Assignment title UNIT 33 The Impact of Communications Technology on Business (L/502/5485) Learning Outcome Learning Outcome Assessment Criteria In this assessment you will have the opportunity to present evidence that shows you are able to: Task no. Evidence (Page no) LO1 Know how the internet operates and the facilities available P1 Describe how the internet operates 1 P2 Describe examples of how the internet is used by selected, contrasting businesses 2 D1 Evaluate the appropriateness of business information used to make strategic decisions 3 LO2 Be able to use the internet and related technology for a range of business activities P3 Use the internet for different types of business activities 4 M1 Demonstrate how to solve problems in internet use for four different types of business activity 5 P4 describe the actions taken to reduce risks to security whilst using the internet for different types of business activities 6 LO3 Understand how organisations adapt to trends in the use of e-business P5 Explain the competitive pressures on selected, contrasting business organisations to develop their use of e-business 7 M2 Explain how two selected, contrasting business organisations have responded to competitive pressures to develop their use of e-business. 8 LO4 Understand the key features of planning for the increased use of e-business at different levels. P6 Explain how the government supports the development of e-business 9 P7 Produce a personal development plan to help an individual prepare for increased use of e-business. 10 Learner declaration I certify that the work submitted for this assignment is my own and research sources are fully acknowledged. Student signature: Date: Assignment brief Unit number and title L/502/5485 Qualification BTEC NATIONAL LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS Start date Deadline/hand-in Assessor Assignment title Unit 33 The Impact of Communications Technology on Business Purpose of this assignment Is to help learners to build on their knowledge of internet, e-commerce technology and the benefits of worldwide web. The assignment helps the learner to develop a fuller understanding of ranege of uses of internet and explore thetrends behind the use of internet and its benefits for businesses. The use of technology allows you to manage information effectively. The internet and the connected computer technology has organisations to rapidly develop e-businesses and increase reach for more customers. Internet and technology are now the backbone of good communication systems within the organisation. Scenario You work for a large marketing firm called Impact Marketing. Your newest and most prestigious client is Asda. They have asked you to help put together their new Christmas marketing campaign for 2016. Task 1 (LO 1) P1 (Mindmap) You’re required to create a mindmap that describes ( https://www.mindjet.com/mindmanager/) different types of business information that Asda will use when going through each stage of preparing a new Christmas Advert. P1 - Explain different types of business information, their sources and purposes Guidance to achieve P1, You must describe the different types of information, their sources and their purposes. Think about: The mind map must include • Types of information (verbal, written, on-screen, multi-media, web-based) • Purpose of information (update knowledge, inform future developments, strategic direction, SWOT analysis, offer competitive insight, communicate sales promotions, invite support for activities) • Sources of information (internal – financial, HR, marketing, purchasing, sales, manufacturing, admin; external – government, trade groupings, commercially provided, databases, research; reliability of data) • The information in your diagram is related back to Asda. Think about how and why they need and use this information in relation to creating a new marketing campaign. Task 2 (LO1) – M1 (Formal Email) M1- Analyse different types of business information and their sources Scenario The marketing director at Asda is unsure about the information you have talked about and asks you to analyse the different types of information and their sources. You need to explain how reliable they are based on the form that they are in and where they come from. Also think about the advantages and disadvantages of each type of information. To achieve M1, the learner will need • Is the information a primary source? • Could there be any bias within the information? • Which information is most reliable and why? Task 3 (D1) (Report) D1 - Evaluate the appropriateness of business information used to make strategic decisions. Scenario Following on from your email, the marketing director asks you to create a report that evaluates the appropriateness of business information used to make strategic decisions within Asda To achieve D1, the learner is required • Look at the different types of information Asda uses • Look at financial accounts from 2014-2015 and evaluate how relevant they are in making a strategic decision. Explain why. • Also look at sales figures, competitor’s sales figures and viewing figures from previous adverts and evaluate their appropriateness in making strategic decisions. Task 4 (P2) (Presentation) P2 - Present complex internal business information using three different methods appropriate to the user’s needs. Look at the Asda Christmas advert from 2015. Commercially, it was a very successful advert. Your task is to feedback to the rest of class explaining why the advert was so successful and popular. You need to provide this information in 3 ways: Guidance to achieve P2, • Deliver a verbal presentation to the class explaining why the advert was so successful (evidence is required here, not just opinion) • Provide a detailed breakdown of the viewing figures of the advert and the popularity of the advert virally, via views and shares through sites like YouTube (this can be done using your choice of numerical charts) • Create a leaflet in which you put forward ideas for the new Christmas advert, focussing on the potential market and advert themes http://www.cityam.com/231372/tesco-sainsburys-asda-morrisons-and-even-lidl-supermarkets-slash-christmas-2015-advertising-spend The above link will give you a starting point to work from. Remember, when you use figures or information, this must be referenced. Task 5 (LO2) (P3) (Poster) P3- Produce corporate communications Scenario Your task is to now create corporate communications for Asda. You are going to do this in the form of a poster advertising their Christmas campaign. On this poster you must: In order to achieve P3, the learner has to • Include all the relevant information regarding Asda and their values • Include a strapline and their logo • Have the correct detail regarding the business and Christmas time • Use the correct colour schemes Guidance to achieve P3, memo should include • The poster does not have to be artistically brilliant, but it must contain the correct information. When it has been printed, annotate it explaining each point of the poster and why you have chosen to do it in that way. Task 6 (LO2) (P4) Report (250-300 words) P4- Evaluate the external corporate communications of an existing product or service Scenario One of the directors at your marketing firm has just left to join the board of high street supermarket Tesco. One of the new members of staff asks why Tesco would take your firm’s marketing director. You explain that Tesco has very good corporate communications and that your old marketing director is somebody who would fit well within their business In order to achieve P4, the learner will have to To further explain this to your colleague, evaluate the external corporate communications of Tesco. You will do this in the form of a written report. Guidance to achieve P4, You must evaluate • Methods of communication • Mission statements • Advertising • Packaging • Livery • Straplines • Endorsements • Sponsorships You need to explain how Tesco uses all the above to create excellent corporate communications. Task 7 (LO2) (D2) (Report) D2- Evaluate the effectiveness of business information and its communication as key contributors to the success of an organisation, using examples to illustrate your points Scenario Create a report that evaluates the effectiveness of business information and its communication as key contributors to the success of an organisation, Using the planning notes of M2, using examples to illustrate your points. • Select businesses that have excellent communication and information management systems. • Explain why these systems help the business to be successful • Make comparisons between businesses • Explain why excellent communication within a business and to it’s customers leads to success – use examples • Explain what would happen to businesses if they did not use information properly – use examples Guidance to achieve D2, • Look at the indicative content in the unit specs for Learning outcome 2 Task 8 LO3 (P5) (Factsheet) P5- Explain the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business information Scenario Businesses need certain information to be able operate, e.g. financial figures and customer contact details. However, there are certain rules surrounding the use of information. You need to explain the legal and ethical issues in relation to the use of business information that Asda uses. Create an A4 factsheet explaining the different laws and policies that Asda must follow when using information. Take into consideration: In order to achieve P5, the learner will have to • Produce a A4 factsheet for the Asda taking into consideration • Guidance to achieve P5 • Legal issues (relevant data protection legislation – Data Protection Act 1998, Freedom of Information Act 2000, Computer Misuse Act 1990) • Ethical issues (codes of practice – use of email, internet, ‘whistle-blowing’, organisational policies, information ownership) • The above link is a good starting place for this - http://direct.asda.com/george/GRG_INFO_TERMS_CONDITIONS,default,pg.html Task 9 (LO3) (P6) Report P6- Explain the operational issues in relation to the use of business information Scenario Aside from ethical and legal issues that Asda must follow, there are also operational issues. Asda have asked you to create a step by step guide (Microsoft Word is probably best) of the operational issues their staff members must follow when dealing with business information. You must take into consideration: In order to achieve P6, the learner will have to • Security of information, backups, health and safety, organisational policies, business continuance plans • Costs – additional resources required, cost of development, impact of increasing sophistication of systems (more trained personnel, more complex software) Guidance to achieve P6 • This piece of work will require research into Asda’s organisational policies. At the end of the guide, if you feel there are changes that Asda could make, feel free to add these in. Task 10 (LO3) (M2) Report M2- Analyse the legal, ethical and operational issues in relation to the use of business information, using appropriate examples Scenario The HR Director at Asda has asked you to send them an email that analyses the legal, ethical and operational issues that Asda faces in relation to the use of business information. Following up for the task in P6, you are required to • The impact on Asda of having to follow legal policies (advantages and disadvantages with examples) • The impact on Asda of having to follow ethical policies (advantages and disadvantages with examples) • The impact on Asda of having to follow organisational policies (advantages and disadvantages with examples) • Think about benefits and drawbacks to the business and its customers Task 11 (LO4) (P7) Report P7- Outline electronic and non-electronic methods for communicating business information, using examples for different types of audience. Scenario You have just been promoted to the role of Communications Director within Magic Marketing. To boost your profile, a trade magazine has asked you to write a report for them in which you outline different electronic and non-electronic methods for communicating business information, using examples for different types of audience. You decide to include: In order to achieve P7, the learner will have to • Audience requirements • Methods of written communication • Methods of non-written communication • Technologies (computers, touch screens, digital broadcasting, DVD, mobile phones, the internet and WAP) • Communication skills – formal/informal, verbal/non-verbal, listening, understanding, seeking clarification, responsiveness, eye contact, facial expressiveness, body language, use of appropriate professional language, ability to adapt communication techniques to audience requirements, presentation skills, ability to invite commitment to shared goals Evidence checklist Summary of evidence required by student Evidence presented Task 1 Mindmap using a free mindmap software Task 2 Formal Email Task 3 Report Task 4 Presentation Task 5 Poster Task 6 Report Task 7 Report Task 8 Factsheet Task 9 Report Task 10 Report Task 11 Report Achievement Summary Qualification BTEC NATIONAL LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS Assessor name Unit Number and title Unit 33 The Impact of Communications Technology on Business Student name Criteria Reference To achieve the criteria the evidence must show that the student is able to: Achieved? (tick) P1 Describe how the internet operates. P2 Describe examples of how the internet is used by selected, contrasting businesses. P3 Use the internet for different types of business activities. P4 Describe the actions taken to reduce risks to security whilst using internet for different types of activities. P5 Explain the competitive pressures on selected, contrasting business organisations to develop their use of e-business. P6 Explain how the government supports the development of e-business. P7 Produce a personal development plan to help an individual prepare for increased use of e-business. M1 Demonstrate how to solve problems in internet use for four different types of business activity. M2 Explain how two selected, contrasting business organisations have responded to competitive pressures to develop their use of e-business. D1 Evaluate how successful a selected business organisation has been in preparing for the growing use of e-business. Higher Grade achievements (where applicable) Grade descriptor Achieved? (tick) Grade descriptor Achieved? (tick) M1: Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions D1: Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusions M2: Select / design and apply appropriate methods / techniques Indicative reading for learners Textbooks Buckley P and Clark D – The Rough Guide to the Internet (Rough Guides, 2006) ISBN 1843535505 Surridge M, Chapman T, Merrils S, Cornelius D and Frater G – Applied Business: AS for Edexcel: Student’s Book (Collins Educational, 2005) ISBN 0007197381 Websites www.businesslink.gov.uk Business Link site providing advice on e-commerce www.culture.gov.uk/images/publications/ Link to download a Government produced report digital_britain_interimreportjan09.pdf on Digital Britain www.davechaffey.com Website of the e-business author which has useful links and resources www.deloitte.co.uk Link to download a report from Deloitte’s on Technology Predictions www.electronic-payments.co.uk Site which provides advice for businesses on secure online payment systems www.isoc.org The Internet Society www.oft.gov.uk Office of Fair Trading for a download on legal aspects of e-commerce www.statistics.gov.uk Government statistics site from which the e-commerce and business change trends can be downloaded www.w3.org The World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)