts of Interest: Failing to disclose personal interests that may affect business decisions.

TBS can conduct business more professionally, responsibly, and ethically by:

1. Implementing Transparent Financial Practices: Keeping accurate and complete records of all transactions to comply with regulations.
2. Training Employees on Ethical Standards: Offering regular training sessions focused on ethics and compliance to build a responsible corporate culture.
3. Engaging Stakeholders: Seeking regular feedback from stakeholders to ensure business practices align with ethical expectations.

Successful teams exhibit the following criteria:

1. Clear Goals: Teams must have a clearly defined purpose and objectives that guide their activities.
2. Open Communication: Members should feel encouraged to share ideas and feedback freely without fear of reprisal.
3. Mutual Trust and Respect: Team members need to have trust in one another’s capabilities and respect each other’s contributions.

Ethics refers to the moral principles that govern an individual's behavior and decision-making, establishing what is considered right or wrong within a societal context. Professionalism, on the other hand, encompasses the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize a profession or professional person. In essence, ethics is about the moral code, while professionalism relates to the standards and behaviors expected in professional settings.

The problem-solving technique used by Go Travels is the Delphi technique. This is inferred from the action of requesting business experts to complete questionnaires which indicates a structured method of obtaining opinions and insights to address their issue.

The advantages of the Delphi technique include:

1. Anonymity: Participants can provide their opinions without the influence of others, reducing bias.
2. Diverse Perspectives: It allows gathering of varied insights from different experts which can lead to comprehensive solutions.
3. Iterative Feedback: The process allows for multiple rounds of questioning, ensuring refined answers and consensus over time.

Diversity in the workplace provides significant benefits such as:

1. Enhanced Problem Solving: A diverse team brings various perspectives which lead to more innovative solutions.
2. Increased Creativity: Different backgrounds foster creative thinking and out-of-the-box ideas.
3. Market Competitiveness: Companies that embrace diversity often appeal to a broader customer base, enhancing their market reach.
4. Improved Employee Satisfaction: Inclusive environments promote higher morale among employees, which can reduce turnover and increase productivity.

To address age-related diversity issues, businesses can:

1. Implement Age-Inclusive Policies: Develop policies that promote age diversity and discourage age discrimination.
2. Offer Diverse Training Opportunities: Provide training programs that cater to employees of all ages, facilitating skill development for different generational groups.

To accommodate diversity related to disabilities, businesses can:

1. Accessible Work Environments: Ensure that physical spaces are accessible to employees with disabilities, including modifications like ramps and appropriate workstations.
2. Awareness Programs: Conduct training sessions to raise awareness about disabilities and promote inclusivity among all employees.