Assignment Feedback

Student: Ben Lee Tutor: Jewel Cole

Unit no. & title: Unit 1 Business Environment: Unit Comment

Date due: 17 April 2015 Date submitted: 17 July 2015

Feedback date: 23 July 2015

(Tutor’s signature & date)GRADE: REFER x PASS MERIT DISTINCTION

Summative Feedback:

LO1: Understand the organisational purposes of businesses

LO1.1. You were able to identify the different types of organisations, achieving the requirements as defined in the assessment criteria (refer to comment 3 in the annotated feedback). It is clear that you have made an attempt to compare Tesco to another organisation. However, you need to do this by including information such as the mission statement, aims and goals of both companies (or more if you are comparing more than two). You need to ensure that a comprehensive comparison is conducted. This means you must consider the legal structure of both companies (or more if you are comparing more than two) in your comparison, their aims/goals/etc, the sector they fall in and generally the products/services they offer. As this assignment criteria was not met you have REFERRED. The following example might give you some ideas:

"Tesco is a limited liability company operating within the tertiary sector. What this means is that Tesco falls within the sales and services sector and is allowed to sell its shares on the market. As a limited liability company Tesco has shareholders and therefore its purpose is to ....... This is different to my local green grocer who is a sole trader and operates within the primary sector and is solely responsible for any financial losses and debts. Called Big Barn Farm, the local green grocers' purpose is to...... Apart from these two types of organisations there are others such as voluntary organisations whose purpose is to ...... Apart from this there is also credit unions, etc, etc, etc.". Tesco's main aims and business purpose is to.....This is different to the aims of Big Barn farm as its aims and purpose is to....

LO1.2 Again, you have done well to meet the learning criteria. However, whilst you have met the criteria for learning outcome 1.2, your work could have been greatly improved by drawing upon some practical examples. At this level it is not sufficient to repeat the information you have read. You must demonstrate your ability to apply knowledge by using some real examples that your audience can relate to. Also, you must credit your sources by stating where the information came from. Please consult your referencing guide. Despite these short comings, you have been able to secure a PASS for LO1.2 (Pass).

BTEC HN eLearning Certificate for Business

LO1.3. Again you have met the requirements for passing learning outcome 1.3. However, you must begin to draw on some practical examples. In order to be successful at this level you must show your ability to apply the knowledge you have gained in a practical way. Remember, business studies is about using the academic information you have gained and applying/adapting it to whatever type of company you might be employed in. You must show your ability to do this by using examples (Pass).

LO2: Understand the nature of the national environment in which businesses operate

LO2.1. You have amply met the learning outcome by defining the various economic systems which gives some indication of how they allocate resources. However, you could have enhanced your grade by using some practical Examples (Pass).

LO2.2. In order to meet the learning outcome, you must fully explain what is meant by the fiscal policy and similarly, what is meant by the monetary policy. It is not sufficient to say that they will 'have a huge impact'. You must be able to connect with your audience by providing definitions and practical examples that they can relate to (REFER).. LO2.3. You did well here. You presented some very applicable information. You balanced your work by highlighting both positive and negative influences of the competition policy, and pointing out the consequences if companies are found to be in breach of the law. However, you MUST cite your sources. Your failure to do so has impacted upon the quality and validity of your work and your grades. Please refer to the referencing material (Pass).

LO3: Understand the behaviour of organisations in their market environment

LO3.1. Good. A simple but not simplistic explanation of the monetary policy that has the capability of resonating with audiences of varied abilities. This would have been excellent followed up with a very practical example that the audience can relate to. Please consult previous comments regarding application of knowledge and the use of examples (Pass).

LO3.2. For the most part, you were able to give a very clear and sometimes easy flowing explanation. However, your work would have been greatly enhanced by analysing your explanation and drawing conclusions regarding how organisations may respond to market forces. That is, what strategies might they incorporate to ensure that these forces do not negatively affect their business (Pass) LO3.3. You have applied an appropriate technique (PESTEL) in answering this question. In addition to applying the PESTEL Analysis in helping to identify how the business environment affect the way Tesco operates, you must also discuss the cultural environment. This requires you to look at both the culture of the organisation as well as the culture of the environment that they operate in. This environment includes the country (UK, USA, etc.), Town/city (Bradford, Glasgow, etc), the community (lots of polish immigrants, lots of Muslims, etc) that they operate. Try to consider how these cultural environments affect how the store operates. Does it do things differently? If so, why? (REFER)

LO4: Be able to assess the significance of the global factors that shape national business activities

LO4.1. In order to meet the learning outcome for this sub task you need to discuss the specific significance to Tesco and the UK retail sector. The short paragraph presented is a very generalised statement that can be applicable to any sector and most companies. Again, employ some good examples to illustrate why international trade is so important to Tesco. Here's a tip; Think about their fresh produce, where does a lot of it come from, how does it get to the UK? (REFER).

LO4.2. A good assessment of the impact of global factors on the UK economy. Again, this was a missed opportunity to use some very practical examples to enhance your work (Pass)

LO4.3. This task requires you to write a memorandum to the CEO of Tesco. You must use appropriate business formats in order to meet the criteria. In addition, you must discuss all EU policies that have the potential to impact upon how Tesco must treat its stakeholders, conduct its operations both in the UK and abroad. What types of policies are these and what role does each type of policy play? (REFER)

Formative Feedback:

Ben - It is very evident that you are a hard worker who strives to do well. You seem to have a natural ability to interpret questions extremely well, and similarly, the ability to produce appropriate answers. However, there are some areas where you fall short, and care and attention must be paid to these areas if you are to pass the unit or indeed, improve your grades. To improve your grades please note the following:

Always use examples. This could be real or hypothetical. incorporating examples in your work serves a number of purposes. Firstly, It demonstrates to the examiner that you are able to contextualise your work. It demonstrates your ability to apply knowledge. It demonstrates your ability to communicate with audiences that are both familiar with business topics and those who are not. It demonstrates your ability to think creatively and it helps you to see the whole picture thereby enabling you to draw conclusions.

Always reference your sources. You are unlikely to pass the course without referencing your work. Whenever you make any claim of fact you must cite the source of this information as you run the risk of being accused of making false claims, being accused of misquotation, being accused of plagiarism. By citing your sources, you are able to direct your reader to the information quoted, thereby protecting yourself as a writer and defending your work.

Always include a bibliography. No matter how good your work is you cannot receive a passing grade unless this is included (See comment 30 in annotated feedback).

Ensure that you adhere to Harvard referencing (Please see the referencing guide on the learning platform).

Always use a cover page as it makes your work look professional as well as holds vital information (see comment 1 in annotated feedback).

Highlight headings and sub headings. It helps to make your work look professional.

Ensure your name is on every page and each page is numbered. Not only does this look professional, but it serves practical reasons. As students work are randomly selected by the external verifiers, this will help to keep your work together when they are sent off.

Try to draw conclusions after every task. Reflect on all the information that was presented in the task and draw your own conclusions. It shows your ability to make effective judgements as well as demonstrating your analytical skills.

In addition to your positive skills highlighted at the top of this feedback There are some other things that you do very well, and you should continue to do these and improve your skills where possible, you will soon see a positive reflection in your grades:

Continue to conduct additional research over and above the recommended texts. This is a clear indication that you are able to study at this level, and it also shows your desire to learn all you can about the subject/course and not just to 'pass' it.

Unfortunately, you have REFERRED on Unit 1: Business Environment. You must RESUBMIT.