FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT

ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF MINING, CHEMICAL AND METALLURGICAL
ENGINEERING

ENTREPRENEURSHIP, PROFESSIONAL ETHICS, COMMUNICATION AND

PHILOSOPHY (EPEC301)

UNIT 1 ASSIGNMENT
 GROUP MEMBERS

NAME SURNAME REG NO PROGRAM

1. TUMI TAKAWIRA R205603H HMIE

2. TADIWA NGOMBE R201915U HCHENG

3. ANESU MADYEVUSI R202077S HMIE

4. ARTHUR CHITSA R206240E HCHENG

5. ASCENT CHINYEMBA R218315R HMIE

6. ZVIKOMBORERO CHAGUMA R201909H HCHENG

7. CLIVE MAZAMBARA R201917C HCHENG

8. SIMBARASHE DANDI R201906H HCHENG

9. DAVIES CHIKAUNDA R202092X HMIE

10. ELTON KASAMBARARE R202088G HMIE

11. ENOCK MATEKAIRE R116380E HMIE

12. IGNATIUS MUDZVITI R205265Z HMIE

13. JOICE DUBE R202091X HMIE

14. MICHAEL MUHLOZA R202083T HMIE

15. TATENDA MUCHAYAYA R202084J HMIE

16. RUVHENEKO MUJURU R201899R HMETE

17. NATALIE KASIRORI R206417E HCHENG

18. TINASHE NEZANDONYI R202078H HMIE

19. PANASHE MUSHUNJE R205830G HMETE

20. PARDON MUPFURURIRWA R202094M HMIE

21. SHARMAH MAGADZIKE R205837J HMETE

22. TAFADZWA BANDA R205013Q HMIE

23. TAFADZWA CHIDARARA R205835R HMETE

24. TAKUDZWA MTELISO R202082P HMIE

25. TAKUDZWA RWAKUNDA R202089E HMIE

26. TANAKA JEYI R205829A HMETE

27. TAPIWA SITHOLE R202080H HMIE

28. TENDAI MUMHURE R202081C HMIE

29. LUSANDA MPPOFU R207301G HIMB

30. RICHARD CHIKORWA R205836H HMETE

31. ANESU SIMBANEGAVI R206241N HCHENG

32. KELVIN RWASOKA R205832M HMETE

33. TAFADZWA KWANISAI R205833F HMETE

34. SHINGIRIRAI MUTAMA R206269C HMETE

35. VIMBAIYINASHE MAPAIKE R201913W HCHENG

36. REGIS MUSAMBA R201914A HCHENG

37. CHITEMERE BRIAN R207284T HMETE

38. CHIKOMBORER
O CHIBOYI R201907R HCHENG

39. TAFADZWA KUNYARIMWE R205838B HMETE

40. NYASHA NYAKUENGAMA R202095G HMIE

QUESTION: In your respective groups carry out a market needs analysis for a
selected community (UZ included). Generate three (3) possible business /New
venture ideas that may solve the identified needs. Justifying your choice over
others, select ONE (1) idea that you will pursue.

Introduction

The University of Zimbabwe is a prestigious institution that plays a vital role in

shaping the academic, personal, and social development of its diverse student body.
To ensure a fulfilling university experience, it is crucial to provide students with
essential services and facilities that meet their various needs. The university
accommodates thousands of students in its campus accommodation who have
access to most of the facilities offered as they are present 24/7 on campus. The
community of people selected for the purposes of this assignment are the students in
the campus residence in order to assess their needs in goods and services that are
not readily available on campus.

Needs assessment

The following google form was used for the needs assessment and distributed to
students using Whatsapp platform in the various on campus residence groups;

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxXr-
XKKK4GEKSNolDvdydLLzJV5EpqmkjxiZcgczEi67U2w/viewform?
vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxid=-8203364

Find attached a sample of 3 of the responses shown in fig 1a), b) and c) below
Fig 1a)

Fig 1b)

Fig 1c)

500 students participated in the survey across the hostels and the following data was
obtained from the responses obtained and is seen in the pie chart;
 0n campus residences needs assessment survey results

62
87

54

77

95

125

Grocery shop Student accommodation Laundry services

Salon 24hr fitness centre On campus shuttles

Among the plethora of services and facilities that contribute to a well-rounded

student experience, three stood out as particularly significant which were

1. Laundry services
2. Salon facility
3. Grocery shop

Laundry Service: University life is demanding, leaving students with limited time and
energy to manage their daily chores effectively. A specialized laundry service would
alleviate this burden by offering convenient and reliable solutions. Students could
rely on this service to handle their laundry needs, including washing, drying, and
folding within a short period of time. By providing a clean and comfortable living
environment, the service would create a conducive atmosphere for students to focus
on their studies and engage in extracurricular activities without the added stress of
managing these tasks.

Salon Facility: the need to maintain a presentable look is vital for all students and
there is seen to be a rush going to the central business district or the surrounding
suburbs for hair care. Some students do this in their hostels and have external
people to do iot for them. this shows the need for a set place on campus where one
can walk in to get their hair cut, hair plaiting and even nails done without incurring a
traveling expense.

Grocery shop: with the hostel tuckshops closed where students used to obtain some
basics like the dilute to taste juice, snack and even toiletries, there is an poutcry for
the students to have a grocery shop. This will limit the need for trips to Belgravia and
Groombridge that have travelling expenses and allow for smooth day to day
operations for the students on campus.

In summary, among the array of potential business ideas for the University of
Zimbabwe's campus, focusing laundry services, a salon facility and grocery shop on
would greatly enhance the student experience. These services directly address the
living and personal well-being needs of students, enabling their success and
fostering a positive university experience. By providing these services first it creates
an environment that promotes academic excellence, relieves students of practical
burdens, and supports their overall well-being.

Justification of the selected service

For a number of reasons, operating a laundry on a college campus may be a lucrative and
long-lasting company. Students, instructors, and staff make up a sizable and captive clientele
on university campuses; these individuals frequently lack the time or means to do their
laundry on a regular basis. Pupils are frequently preoccupied with their social lives,
extracurricular activities, and academic obligations. By providing laundry services on
campus, you may free up their time so they can focus on other crucial responsibilities.
Although on-campus laundry facilities exist at some campuses, they are sometimes scarce
and may require lengthy wait times. You can outperform other facilities in the market by
offering a laundry service with quick turnaround times and flexible operation hours.

This projected demand relates to another important advantage, which is the near-certainty of
a substantial clientele. There will always be a ready supply of potential customers in need of
frequent laundry cycles as long as our university accepts students living on campus. There are
always risks involved in starting a new firm, but in this instance, the market is already there
and doesn't need any advertising. Reliable demand significantly reduces risk.

Convenience is among the most obvious opportunities. Thousands of students live in dorms,
so having a laundry facility close by would cut down on the amount of time they would need
to spend traveling off campus. To optimize convenience and minimize trouble, the service
can even include extras like same-day pickup and folding of cleaned garments. Any service
that reduces time-consuming duties would be in high demand, especially considering how
busy students' schedules are.

The financial figures appear to be encouraging as well. With consistent volume from the on-
campus market, even at moderate costs per load like those of commercial laundromats, there
could be significant profit and revenue potential. With potential for expansion through value-
added services, the firm has the potential to grow greatly over time in tandem with university
expansion. Increasing the number of apartments and dorm beds naturally expands the
consumer base.

Apart from the evident economic benefit, an on-campus washing facility closes a significant
gap by offering a practical convenience that improves the quality of life for students and their
time on campus. Students looking for part-time work may find options for employment
through an on-campus laundry business. They may be able to earn money and gain useful
work experience from this. We think an on-site laundry service merits careful consideration
because of all these factors.

Proposed plan for the selected service

Proposed name: Double Bubble Laundry Services

Motto: wash it easy and fast

Physical location of business: University of Zimbabwe

Accessibility for customers: Website that has a selection system that gives time
slots to individuals per booking made to do their laundry.

The Double Bubble Laundry Services is aimed at offering a comprehensive range of

laundry services that can make life easier for students and the community around.

This service is needed for the students in order to satisfy the following;

Convenience: your laundry is taken care of in a short period of time allowing you to
give other priorities time.

Quality: Double Bubble offers excellent results and you do not have to worry about
stubborn stains and large quantities of dirty clothes.
Efficiency: the website will allow for single slots that are timed and be sure not to
have double booking. Friendly stuff will also be there to assist you if you need
anything.

The Double Bubble Laundry Service will be offered in a room that is well equipped
with washing machines, tumble dryers and a steam ironing facility that will allow you
to go back with clean, dry and wrinkles laundry. The first priority to this service is the
student board especially during the weekdays and Saturday. On Sunday and
exceptional says, the nearby or interested resident may have access to this facility
but as stated the students are what we are here to serve as the first priority.
Provision of security will be aided and laundry in house assistance who may wash
your laundry for you upon request with your code that you would have obtained from
the website and this may attract an extra cost.

Services offered;

Washing

Dry cleaning services

Ironing services

Folding and packaging services

Room and home delivery

While you wait for your laundry, there will be a coffee bar, snack bar and free Wi-Fi

Conclusion

As seen from the needs assessment through to the business idea selected, any
slight changes and new introductions in the university facilities may make life of
students more bearable in and around campus. This is aimed at making the
University of Zimbabwe keep up the prestige ad move with advancements in the
technology and aiming to make life easier for the students. With its large sphere of
influence, the services may be wide spread in the country assisting other institutions
to thrive in their services.
From the above, starting with the Laundry services will not only be profitable to
sustain the business but it will serve with excellence and make the university
accommodation services 10x better for the students.