Assignment Task: Task 1 (400 words) 'Happy' runs a successful and growing small business at Greenwich, as a sole trader in child wares, since 2000 with an average annual turnover of £500,000. She wishes to expand the business by acquiring a small private limited company in the same line. The company is located at North London and is presently distributing children's cloths. The private limited company was established in the year 2010.The annual turnover of the company is one million. After the acquisition she intends to run the two businesses as if they were one operation making no distinction between them. You are required to: 1. Identify and list the stakeholders of the sole trader business. (Marks: 3) 2. Identify and list the stakeholders of the private limited company. (Marks: 3) 3. Classify the identified stakeholders of both organisations into: a) Internal stakeholders. (Marks: 2) b) Connected stakeholders. (Marks: 2) c) External stakeholders. (Marks: 2) 4. Identify the stakeholders who have high level of interest and high level of power (key players) in both organisations and suggest suitable methods of communication with them. (Marks: 4) 5. Use a letter format to inform 'Happy' about the particular interests of all the stakeholders identified above. Also, advise her about the legal form of business she can successfully run by combining both organisations and justify your advice. (Marks: 4) Total marks for the Task 1: 20 Students need to answer EITHER Task 2(a) OR Task 2(b). Task 2(a) (300 words) Fizzyco is the largest selling beverage worldwide (of course, after its arch rival, Sweet Cola). It accounts for 37% of the global beverage market and therefore, they need to understand each and every country's market in order to stay competitive. Fizzyco is a big brand and currently holds the 23rd place in the interbrands report of the world's leading brands. Their advertisement feature major celebrities and athletes. Their market reach is also diverse, as they are present in almost every country from the US to New Zealand. Fizzyco consumes water as raw material and also is a drink containing artificial sweetener, which is now a discussion point worldwide, especially when many countries are struggling for drinking water and are facing challenges of obesity. You are in the process of setting up a distribution agency for Fizzyco in the UK. Examine how the following factors (such as political and legal aspects, environmental factors, social factors and technological factors) will affect the future of Fizzyco in the UK. You are required to make a PESTLE analysis. (Marks: 15) Students need to answer EITHER Task 2(a) OR Task 2(b). Task 2(b) (300 words) Value activities are the means by which a firm creates value in its products. You might have employed workers in your restaurant, who have worked for your competitor and they have told you that they are earning a pound an hour more with you, for the same job that they did with the competitor. Labour costs are often a large overall cost in most businesses. The value chain identifies and shows the links (or chain) of the distinct activities and processes that you perform to create, manufacture, market, sell and distribute your product or service. The focus is on recognising the activities and processes that create value for your customers. By comparing your value chain with that of your competitors, you can often find the areas or links of the chain where they might be more efficient than you. This will point the direction for you to improve. If you are the high value, high quality market leader, your chain will be quite different from the low cost, high volume competitor. You are required to: 1. Outline different ways in which a restaurant can create value for its products. (Marks: 8) 2. Explain porter's five force analysis for competitive advantage. (Marks: 7) Total marks for the Task 2: 15 Task 3 (600 words) Organisations can be departmentalised on a functional basis, geographical basis, product basis, brand basis or a matrix basis. You are required to: 1. Through research, identify an organisational structure based on 'function' and explain its advantages and disadvantages. (Marks: 15) 2. How is the culture of an organisation (like a regiment in the Army) shaped by its 'organisational structure'? (Use underpinning theories provided by Harrison and Handy). (Marks: 15) Total marks for the Task 3: 30 Task 4 (700 words) Discuss the different purposes for which financial information provided by the following statements are required: 1. Statement of profit or loss. (Marks: 10) 2. Statement of financial position. (Marks: 10) 3. Statement of cash flow. (Marks: 10) 4. Sustainability and integrated reports. (Marks: 5) Total marks for the Task 4: 35 TOTAL MARKS 100 Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment • Understand the purpose and types of business and how they interact with key stakeholders and the external environment. (Task 1) • Understand business organisational structure, functions and the role of corporate governance. (Task 2, 3) • Recognise the function of accountancy and audit in communicating, reporting and assuring financial information and in effective financial control and compliance. (Task 4) Assessment criteria Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria Maximum marks for each section Content, style, relevance, originality Clear demonstration of rigorous research from recognised authoritative sources. Audience focus. 30% Format, referencing, bibliography Harvard 10 % Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion Demonstration of a clear understanding of the issues, use academic models 60%