Business Strategy & Planning (BBMM504) Group Assignment

Through discussion and analysis of prior learnings within this subject, students will have an opportunity to analyse, research and provide an in-depth formative assessment piece.   

DUE DATE:  Due in class in Week -6.1

Part a) Business Plan

This will be a two part assessment task.

Part a) Business Plan

Part b) Presentation

Part a) Business Plan (50%)

Students must submit a soft copy of their assessment (Business Plan) through Moodle, at the appropriate detailed section under “Upload Assignment here” by the due date. Any assessments submitted after the due date will be considered as late and will incur a loss of 5% per day from the overall mark; unless a special consideration approved is there to support the delay.

Business plans should be in the form of a formal business plan proposal of approximately 3000 words. They should include all the elements of a professional business plan such as:

• An executive summary
• A discussion of the business environment
• Goals and objectives
• A financial analysis
• Marketing and sales data
• Operational issues.

Your Report of approximately 3000 words will be assessed on the following:

• Quality of the research and analysis undertaken: evidence of research taken beyond the course the text book
• Information provided  for further  discussions and analysis
• Creativity and continuity – how well your argument holds together in the report
• Spelling, grammar, fonts, formatting.
• Referencing: in-text and reference list.

Part b) Presentation (20%)

The aim of your presentation is to receive funding to implement your business plan. As such your presentation must be well organised and delivered in a professional manner.

This assessment requires students to work in groups of 3-5. Groups will be allocated by the course co-ordinator in week 2.

Each group will consist of a mix of business majors who will combine their skills and knowledge to create a business plan.

Each group will present their report and presentation assuming that they have to contend their business plan by presenting it in front of the Board of Academics and have the opportunity to receive funding for the plan’s implementation. Presentations will be Mock presentations of the Business Plan /Proposal- and therefore will have to be very professional and well organized.

Each group will present their plan to the Board (CIC Academics)

Presentations should be approx. 15 – 20 mins with each group member playing a designated role.

• To help you understand the expectations of presenting a proposal in a professional manner you can watch an example by clicking on the link below

Business Plan Presentation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg9-S6_2frI

Presentation suggestions: The following suggestions are made to improve the presentation of the presentation, or how you say it.

• Use large fonts, 22 point is minimum size for text; a title should be 32 point or larger.
• Use a Calibri, Times New Roman or Arial for normal text fonts; use a font such as Times Roman or Book Antiqua in titles to show good contrast.
• For emphasis, use bold, italic or all caps, but never more than one at the same time.
• Use no more than 36 words per slide.
• Use bullet points as "talking points" and avoid paragraphs.
• Try to use 3-6 points per slide.
• Be consistent and correct in capitalisation.
• As with any writing, use proper grammar: phrases or sentences must make sense, no misspelled words.
• Avoid bright colours; consider using light colours (e.g., white, yellow) on a dark background (e.g., dark blue).
• Don't use primary colours (red, green, and blue) together (e.g., never put red text on blue background).
• Don't read your material from the slide.
• Don't read from notes (having notes is okay, just don't read from them).
• Don't talk to the screen, talk to the audience with only occasional glances at the screen.
• Don't hold objects in your hands, but do use your hands and arms for gestures; do not put your hands in your pockets or hold them behind your back.
• Establish eye contact with areas of your audience on a regular basis.
• If appropriate and as time permits, involve the audience in the presentation (e.g., ask them a question, conduct an interactive exercise,).
• Move around to keep the audience's attention, but don't move too fast or too far.
• Dress appropriately, to meet the audience's expectations, and slightly more formal than them.
• Make sure the presentation is no longer than 20 minutes, conclude on time.