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Business Communications - Busm3320 BUSINESS REPORT ASSESSMENT (40% of The Total Grade)

The document provides guidelines for students completing a Business Report assessment. It outlines that students must interview someone from an organization about their competitive advantages and communication challenges. They then produce a report recommending methods to address the challenges. The report must identify a competitive advantage or communication issue, discuss interview results, and make recommendations to improve communications or competitive edge. It will be evaluated based on the introduction, body, conclusions, writing style, and following report guidelines.

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Natalie Nguyen
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76 views

Business Communications - Busm3320 BUSINESS REPORT ASSESSMENT (40% of The Total Grade)

The document provides guidelines for students completing a Business Report assessment. It outlines that students must interview someone from an organization about their competitive advantages and communication challenges. They then produce a report recommending methods to address the challenges. The report must identify a competitive advantage or communication issue, discuss interview results, and make recommendations to improve communications or competitive edge. It will be evaluated based on the introduction, body, conclusions, writing style, and following report guidelines.

Uploaded by

Natalie Nguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Business Report Student Guide

BUSINESS COMMUNICATIONS - BUSM3320


BUSINESS REPORT ASSESSMENT (40% of the total grade)

The Business Report Assessment requires each Department to interview someone working in an
actual organization about their competitive advantage and communication challenges they
encounter in their work, and then to produce a report that outlines these advantages and
challenges, and then recommends methods to deal with them effectively. Ideally, each
Department should interview someone who works in the same Department. For example,
students in the Marketing Department should try to find someone in a Marketing Department or
Marketing related company to interview. If the interview does not produce sufficient material to
create a report based on the answers provided by the interviewee then the students may resort to
basing their report on a problem/opportunity/purpose discovered through researching the
company and/or industry.

ASSESSMENT Purpose and AIMS

This assessment links to BUSM3320 Business Communications course capability development


and learning outcomes as follows;

using persuasive and professional language in speech and writing


conducting effective business research and communicating the process and findings in a
range of business documents and oral presentations
planning and managing a business project and communications strategy
demonstrating advanced interpersonal communication, business etiquette and relationship
building skills
embedding ethical considerations in all communication modes

Students will display business communication skills in;


- planning and managing report tasks effectively as a department using email, diaries,
meeting minutes and other possible tools
- communicating professionally with a business person
- researching, writing and delivering a professional business report as a business unit

Report Task Description

Each Department will research and write a Business Report that will:
- identify a competitive advantage and/or possible communication issues that could be
improved in their Department

Business Communications RMIT University 2016


Business Report Student Guide

- arrange and carry out an interview with a working person (the interviewee) from an
organization in order to identify real-world workplace communication issues and/or what
competitive advantages they hold over their competitors
- report on the interview results
- make recommendations to the interviewee on how they can overcome the
communications challenges and/or improve communications in their organization and/or
take advantage of opportunities to improve their edge over the competitors

The purpose of the interview is to give you experience in finding, approaching and
communicating with business people, planning an interview that includes research of the topic in
order to formulate relevant and useful questions, questioning and personal communication skills,
using listening skills to make the most of the interview opportunity, and writing up a professional
business report. Your report will not only summarize the interview results but also will interpret
them in a meaningful way to your company and you will propose recommendations to the
interviewees organization. It is suggested that you record your interview either on an audio or a
video device to provide accurate transcript writing.

Appendix A Interview Details and Transcript sheet MUST be completed and attached to the
Business Report submission. Your report will not be accepted without it. See the Blackboard
Assessments Business Report folder and download and complete the form to be added to both
the hard and soft copies of the Report.

Ideally, choose a business person to interview who works in the same Department (for example,
Manufacturing Department should interview someone working in Manufacturing Department of
an actual company). Speak to your Lecturer if you have any questions about this.

Length: 2500 word maximum (not including References, Appendix Interview Details
and Transcript and any other appendices)
Due Date; Turnitin Last Class (Week 12)
Hard Copy Bring to last class (Week 12).

Late submissions will be penalized by 10% per day to a maximum of 7 days, after which
the assignment will not be marked.

Note: Learning Portfolio and/or other class communication activities may be assigned
throughout Weeks 4-10 that are linked to and support the activities required for the Business
Report.

Business Communications RMIT University 2016


Business Report Student Guide

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The report should be suitable for presentation to a company, not just the Lecturer.
Successful reports will include relevant aspects such as:

Explanations of a problem/opportunity/purpose
Facts, statistical evidence and/or trends
Results of studies or investigations
Discussion and analyses of potential courses of action
Advantages, disadvantages, costs and benefits of a recommended communications activity
Procedures or steps in a process
Methods and approaches
Criteria for evaluating alternatives and options

Reports will be marked in the following 5 areas.

1. Report Introduction (10%)


The introduction needs to clearly identify the topic, provide background
information on who your interview subject is and why they were selected for the
interview, outline what the report will cover, and very briefly state the outcome.
Here, you must clearly guide the reader so they have a clear understanding of
what the report is all about. You must also engage the readers interest so they
have a reason to read it.

2. Report Body (20%)


This part will be based partially on the Interview Transcript, as well as other
relevant research done. Clearly explain the key communication challenges or
competitive advantages that your interview subject has identified. Explain their
relevance to Star Industries, if any. If you believe the challenges or advantages
identified by your interview subjects do not apply to Star Industries, explain why
not.
3. Recommendations (20%)
Recommendations for Department communication effectiveness or competitive
advantages need to be clear, the advantages/disadvantages/consequences
acknowledged, with justification. Recommendations may include establishment of
procedures or processes, with justification. Recommendations link to the findings
of your interview and other relevant research.

Business Communications RMIT University 2016


Business Report Student Guide

4. Report Conclusion (10%)


- Adequately summarise your report and bring it to a close. Provide a clear call to
action. Do not include new information here.

Think of this like an essay an introduction, the body and a conclusion.

5. Report Writing Style and English (40%)


20% Writing - Sentence structure, paragraph structure, logical sequence of text,
cohesiveness, overall readability, business writing style and tone
10% General English grammar, spelling, range of vocabulary, word choice
10% Professionalism organisation, appropriate business tone, formatting,
references, use of diagrams/headings/table of contents or any other addition

Further details on the assignment will be discussed in class.

For more specific details on the Marking Criteria, see the Business Report Marking Guide on
Blackboard (in the Assessments Business Report folder)

Business Communications RMIT University 2016

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