Case study: Surf Spray Cafe

Nico and Kate have worked at Surf Spray since it opened six years ago near Dunedins St Clair beach. Kate and Nico had an immediate rapport and have become firm friends. Together, they helped the owner, George Martin, build a solid reputation for good coffee, good food and good service.

The Surf Sprays savouries are bought from a local supplier, but its cakes and sweets are made in-house by Nico, a qualified baker. They include traditional New Zealand favourites such as custard squares, cinnamon oysters and chocolate eclairs. All of the cakes and sweets are made from organic ingredients. The cakes and sweets are the cafes point of difference and a source of pride to George, Kate and Nico. Most of their competitors outsource their baking and provide more ordinary offerings such as brownies and friands.

In the last few months, Georges health declined slightly. Now approaching retirement age, he has sold the Surf Spray Cafe to a new owner, Marama Wilson. Marama has been managing a cafe in Sydney for several years. She and her husband, John, decided to relocate to Dunedin because of the citys quality of life and excellent schools. Nico and Karen are unsure what the change of ownership will mean for them and the future of the Surf Spray cafe.

Nico rang Kate late on Sunday night. Are you sure everything will be all right tomorrow?

Kate couldnt quite hear him over the noise of the television, and she took the phone into the next room.

I know weve met Marama, Nico continued, and George has been fantastic, but even so I cant help worrying a bit about how things are going to go.

Kate heard the anxiety in his voice.

It will be absolutely fine, Nico, she said as soothingly as she could. Its just a normal handover from one business owner to another. Get some sleep, dont get tied up in knots, and Ill see you in the morning.

On the morning of Maramas first Monday, things seem to be okay. When Nico arrives, Marama is already there. Kate comes in a little later. Kate and Nico go about their normal duties; making sure the cafe looks warm and inviting, preparing food and drinks, and chatting with regular customers. There are lots of regulars at Surf Spray, enticed in by the excellent cakes. As always, Kates habitual calm works like a charm on Nicos fussy, anxious perfectionism.

Marama is pleasant but seems a little cool, maybe just in contrast to Georges effusive friendliness. Slightly puzzled by the work routines that Nico and Kate have developed, Marama asks them for a short but formal meeting the next morning.

On Tuesday before the doors open, the three of them sit at one of the tables with fresh coffee and warm scones. Nico and Kate explain as clearly as they can how they share their responsibilities. The responsibilities vary over the course of the day depending on workloads, and sometimes just their personal inclinations. They also explain that Nico starts work earlier in the day because

of the baking, while Kate comes in after dropping her two primary-age children off at school. Marama asks searching questions and makes copious, detailed notes on her laptop. After Nico and Kate finish their explanations, Kate asks Marama if shes happy with the working arrangements. Does she want anything done differently?

No, replies Marama, everything seems to be good for now anyway.

On Wednesday afternoon things were as busy as ever. Nico and Kate keep things moving along in the cafe, while Marama goes out to a meeting of local business owners. George drops in for coffee and cake. Kate chats to him briefly while Nico works the coffee machine.

Marama comes back just before closing time with some guests shes invited from her local business owners meeting. She takes them out to the back of the cafe where a door from the tiny kitchen opens on to a small, unused yard beside her own tiny office. Barely acknowledging Nico, she seems to be telling her guests about plans for expansion. Marama was speaking in a more animated way than Nico had ever seen her and there was a lot of friendly banter within the group.

Yes, we could make the back yard into a seating area, said Marama.

Nico, who was cleaning up in the kitchen, was trying not to eavesdrop and could hear the conversation only in short bursts anyway. But he was sure he distinctly heard Marama say, this kitchen will have to go.

Nicos heart seemed to sink right through his shoes and into the spotless floor. The kitchen wasnt his whole life, but hed loved working here with Kate and George. He loved being appreciated for his cooking skills, meeting people, and feeling very much a part of the vibrant St Clair scene. Working in the cafe was tiring sometimes but cooking was what he wanted to do. There were other jobs and other cafes, of course, but this one had been still was special.

Noticing that Nico seemed downcast but not knowing why, Kate invited him home to dinner with her family. Once her children were in bed she asked him what the matter was.

Its Marama, sighed Nico, sitting upright on the edge of his chair and fiddling with his watch. I knew things couldnt go on the way they were with the three of us working so well together. George was so positive and encouraging even when he wasnt always well. You are so business-like but always friendly and nice. Ive never really had a family of my own and it was just too good to last.

He told her what he thought he had overheard.

Its not that I dont like Marama, and were still getting to know her, but she doesnt say much. Im really worried about what the future holds. Im not at all sure how easy it would be for me to get another job.

Kate patted his shoulder.

Look, she said. We dont know anything for sure. Marama might be thinking about making changes in a few months, or possibly years from now. Maybe she was just chatting with her friends and nothing will come of it. Lets have a

quiet word with George when he comes in tomorrow. Maybe he knows something we dont.

At the mention of their trusted former employer, Nicos posture relaxed. I agree, he said. George has never put us wrong yet.

On Thursday afternoon Marama was out when George dropped in. While Kate made his coffee, Nico kept an eye on the other customers. He asked Mrs Morrison, a local woman well known in the local cafes and feared in some, if everything was to her liking.

Well, no, not really, said Mrs Morrison, more loudly than was necessary. This eclair hasnt got anything like enough cream. I dont know if things are slipping under the new management, but its definitely not up to scratch.

Very sorry, Mrs Morrison, said Nico, with as much sincerity as he could manage, Ill get you another one right away. He took the eclair generously creamed, he noticed and replaced it with an identical one. Much better, said Mrs Morrison, munching happily. Dont let it happen again, Nico.

While this was happening, Kate gave George his coffee. Since no-one else seemed to have an immediate need for her attention, Kate asked him quietly if she could talk to him for a moment. Mrs Morrison, who had as keen an ear for gossip as anyone in Dunedin, was fortunately seated some distance away.

George, said Kate. Things seem to be going all right here, but Nico and I were wondering if, when you were discussing the sale with Marama, you got any sort of idea about her plans for the place whether she might be intending to expand, or maybe change things in some way?

Sorry, said George, cant quite hear you did you say change things and go away? Realising that she was speaking into Georges deaf ear, and that she couldnt see his hearing aid, Kate moved to the seat on his good side and repeated her question.

I think Marama does have changes in mind, replied George. So did I, before my health started to pack up. I was glad Marama decided to buy the business and Ill tell you why. Marama has a business degree and she applied her knowledge in Sydney by taking over a failing restaurant and making it popular and profitable. Ive heard it said though, that she has something of a reputation of being a tough cookie. The staff in Sydney, I believe, found her exacting everyone had to meet high standards as determined by her. Ive also been told that while she could be demanding, she was also respected because she was recognised as being very direct, and very fair.

Nico managed to hear the end of this conversation. Fair is good, he thought, but fair might also mean closing the kitchen if that helps the bottom line.

To Kate he said: Direct, eh? Ok, she hasnt been very direct with us, but we can be direct with her tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow morning said Kate.

But on Friday morning, neither of them was as direct as they had imagined they might be. Marama, said Kate, do you have a minute for Nico and me to ask you a question or two?

Marama, who was making sure all the flowers in little vases on the tables were fresh, turned around slowly.

Sure, she said. Whats the problem?

Well, there isnt really a problem, said Nico, hoping his voice didnt quaver. Its just that well, Kate and I were wondering if you were planning to keep everything as it is? Or whether you might be thinking of some changes in what each of us does, for example, or hours, or staffing levels or maybe even outsourcing the cakes?

Marama smoothed down her hair. She sat down, and her eyes signalled to the other two to do the same.

Yes, she said, I am thinking of changes, but my ideas havent quite taken shape yet. Thats why I havent discussed them with you before now I wanted to get the day-to-day feel of things before I even thought of making any decisions.

Heres what Im thinking so far. Surf Spray is a nice little cafe, but its little thats its main weakness. The decor is another one very nice but starting to look dated. Surf Sprays strengths are its great staff and the service they provide, the excellent coffee and of course the cakes.

Nico seemed to want to say something, but she raised a finger and shook her head.

So what Im considering is enlarging the building slightly. Getting a landscape gardener to make the back yard look lovely and putting tables and chairs out there. And that old kitchen will have to go. Its too small anyway. In the new building therell be room for a modern, state-of-the art kitchen and Nico, I hope you will want to stay on and work in it.

Kate winked at Nico, who realised that a smile was taking over his face. Kate was smiling too. And so was Marama.

Of course, said Marama, bringing everyone down to earth, none of this is going to happen right away, and some parts arent going to be easy. Just thinking about the new design is going to be a challenge, and no doubt therell be a lot of inconvenience. If I go ahead with this, we may even need to close for a while. But I will try to remember to keep you in the loop as things develop.

1) The self

a) Does Marama have a blind self? Discuss with reference to the Johari window, and provide evidence of her self- awareness (150-250 words). Please ensure that you answer all parts of this question to gain full marks.

b) Define self-esteem in an organization. On the basis of evidence from the case study, explain two strategies that Nico can use to maintain positive self-esteem as changes are made at the cafe (150-250 words).