Scenario You have now been recruited as a marketing manager and lead the marketing team. Previously, the team only followed the manager's instructions. The team members just waited until they received the instructions from the manager. The team did not perform well in the last year, so the senior managers received a lot of complaints from both internal stakeholders and suppliers. Due to the nature of the team activities, creative ideas and approaches are needed to:

• make advertisement concepts,
• Plan sales promotions,
• Plan digital marketing through social media.

The advertisement did not approach the target customers effectively, and the sales promotions were not successfully conducted.

As a result, you had a team meeting and have identified the following:

• All marketing activities were planned and organised by the previous manager.
• The previous manager was proud of his own knowledge and experience, so he did not ask for feedback and contributions from his team members regularly.
• The previous manager only called a team meeting in a month.

In addition, the marketing team did not meet the team's KPIs for the last two years. You are asked to identify all the possible barriers that hinder the team from achieving the goals. You have identified the following:

• The team members did not communicate regarding the tasks.
• The team members did not share their knowledge and skills regarding the tasks.
• There was no rapport developed among the team members.
• The manager ignored new ideas or approaches regarding the tasks, and the team members were frustrated. The team members only did what they were asked to.
• The team members did not analyse any data or information as they only followed the previous manager's directions and instructions.

You are required to identify the areas for self-development and improve the team performance. You have developed the following policies and procedures for teamwork:

• The team members are encouraged to provide their opinions regarding tasks or ways to complete tasks.
• All decisions must be discussed with the relevant stakeholders.
• The decisions must be reviewed, and any identified changes or improvements must be reflected

Question 1: Identify the limitations of the previous team performance. You are required to analyse existing work practices and identify the team limitations. In your answer, you are also required to address any legal issues related to the department.

Question 2: You have decided to apply critical thinking to the work practices. Explain why a critical thinking process is needed for the marketing team. (Hint: You are required to consider the limitations of the previous team performance.

Question 3: Explain the key characteristics of critical thinking processes in the team.

Question 4: Describe the benefits of critical thinking practices in the team. In your answer, the answer must be related to the team activities.

Question 5: Explain how you will obtain and locate the information that is to be used in solving the problems in your team.

Question 6: Explain why communication with the relevant stakeholders is important to create ideas for the team's work (tasks).

Question 7: Draft an appropriate solution for the decision-making process according to organisational policies and procedures.

Question 8: Develop an appropriate solution to improve your team practices.

Question 9: The warehouse department manager asked you to develop appropriate solutions to minimise operating costs.Provide appropriate solutions for the warehouse department by applying critical thinking concepts.

Question 10: Identify the areas for self-development as the marketing manager. Provide your reasons.

Question 11: Explain why seeking feedback from the relevant stakeholders is important to assess team performance.

Question 12: Explain how you can review decision-making practices in the department.

Question 13: Why is it necessary to develop an appropriate plan for future process evaluations?