EDEXCEL BTEC HND Business (Management)
Unit 16: Managing Communications,Knowledge & Information
Task 1: Scenario
It is apparent that modern companies relied on dependable sources of information and knowledge in making strategic decisions for their businesses. However, the general believe is that stakeholders are the best sources of veritable information and knowledge that can improves and enhances effective communication, as different decisions are taken within an organisation, at various levels.
Focus on a work role, it maybe past experience or current, paid and unpaid work such as voluntary. Use real life examples from these experiences where possible and relevant to the report. You can also draw from your study to support your argument.
LO1 Understand how to assess information and knowledge needs.
Write a business report illustrating how to assess information and knowledge needs in an organisation of your own choice.
Please be aware that the following ACs must be considered in your report;
AC1.1
discuss the range of decisions to be taken in an organisation of your own choice.
AC1.2
examine the information and knowledge needed to ensure effective decision taking in this institution is possible and fit for purpose.
AC1.3
assess internal and external sources of information and understanding, available for the employees in your chosen organisation.
AC1.4
justify recommendations for improvement to the management team, during a special meeting focussing on the propose organisation enhancement strategy.
Task 2: Networking Event
As part of WLCBMS week long networking events that will be coming up on the 15th,16th,17th and 18th of December 2014, ‘end of the term party and fundraising event’, the occasion will be great fun and get together for many students, as part of the build up to the festive season.
We are holding network events for students to showcase their businesses and sell seasonal goods. Students are expected to make seasonal door wreaths, garlands and table decorations which they will be selling from a traditional stall inside, all ideas and creativities are welcomed. We are also planning to raise funds for Children in needs at the same time and will be running a raffle, tombola, competitions, etc.
The jamboree for HNDB 2014 cohorts (Branson, Maslow, Jones and Meaden) will be recorded, observed and marked as learning outcome 2. Please note that if you fail to participate in this event, you will fail the whole unit 16.
LO2 Create strategies to increase personal networking to widen involvement in the fourth coming event.
You are required to plan and implement your agenda for this occasion, and make sure that you keep step by step record of this event, as this will help in your post event reflection.
Please be aware that the following ACs must be considered carefully;
AC2.1
identify stakeholders for this occasion and communicate your plan effectively to them.
AC2.2
make contact with those identified and develop a relationship with them, find out what they will like at the occasion.
AC2.3 involve those identified in the occasion agenda and ensures that their interests are represented in your planning and implementation.
AC2.4 design strategies that will make the occasion interesting and memorable for all stakeholders, as their donations will be used for good courses around.
Task 3: Scenario
You are recently engaged as an assistant manager in your family owned business, which specialised in stationaries supply for over fifty years. As part of your initial training, you are set the tasks to develop effective communication process for the company, completion of which will provide you with a better insight on how communication processes can be developed in business context.
LO3 Develop communication processes
Write a report on how effective communication system can be developed and align with corporate strategies in an organisation.
Please be aware that the following ACs must be considered in your report
AC3.1
report on existing processes of communication in the organisation.
AC3.2
design ways to improve appropriateness of communication systems for internal and external stakeholders’.
AC3.3
implement improvements to ensure greater integration of systems of communication in the company.
AC3.4
create a personal plan to improve own communication skills, that will feed into the project.
Task 4: Power Point Presentation
The company you inherited is consciously and tirelessly working to improves systems’ in the areas of information and knowledge that will feed into increase productivity and also guarantee business sustainability. You are instructed as the newly appointed assistant manager to lead this project, it is vital that you come up with an effective plan that will transform the way business is done here and bring the standard up in-line with modern realities.
LO4improve systems relating to information and knowledge
You are asked to prepare a power point presentation for the management team, demonstrating how you intend to build on the existing structures and systems, in order to move the business forward through modern technologies.
Please include the following sections on your presentation;
AC4.1
report on existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge in an organisation.
AC4.2
carry out appropriate changes to improve the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge that will improve.
AC4.3
implement a strategy to improve access to systems of information and knowledge, in-line with corporate goals.
Grading criteria:
Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
Learning Outcomes (LO)
Assessment Criteria(AC) for a Pass
LO1.Understand how to assess information and knowledge needs. 1.1
discuss the range of decisions to be taken
1.2
examine the information and knowledge needed to ensure effective decision taking
1.3
assess internal and external sources of information and understanding
1.4
justify recommendations for improvement
LO2. Be able to create strategies to increase personal networking to widen involvement in the decision making process. 2.1
identify stakeholders for a decision-making process
2.2
make contact with those identified and develop business relationships
2.3
involve those identified in the decision making as appropriate
2.4
design strategies for improvement
LO3.Be able to develop communication processes. 3.1
report on existing processes of communication in an organisation
3.2
design ways to improve appropriateness
3.3
implement improvements to ensure greater integration of systems of communication in that organisation
3.4
create a personal plan to improve own communication skills
LO4.Be able to improve systems relating to information and knowledge. 4.1
report on existing approaches to the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge
4.2
carry out appropriate changes to improve the collection, formatting, storage and dissemination of information and knowledge
4.3
implement a strategy to improve access to systems of information and knowledge.
In addition to the above Pass Criteria, this assignment gives you opportunity to submit evidence in order to achieve the following MERIT and DISTINCTION grades
Grade Descriptor
Indicative characteristic/s
Contextualisation
M1 Identify and apply strategies to find appropriate solutions M1.1 Effective judgements have been made.
M1.2 Complex problems with more than one variable have been explored.
M1.3 An effective approach to study and research has been applied. To achieve M1:
You will make effective judgements about fundamental concepts and principles that underpin the information and knowledge management in a selected organisation
You will provide supporting and contrasting examples to explain a complex issue.
You will also adopt an effective approach to study and research by integrating secondary and empirical examples in the report. In addition, you will use resources to support your arguments which are academically accredited, relevant and appropriate to the level of this course of study.
(AC 1.1,1.2,1.3,1.4 )
M2 Select/design and apply appropriate methods/techniques M2.1 Relevant theories and techniques have been applied
M2.2 A range of sources of information has been used
M2.3 Appropriate learning methods/ technique have been applied To achieve M2:
You will develop relevant communication strategy and processes.
You will also use range of sources of information. Range means range in quantity and range in variety. In addition, arguments will be supported by drawing information from variety of sources including variety of sources such as internet, journals, books etc.
You will also acknowledge all resources using correct Harvard Referencing System.
(AC 1.2,1.3,1.4,2.1,2.2)
M3 Present and communicate appropriate findings M3.1 Appropriate structure and approach has been used
M3.2 Coherent, logical development of principals/concepts for the intended audience
M3.3 A range of methods of presentation have been used and technical language has been accurately used To achieve M3:
You will use appropriate academic report format to present the work neatly and professionally maintaining highest academic and professional standard.
You will make sure arguments/theories provided are appropriate to the audience.
You will also use technical language accurately in the context and check the work for spelling errors. (AC 1.3,1.4,2.1,2.2)
D1 Use critical reflection to evaluate own work and justify valid conclusion D1.1 Conclusions have been arrived at through synthesis of ides and have been justified.
D1.2 Realistic improvements have been proposed against defined characteristics for success. To achieve D1:
You will provide concluding paragraph for each task and an overall conclusion that would derive directly from your analysis. You should justify the conclusion you have reached.
Provide recommendation for further improvements.
(AC1.4,2.1,2.2,2.3,2.4)
D2 Take responsibility for managing and organising activities D2.1 Autonomy / independence demonstrated
D2.2 Activities have been managed
To achieve D2:
You will have demonstrated an effective approach to independent research and study.
You will have met the deadline to submit the tasks. You will also have attended regularly and contributed to class sessions.
(AC2.2,2.3,2.4,3.1,3.2)
D3 Demonstrate convergent/lateral/creative thinking D3.1 Self-evaluation has taken place
D3.2 Convergent and lateral thinking have been applied
D3.3 Innovation/creative thought have been applied
To achieve D3:
You will write a self-evaluation showing your ability to reflect upon your learning by identifying strengths and areas for improvement in relation to unit.
You will be conducting a thorough and critical investigation. This can be done by outlining, comparing and discussing key ideas, explanations, concepts, theories and models associated with the topic area.
The originally of your work will be evident.
(AC3.2,3.3,3.4,4.,4.2,4.3,4.4 )
Resources
Business Essentials. Managing Communications and Achieving Results. BPP Learning Media. July 2013
Campaign(Haymarket Publishing)
Harvard Business Review(Harvard Business Publishing)
www.bized.co.uk Bized provides a selection of teaching and learning resources
www.ft.com The Financial Times business sections
www.thetimes100.co.uk multimedia resources
Submission Guideline
· Work should be referenced
· Sources should be acknowledged fully by referenced books, journals used and URL visited
· All work should be word processed, font size of 12 and font style of Times New Roman/Arial
· Subtitles of the assignment should be in the font size of 14
· Pages should be numbered in the bottom right hand corner
· Spell check the document and read thoroughly for grammatical errors
· 1.5 Line spacing
· Reference at the end of the assignment
· All paragraphs should be aligned in justified mode
· The guided word limit is between 2500-4000 words