©Aspire2 International – DBN602 Assessment 1 – v.1 2018 Page 1 of 9

New Zealand Diploma in Business (Level 6) Course Title

Business Communication Course

DBN602 Version

4 Title

Assessment 1: Research Based Assignment Level

6 Credits

20 Total Marks [Weighting]

100

[50%] Student Name

Student ID

Tutor’s Name

Week Due

Due Date

““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““““` Sections A1 A2 A3 B1 C 1 C2 C3 D Ref Total Total Marks

10

10

15

20

15

5

20

5

100 Marks Awarded

Assessor’s Overall Feedback

Student’s Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________

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LEARNING OUTCOMES ASSESSED

Learning Outcome Question Mark Allocation Percentage Allocation

LO 1 Research and evaluate information for entity’s performance.

Part 1

Includes Ref.

35+5=

40 marks

20%

LO5: Analyse complex situations and challenges in business scenarios to provide solutions to issues.

Part 2

20 marks

10%

LO6: Use problem-solving skills to resolve complex situations for efficient and effective performance of the entity.

Part 3

40 marks

20% Total 100 marks 50%

General Instructions:

1. “APA” 6th edition referencing and citation are compulsory.

2. Plagiarism would be dealt with zero tolerance and you would fail the assessment.

3. A soft copy of assignment must be submitted on Turnitin by the due date and a hard copy must be submitted to the lecturer on date advised by lecturer.

4. Be advised that any similarity rate 15% or above will result in zero marks as stipulated above.

5. Your work should be free of errors with respect to grammar, spellings and punctuation.

Please read and sign the declaration below:

I have understood the content and learning outcomes to be assessed

I have been advised of the purpose and the process of the assessment

I consent to assessment results and materials being used by my establishment

I agree to carry out the assessment without assistance from anyone else

___________________________________________ _____/____/____

Student’s Signature Date

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ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS

General Instructions

Select and research a NZ business case study/scenario with issues . The business must be an existing and registered business that currently operates in New Zealand. (You are not allowed to select a business case study /scenario that is not based or does not operate in New Zealand).Attach the case study/scenario in the appendix of the report.

Ensure that you have obtained your lecturer’s permission on the business case study/scenario you have selected before proceeding to write this report to avoid duplicity.

(You can use the same business case study/ scenario for your second Assessment, but it is optional.)

You are encouraged to write between 2,000 to 2,500 words (excluding the cover page and references), to ensure a sufficient discussion of each part.

Assessment background

Identify 2 issues/challenges that the business has faced or is facing. The issue must be real and factual.

These issues must be related to a communication issue (i.e. culture and perception, conflict in work environment, teamwork, or leadership) that affected the business’s performance.

Your report must include the following structure:

 The report must be structured with 3 sections parts with appropriate headings and numbering.

 Each section must include 2 to 3 sub sections with appropriate headings and numbering.

Note: The report must provide an accurate representation of the business. This must also be written in such a way that a reader with no prior knowledge of the business would understand the topics covered

A copy of your report must also be submitted in Turnitin. Turnitin Upload Name Sample

Organisation (Name: ID)

XYZ Business (John Doe: TIZ0000123)

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PART A – Introducing the business and its communication strategy

(Learning Outcome 1 – 35+5=40 Marks Total) Learning Outcome 5 [20 Marks Total]

i) Business Introduction (10 marks)

Research and outline the nature and characteristics of the New Zealand business you have chosen.

In the introduction describe:

– the name of the business

– the size and scale of the business

– the products and services provided

– the areas and/or countries served.

–

Approximately 150 words.

ii) Communication Methods (or Approaches) (10- marks)

Briefly explain the communication methods (or approaches) the New Zealand business uses to relate to its stakeholders.

In your explanation include:

– Social media

– Technology such as email

– Other engagement and communication methods.

Where possible attach examples or screen shots of the communication methods used by the business you have chosen.

Approximately 150 words.

iii) Competitive profile (15 marks)

Describe:

 Number of businesses in the industry (most current data)

 Substitute/directly competing products

 Business’s main direct competitors in NZ

 Relative size of competitors (market share/size)

 Intensity of competition

 Significant trends affecting profitability.

Approximately 250 words.

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PART B: Analysing Communication Issues (LO5)

i) Business Communication Issues (10X2 = 20 marks)

Briefly outline two communication issues or challenges faced by the New Zealand business related to the case study. (Approximately 150 words)

Analyse the communication issues in terms of:

– Cause and development of the 2 issues (what and how it happened)

– Impact of issues on the business’s performance

– Stakeholders and impact of issues on stakeholders

PART C: Applying Problem Solving Skills (LO6)

Learning Outcome 6 (40 Marks Total)

i) The Response plan (15 marks)

Outline how you would respond to the issues in your chosen case study by outlining a plan.

Briefly discuss one of the following:

1. What steps would you undertake to resolve the issues? OR

2. What steps does your plan undertake to resolve the issues? Model given below:

 Define the conflict/problems in the issues

 Identify possible solutions

 The steps to implement the plan

 Applies suitable model effectively

The response plan must be based on a proven model for issues/conflict management model and be suitable to use for the situation provided.

All references to a model must be APA referenced.

Approximately 150 words.

ii) Implementation plan

Explain in approximately 120 words how the implementation of the plan will improve the business efficiency or effectiveness? (5 marks)

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iii) Communication methods to address issues (20 marks)

Discuss how you would communicate the issues to the most crucial stakeholder Clearly state who the recipient of the message is, the method of communication to be used, and the message you would communicate to them.

You need to:

1. Identifying the stakeholder you have selected

2. Justifying why the stakeholder identified is the most crucial

3. Identifying the most appropriate method of communication

4 Justify the appropriateness of the content of the message by providing one evidence.

Approximately 250 words

Part D: References

(5 Marks)

You must cite ALL sources used in writing this assessment. Only genuine primary or secondary academic sources are allowed to be used as references. Blogs, Wikipedia, or other similar non-peer reviewed materials will not be considered or given marks. Use APA citation format (6th edition) when citing sources or references.

Include a list of books, journal articles, web sites, and other communications used in your investigation or cited in your report in alphabetical order.

Ensure that ALL sources used in your research are cited in your presentation. Use APA 6th edition format in your references. Links, URLs, incorrect, and incomplete citations would not be considered and must be redone. It is recommended for you to use at least 5 academic sources.

If your paper severely lacks citation, it is considered a major plagiarism offence.

 Sections that lack citations from genuine sources may receive ZERO marks. (If the section does not require citation or is opinion-based, this may not apply).

 Sections copied (whether it has been paraphrased) from other students (enrolled within or outside of Aspire2 International) will receive zero marks.

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Content Rubric Marks Out of 5 0 1 2 3 4 5 Out of 10 0 1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 Out of 15 0-1 2-4 5-7 8-10 11-13 14-15 Assessment Criteria Knowledge & understanding of subject

Major gaps in knowledge and understanding of material at this level. Significant inaccuracies.

Gaps in knowledge and only superficial understanding of the well-established principles of area(s) of study. Some inaccuracies.

Some knowledge and understanding of material, of well-established principles of area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have been developed.

Broad knowledge and understanding of material, of well-established principles of area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have been developed.

Very good knowledge and understanding of material, of well-established principles of area(s) of study, and of the way in which those principles have been developed.

Exceptional knowledge and understanding of material, main concepts/theories at this level. Awareness of the limitation of their knowledge, and how this influences any analyses and interpretations based on that knowledge.

Cognitive/ Intellectual Skills (e.g. logic and argument; organisation and communication of ideas and evidence)

Unsupported generalisations, made without use of any credible evidence. Lack of logic, leading to unsupportable conclusions or missing conclusions. Lack of analysis and relevance.

Views/ findings largely irrelevant, illogical or contradictory. Generalisations/ statements made with slight evidence. Conclusions lack relevance and/or validity.

Awareness of main issues. Structure of argument effective, but with some gaps or weaknesses. Some evidence provided to support findings, but not always consistent. Some relevant conclusions.

Issues identified and analysed within given areas. An awareness of different views and ability to use evidence to support argument. Ability to apply concepts and principles outside context of study context. Generally sound conclusions.

Good level of analysis. An awareness of different views and ability to use evidence convincingly to support argument. Ability to apply concepts/ principles effectively beyond context of study. Valid conclusions.

Exceptional analysis and consistent features. Perceptive, logically connected points made throughout the work within a comprehensive and balanced argument. Evidence selected carefully and thoroughly analysed. Persuasive

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conclusions.

Use of research informed-literature (including referencing, appropriate academic conventions and academic honesty)

No evidence of reading. Views are unsupported and non- authoritative. Academic conventions largely ignored.

Evidence of little reading appropriate for this level and/or random use of sources. Academic conventions used weakly.

Evidence of reading relevant sources, with some appropriate linking to given text(s). Academic conventions evident and largely consistent, with minor weaknesses.

Knowledge and analysis of a range of literature beyond core text(s). Literature used accurately and analytically. Academic skills generally sound.

Knowledge of the field of literature used consistently to support findings. Research informed literature integrated into the work. Very good use of academic conventions.

Exceptionally wide range of relevant literature evaluated to inform argument, balance discussion and/or inform problem-solving. Consistently accurate and assured use of academic conventions.

Use of professional English

No evidence of professional word choice.

Many sentence fragments and therefore answer is unclear.

Answer is lost in poor construction or loss of it.

No paragraphs or an incomplete paragraph.

Many spelling, capitalisation and punctuation errors.

Too many grammar

Word choice is unprofessional.

More than 2 sentence fragments.

Meaning is lost in poor construction.

Awkward paragraph

construction clouds the writing.

Spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors make answer unclear.

Grammar & usage errors make writing unclear.

Word choice is inappropriate and sometimes uses action verbs and passive voice.

Sometimes uses complete simple sentences but lacks complexity and variety.

Writing has paragraphs but underdeveloped.

3-4 spelling, capitalization, or punctuation errors.

3 – 4 grammar & usage errors.

Word choice is generally appropriate and uses action verbs and passive voice with two or three errors. Generally uses complete sentences of varied length and complexity. Writing displays some effective paragraph divisions and the number of paragraphs is generally matches the required format/task. Generally main purpose of task is clear and coherent mostly. Minor spelling, capitalisation or punctuation errors.

Word choice is mostly appropriate and uses action verbs and passive voice appropriately. Mostly uses complete sentences of varied length and complexity. Writing displays some effective paragraph divisions and the number of paragraphs is appropriate to the required format/task. Main purpose of task is clear and coherent mostly. 1-2 spelling, capitalisation or punctuation errors. 1-2 grammar and English

Word choice is appropriate and uses action verbs and passive voice appropriately. Uses complete sentences of varied length and complexity. Writing displays effective paragraph divisions and the number of paragraphs is appropriate to the required format/task. Main purpose of task is clear and coherent. No spelling, capitalisation or punctuation errors. Excellent use of grammar and English

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and usage errors.

Minor grammar and English usage errors.

usage errors.

usage