UNIT 15: MANAGING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE RESULTS

UNIT 15: MANAGING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE RESULTS

BUSINESS ASSIGNMENT TASKS:

You are a Business Development Consultant. Your Firm is hired by a small business enterprise that is facing myriads of marketing and

organizational problems. Your job as a Business Development Consultant is to analyze the problems in the business, research solutions

and/or benchmark good practices and make suitable recommendations for improvements.

INSTRUCTION TO THE STUDENTS:

Learning Outcome 3 and 4 have group assignments only. The maximum allowable team size is 4.

You are NOT just required to write from prior knowledge. The Tasks are Research Assignments. This means that you must use either Secondary and/or Primary

Research Methods to gather evidences to answer each task. You will then carry out the command by applying the findings and knowledge to the activity/task

undertaking.

Plagiarism is totally unacceptable. You must cite all sources and input the information by paraphrasing, summarising or using direct quotes. Fail Grade is given where

Plagiarism is identified in your work. There are no exceptions.

Your evidences/findings must be cited using Harvard Referencing Style. E.g. (Samuels, 2015); (Sommers and Hunter, 2014) etc.

You must use the Four Paragraph Structure in writing: Paragraph 1- Introduction; Paragraph 2- Research Findings; Paragraph 3- Discussion; and Paragraph 4-

Recommendations/Conclusion.

To Pass the unit you MUST Achieve ALL the Pass Criteria outlined on the score sheet. You can earn a Higher Grade such as Distinction or Merit by meeting all Pass

Criteria and achieving the criteria given on the Higher Grades Score Sheet. You will be given a Referred Grade if you fail to meet ALL Pass Criteria given. Referred

Grade means resit. You must resit any AC that you fail. The Score Sheet will identify the specific requirement/s and criteria that you did not meet. See iTutor for the resit

fees.

You SHOULD complete and submit a hardcopy and softcopy on the due dates given. ALL late work attract a fee. This rule is not waived under any circumstances. The

softcopy should be sent to: [email protected].

You MUST pay your Tuition on-time with ‘0’ balance outstanding to submit work or sit examinations. This rule is not waived under any circumstances. If you fail to submit

on the said deadline due to not having financial clearance you may submit no later than the extended deadline with the Resit fee paid. Failure to submit work on the final

or extended deadline will result in a Fail Grade for the entire UNIT. If you Fail the unit you will have to pay to retake the class.

Read ALL Instructions on this Page and review the Pass, Distinction, Merit and Referred Criteria attached to meet the criteria and task correctly. Your work should be

neatly typed and bonded. Presentation is important and evidence of quality and business ethics.

Remember you MUST participate in the Class Forum by answering the Lesson Review Questions posted by the Course/Unit Tutor. You are required to Post twice per

week and by the latest on Sunday at midnight. You get 10% of the course grade from the Forum. You Must Pass the Forum to pass the course/unit.

SUBMISSION DEADLINES: See Academic Calendar LATE DEADLINE WITH LATE FEE FOR GROUP WORK IS: See Academic Calendar

TEAM WORKING REQUIREMENTS AND VERIFICATION

STUDENTS AND LECTURERS ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS IN THE TEAMWORKING

GROUP EXPECTATIONS

Grades are not given as a team but to each person, as individual. Thus each student has a personal interest and a say in the team about the

persons who will favorably or unfavorably impact the team. Similarly, a group member can ask to be removed from a team, if he/she believes

that the team is not a best-fit. Colbourne College is very open in our approach because at the end of the day students must make the best

decision that lead to their success in the assignment. If by removing students from the team, joining another team, or submitting the work as an

individual is the acceptable choice, then this must be discussed with the lecturer. We however ask that good leadership, judgement,

sportsmanship, ethics and thoughtful consideration be demonstrated at all times. For a student to be removed from a team it requires two-third

quorum of the members.

While not recommended and is rare, we will review special consideration request, to accept individual work - as long as the learning achievement

is accomplished on the due dates- if any of the above circumstances occur.

IMPORTANT! When your group is forming please outline the requirements and expectation: competencies, behavior, attendance, and

requirements of every member of the team. This must be discussed at meeting one and agreed to by every single member before they are

drafted in the group.

HERE ARE THE RECOMMENDED STANDARDS OF TEAM-WORKING

1. Form a Skype Group, add all members to the group.

2. Ask everyone to read over the assignment and make notes prior to meeting one.

3. Set up Meeting One to

I) go through the process of forming and norming.

ii) discuss the assignment requirements thoroughly, resources needed and cost-sharing.

iii) vote for

a) *Leader* to organize meetings, direct the activities of the team and manage the codes of conduct.

b) *Minute taker* to record minutes and take attendance records.

c)*Timekeeper* to call the group at agreed meeting times or start, record and close the meetings - whether face-to face or online meetings.

d) *Printer* to collect signatures, bind the completed work and submit the work.

iv) Calendar and set ALL the meeting dates at agreed times. Do not call short-notice meetings and expect everyone to attend. This is poor management.

MEETINGS

HOW TO APPROACH THE ASSIGNMENTS (AC) TO ENSURE THE WORK MEETS QUALITY STANDARD AND TO SECURE A PASS GRADE OR HIGHER

GRADE THE GROUP IS TARGETING

1) Everyone should be present and meet to discuss each of the AC and contribute ideas to how the task should be approached. It is important also

to discuss the contents to be sure that the outcome reflects the substance and grade criteria aiming for.

2) Next, designate different people to write up the different report/AC.

3) Set specific time when each AC is to be submitted. No excuse is acceptable. Some students major in excuse.

4) Everyone in the group should then be emailed the completed AC to read, to edit and make recommendations - if any. Return to the printer or

designated person for the writer to incorporate the various recommendations received and modify the draft to a suitable and agreed state.

5) When all team members review and accept a satisfying draft of the work. They will convey to the leader that the version of the AC reported

now meets the pass or higher grade standards, then

6) Finally, All team members MUST sign off on the Authenticity of Own Work Form.

NOTE!!

The Skype Group created by the team is to allow dialogue on each of the AC. The person requested to write, requires the input of every single

member. This means that ALL members must contribute research findings and ideas to every-single AC. This is not negotiable.

If the leader cannot achieve the above criteria to satisfactorily bring everyone together to achieve the team goals of a higher grade - demote

him/her for incompetence. In turn all members must work with the team and leader in good faith - don't sabotage others because you goals are

dis-aligned or misplaced. If you are experiencing problems, speak to your advisor immediately. FAILING OR QUITTING IS NOT AN OPTION.

REMINDERS

Leaders please ensure that every single person contributes to each AC.

Add the Lecturer to the Skype group as soon as it is formed. The lecturer will review the Skype messages to confirm the engagement and

participation of everyone in the ACs and the appropriateness of the functions undertaken to meet the requirements and timelines.

SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION

We do not support free riders or uncooperative students.

A team is as strong, successful and high performing as its members.

UNIT 15: SCORE SHEET

NAME OF STUDENT: DATE:

Learning Outcome

Students Must Meet ALL The Following Requirements For A PASS Grade ACHIEVED

YES NO

LO 3 Be able to monitor appropriate systems to improve organisational performance

AC 3.1 Design systems to manage and monitor quality standards specified by the organisation The Student should carry out this task as a Business Consultant by:

1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: systems and quality standards

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to design systems to manage and monitor quality standards

3. Using Paragraph Three to: Identify specific standards of the organization and design systems to manage and monitor the quality needed to meet the required criteria. You can align this task with the assignment in LO2.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusion about developing these quality systems in the organization.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: To Design which means: “Plan and presentation of ideas to show the layout/function/working/object/system/process”

6. Including at least five (5) themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course

Content in your work:

Systems:

Total Quality Management (TQM), TQM philosophy, principles, methods and techniques;

Quality systems, quality circles, ISO9000/EN29000 or subsequent current amendments, managing and monitoring quality

7. Citing Six (6) or more reliable sources used in your work whether paraphrased, directly quoted or summarized.

8. Using Harvard Referencing Style properly.

9. Using the Four Paragraph Essay-Writing Structure.

10. Acceptable level of College Writing exhibited: Spelling, Punctuation, Grammar, Usage and Sentence Structure.

11. Meeting the 750-1000 Words Requirements (only 10% more or less can deviate from the instructions).

12. Linking the answers specific to the Business Case.

A Pass Grade Is Awarded YES NO

Name Of Assessor: Date Of Assessment:



Learning Outcome


YES NO

LO 3 Be able to monitor appropriate systems to improve organisational performance

AC 3.2 Demonstrate a quality culture to ensure continuous monitoring, evaluation and development of the process

The Student should carry out this task as a Business Consultant by:

1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: organizational culture AND quality culture

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to develop, monitor and evaluate quality culture

3. Using Paragraph Three to: Show in a step-by-step process how you are developing and ensuring continuous monitoring and evaluation of a quality culture in the organization.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions on: the benefits of quality culture in the organization.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: To Demonstrate which means: “Show in an explicit way”

6. Including at least four (4) themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course

Content in your work:

Organisational performance:

Principles of models which underpin organisational performance;

Types of performance measures and how to determine and set them;

Cost/benefit analysis; Risk analysis; the value of a customer-focused culture;

The importance of prevention rather than correction;

Importance of developing a continual improvement culture and how to involve others;

Planning, proposing, implementing and evaluating change;

Identifying wider implications of change within the organisation;

Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)





5. Meeting the 1000 Words Requirements (only 10% more or less can deviate from the instructions).






Learning Outcome


YES NO

LO 3 Understand principles of liability in negligence in business activities

AC 3.3 Recommend improvements which align with the organization’s objectives and goals and which results in improvements


1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: business models AND business improvement models

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to review organizational performance and culture

3. Using Paragraph Three to: Review the business performance and recommend improvements which align with the

organisation’s objectives and goals you outlined in LO2.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions on the importance of business performance models.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: To Recommend which means: Suggest/put forward appropriate ideas with reasons why - that is justify why the action is taken

6. Including at least five (5) themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course:

Appropriate management report selection methods: (i)principles of models which underpin organizational performance (ii) types of performance measures and how to determine and set them (iii) cost/benefit analysis (iv) risk analysis (v) the value of a customer-focused culture; (vi) the importance of prevention rather than correction; (vii) importance of developing a continual improvement culture and how to involve others; (viii) planning, proposing, implementing and evaluating change; (ix) identifying wider implications of change within the organisation; (x) Business Process Re-engineering (BPR)











Learning Outcome


YES NO

LO 3 Understand principles of liability in negligence in business activities

AC 3.4 Report on the wider implications of proposed changes within the organization The Student should carry out this task as a Business Consultant by:

1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: change management processes

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how change management process impact people and organizational

systems and resources.

3. Using Paragraph Three to: Report on the ‘wider implications’ of the changes made within the organization. Considering the various recommendations and actions that you have planned, implemented and controlled to date, what are

the various services, factors, functions, people and other resources that are impacted.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions about the impacts of change in the organization.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: To report which means: “To prepare a detailed account or statement about an event or topic.”

6. Including at least five (5) themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course:

Impacts of Change:

McKinsey’s 7S Model of Organizational Efficiency - Organisation’s structure, strategies, systems, staff, styles, skills, and shared values.











Learning Outcome


YES NO

LO 4 Be able to manage health and safety in the workplace

AC 4.1 Carry out risk assessments as required by legislation, regulation and organizational requirements ensuring appropriate action is taken


1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: risk assessments

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to conduct risk assessments in the business environments

3. Using Paragraph Three to: carry out risk assessments in the internal and external business environments. Address the

legislation, regulation and organizational requirements identified by detailing how you will be implementing these appropriately. You will tell us exactly what you are doing, methods used and the impacts of the actions taken.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions about the importance of conducting risk assessments and ensuring that appropriate action is taken.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: to Carry out which means: “To undertake an activity of a practical nature

6. Including at least Five (5) themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course: Health and safety: legislation and regulations relating to health and safety at work; organisational policies and

procedures regarding health and safety; risk assessment and monitoring; practical application of regulations; public attitudes and concerns relating to health and safety





11. Meeting the 750- 1000 Words Requirements (only 10% more or less can deviate from the instructions).






Learning Outcome


YES NO


AC 4.2 Demonstrate that health and safety regulations and legislation applicable in specific work situations are correctly and effectively applied The Student should carry out this task as a Business Consultant by:

1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: regulations AND legislation

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of health and safety standards in operation

3. Using Paragraph Three to: Demonstrate that health and safety regulations and legislation applicable in specific work

situations are correctly and effectively applied. 1) Identify the regulations and legislature for health and safety standards in

the sector that the business operates and 2) Show how these are applied correctly in the case – that is, what are the key

indicators of conformance and performance – the results.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions about the impacts of the health and safety

regulations and legislation in the specified work situations.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: to Demonstrate which means: “Show in an explicit way “

6. Including the themes and perspectives related to your research findings and the content areas from the Course:

Health and safety:

organisational policies and procedures regarding health and safety; risk assessment and monitoring; practical application of

regulations; public attitudes and concerns relating to health and safety

7. Citing Six (6) or more reliable sources used in your work whether paraphrased, directly quoted or summarized..










Learning Outcome


YES NO


AC 4.3 Carry out a systematic review of organizational health and safety policies and procedures in order to ensure they are effective and complaint


1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: systematic review

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to conduct a systematic review of organizational health and

safety policies and procedures to assess compliance.

3. Using Paragraph Three to: carry out a systematic review of the organization’s health and safety policies and

procedures to ensure that they are effective and complaint. (You will tell us exactly what you are doing, methods used

and the impacts of the actions taken).

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions about the safety policies and procedures in the

organization to ensure efficiency and compliance.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: to Carry Out which means: “To undertake an activity of a practical nature “


Health and safety:

organisational policies and procedures regarding health and safety;

risk assessment and monitoring;

practical application of regulations;

public attitudes and concerns relating to health and safety











Learning Outcome


YES NO


AC 4.4 Carry out practical application of health and safety policies and procedures in the workplace


1. Using Paragraph One to provide brief key term definitions of: practical application

2. Using Paragraph Two for the research findings on: how to apply organizational health and safety policies and

procedures to ensure efficiency and compliance.

3. Using Paragraph Three to: carry out a systematic review of the organization’s health and safety policies and

procedures to ensure that they are effective and complaint. You will tell us exactly what you are doing, methods used and

the impacts of the actions taken.

4. Using Paragraph Four to make Recommendations or Draw Conclusions how the safety policies and procedures you

conducted in the organization meet efficiency standards and comply with the legislature and regulations guidelines.

5. Carrying Out the command in the task: to Carry Out which means: “To undertake an activity of a practical nature“


Health and safety:

Oorganisational policies and procedures regarding health and safety;

Risk assessment and monitoring;

Practical application of regulations;

Public attitudes and concerns relating to health and safety









UNIT 14/TTM: Higher Grades Score Sheet


GRADE

FOR AC #:

To Be Awarded A MERIT Grade students must meet the Pass Grade Criteria and further

demonstrate higher ability:

ACHIEVED

YES NO

1. The B paper is always mechanically correct. The spelling is good, and the punctuation is accurate.

2. Some of the sentences may not be elegant, but they are clear, and in them thought follows naturally on thought. It is well organized around one main idea, it presents a worthwhile and interesting idea. That is, the idea is supported by sound evidence presented in a neat and orderly way.

3. Ends by keeping the promise that the writer makes in the beginning.

A MERIT Grade Is Awarded YES NO


GRADE

FOR AC #:

To Be Awarded A DISTINCTION Grade students must meet the Pass Grade Criteria and

further demonstrate higher ability:

ACHIEVED

YES NO

1. Paper is lively, well-paced, interesting, and everything in it seems to fit the theme exactly. Reading the paper, it is clear that the writer

cares for his or her ideas, and about the language that carries them. It may have a proofreading error or two, or even a misspelled word,

but these errors are the consequence of the normal accidents all good writers encounter.

2. Apply the knowledge of subject concepts to the Case effectively.

3. Identify, formulate, and solve problems.

4. Conduct, Analyze and interpret primary and secondary data effectively using appropriate research tools.

5. Use seven or more (combination of) theories, techniques, skills, and modern tools of the practice.

6. Recommendations/Conclusions are relevant to the findings, presented with justification.

A DISTINCTION Grade Is

Awarded

YES NO


GRADE

FOR AC #:

A REFERRED Grade is awarded because the student has not met the Assessment Criteria

(AC) to be awarded a PASS Grade:

A REFERRED Grade Is Awarded YES NO


Documents

UNIT 15: MANAGING BUSINESS ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE RESULTS