Unit 29 OCR Nationals – LEVEL 3

Kick Start
Well you asked...
 There are no Model Assignments for any of
the Units beyond the compulsories, so this
is me looking at the content and trying to
make something fit.
 If you can think of something better, do let
me know!
 In the meantime...
Scenario
 Finesse Chocolate is an Irish company
looking to expand into mainland UK
markets. They are initially cautious about
the undertaking, particularly in the current
financial climate.
 You have been retained as part of the
research team to help the company explore
the best options for expansion.
AO1 Identify & present an initial
business idea
 Produce a report, including an opening
summary as in Unit 1, explaining the high-
quality chocolate market in the UK.
 Identify any gaps where you feel Finesse
Chocolate could look to begin its expansion,
and explain the options that could be used
 Include a detailed list of all research
sources.
 HINTS TO HELP FOLLOW...
AO1 Identify & present an initial
business idea
 Produce a report, including an opening
summary as in Unit 1, explaining the high-
quality chocolate market in the UK.
 In other words – include consideration of
demand, the attractiveness of the product to
the market, pricing of the product, identification
of competitors and the state of the market

 Include a detailed list of all research

sources.
AO1 Identify & present an initial
business idea
 Identify any gaps where you feel Finesse
Chocolate could look to begin its expansion,
and explain the options that could be used
 Partnership?
 Franchise?
 Independent sole trader?
 Limited company?

 Include a detailed list of all research

sources.
AO2: Search & compare existing business
plan templates & select a suitable template
 Produce a presentation showing research of
a range of existing business plan templates.
Select the one that you think is most
appropriate to use for Finesse Chocolate,
explaining your choice.

 Include a detailed list of all research

sources.
 HINTS TO HELP FOLLOW...
AO2: Search & compare existing business
plan templates & select a suitable template
 PASS: show research for at least 2
templates, using at least 2 sources (Net,
books, teachers, small business advisers...)
 MERIT: show research for at least 3
templates, using at least 2 sources
 DISTINCTION: make that 4 templates, 3
sources – one of which has to be NON-ICT!
 Include a detailed list of all research
sources.
 Keep going...!
AO2: Search & compare existing business
plan templates & select a suitable template
 PASS: compare the templates and choose
one, with a brief explanation of your
decision.
 MERIT: compare them, use suitable criteria
and justify your choice (content, suitability
of format, ease of use, simplicity)
 DISTINCTION: Do all of Merit – with
comprehensive explanation & justification
 Include a detailed list of all research
sources.
AO3 Design & create a spreadsheet
to support a 3-year financial plan
 Produce a spreadsheet that would model
the operation of the business plan for 3
years, including estimated costs and sales.

 HINTS TO HELP FOLLOW...

AO3 Design & create a spreadsheet
to support a 3-year financial plan
 PASS: Ensure all columns & rows are clearly
labelled, & use of appropriate formulae &
functions ALL of which must work.
 MERIT: Include start-up costs as well,
appropriate formatting and efficient use of
formulae & functions.
 DISTINCTION: Include a break-even
analysis as well, and at least one logical
function
 HUH? OK – move on...
AO3 Design & create a spreadsheet
to support a 3-year financial plan
 Think about...
 DESIGN
 User requirements
 Structure – layout
 Cell format

 FEATURES
 Analysis of estimated income and expenses (M & D)
 Breakeven (D)
 Prediction of growth
 Start up costs (M & D)

 AND....
AO3 Design & create a spreadsheet
to support a 3-year financial plan
 Think about...
 TOOLS
 Formulae (* - + /)
 Functions (range of – COUNT/SUM/SUMIF...)
 Logical functions (range again – IF...) (D)
 Absolute & relative references
 Macros
 Modelling
 Appropriate cell formatting – incl colour, shading...
AO4: Compile & produce a
professional business plan
 Produce the full business plan for
presentation to Finesse Chocolate using
elements created in AO2 and AO3.
 Include a hyperlinked table of contents
 For P the spreadsheet may be separate from
the plan, else it must be imported.
 For M bullet points/numbering must be included
as appropriate
 For D at least 2 appropriate charts/graphs must
be imported, with bullet points, numbering,
referencing and outline numbering.
The (not so) small print
 The final, final, FINAL, FINAL deadline is
5PM
FRIDAY
JANUARY
15 TH

2010
 Do NOT even think about asking for an extension.