FACULTY OF BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES

ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET

Name & Surname: ______________________ ICAS No: _________________________
Qualification: __________________ Year: _______ Module Name: TND 512_____
Specialization: _________________________ Assignment Due Date: _______________
ID Number: __________________ Date submitted: __________ Semester: _______________

MARK EXAMINER’S MODERATOR’S

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA REMARKS
ALLOCATION MARK MARKS
MARKS FOR CONTENT
QUESTION ONE 25
QUESTION TWO 25
QUESTION THREE 25
QUESTION FOUR 15

TOTAL 90
MARKS FOR TECHNICAL ASPECTS
1. TABLE OF CONTENTS 2
Accurate numbering
according to the numbering
in text and page numbers
2. LAYOUT AND SPELLING 3
Font – Calibri 11
Line Spacing -1.5
Margin should be Justified
3. REFERENCE 5
According to the Harvard
Method
TOTAL MARKS 10
TOTAL MARKS FOR 100
ASSIGNMENT
EXAMINER’S COMMENTS

MODERATOR’S COMMENTS
 Name of the Examiner : __________________ Name of the Moderator:
__________________ Signature of Examiner: __________________ Signature of
Moderator: __________________
Date : ___________________ Date:
____________________

Instructions and guidelines

NB: 1. Candidates are advised to read the guidelines in the study guide.
2. Assignment questions are on page 3 and 4.
3. For reference use prescribed, recommended books and other resources you may come
across.
4. Correct Harvard referencing carries (5 Marks).

The purpose of an assignment is to ensure that the student can:

• Use methods of enquiry and research in a disciplined field.

• Interpret and evaluate the text.

• Have a sound understanding of key principles and theories, rules and awareness.

• Solve unfamiliar problems using correct procedures as well as investigate and critically analyse
information and report thereof.

• Present and communicate information reliably and coherently.

Instructions and guidelines for writing assignments

1. Use the correct cover page provided by the institution.

2. All essay type assignments must include the following structure:

2.1. Table of contents

2.2. Introduction
2.3. Main body with subheadings
2.4. Recommendations and Conclusions
2.5. Bibliography
3. The length of the entire assignment must have a minimum of 10 pages. Typed with font size 11
Calibri. 1.5 spacing.

4. The quality of work submitted is more important than the number of assigned pages.
5. Copying is a serious offence which attracts a severe penalty and must be avoided at all costs. If
any student transgresses this rule, the lecturer will retain the assignments and ask the affected
students to resubmit a new assignment which will be capped at 50%.

6. Use the Harvard referencing method.

7. Please note that these guidelines do not apply to quantitative subjects like Accounting and
Statistics.
 CASE STUDY

READ THE CASE STUDY AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW

APPLE INC. TRAINING NEEDS ANALYSIS OR NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Apple Inc. as a market leader has experienced both booms and depressions in the tech industry. Due
to the increasing competition, advancement in technology, a market flooded by cheap substitutes, and
economic depression, Apple Inc. has lately faced a shrinking market for its brands and diminishing
annual returns. To compete effectively and ensure high profits, the company needs to proactively
predict patterns and respond strategically to meet the market demands. Currently, computers are
regarded as consumer goods and not for the select few nor for educational and business
establishments. Apple Inc. needs to promptly react to the changing market dynamics to survive in the
foreseeable future.

To conduct the Training Needs Analysis (TNA), the HR and/or Training and Development department
will take a leading role in ensuring the exercise goes to its successful completion. From the TNA the
company will determine the deficiencies and work to ensure the ideal state is realized. The whole T&D
program will be dependent on the training needs identified as well as those prioritized as critical to
assist the organisation’s turn-around or realize its corporate objectives.

The TNA will be started from a higher level given the company size and complexity of operations.
Starting the TNA at a higher level will ensure the following: First, the company ascertains the purpose
of each and every individual role against the overall corporate goals and objectives. Secondly, the
training can simply be prioritised as per its significance to the overall corporate objectives as opposed
to its significance to a more individual role. Thirdly, given a new project, a team or department; it
facilitates one to pinpoint individual tasks and responsibilities to be done by the whole team as well
as individuals found within the team or department without losing focus on the overall objective. TNA
will be extracted from the whole organization to increase the levels of accuracy.

The strengths of Apple are its brand identity, brand value, innovation, pioneering in technology,
research focus, and top-quality customer experience.

Apple's weaknesses are its premium prices, the fact that different operating systems are not
compatible with Mac, and the fact that its revenues are highly dependent on the iPhone and iPad.

Apple may avail the opportunity to expand and develop its distribution network. This emphasises the
fact that Apple needs to revise its distribution strategy. An expansion of the distribution network will
facilitate Apple to be able to reach more customers worldwide.

Competition in various industries can be seen as one of the greatest risks that Apple has faced over
the years. With competition coming from companies such as Google with their Android operating
system, Samsung with their smartphones, or even Spotify with their music streaming platform, they
continue to eat away at Apple’s market share each year with products that are often cheaper than
Apple’s while still offering similar or sometimes even better performance than what Apple offers at a
particular price point or feature set. Another threat facing Apple is recessionary economic downturns
that could significantly reduce demand for their products amongst consumers who may no longer be
able to afford them due to job losses or pay cuts experienced during these times.
Apple training delivers everything you need to learn about the technology online and on your time.
Own your learning schedule with self-paced, online courses. Take proctored certification exams from
your home or office.

Apple requires employees with specific technical skills and expertise. However, with rapid
technological advancements, finding qualified individuals becomes challenging. For instance, Apple
needs engineers and software developers for its product development and improvement processes.
Human Resource Development (HRD) professionals at Apple need to focus on recruitment strategies
that attract qualified candidates, as well as provide training and development programs to bridge the
skills gap and ensure a competent workforce.

Source:https://www.Apple-Inc-Training-Needs-Analysis-or-Needs-Assessment-Apple-Inc-as-
amarket.htm

QUESTIONS 1: 25 MARKS

The abovementioned case study proposed its strategy for determining the training needs, based on
the operational and strategic goals of Apple proposes other complementary types of needs
assessments that can be applied in this organisation.

QUESTIONS 2: 25 MARKS

Highlight some of the key challenges that have been identified by Apple, and provide
recommendations on how Apple can mitigate each of the provided limitations.

QUESTIONS 3: 25 MARKS

The provided case study indicated that TNA will resume from the higher level of management. If the
organisation intends to expand its TNA to the entire organisation, a considerable number of proven
techniques are available to complete such TNA. Highlight each of those methods and provide
recommendations of a technique that can be applied at Apple.

QUESTIONS 4: 15 MARKS

The Human Resource Development programme at Apple intends to focus on recruitment strategies
that attract qualified and competent employees. Outline some of the characteristics of competency-
based training that Apple needs to apply to provide its employees with the skills and knowledge they
require to succeed in their occupations.