Aus Health Spa is located in the outer suburbs of Sydney and offers a range of services, including massages and body and skin treatments. The Health Spa also includes a fitness centre, for which memberships are available. There are currently around 50 permanent members of the fitness centre. All other users are casual users of both the spa and fitness centre. Currently, users can only be members of the fitness centre and all other services are paid for per use. The Health Spa has been established for 2 years, during which time, use of the Spa has steadily increased, resulting in an excellent operating profit. Most users are locals. The owner of Aus Health Spa is interested in finding out more about member needs and ways to increase business sales. In the role of the Marketing Officer for the business, you have been asked to conduct research into the above, and on trends and opportunities in the sector. As there is a limited budget for marketing research, the owner of the business has advised that it will be necessary to identify and use secondary research information sources about the health spa industry, statistics and emerging trends and opportunities. A feedback register for service users and is a relatively recent initiative, with feedback documented from last year. The register should be reviewed to identify members' needs.

Required:

1. Gather and organise information for your research. Based on the review of the case study information above, as well as Workplace Information Policy and Procedures. You are required to gather and organise information for your research. Use the Gather and Organise Information template to guide your work. In accordance with the organisational requirements, you must include the following information: Information needed for this research and suitability for analysis Access information held by the organisation Methods of collecting information Research requirements Business technology requirements Update, modify, maintain and store information

2. Write a research brief. Develop a research brief for Aus Health Spa. The brief should, at a minimum, include the following:

a. Identify the objectives of the research to be conducted

b. Identify the research methods to be utilised, including an explanation of why the proposed method of research are suitable for the proposed research, as well as how they are valid and reliable.

c. List at least 10 key words and phrases (including Boolean operators) to use in online research to identify relevant sources of information.

d. Use the key words and phrases, including Boolean operators, to identify and document at least 5 information sources that you will use for the research. Document the web site reference and/or name and title of the publication of each of these reference sources and summarise the information that the web site or publication will provide to assist you with your research. e. Review the information in the Feedback Register and, based on your review and analysis, identify at least three areas to be reviewed as part of the research. Use Research Brief Template to guide your work. As you will be reviewing this document following a meeting with the owner (assessor) of the Aus Health Spa, name this document Draft Research Brief.

3. A meeting has been arranged with the owner of the Aus Helth Spa and other staff member to discuss the prepared research brief. At the meeting, you will need to:

Provide an introduction to the meeting

Discuss key points from the research brief, included the proposed research activities.

Seek feedback on the proposed research and gain approval to proceed.

During the meeting, you are required to demonstrate effective communication skills including:

Speaking clearly and concisely

Using non-verbal communication to assist with understanding

Asking questions to identify required information

Responding to questions as required Using active listening techniques to confirm understanding

4. Update your research brief and send an email to the owner of Aus Health Spa (assessor). Revise and update your research brief as required based on feedback received at the meeting. Name this version of the document as Revised Research Brief. Send an email to the owner of Aus Health Spa (your assessor). The text of the email should be in grammatically correct English, written in an appropriate (polite, business-like) style. It should introduce and summarise the contents of the attachment and ask for their feedback/approval to proceed further. Attach your Revised Research Brief to the email.

5. Your research proposal was approved by the owner of the Aus Health Spa. Conduct the research according to your research brief including:

• Review the information sources you have identified to provide an analysis of trends and opportunities in the health spa industry.
• Conduct the research based on your review of the Aus Health Spa Feedback Register. Ensure that you refer to, and follow, the Aus Health Spa workplace information Policy and Procedure in regard to confidentiality and privacy requirements.
• Analyse the data gained from your research. Document key findings that are relevant to the research objectives. Develop recommendations for increasing membership and sales based on the research you have conducted. Include your recommendations in the presentation.
• 6. Develop a PowerPoint presentation. Use your presentation to communicate your findings from the previous activity. Your PowerPoint slides should include graphics to illustrate the research information and analysis. Your presentation should last for approximately 15 minutes. You should be prepared to answer questions during, and after the presentation. 7. Present your research. Begin by introducing your presentation, including its purpose, and outline the content to be delivered. At the outset of the presentation, indicate that the audience will be able to ask questions during or at the end of the presentation (as relevant) Clearly deliver the presentation content using the slides that you have developed, according to the research brief and in the time specified. During the meeting, demonstrate effective communication skills including: Speaking clearly and concisely Using non-verbal communication to assist with understanding Asking questions to identify required information Responding to questions as required Using active listening techniques to confirm understanding Summarise key points throughout the presentation to aid understanding. Provide a conclusion to the presentation. Seek feedback from the audience on your findings and research