CPW.05 Ass.

Supplementary Guide – Business Report

 

(Tittle Page)

[REPORT TITLE]

[Your name]

[Submission date]
[The name of the subject]
(Note: no page number for title page, executive summary and table of contents)

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Executive summary:

(This part is the summary of all parts of the report. It includes the purpose of the report, scope or
breadth of the investigation, methodology, major findings and recommendations)

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Table of Contents

Page
1. Introduction ….
2. Trends analysis ….
2.1. Political factors ….
2.2. Economic influences ….
2.3. Socio-cultural trends ….
2.4. Technological innovations ….
2.5. Ecological factors ….
2.6. Industry analysis ….
2.7. Summary ….
3. Recommendations ….
References ….
Appendix (if applicable) ….

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1. Introduction

 gives some brief background information

 defines the problem/topic, its relevance, scope and any key terms
 states the overall purpose (are you explaining, analysing, recommending or a combination?) and
key objectives
 gives an overview of the report’s structure including the sections and their relationship to the issues
 provides detail assumptions, theoretical foundation, scope, methodology and any limitations or
constraints (if applicable)

2. Trends analysis

2.1. Political factors and legislative requirement

Political factors refer to political forces and influences that may affect the performance of, or the
options open to ABC company.

Legislative requirements include employment laws, contracts over rights of staff, rights of patients,
direct payments etc.

The student may take the following factors into account.

 Government type and stability

 Freedom of press, rule of law and levels of bureaucracy and corruption
 Regulation and de-regulation trends
 Social and employment legislation
 Tax policy, and trade and tariff controls
 Environmental and consumer-protection legislation
 Likely changes in the political environment

2.2. Economic influences

Economic influences refer to the nature of the competition faced by the organisation or its services,
and financial resources available within the economy.

The student may take the following factors into account.

 Stage of business cycle

 Current and project economic growth, inflation and interest rates
 Unemployment and labour supply
 Labour costs
 Levels of disposable income and income distribution
 Impact of globalisation
 Likely impact of technological or other change on the economy
 Likely changes in the economic environment

2.3. Socio-cultural trends

Sociological trends refer to demographic changes, trends in the way people live, work, and think.
The student may take the following factors into account.

 Population growth rate and age profile

 Population health, education and social mobility, and attitudes to these population
employment patterns, job market freedom and attitudes to work
 Press attitudes, public opinion, social attitudes and social taboos
 Lifestyle choices and attitudes to these socio-Cultural changes

2.4. Technological innovations

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Technological innovations refer to new approaches to doing new and old things, and tackling new
and old problems; these do not necessarily involve technical equipment. They can be novel ways of
thinking or of organising.

The student may take the following factors into account.

 Impact of emerging technologies

 Impact of Internet, reduction in communications costs and
 Increased remote working
 Research and Development activity
 Impact of technology transfer

2.5. Ecological factors

Ecological factors refer to ecological system of which the organisation is a part and consideration of
how the organisation interacts with it.

The student may take the following factors into account.

 Air quality
 Transportation
 Parking
 Pollution discharge
 Waste management
 Land use

2.6. Industry analysis

Industry analysis refers to a review of the attractiveness of the industry of which the organisation
forms a part.

The student may take the following factors into account.

 Demand, liaison and selection for services, products and/or component parts on the basis of
price, quality, delivery times and services support
 Market knowledge, forecasting, purchasing strategies, liaising with users, business
efficiency

2.7. Summary
The student includes the main ‘opinions’ here, answering the questions raised by the original
purposes so there is a thematic unity to the report and the recommendations follow logically. The
student may also need to consider the limitations and advantages of findings and any unresolved
questions or issues. The student avoids including any new information.

3. Recommendations
Recommendations are the suggested actions based on the report findings. They must be both relevant
and feasible covering:
 What needs to be done
 Who needs to do it
 How, when (in what order if appropriate) and where it needs to be done

References (in Harvard style)

Appendix (if applicable) (in a separate page)

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