Unit 1 business environment assignment brief 2012 13

Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College: Assignment front sheet Assessors name

Learner name

Mrs Angela Rideau, Mr John Mason, David Shaby Date issued th

Completion date

w/c 4 September 2012

Submitted on

th

w/c 27 May 2013

Qualification

Unit number and title

BTEC L3: National Extended / Diploma in Business Assignment Business Environment title

Unit 1: Business Environment

In this assessment you will have opportunities to provide evidence against the following criteria.

Indicate the page numbers where the evidence can be found.

Criteria referenc e

To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to:

Task no.

P1

Describe the type of business, purpose and ownership of 2 contrasting businesses. (Factsheet)

1

P3

Describe how two businesses are organised (Report)

2

P4

Explain how their style of organisation helps them to fulfil their purposes (Report)

3

P2

Describe the different stakeholders who influence the purpose of two contrasting businesses. (Presentation)

4

M1

Explain the points of view of different stakeholders seeking to influence the aims and objectives of two contrasting organisations (Report)

5

D1

Evaluate the influence different stakeholders exert in one organisation (Report)

6

P5 M2 P6 M3 D2

Describe the influence of two contrasting economic environments on business activities within a selected organisation. (Presentation) Compare the challenges to selected business activities within a selected organisation, in two different economic environments (Report) Describe how political, legal and social factors are impacting upon the business activities of the selected organisations and their stakeholders.

(Discussion) Analyse how political, legal and social factors have impacted on the two contrasting organisations. (Report) Evaluate how future changes in economic political, legal and social factors, may impact on the strategy of a specified organisation. (Report)

Page number s

7 8 9 10 11

Learner declaration I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged.

Learner signature:

Page 1

Date:

BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College: Assignment brief

Unit number and title

Unit 1 Business Environment

Qualification

BTEC L3: National Extended / Diploma in Business

Start date

w/c 3rd September 2012

Deadline

May 2013

Assessors

Mrs Angela Rideau, Mr John Mason, Mr David Shaby Assignment title:

Assignment compiled by: angelar@gspace.wlc.ac.uk Assignment approved by: In this assignment you will be required to research organisations that operate in different business environments.

On completion of this unit a learner should: 1 Know the range of different businesses and their ownership 2 Understand how businesses are organised to achieve their purposes 3 Know the impact of the economic environment on businesses 4 Know how political, legal and social factors impact on business.

This assignment has been divided into 5 sections.

Section 1 Two Contrasting Businesses (P1) Section 2 Ealing Hammersmith & West London College and Easyjet (P3 & P4) Section 3 The Expansion of Heathrow Airport (P2, M1, D1) Section 4 U.K vs a Foreign Country (P5 & M2) Section 5 Influence of the external business environment on a business (P6, M3, D2) Task submission dates and tutor feedback/recommended corrective action/s, are posted on the college’s e-portfolio system i.e. Turn-It-In.(UK) www.submit.ac.uk

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Part 1 of 5 Two Contrasting Businesses Know the range of different businesses and their ownership Criteria covered: P1 Task 1 [P1]: Describe the type of business, purpose and ownership of two contrasting businesses. (factsheet) Prepare a factsheet for your manager. Your manager will use this information at a meeting. You have been asked to prepare a factsheet on 2 businesses. Ensure that you have written a brief introduction to the topic and a conclusion.

Your factsheet should include information about two different businesses one of which must be a not for profit organisation.

Your fact sheet should include: o a description of the business, o size and scale of the business, o business Ownership type and o information about liability for debts.

Guidance: See the template below. You can click on this link to open ‘Task sheet P1’

Business 1 (profit driven) Easyjet

Business 2 (not for profit) National Union of Students N.U.S. OR EHWL College

Description of business (facts, background, main product / service)

Size & Scale (e.g. local, national, international, number of employees or branches)

Ownership (e.g. public, private, voluntary) (sole trader, partnership, private and public)

Liability for debts (limited or unlimited)

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Tips from the syllabus Range of different businesses: local; national; international; global; public; private; not-for-profit/voluntary; sectors of business activity (primary, secondary and tertiary) Business purposes: supply of products or services; difference between profit and not-for profit organisations Ownership: public, private and voluntary sectors; types of ownership (sole trader, partnerships, private and public limited companies, government departments, government agencies, worker cooperatives, charitable trusts); main implications of different types of ownership on businesses (extent of liability, limitations to operation for public and charitable organisations This task will enable you to achieve criteria P1

End of part 1

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Part 2 of 5 Ealing Hammersmith & West London College & Easyjet (DVD) Understand how businesses are organised to achieve their purposes Criteria covered: P3 & P4

Task 2: [P3]: Describe how two businesses are organised. (report) The learner is required to look at Ealing Hammersmith & West London College and Easyjet.

The learner will be required to watch a DVD called ‘Organisational Structures’ in class and carry out some research on EHWL College and Easyjet and to then complete their report.

To achieve P3 the learner will need to research the following information for both companies: 

What do they sell (product / service) describe e.g. cars / provide an education



Organisational structure e.g. hierarchy structure / matrix/ flat. What are the advantages & disadvantages of these types of structures?



Functional areas: list the key areas or departments they have in this organisation e.g. IT, Marketing



Types of structure: e.g. function/geographical/by product group / types of customers



Communication: open / closed



Span of control: narrow / wide

Guidance: see the help sheet provided for P3 & P4

Grading tips Organisational structures: purpose (division of work, lines of control and communication); types of structure (functional, geographic, product, type of customer); diagrammatic representation of structure (organisation charts); span of control Functional area: finance; marketing; production; customer service; sales; human resources.

Strategic planning: mission and values; development of strategic aims and objectives; cascading of objectives throughout the organisation; strategic planning process; use of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, resourced, time-bound) objectives Influencing factors: stakeholders; business environment; business type and ownership.

Different aims: private sector aims (breakeven, survival, profit maximisation, growth); public sector aims (service provision, cost limitation, value for money, meeting government standards, growth of range of provision)

This task will enable you to achieve P3 Task 3: [P4]: Explain how the style of organisation helps your two businesses fulfil their purposes. (report) The learner is required to explain how the organisational structure and strategic planning help the businesses to achieve their purpose and aims.

To achieve P4, the learner is require to research the following information for both organisations: 

What is the purpose of the organisation e.g. to create excellent smoothies/ to provide famine relief / to provide bargains for customers?



Research the company aims, these will be different for private and public organisations e.g. break-even, survival, profit maximisation, growth, service provision, cost limitation, value for money, meeting government standards or growth of the range of provision.

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3



What is their strategic planning process? (find this information from company publications / their website)



What are the strategic aims and objectives?



What are the mission statement and values of the company?

Guidance: see the help sheet provided for P4 Grading tips Organisational structures: purpose (division of work, lines of control and communication); types of structure (functional, geographic, product, type of customer); diagrammatic representation of structure (organisation charts); span of control Strategic planning: mission and values; development of strategic aims and objectives; cascading of objectives throughout the organisation; strategic planning process; use of SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, resourced, time-bound) objectives Influencing factors: stakeholders; business environment; business type and ownership.

Different aims: private sector aims (breakeven, survival, profit maximisation, growth); public sector aims (service provision, cost limitation, value for money, meeting government standards, growth of range of provision)

This task will enable you to achieve P4

End of part 2

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Part 3 of 5 The Expansion of Heathrow Airport Know the range of different businesses and their ownership Criteria covered: P2, M1, D1

Use the Case Study Articles about the expansion of Heathrow Airport to complete Part 3

Task 4: [P2]: Describe the different stakeholders who influence the purpose of two contrasting businesses (Presentation work in pairs)

You have to present a PP/ Leaflet as part of an awareness campaign for two different businesses.

Design a PowerPoint / leaflet that describes the viewpoints of different stakeholders that are involved in the expansion of the airport.

You should include:

o o o o o

A description of an internal and external stakeholder A brief description of the business e.g. expansion plans for the airport (facts, figures) The viewpoints of two internal stakeholders The viewpoints of two external stakeholders Say how their views influence the purpose of the business

You will then need to do this again for a second business of your choice that is different to Heathrow Airport.

This is a task that you can complete in pairs (with one other person). You should aim to show your creative skills and use of PowerPoint or Publisher skills in your presentation or leaflet. Pay attention to the way your work looks e.g. use of language, fonts and layout. Include relevant images.

This task will enable you to achieve P2

Task 5: [M1]: Explain the points of view for each stakeholder (Presentation Pairs) The learner now has to prepare a presentation to be delivered to their lecturer covering: o

An explanation of the different points of view for each stakeholder.

o

State which aim each stakeholder is trying to achieve e.g. to maximise profit, or to minimise carbon footprint (refer to your P4)

Guidance In your PowerPoint for P2, create a new slide for each stakeholder with facts, figures and an explanation of what the stakeholder feels regarding the expansion of Heathrow airport to build a 3rd runway. Include images in your PowerPoint and make it look presentable. Do not include too much text, use bullet points and short statements. You can include smartart to make your work more presentable.

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

See Google Website

o o o o o

PowerPoint delivered in class refer back to the stakeholder activities Interactive Resource called ‘Environmental issues and pressure groups’ Also see BBC articles and Greenpeace website

This task will enable you to achieve M1 Task 6: [D1]: Evaluate the influence different stakeholders exert in one organisation (Report) The learner is required to write a report about how powerful different stakeholders and how they have influenced the plans for the expansion of the 3rd runway at Heathrow Airport.

Guidance To achieve D1, the learner should include: ● an evaluation of the influence of different stakeholders on Heathrow Airport ● a priority ranking of the stakeholders e.g. 1 = most important, 5 is least important ● a statement about the importance of each stakeholder and why you believe this to be the case. Your opinions should be supported by evidence from different sources.

This task will enable you to achieve D1

End of Part 3

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Part 4 of 5 U.K. vs a Foreign Country Know the impact of the economic environment on businesses Criteria covered: P5 & M2

Complete criteria P5 & M2 using ONE of the Business Review case study articles provided:

 Watch out for India (By Paul Hoang, Business Review, April 2008, pp6-8)  Emerging markets: The case for Malaysia (By Peter Emeson, Business Review, September 2010 pp14-17)  Doing Business in Vietnam (By Paul Hoang, Business Review, February 2008 pp4-6)

Task 7 [P5] Describe the influence of two contrasting economic environments on business activities within a selected organisation. (PowerPoint) You will need to choose one of the organisation and compare it with a different organisation from another country e.g. India and U.K. You can select a UK based business e.g. Boots, NEXT, Marks & Spencer or Tesco and you will also need to select a business based in the other country. You will need to select a company in India e.g. Tata Motors (a famous car company).

UK based company e.g. TESCO India based company e.g. Tata Motors This requires you to research a different economic environment, e.g. Malaysia, Vietnam or India, and to look at one business from that country. This business will then be compared with your UK business. ● ● ●

Draw up a table of economic data for the UK and one other, contrasting, economic environment e.g.

India.

Choose at least two economic topics and collect relevant data from two different countries, e.g. GDP, inflation or interest rates.

Using the data collected in your table describe the influence of two contrasting economic environments (i.e. the economic data collected) on business activities within your selected organisations.

Guidance Use the PowerPoint template for P5 created to guide you with the completion of this task. See Google Website for template or click on the blue link above.

This task will enable you to achieve P5

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Task 8 [M2] Compare the challenges to selected business activities within a selected organisation, in two different economic environments (Report)

Using ONE of the articles provided on different countries (Vietnam, India or Malaysia) and select ONE country to focus

1. Select two countries e.g. India, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Japan & UK 2. Give a brief background on the countries (statistic, facts) 3. State the challenges of operating in that country e.g. poor infrastructure. Select 3 – 4 challenges 4. Say how this affects doing business in that country e.g. poor infrastructure affects doing

Guidance Some challenges you could write about include: culture, terrorism, natural environment, religion, discrimination, laws, corruption, crime, unemployment, education and infrastructure.

This task will enable you to achieve M2.

End of Part 4

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Part 5 of 5 Influence of the External Environment Know how political, legal and social factors impact upon businesses Criteria covered P6, M3 & D2 Task 9 [P6] Describe how political, legal and social factors are impacting upon the business activities of the selected organisations and their stakeholders. (Discussion, prepare individual notes for your company) Learners need to explain the influence of two different legal, social and political environments on the business activities of the organisation(s).

Learners will be given different organisations to focus on. To achieve P6, learners are required to

1. research their organisation e.g. Tesco 2. research a range of topics (3 political, 3 legal and 3 social factors) that impact upon their business and its stakeholders

3. say how these factors affect the business operating abroad in a different environment Guidance See the discussion notes template sheet See the handout on the list of topics to choose from (table of topics - political, legal and social issues) See the interactive resource (on Google Site) called External Influences: political, legal and social Learners can refer to the case studies used in P5 to help with completing P6.

This task will enable you to achieve P6 Task 10 [M3] Analyse how political, legal and social factors have impacted on the two contrasting organisations. (Report) To achieve M3, learners should build on P6 to explain how the organisation (s) has adapted their activities to suit different business environments. Learners are not required to explain all activities comprehensively but should select at least three activities that have been adapted because of the political, legal and social aspects of the business environment.

Business activities can be read as any activities carried out by the organisation to achieve its purposes.

Examples include recruitment of staff, product design, transport of goods, promotion of products etc.

Guidance 

Select at least three business activities from those you identified



Analyse how each of these has changed because of political, legal and social aspects of the business environment.



For each paragraph develop one point by stating why the activity has changed, for example, ‘Minimum wage laws have increased the cost of hiring staff at Marks & Spencer’. How and why has this affected the organisation?



Support your report with examples and statistical research.

This task will enable you to achieve M3

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3

Task 11 [D2] Evaluate how future changes in economic political, legal and social factors, may impact on the strategy of a specified organisation. (Report) For D2, learners should develop their work from M3 and make justified recommendations for the development of business activities in the two different business environments.

For each factor you will need to research future changes that have been proposed and are currently in the news, for example: ● economic – forecast inflation ● political – changes in government or green politics ● legal – new laws ● social – such as population growth For each aim and objective you have identified recommend a strategy for how your organisation might achieve it. Justify your reasons for recommendation.

This task will enable you to achieve D2

End of Part 5 END OF ASSIGNMENT

Sources of information Unit 1 Google Resources Website: https://sites.google.com/a/gspace.wlc.ac.uk/angela-s-resources/

Bevan J, Dransfield R, Coupland-Smith H, Goymer J and Richards C – BTEC Level 3 National Business Student Book 1 (Pearson, 2009) ISBN 9781846906343 Bevan J, Goymer J, Richards C and Richards N – BTEC Level 3 National Business Student Book 2 (Pearson, 2009) ISBN 9781846906350

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Mrs Angela Rideau

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BTEC: National Diploma & Extended Diploma in Business - Unit 1: Business Environment – Level 3