lifecycle models/analysis
The following are points of reminders based on questions being asked about the assignment. Do return to the Assignment Brief.
Basic structure:
Brief Introduction – Purpose of report and what is included. Very short.
Body of Report – Based on your constructed lifecycle models/analysis. Start with your figure illustrating the lifecycle you have constructed. Headings and subheadings take the reader through your views/analysis of the business in line with your constructed lifecycle.
Recommendations – How you see the business going forward. As brief says this relates to ‘future growth potential, taking into consideration difficulties previously faced and those that might be faced going forward in the near future’.
(See brief for more on Presentation and Structure format).[unique_solution]
General Approach:
All of this is influenced by your understanding of the syllabus we have been covering each week in lectures and tutorials, which should be built up in an integrated way. That is to say;
- understanding what is involved in Small Business Management and what it is,
- whilst considering the context / environment we are operating in,
- the range of issues associated with growing the small business revealed through the wide range of lifecycle models not only in the lecture but from your extended reading (Research).
- What is it to go/be international for Missoma, considering Marisa Hordern’s aspirations for the business, vision-strategy congruency, resource and management strengths and limitations, and possible approaches.
- The personality and behaviour of the owner manager/entrepreneur Marisa Hordern. Effect on what has happened, leadership/management style and choices, and implications going forward.
- Also a little indication of the financial performance.
This case was picked for its fit with the syllabus. There is plenty of information available ranging from The Sunday Times 2019 SME Track 100 for Export Growth, Sunday Times case study article provided in the ‘Reading’ under ‘Units’ on CANVAS, the companies own Webpage, along with ‘FAME and Nexis’ both found in the University Online Electronic Learning Resources for Business. Be careful where looking at large amounts of editorial not to simply be tempted to cut and paste (compiling basic derivative input), without properly doing the task set.
You need to read and interpret the case material that is available, and combine it with your reading and understanding of a wide range of principles related to all the topics (mentioned above) which we are covering up to submission. In this analysis you are expected to speculate, consider possibilities, evidence, perspectives, question/challenge material etc. Additional secondary research can be in the form of environmental/contextual information that supports and challenges points made in available case material. This adds understanding of circumstances around things that have happened, is happening now, and speculatively on what could happen in the future.
Blending, case material, environmental information, syllabus, analysis and justification / argument on what you decide to include is more than enough for 2000 words. Provide you best material.
Remember we are having an Assignment Review Lecture next week commencing 4th of November and tutorial time will be given-over to in class Coursework Q&A’s.
The module team look forward to seeing you.