National 5 Added Value Unit (Business Report) Business Management

You will have to prepare a short business report for the business owner/manager of an organisation of your choice. This report should focus on an area within the business and should demonstrate planning, research, analytical and decision making skills. The report should be no longer than four sides of A4 excluding appendices. At least two sources of data/information should be provided as appendices. Report Brief

Report Contents Background information (5 marks) Research methods and sources (6 marks) Analysis and interpretation (10 marks) Conclusion (4 marks) Collating and reporting the findings A breakdown of the marks provided will be included in the project booklet Report Contents

Choosing a Business Topic and Organisation (BOOKLET) COMPLETE THE BACKGROUND INFORMATION SECTION OF THE BOOKLET You must select a Business Area and Topic to base your report around e.g. Marketing – Methods of Advertising You must then choose an appropriate business to investigate your topic on find out information on this business. e.g. Tunnocks Ensure that with the business you have chosen you can find enough information to write a report! Choosing a Business Topic and Organisation (BOOKLET)

Background Information (REPORT) YOU CAN NOW TYPE UP THE FIRST PART OF YOUR REPORT (BACKGROUND INFORMATION) To gain full marks you must include:  A clear outline of your business area and topic for your chosen Business At least two pieces of background information on your Business. (Each point should be well developed in order to gain full marks) This should now be handed in to your teacher Background Information (REPORT)

Research Methods and Sources (BOOKLET) COMPLETE THE RESEARCH METHODS SECTION OF THE BOOKLET You should collect as much information as you can on your chosen topic in consideration of your chosen business. You should aim to gather information from a wide variety of sources. You must carry out Field Research as well as Desk Research. A copy should be kept of all information found (it will be used in your Appendices) You should complete the table in the booklet for any source you find. Research Methods and Sources (BOOKLET)

Research Methods and Sources (REPORT) YOU CAN NOW TYPE UP THE SECOND PART OF YOUR REPORT (RESEARCH METHODS AND SOURCES) To gain full marks you must include: At least two different sources of research that have been used (make use of both desk and field) You must explain why you have chosen the method. Explain the reliability and appropriateness of the source Strengths and weaknesses of the source This should now be handed in to your teacher Research Methods and Sources (REPORT)

COMPLETE THE ANALYSIS SECTION OF THE BOOKLET Complete the table below with your research findings and use the space for your analysis. What does the information tell you? What does it show/prove? What does this information mean? Are there any patterns? Is it good or bad for the business? Analysis (BOOKLET)

YOU CAN NOW TYPE UP THE THIRD PART OF YOUR REPORT (ANALYSIS) To gain full marks you must include: At least 10 analysis points. You should analyse relevant information in relation to your chosen topic for your chosen business For example: By researching competitors’ websites I noticed that… My survey shows that… This should now be handed in to your teacher Analysis (REPORT)

COMPLETE THE CONCLUSION SECTION OF THE BOOKLET These conclusion(s) must be based on analysis and/or supported by evidence in your report. You may have reached more than one conclusion. You can also have more than one piece of evidence to support each conclusion reached. A conclusion is not just a summary of what you have already written. Your conclusion(s) might be a recommendation for the future. Conclusion (BOOKLET)

This should now be handed in to your teacher YOU CAN NOW TYPE UP THE FOURTH PART OF YOUR REPORT (CONCLUSION) To gain full marks you must include: At least two pieces of information from the research evidence that can be used to draw conclusions. Each conclusion must be well explained and related to the topic in order to gain maximum marks. This should now be handed in to your teacher Conclusion (REPORT)

Collating and Reporting (REPORT) YOU CAN NOW TYPE UP THE FINAL DRAFT OF YOUR REPORT In a clearly set out business report you should: Use appropriate headings throughout Include any relevant, accurate and concise information under these headings Make use of charts/graphs/images to enhance the report and these should be displayed appropriately and under the correct headings consistently make use of business terminology throughout your report Collating and Reporting (REPORT)